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* The 2012 Schedule is coming soon!
The Taste of Atlanta VIP Experience is made complete with educational seminars led by top industry professionals.
VIP ticket holders are invited to register for one seminar when they arrive at the festival. Space is limited and fills up quickly.
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12:30 |
The Steaks of Kevin Rathbun and The Cabernets of Napa Valley |
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Chef Kevin Rathbun |
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Chef Kevin Rathbun (Rathbun's, Krog Bar and Kevin Rathbun Steak) will hold court during this rousing seminar that puts his two favorite things together: Steaks and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Along with sidekick (and certified wine educator) Gil Kulers, the two will explore with attendees what makes this delectable food combo tick. Of course, Kevin will serve up a steak dish to illustrate his points.
Featured wines: Rubicon, Staglin Vineyards, Quintessa and Honig |
2:00 |
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Viewed Through New and Old World Eyes |
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Mark Gunn, sommelier and owner of The Melting Pot restaurants |
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Two grapes. Two very different winemaking interpretations. Mark Gunn of The Melting Pot restaurant will take guests through a tasting and exploration of Burgundy and Oregon when it comes to producing pinot noir and chardonnay wines. Sun, wind, rain and topography make significant contributions to the final product, but culture also plays a key role. Mark will help see, smell, taste and appreciate the wondrous differences. |
3:30 |
Halloween Cocktails |
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Michael Searles, Master Mixologist and Barman(ager) at Holeman & Finch and Restaurant Eugene |
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Using Crystal Head Vodka, Michael will mix up a few tasty and seasonal Halloween-themed cocktails. Sit down and sample The Witch Side, Jack's Roast and A Killing Floor. |
5:00 |
Beer v. Wine: The Pizza Challenge |
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Bob Townend, editor of Southern Brew News,
Gil Kulers, CWE, wine columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and consultant for Tower Wine & Spirits |
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Bob and Gil go at it again, this time they will be pairing their favorite libations with the New York style pizzas of Ray's New York Pizza. Bob Townsend, beer columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, will explain why beer is a pizza's best friend and he will bring two brews to prove his point. Gil Kulers, CWE, is the newspaper's wine columnist and he will pick two wines to show the audience that wine is the only beverage choice for pizza lovers. In the end, attendees win as they witness these two experts promote their favorite beverage. |
12:30 |
The Latest Vintage of the Century |
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Lisa Allen, founder/owner Big Boat Wine Co. |
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It seems that this iconic French wine region has a Vintage of The Century about every three years. Lisa Allen, founder of Big Boat Wine Company, will explain how consensus, timing and marketing come together to make superior vintage declarations. The audience will taste wines from the 2009 vintage and from 2005 and 2000 (the previous two "Vintages of the Century") to see what is legitimate and what is hype. |
2:00 |
So You Want To Be A Winemaker? |
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Sponsored by Rodney Strong Vineyards & Davis Bynum Winery
Robert Larsen of Rodney Strong Vineyards .
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Pinot noir has beguiled wine lovers for centuries with its seductive, earthy tastes and aromas. Making a memorable wine from this temperamental grape, however, remains one of winemaking's biggest challenges. Attendees will get a rare chance to taste wine made from six different pinot noir clones grown in the Russian River Valley. Robert will explain what each clone contributes to the final blend. |
3:30 |
Glassware for Beer Connoisseurs |
Take these home! |
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Bob Townsend of AJC |
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Join AJC beer writer Bob Townsend and Rob Nelson of specialty beer importer Merchant du Vin for a very special VIP Beer Tasting Seminar featuring the elegant Beer Connoisseur glassware set from Riedel/Spiegelau. Explore the practical and sensory effects of proper glassware and learn about classic beer styles, including wheat, pilsner and Belgian. Best of all, the glassware set is yours to take home!
Purchase your VIP Tickets + "Glassware for Beer Connoisseurs" Seminar >>> |
5:00 |
Champagne -
The Lowdown on Blanc de Blanc, de Noir
and Wines NOT
Found
in Any Rap Song |
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Don Hackett, CSW, Manager & Wine Consultant, Sherlock's Wine Merchants |
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Vintage, blanc de blanc, blanc de noir, what's the difference? Don will guide attendees through the maze of terms for Champagne. He will also offer various types of sparklers from smaller producers to show guests the world outside of the iconic Champagnes idolized by movie stars and hip-hop artists. |
Gil Kulers is a Certified Wine Educator, the Society of Wine Educators' highest level of certification, and one of only 215 CWEs in the world. He also writes the popular wine column, Kulers Uncorked, for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is a contributor to Golf Digest's Index magazine on all matters of food and wine. In addition to working in the kitchens of several prestigious restaurants in Atlanta and Europe, Gil has worked as an assistant sommelier at the Cherokee Town Club in Atlanta, overseeing a multimillion dollar, 25,000-bottle wine collection. Gil is also an alumnus of The Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated valedictorian of his class and garnered numerous awards including the esteemed Commanderie de Bordeaux Award to study wine in France. |
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Bob Townsend has been writing about beer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the better part of a decade. He frequently writes on topics ranging from cooking, dining and drinking to music, film and travel, and is currently editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer publication distributed throughout the Southeast.
Townsend grew up on a small family farm, with five siblings, a mother who was an imaginative home cook, and a father who was a basement home brewer. He appreciates all kinds of food and drink, but has a particular fondness for Texas barbecue joints, Florida seafood shacks, Irish pubs, fancy French restaurants, small batch bourbon, and American craft beer. |
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