The Big Ketch Canton Street Cracks Open Oyster Flight Night with Local Beer and Wine Tastings Mar. 30

Coast into a quick spring seaside getaway. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill on Canton Street in Roswell is hosting their only Oyster Flight Night of the spring beach season on Thursday, March 30 beginning at 7 p.m. Shell out a mere $35 per person for eight oysters (four varieties) and four (four-ounce) beer or wine pairings. Hushpuppies and boiled peanuts come on board as well. The night’s featured brews are a mere tide’s ride away, hailing form Roswell’s Gate City Brewing Company. Buy tickets online for $35 through March 30.

Stream into Stem Wine Bar for Game of Rhones January Wine Tasting Series

Hit record; kings and thrones can wait. Game of Rhones wine tastings conquer Wednesday nights at East Cobb’s Stem Wine Bar during the month of January. Owner and chef Doug Turbush and sommelier Chris McNeill welcome wine lovers to their kingdom for an informative tasting of varietals originating in France’s famed Rhone Valley realm and royally paired with six small bites. Wine tastings run 6:30-8 p.m. and cost $40 per person (plus $3.19 service fee; gratuity added at in-store checkout). Space is limited so click on your preferred tasting date and buy tickets today for wine tastings on Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Jan. 18 and Jan. 25.

Stem Wine Bar Salutes Wines Born in the U.S.A. during July

Stem Wine Bar pays homage to the homeland this month, going firecrackers over wines from the U.S.A. From east to west and north to south, our spacious skies shine on grapevine trellised hills as well as those amber waves of grain. Owner/chef Doug Turbush prepares six small bite plates to harmoniously unite with sommelier Chris McNeill’s selections of wines. It’s your patriotic duty to meet these all-American wines in Stem’s unpretentious and fun atmosphere. Wednesday night wine tastings begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each (plus $3.19 service fee; gratuity added at in-store checkout). Seats are limited. Click on the date to buy tickets online: July 13, July 20, July 27.

Gerry Klaskala Taking his Talents to Naples Winter Wine Festival and Benefit

Gerry Klaskala, executive chef and owner of Aria, is taking his talents to Naples, Fla. during the Naples Winter Wine Festival, January 24-26, 2014. On Friday, January 24, Klaskala and other celebrity chefs from across the nation will take over the kitchens and dining rooms of Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) trustees - and the homeowners won't mind a bit. The chefs will prepare signature dishes and be joined by vintners with fine wines to create an intimate, one-of-a-kind wining and dining experience for guests. All this preparation and hard work will aid the NCEF's primary annual fundraising event. Themed "Celebrate the Journey," the festival boasts other events including "Meet the Kids Day Tour & Luncheon," wine tastings, gourmet meals and an auction offering wines, dining and travel experiences and one-of-a-kind treasures. The NCEF supports programs that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County, Fla.

Aria’s Gerry Klaskala Cooking Class at The Cook’s Warehouse on September 17

Put that bird to work! Gerry Klaskala of Aria finds a tantalizing way to use every part of the affordable bird, and he’s eager to share his ideas with attendees at a Simple Abundance cooking class at The Cook’s Warehouse – Brookhaven on Monday, September 17. 

Anyone who has dined at Aria knows Klaskala’s simple, modern dishes showcase the season’s freshest ingredients. And comfort food? Klaskala is king of slow food cooking that teases out every drop of flavor. His menu for the class, also on Facebook, includes honey- and soy-glazed almond wings, chicken soup with quick noodles, caramel black pepper drumsticks, coconut, lemongrass and red curry tenderloins, slow-braised thighs with preserved lemon and green olives, and breast with sweet garlic and goat cheese. 

The demonstration and wine tasting featuring wines from Sherlock’s Wine Merchant runs from 7 – 9 p.m., costs $55 per person and benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Sign up online.

I'll Have a Glass of Wine, Please!

Starting this Thursday, April 19, Woodfire Grill is introducing a winning wine tasting series for spring and summer months. First up are cava, Dom Pérignon and six other champagnes and sparkling wines. These wines actually complement more foods than any other wine type, according to Woodfire Grill Wine Director Nicolas Quinones and Sommelier Catherine Hatch. The two wine experts hone in on a different type of wine at monthly tastings planned for the third Thursday of each month through August. At each tasting, eight carefully selected wines will be available to dining room guests from 6 - 8 p.m., concurrent with dinner service but not served as pairings. The tastings are $15 per person and are limited to 30 guests each month. Reservations are in order to guarantee a spot; call 404-347-9055 and specifically mention the wine tasting when booking.

For Chardonnay lovers, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is offering the elusive Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2010 for a limited time. Most is sold via the winery's private mailing list, and what does make it to restaurant wine cellars is seemingly sold for a king's ransom. Maeve Pesquera, director of wine at Fleming's, has an "in" on procuring this ultra-premium Chardonnay from one of California's most-sought-after producers. Leveraging a strong relationship with Kistler, Pesquera has obtained this king of the California Chardonnays, and Fleming's is able to offer it as an "Icon Wine" to guests at an exceptional price of $60 a bottle (excluding tax and gratuity) beginning April 18 and continuing while supplies last.

Alon’s in Dunwoody Hosts Authentique Vin’s Thomas Meunier For A Genuine French Wine Tasting

After six years of working at a Loire Valley winery, Thomas Meunier set out to accomplish one of his career goals – to find true winegrowers who make no concessions and whose distinctive personalities are reflected in their wine. Meunier’s vision came together with the creation of his start up Authentique Vin Imports. On Wednesday, April 11, Alon’s Bakery & Market in Dunwoody invites guests to attend a wine tasting from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring a selection of Authentique Vin French wines. The cost is $20 per person and includes light hors d’oeuvre. As Meunier believes, “authentic people make authentic wine in a sustainable way, revealing the identity of a soil, a grape and a climate – the notion of Terroir.”

Learn About Wine and Mingle with Wine Connoisseurs at Woodfire Grill's Louis/Dressner Winemaker Dinner

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or simply enjoy learning about the finer things in life, meet winemakers and taste wines at Woodfire Grill's Louis/Dressner Winemaker Dinner on Tuesday, January 17. Old world wine importer Louis/Dressner doesn't make the wines, but they have connections with more than 100 conscientious vignerons in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Slovenia. Eric Texier from Chateauneuf du Pape and Jean-Paul Brun from Beaujolais, both winemakers whose wines are imported by Louis/Dressner, will discuss their naturally produced wines during the evening.

Even better, learning about the natural viticulture and tasting some of the exquisite wines is just the tip of the iceberg at this dinner party. You will also enjoy Woodfire Grill’s handcrafted five-course menu of four savory dishes and desserts plus wine pairings. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $115 per person (includes tax but not gratuity). There are only 20 seats open to the public, so don't think about it too long. Make reservations now for this exclusive dinner by calling the restaurant at 404-347-9055.

Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Get Your Seat at This Sunday’s Toulouse Wine Tasting

It’s time for another one of Toulouse's tempting wine tastings. With holiday wining and dining season fast approaching, you should reserve your spot for this Sunday’s tasting of Reserve wines soon! The Toulouse Wine Guy will direct your tasting spree of 15 wines interspersed with light appetizers starting at 6:30 p.m. $40 per person. Be sure to make your reservations by calling 404-351-9533.

Toulouse: 2293 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite B; 404-351-9533.

Wine Your Way Through The Week

I'm considering attending each of these because 1. I am always looking for a place to meet up with friends after work and 2. I am a certified wine-o. So get your date books ready and jot down these wine tastings and dinners going on in Atlanta in the next week.

Wednesday, May 13 - Woodfire Grill will host a Rosé wine tasting led by Co-Owner and Wine Director Nicolas Quinones. Beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting until 8 p.m., taste through eight rosés from Georgia, Spain, France and California. These are perfect when you are craving red wine aromas and flavors, but desire a chilled and refreshing glass of vino. During Woodfire's tastings you can take a seat anywhere in the restaurant, from dinner table to bar top, and enjoy for $15 per person. Make reservations now by calling 404-347-9055.

Sunday, May 17 - If you live on a tight wine budget, you may ignore the "reserved" list when picking a bottle to accompany dinner. Find out what you’re missing at Toulouse's wine tasting of 15 reserve bottles. Toulouse Wine Guy Michael Gallant spills all of the information during the two-hour tasting beginning at 6:30 p.m. $40 per person includes wines and palate cleansing appetizers. Reservations are encouraged. 2293 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-351-9533.


Monday, May 18 – Morton’s The Steakhouse Downtown explores the versatility of Malbec wines during the May tasting. Guests will sip on Trapiche, Torrontes, 2008; Trapiche, "Oak Cask," Malbec 2007; Michel Torino, "Don David," Malbec 2006; Broquel, Malbec 2006; and Trapiche, "Adriana Venturin," Malbec 2006 with the restaurant’s signature hors d'oeuvres to compliment each glass. $45 per person excluding tax and gratuity. SunTrust Plaza Building, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

Wednesday, May 20 – If you missed the Malbec tasting at Morton’s downtown location or if you just want to double up, Morton’s The Steakhouse Buckhead will host the same tasting the following Wednesday. Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535.

This Week's Wine Events

It's wine time! Here are some great wine events going on this week:

For those of you outside of the perimeter, head to Aqua blue on Wednesday, April 8, for a five-course winemaker dinner featuring the diverse wines of Domaine Chandon. This special menu features a bounty of spring’s refreshing flavors, each course complemented by the appropriate Domaine Chandon wine for $60 per person, not including tax and gratuity. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required; call 770-643-8886. On the menu: seafood kabob with spicy chile and lime glaze, Domaine Chandon Rose Sparkling Wine, Napa Valley NV; grilled shrimp and peach salad, goat cheese and watercress, Domaine Chandon Chardonnay, Carneros 2005; roast duck, Japanese eggplant, summer squash, fried sweet potato and smooth cherry broth, Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir, Carneros 2006; pork tenderloin pad thai, Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier, Carneros 2006; strawberry and kiwi flan; Domaine Chandon Riche Sparkling Wine, Napa Valley NV.

Aqua blue is located at 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road.

Inside the perimeter people can make their way to Woodfire Grill for wine on Wednesday, April 8. Guests can try Italian red wines from the Piedmont regions: Barolo, Barbera d’Alba, Barbera d’Asti and Dolcetto. The tasting is $15 per person and can be experienced from 6 to 10 p.m. in the bar area at your own pace or at your dinner table. Reservations are required for the wine tastings as space is limited.

Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Wine Down Wednesdays: a New Monthly Event at Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead

Last night, Meryl and I went to Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead for the restaurant's first Wine Down Wednesday event. The first Wednesday of each month, Morton’s in Buckhead becomes the place to mark the midweek with themed wine tastings. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., $12 (inclusive of tax and gratuity) buys guests a generous sampling of three to four wines plus complimentary appetizers. This month's tasting focused on "Pioneers of California" – Beringer Stanley Ranch Chardonnay, Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Terra D’Oro Deaver Ranch Zinfandel. I favored the Mondavi Cabernet, while Meryl enjoyed the Beringer Chardonnay the best. Tanya Lawson, a representative from United Distributors, was on hand to educate us about the wines , and the lovely Maureen, our favorite bartender, brought around hors d'oeuvres such as steak sandwiches and scallops for guests to enjoy with their wine.

These tastings are the perfect opportunity to come get a feel for the upscale restaurant’s top-notch food, wine and exceptional service. Next month's tasting features an evening of "Pinot Envy" on July 2.

Morton’s The Steakhouse Buckhead is located in the Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535.

Tuesday Tastings at VITA

Last night I went to VITA's Tuesday Tastings. These weekly wine tastings take place in the bar area every week from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's a good thing I arrived on time, the place was packed! And for a good reason -- $15 per person includes a sampling of 5-6 wines and complimentary appetizers. Great wine, great food and great company -- I'll definitely go back soon! Not to mention, it's a great way to avoid the rush hour traffic!

Vita Begins Tuesday Wine Tastings TODAY

The April showers have passed (for the most part) and now it's time to enjoy this great weather we're having. The new VITA in Buckhead is celebrating the lovely weather with Tuesday Wine Tastings beginning today. It’s just too darn gorgeous outside to keep those wines holed up in the cellar! From 5 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday evening, VITA guests can try 5-6 wines and hors d’oeuvres for $15. Since I was out of town this past weekend, I'll be catching up with the girls on the patio after work. Hope to see you there!

This month, VITA brings Australian wines up from down under for your taste trip in a glass. 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.