Welcome...

Hi - We're the Grape Girls!

We've made it our mission to demystify the wine tasting experience, food pairing and selection process. We'll keep you posted on what's new and hot on the food and wine scene. We want to share our love of food, wine and travel with the world and can't wait for YOU to join us on our adventures.

Grape Crush Productions, Atlanta's premier food and wine event specialists, has been voted one of Atlanta's BEST businesses - every year since 2009 - for bringing the "tasting room" to living rooms, offices and venues across metro Atlanta.

We're the creators and producers of Atlanta Food & Wine Month, Atlanta Winter Wine + Jazz Festival, Buckhead Wine Festival, Chefs in the City , Organic Wine & Food Fair and other hot local events.

Be sure to fan us on Facebook and follow on Twitter for recent event pics, special offers and exclusive event invitations.

Remember, compromises are for relationships, NOT wine! :)

The next sip is yours...

Cheers!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Italian Wine & Art at the High Museum

Ciao bella... It's Grape Crush Night at the High!












Thursday, Jan. 21 from 5-9pm
High Museum of Art Atlanta



Celebrate Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius and all things Italian! Join us for this special wine tasting and enjoy various wines from Italy.



Your ticket includes:
Admission to the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition
Favoloso door prizes and giveaways courtesy of Grape Crush Productions
Three wine samples or one full glass
Italy Grape Escape (Sept. 2010 travel excursion) details and early registration deals



Click here for more information or visit http://italianwine.eventbrite.com.
Use discount code GCP10 to save $5 OFF tickets now thru Jan. 2.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Toast the Season: Affordable Sparkling Wines!

'Tis the season to celebrate!





There's nothing like a glass of Champagne. Whether alone, or with a favorite meal or dessert - it always fits the bill. However, paying the bill can be a problem!
So, with New Year's Eve right around the corner, I have scoured local stores and online resources in search of affordable sparkling wines that will give you as much joy as Champagne without breaking the bank.
Outside of the Champagne region, France is an amazing source of delicious, high quality bubbles. Look for Crémant on the label, to identify wines made in the same manner as Champagne.
Spain and Italy produce enormous quantities of sparkling wine, the most common being Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy. The trick with either is to avoid the cheapest wine on the shelf; it's almost always awful. Stick to safe, middle price ranges, roughly $12 to $25. US wineries make good sparklers. Roederer Estate, owned by Champagne giant Louis Roederer, sets the standard for American sparkling wine, and gives French Champagne houses a run for their money. Also, New Mexico's Gruet Winery is a new discovery that won't disappoint - surprisingly!
Here are some of my favorites to share with your friends:

France
NV Pierre Boniface Les Rocailles Brut de Savoie ($15-$19) Jacquère, Altesse, Chardonnay. As crisp as a day in the French Alps, and much more affordable!
2007 Domaine Clavelin Brut Comté Chardonnay, Cremant de Jura ($15-$19) Chardonnay. Rich and commanding, with toasty notes of baked apples and lemons.

Spain
2006 Gramona Gran Cuvée, Cava, Penedes ($15-$21) Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Chardonnay. Creamy and full-bodied, with layers of flavors.

Italy
NV San Giovanni Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC, Veneto ($18) Prosecco.
Fruity and light-hearted, but flavorful enough to stand up to anything.

United States
NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico ($13.75) Pinot Noir.
Medium bodied and perfectly balanced, with flavors of yellow apples, citrus flowers, and biscuits.
2002 Roederer Estate L'Hermitage, Anderson Valley, California ($45) Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. Powerful and elegant. Full-bodied, with commanding and complex flavors of fruit, flowers, fresh cream, and toast. Can stand up to a steak, but delicate enough not to overpower anything.
Cheers!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Holiday Rum Cake Recipe

Go "beyond the bar" this holiday season...




Cooking with wine and spirits can be a unique enhancement to an average weekday meal, or a grand special occasion. Try this recipe for Bacardi's Original Rum Cake to WOW your guests and instantly add a little holiday cheer to your next soiree. Bake one to enjoy with your family and friends and a few more to give as unique holiday gifts!


Bacardi Rum Cake:
1/2 cup Bacardi Gold Rum
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 - 18 1/2oz pkg yellow cake mix
1 - 3 1/2 oz pkg vanilla instant pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup cold water


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan or 10-cup tube pan. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, Bacardi Gold Rum, oil & water. Using an electric mixer, beat at low speed until moistened. Beat at high speed 2 minutes. Pour batter over nuts. Bake 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes, then invert onto serving plate.


Glaze:
1/2 cup Bacardi Gold Rum
1/2 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water


Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in sugar, water & Bacardi Gold Rum. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Prick top of the cake with a fork. Spoon and brush glaze evenly over top and sides. Allow cake to absorb glaze. Repeat until all glaze is absorbed.

NEW: Join the Virtual Grape, a new social network connecting Atlanta wine lovers and foodies. Post a profile, get exclusive event invitations, share your best recipes, get wine tasting tips, and more! http://virtualgrape.ning.com/


Cheers!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Holiday Style Soiree Photos!





The Grape Girls and fashion stylist Amanda Atkins "decked the halls" of Bloomingdale's Perimeter Mall on December 2nd to spread a little holiday cheer! The event featured exquisite wines from Montaluce Winery and Two Friends Imports, styling tips, informal models, sweet treats by Chay J's New Orleans Candies, hot shopping deals and cool door prizes.






Click here to view event pics.

Featured Wines:

WHITE WINE FLIGHT
2008 Montaluce, Viognier
2008 Montaluce, Chardonnay
2007 Bovin Chardonnay

RED WINE FLIGHT
2005 Popova Kula, Vranec
2005 Popova Kula, Merlot
2005 Popova Kula, Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Montaluce, Cabernet Sauvignon


BONUS: Tree of Life Pomegranate Wine

Don't miss our next "Grape" event! Click here to join our email list today.

Cheers!