ATLANTA’S HIGH MUSEUM WINE AUCTION

THE GREAT WINE EVENT-PRESTIGE WITH PURPOSE

By Doc Lawrence

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, The High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction, the largest charity wine auction in the U.S. benefiting the arts and the fifth largest overall has brought more than $19 million over the years to the museum. All of Georgia and the Southeast directly benefit from the educational and exhibition events made possible from these funds.

Everything is ready to begin. From March 28 through March 31, the auction, held under the big-top tents in Atlantic Station, offers gourmet excitement including Dine Around Dinners on March 28, the all-inclusive global Trade Tasting plus in-home Winemaker Dinners on March 29. On Friday, the highly popular and meaningful tasting seminars fill the day, followed by the highly-anticipated Friday Night Fête, a special evening under the tents with acclaimed guest chefs preparing a multi-course menu served with fine wines while couples dance to live ballroom music. Saturday is the main event: the Vintners’ Reception and Live Auction.

2012 marks my 20^th year at the Auction and almost everything I know about the importance of wine to the arts has been acquired by countless enlightening encounters and priceless experiences. Over the years, thousands attending have been enriched by learning from authentic celebrity chefs, legendary winemakers, authors, television personalities, all intertwined with the culinary culture of the South and the planet.

I’ll be at the renowned Iberian Pig in Decatur on March 28 for a wine dinner, followed by appearances on seminar day beginning with a blind tasting challenge featuring 20 Oregon wineries, an event that is equal parts competition, classroom and mingling with winemakers.

Another special seminar is titled Discover Your Alter Ego with Château Palmer. The heralded wines of Château Palmer express the estate’s unique terroir and long history. With precision and concentration, Palmer’s wines represent finesse, elegance and emotion, the pinnacle of Bordeaux wines. Jean-Louis Carbonnier, U.S. manager of Château Palmer, shares insights into this acclaimed estate and conducts a tasting of six vintages of Château Palmer and Alter Ego.

Some say the word Chile may have been derived from a word that means “where the land ends.” You cannot learn too much about Chilean wines. This South American country’s winemaking dates back to the 16th century when Spanish conquistadores brought vines with them. Winemaker Miguel Torres Jr., leads a journey through the origin of Chilean viticulture featuring 2011 Torres “Santa Digna” Savignon Blanc, 2009 Torres “Santa Digna” Carmenere, 2008 Torres “Cordillera” Cariñena and 2007 “Manso de Velasco” Cabernet.

Please take a moment to say hello. Atlanta is home and I love to meet new people who will soon become friends.

March 2012 eNewsletter

WARMER DAYS, LOVELY FLOWERS, LIGHTER FOOD and WINE Spring releases so much of what we’ve stored since the Holiday Season. Walks are now more common. Spirits soar with the laughter of children playing in the schoolyard. Women glow in pretty print dresses and men down south are about to don seersucker suits again. Songbirds, the harbinger of wonderful things returning, serenade all the livelong day. Although vacation season isn’t quite here, the irresistible temptation is to get in the car and go somewhere. A change of scenery for even a long weekend invigorates. The Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are ours with little effort. Georgia and South Carolina’s barrier islands offer retreats from rustic to luxurious. North Carolina’s Outer Banks are the stuff of novels. Our food is from local sources, particularly near the ocean where the lifestyle is slow and easy. Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Chattanooga, Raleigh and Richmond are major culinary centers. Louisville has emerged as a top gourmet destination. With museums, art galleries, sports, live theater and all that comes from their major universities, a visit there will always be fruitful. The mountains are glowing again. Wineries are uncorking those lighter reds, whites and some now have sparkling wine. These are perfect for food from outdoor grilling and the omnipresent barbecue. The March edition of Wines Down South features Doc Lawrence’s journey to Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, a day at Chateau Blessey in Biloxi, and a return to the restaurants of Thomasville, Georgia and the heralded Sweet Grass Dairy, plus a dine around inTallahassee and the ultimate farm to table in Tallahassee and Monticello, Florida. Florida prepares for the 500th birthday celebration with anticipation of the visit by Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. The Sunshine State is showcasing Major League Baseball teams including our Atlanta Braves at Lake Buena Vista. Behold fresh cut grass, clear skies, outdoors concerts and the intoxicating aromas from the grill. It’s springtime in Dixie and Wines Down South is your guide. We live and work here. It’s what we know and this is the land and home of the people we love. Join us as we enjoy the roses, azaleas, dogwoods and nature’s symphony! Friend Us! Follow Us! Share Us! ClLICK HERE to enjoy Doc Lawrence's appearance with host Chef John Folse on the show, Stirrin' it up. DOC'S WINE SELECTION Norton from Georgia's Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Rabun County, is Doc's choice for March. This is also called Cynthiana, the grape of the Cherokee and one of America's finest wine products. WINES DOWN SOUTH SUPPORTS THE HIGH MUSEUM ATLANTA WINE AUCTION The High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction is Georgia's greatest food and wine party and the largest fundraising event for the High Museum of Art. This year is a Salute to the Glorious Grape with old friends and new, world renowned winemakers, and legendary chefs from across the country. Join Doc Lawrence and many others from the four corners for these unforgettable days and nights of celebrating wine, art, food and friends: March 28 - 31. Wines Down South Sheila Brewington    Doc Lawrence    Stephen W. Cannon    Val Kruse  Jordan Bloomingdale    Guy McKenzie     Anne Marie O'Keefe  Copyright © 2011 Wines Down South, All rights reserved.