wine on wednesdays

Welcome to the first official installment of Wine on Wednesdays!
(hold for applause)
I hope you are just as excited as I am about this new feature.  My goal is to tell you what I know, what I like and, in the process, learn more and share that new-found knowledge with you.  Also, if you would like to drop some of your knowledge my way for possible discussion in future posts, that would be awesome.  I pinky swear not to steal your idea and pass it off as my own.  Just send an email to wineonweds at hotmail dot com.  (I’m kinda going all out for this, if you can’t tell.)

So, if you remember, last week I gave you a teaser in the form of a picture:

Lovely, isn’t it?  It took me about seven tries to take that picture because I kept drinking the wine.  Then I couldn’t stand up straight.  The things I go through for art.

Anyway, that picture was taken at one of my favorite little places on earth and it’s only about an hour’s drive away: Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega, Georgia. 

Not only is the location beautiful, but their wine is absolutely wonderful. 

“Wait.  Wine from Georgia?  Is it made from muscadines or something?”

Forget anything you think you may know about Georgia wine (and if you’ve only had wine from Chateau Elan, then you don’t know a whole lot).  There are over a dozen excellent wineries located in the North Georgia Mountains that grow their own grapes and produce their own unique varieties of wine.  If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend renting a cabin for the weekend (and hiring a driver) and visiting as many as you can before you pass out.  You can visit the Georgia Wine Growers Association for maps and more information.

But, I’m not here to talk about the other wineries, I’m here to talk about my beloved Frogtown. 

First, the frog.  How cute is that? 
It’s a perfect logo because it reflects the casual and fun environment of the winery.  The tasting room is open and inviting.  The staff are very friendly and eager to talk about the wine.  They have a beautiful covered porch where you can sip your wine and enjoy a light lunch while gazing out over the vineyard and the mountains.  And the wine.  It really is delicious (mmm, it does go well with the chicken.*).  The bottle price is a little more than I normally spend, $25+ per, but I feel that it is worth it.  Not just for the quality, but because by purchasing the wine you are supporting local farmers and it’s all about consuming everything that’s been locally grown these days.  Bring your reuseable bag and stock up!  Sure beats a hot, sweaty farmer’s market that’s for sure. 

To sum up, I love Frogtown because it is the full package: relaxed atmosphere, friendly people, beautiful scenery and fantastic wine.  

Well, that’s a wrap everybody.  I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed doing the research.

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*if you get this reference we seriously need to hang out.

wonderful wednesdays

The lovely and talented Katie O. of you are what you eat . . . or reheat has featured my recipe for Fire Pies in this week’s installment of White Trash Wednesday.  You should go over there for the post and stay for her blog.  It is quite excellent. 

Katie has inspired me to add a weekly feature to my blog.  But on what topic?  What do I know enough about that I would be able to write about it coherently once a week, but not too much about that I won’t mind doing some research to find something new and interesting?  What wouldn’t bore me after a while?  What do I love?

You know, don’t you?  Of course you do. 

So, without further ado, please welcome my new weekly feature:

Wine fits in perfectly with the title/theme of my blog.  If wine can’t fix a problem, it can sure help you deal with it.

I am no expert, but I know what I like.  I purchase expensive wine on occasion, but most of what I buy is around $15 a bottle or less.  I’ll plan on talking about wines I’ve tried, wineries I’ve visited or would like to visit, wine accessories and anything else that strikes my fancy.  This will give me a wonderful chance to learn more about a subject that I already enjoy and share my knowledge with you, my dear readers.  Suggestions for topics are more than welcome, so please drop me a line. 

I’m kinda excited about this, ya’ll.  I’ve already got tons of ideas for future posts.  Just to get the wine barrel rolling, here is one of my favorite pictures:

Life is much better viewed through a wine glass.  I’ll tell you where that picture was taken next week!