A Toast to Local Wine

Yes I know, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. I have been very busy eating food, drinking wine, and having fun. Now I am finally taking a pause to give you an update on food, wine, and fun in North Georgia. Right now I have in my hand a glass of Claret from Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega…. mmm you got to taste this.

Last weekend I went winery hoping with my mother and a friend (our faithful DD) on the first warm weekend this Spring.  It was truly a blissful day… 68’ and sunny. Our first stop was Three Sisters Winery. We tasted several wines, some great and some… let’s say interesting.  Below are the notes from my favorites.

*Note – if you haven’t tasted North GA wine before, be prepared that it’s a bit harsher due to the hard soil and clay found in this wine region.

Cabernet Franc 2006 – Aged in French and American oak. Notes of cherry, oak, and spice. Dry full-bodied red. This bottle was aged perfectly. Out of all the wine I tasted that day, I bought only 4 bottles, and this was one of them.

Cynthiana – Called “The All American Grape” and is indigenous that region. This red wine was dry and full with notes of black cherry. It lacked in complexity and had a flat finish. Not bad overall but not worthy of a second round.

Blood Mountain Red – This wine is named after a popular mountain in North GA. I did not like this wine. It was soooo sweet. The reason I’m mentioning it is because it was served with Cheetos… which was awesome! Not awesome from a wino perspective because that’s just wrong – but from the fact that I love Cheetos and love their creativity with this. I could tell the pairing was very well received by others at the bar.

Next on the tour was Wolf Mountian Vineyards and was my favorite of the day. The best atmosphere and view by far. I literally teared up looking out over the mountains. Yeah, maybe it’s because I was several glasses in at this point but hey, it was such a humbling view.  

 

Blanc de Syrah Brut – Fantastic summer bubbles! This one of a kind brut is made from estate grown and pressed clusters of Syrah. It has the perfect balance of tart raspberry and sweet strawberry flavors with a crisp finish.

Claret 2010 – I LOVE this wine! Here’s why….Family eastate-grown reserve, dry red, aged in American and Hungarian oak. Blend of Cabernet (70%), Tannat (10%), and Malbec (20%). The Cab offers the robust tannins and black currant flavors. The Tannat is a grape I’ve only seen in N GA and I think adds to the dry finish. The Malbec adds a bit of berry and spice.

Our last stop was at Frogtown Cellars. I had visited this winery last fall and loved it just as much this time around. Frogtown was a close second to Wolf Mountain in my fave list. My notes from this winery are a bit fuzzy… it was the last stop on a long but joyous day of wine tasting. Bare with me. Below are my two favorites, I think.

Frogtown Propaganda 2008 – Delicious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.  

Frogtown NV Shotgun, Second Reload – Well balanced med-bodied red blend. I also really love the name. I’m not like a big gun advocate… but it’s pretty cool.

Well I’m sorry Frogtown was so brief but I promise it’s a beautiful winery with superb wine and well worth a visit from wherever you live.

Salud!

For more information on North GA wine and tours:  http://www.georgiawinetours.com/