Wine & Chocolate Tasting Party

SIP, SAVOR & SHOP!

Lenox Square Mall - Feb. 10th from 5-8p.m.

Level 2

We're treating YOU to a wine and chocolate tasting!




The Grape Girls will share the basics of wine and chocolate pairing as you enjoy fabulous shopping deals. Here's a taste of the fun:

• Sample delectable chocolates and fine wines


• Purchase $1000 or more in Bloomingdale's New View's fresh spring looks from your favorite designers to receive a $200 splurge card and a pair of tickets to Diana: A Celebration, the new exhibit honoring Princess Diana at the Atlanta Civic Center


• You'll also receive spring's most stunning new accessory, an exquisite multi-media necklace (a 125.00 value!) with your purchase (while supplies last) and complimentary alterations


• Buy more, Save more in Ladies Shoes, Fashion Accessories and Handbags

Click here for more information.

RSVP: Send an email to VIP@GrapeCrushEvents.com with your full name and primary email address no later than Noon on February 9th. Please, no more than 2 guests per party. Must be 21 and older with valid ID to attend the tasting.

UPCOMING EVENT: The Atlanta Winter Wine & Jazz Festival sips into town on Sunday, February 21st. Come on out to sip, savor and jam with the Grape Girls and friends! Click here to purchase tickets, or vist http://winejazz.eventbrite.com.

Cheers!

WANTED: Volunteers for the Atlanta Winter Wine & Jazz Festival!

WANTED: Experienced Special Event Volunteers!

Grape Crush Productions invites you to volunteer at the Atlanta Winter Wine & Jazz Festival on Sunday, February, 21st!

Volunteers must commit to a 4 hour shift and will assist with set up, break down, registration, hospitality, wine tasting, beer tasting and other general duties. In return for your service, you will be able to enjoy the event at no cost and participate in volunteer-only prizes and giveaways. Great opportunity for young professionals, wine/beer enthusiasts and volunteer organizations!

Follow these instructions to be considered:

1. Send an email to Volunteers@GrapeCrushEvents.com with your full name, mailing address, primary email and phone number no later than Feb. 10, 2010.
   
2. Indicate if you prefer to work the early shift (11:30am - 3:30pm) or late shift (3:00pm - 7:00pm).
   
3. Be sure to state your past volunteer experience and list the last 3 events you worked.

You will be contacted with a confirmation (if selected) and more information. Space is limited, so submit your interest today!

Would you rather attend the event than work? Click here to purchase tickets or visit http://winejazz.eventbrite.com/. The event benefits the Children's Restoration Network.

Cheers!

Atlanta Winter Wine & Jazz Festival - Showcase Your Business!

Sips into town on Feb. 21st...

Last call to sample or "show and sell" at the upcoming Atlanta Winter Wine & Jazz Festival!

A partnership with the City of Atlanta (Office of Cultural Affairs), this event will provide access to hundreds of Atlanta area foodies, wine lovers and luxury shopping consumers. The event takes place on Sunday, February 21st at the historic Trolley Barn located in Inman Park and serves as a prelude to Atlanta Food & Wine Month (April) and the Atlanta Jazz Festival (May).

Event Highlights:

• Recognition of Atlanta's top sommeliers



• Fine wines from around the globe



• Tasty treats from local restaurants, bakeries and specialty food vendors



• Indoor Street Market (Art, Books, Fashion, Jewelery, Etc.)



• Community Corner (Nonprofits and Associations)



• Men's Lounge with craft beer tastings



• Live entertainment, book signings, door prizes and more

The event benefits the Children's Restoration Network.

For participation details or more information, send an email to info@GrapeCrushEvents.com.

Tickets on sale to the public Feb. 1st.

Cheers!

Italy: Wine Guide, Events & Travel!

Hundreds of wines are produced in Italy each year, making it hard for most of us to select the right bottle for a pasta dinner or simply warming up in front of the fireplace. It can be a bit intimidating!

From Sangiovese to Trebbiano, wine guru Stacy Slinkard's Italian Wine Guide helps decipher Italian wine terms, interpret Italian wine labels, discern grape varietals and more. Click here for easy pointers to navigating wine shop shelves or a restaurant wine list.

Looking for first-hand knowledge of Italy's viticultural variations?

Well, sip and savor with the Grape Girls at our Italian Art & Wine Tasting event at the High Museum of Art on January 21st from 5-9pm.

Guests will enjoy complimentary admisson to the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit, Italian wine samples, live entertainment and favoloso prizes and giveaways. While there be sure to pick up details of the upcoming Grape Escape travel excursion to Italy coming September 2010.

Click here to register today or visit http://italianwine.eventbrite.com/.

Salute!

Happy New Year - Our Gift to You!

Thanks for voting Grape Crush Productions one of Atlanta's Best Businesses of 2009 - what an amazing honor!

You're invited to become a Grape Guru and have even more fun with wine! A Grape Gurus club membership is the perfect opportunity to expand or develop your love of wine.



Grape Gurus enjoy:

*FREE and discounted wine tastings, wine dinners and special events
*Wine education opportunities
*Advance notice of special events and travel excursions with priority registration
*Complimentary welcome gift and more

SPECIAL OFFER: Join for only $20.10 (Reg. $59, a $250 value) and enjoy complimentary admission to the Atlanta Winter Wine & Jazz Festival coming February 21st. To receive the special discount link, send an email to info@GrapeCrushEvents.com.

This offer has been extended thru Monday, January 11th.

Cheers!

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.

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!