Riding Dirty Rates the Best Wine and Food Pairings in Atlanta

Eight weeks ago one of our favorite Atlanta bloggers Dirty South Wine, began a quest to get some of Atlanta’s top restaurants to compete in a wine pairing contest; this challenge became known as “Riding Dirty”. Dirty and two of his friends began Riding Dirty by setting some ground rules. They wanted to find the best demonstration of wine and food working together, but at an affordable price. Therefore, all the entries had to be paired with the glass of wine totaling under $25. Each pairing was documented by photos, videos and each restaurant had a chance to tell their story behind the wine and dish. At the end of the contest, Dirty selected the best wines and pairings from the restaurants. Here are some of our favorite picks by Dirty!

Best Traditional Pairing: Dogwood Restaurant
Dogwood paired a Rutz Maison Grand Cru Chardonnay with Lobster Grits.

Best Dish: Woodfire Grill
Pan roasted diver scallops, braised leeks and fennel, Bouillabaisse sauce, and herb salad.

Best Value: Toulouse

Best Belly Pairing: La Tavola

I think it is fair to say I have lots of new food and wine to try in 2009! With Dirty’s advice I know to expect nothing but the best!

2008 Riding Dirty Atlanta Wine Pairing Challenge

I have a love for wine and I have a love for blogs so it comes as no surprise that I read Dirty South Wine religiously. I'm really excited about the “Riding Dirty” Atlanta Wine Pairing Challenge he is putting on. Hardy has asked fifteen of Atlanta’s top restaurants to prepare a wine and food pairing to be served at their bar for under $25.

Wines are from the participating restaurants' current list of by-the-glass wines, and the food may be either a small plate or appetizer from their standard menu. The judges (Hardy, Matt Richardson and Broderick Smylie) have been evaluating each restaurants based on taste, creativity and value.

Hardy is chronicling each tasting at Dirty South Wine where you can read about the tastings and watch videos of their experiences at each restaurant. Updates can be followed on twitter under the #dty tag. Winners will be announced December 3, so stay tuned.

Participating restaurants include: Holeman & Finch, Joël, ARIA, ENO, Woodfire Grill, Toulouse,
VITA, Repast, La Tavola Trattoria, Top FLR, VINE, Canoe, Dogwood, ONE. Midtown kitchen and the ISAW charity (International Society of Africans in Wine).