Every Saturday, The Wine Cellars in downtown Smyrna hold a wine tasting. It had been rainy and gloomy for most of the morning, so a friend and I figured this would be a good way to brighten our day. Usually four to five wines are on the sampling menu which means you (I) get to try a variety you (I) wouldn't otherwise try. I'm a red wine lover. Those dry and bold reds that linger on the palate long after the last sip are my favorite.
Saturday was a day for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These typically aren't my style, but the tasting was free [with a $10 or more bottle purchase, otherwise it's $5... but there's no way I'm leaving a wine shop empty handed, so] which means they were my style that day.
Benovia Winery in Santa Rosa, California was this week's host. A nice gentleman from the vineyard spoke for a bit and gave specifics on how they harvest and ferment their grapes, but not before dropping some words of wisdom: "friendship cannot flourish an empty glass." I'll admit, he's [or whomever is first credited for the quote] probably correct. Benovia shared both a Chardonnay: Russian River Valley, and a Pinot Noir: Bella Una - Vintage, that tasted wonderful, but the purchase prices were a bit higher than I typically pay for wine, so I left with a bottle of Kumbaya Red Blend instead.
The wine shop is my go-to vino vendor in my area. It's small enough so that I always get personalized service and recommendations, but their selection is still pretty vast. They're locally owned and operated and are quite passionate about embracing your local community. They also operate as a cafe-style establishment, which means you can stop by with your laptop, use their free WiFi, and enjoy a glass of wine, although that might be a bit counter-productive if you're actually trying to get work done.
In addition to weekly wine tastings, they also host game nights every now and then, which I'm sure is extremely fun after a few glasses of vino, so I might have to make it one of these days.
^^ Probably the saddest book, ever.
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I'm definitely more of a sweet wine drinker. White wine and anything rose are my usual go to. But every once in a while, I'll dabble in a dry red and it suits my pallet. This post made me realize that I've have no idea where a local wine shop is around my way. Must fix this asap. Annnd way to end your post with that book lol :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but sweet wines just don't do it for me. Please find the bomb dot com wine shop in your area so I know where to go when I finally come visit!
DeleteLoved your write up and it's such a cute place! A little far from where I am but maybe I can make the trip one of these days. In the past, wine tastings haven't been very fun to me but maybe my taste buds just aren't mature enough to handle all of that yet, lol.
ReplyDeleteFrom my understanding, expensive wines are typically for those people who like to collect wine and save the bottles for more festive occasions, not necessarily for immediate indulgence. However, I can't see myself paying that much for wine but I think I will one day. :-)
Nice photos! They should sponsor this post!
Ps-I read that little book Saturday thinking it was a children's book lol...I was dying laughing though. Idk I can have a twisted sense of humor at times...
ReplyDeleteYou actually read the book?! Lol, I couldn't even bring myself to open the cover, it probably would've ruined my Pinot Noir buzz. Oh, and if you're closer to Stone Mountain than you are Kennesaw Mountain, yeah, Smyrna is definitely a little drive, but I've driven further for wine tastings before [Helen, Chattanooga...] and def felt it was worth it!
DeleteVery cool. I work in Marietta and I drive past Smyrna on the daily. I need to check it out some time. I always go to beer stores with my boyfriend, but it's about time I start indulging myself.
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