Ok, so I am going go next in the queue for sending Hardy Wallace congratulations for nailing the Murphy-Goode Wine Country Lifestyle Correspondent job. I’m not going to re-hash the fact he was first in line at the promotional kickoff in California or the other stuff you can readily read in the news or other blogs. I want to give you a personal account since I was the “competition” (yeah, right!?) here in the Atlanta market and have the pleasure of saying I know the guy.
The first time I connected with Hardy online was not too long after I started my blog last year. He was one of the first “regulars” who would comment every now and then on my site. That was cool enough (someone was actually reading my blabbering — yippee!!), but the fact that he was in Atlanta too, made it even more interesting because I didn’t really know what or who to expect in this world of wine blogging just yet, but he helped make the leap a little easier. The thing is, his comments are always genuine, encouraging and he will still tell you his opinion straight up – honest and transparent. They would be anywhere from light and funny to very specific that showed he knew what he was talking about. Here are a couple of those comments:
We finally met face-to-face earlier this year at a wine tasting hosted by the Atlanta Wine School where the speaker was Riedel’s own Maximilian Riedel himself. True to his colors, Hardy wasn’t impressed as the “presentation” was more from the snooty, higher-end perspective and seemed almost discriminatory of the everyday or newbie winedrinker – especially Max’s comments about why he made the “O” collection, and Hardy will tell you his thoughts on that straight up again. But the $60 glasses were nice. 
Once the Murphy-Goode contest had started, we met again at the Zap Zin tasting, this time as competitors and I wasn’t really sure what kind of force I was up against. Sure, Hardy is a little unassuming at first glance. I’m 6′ 2″… he’s not. And he is VERY modest and I was fooled. Little did I know that inside was the hunger of a lion and the roladex of practically every retail, trade and restaurant that pours wine in Atlanta in that skull of his on which perched that now very famous viking helmet.
He didn’t plan this when he was laid off by Kodak a few months ago, he had been planning this for over 2 years ever since DirtySouthWine.com was launched! Like Hannibal from the A-Team always said: “I love it when a plan comes together.” And really the contest was already won, no one just knew it yet. We all know now.
Congratulations and goode luck. When you’re back in the ATL, I’ll be happy to raise a glass with you anytime, Hardy.
Cheers!
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, Ed. Fair to say, I don’t know any of you guys, but as a real novice in the wine/food blogging world, I’ve been really appreciative of all the interaction and support, especially from the Atlanta folks (you included).
Dirty has been very friendly; even put my incubus of a blog under his links on dirtysouthwine.com. I do this for fun; would love to do it for a career, but one step at a time. Bottom line is, when I bust by tail all day, then come home and keep working to put up some (sometimes) good content, support from others in the community really keeps the passion to write going. Thanks to Dirty, you, and all the “sophisticated” boozehounds/blog jockeys in and around Atlanta. Sláinte!
Hey, you’ve got me linked on your site too! Man, you guys are true gents!
Ed–
This is the nicest post anyone has ever written about me.
You are a hell of a guy, and I’m glad to have really got to know you.
The past few days have been crazy, exciting, and I’ve been swamped.
I was psyched when I first came across winetonite. Here was another guy in ATL writing about wine who was fun to read– and now, there is a killer crew of folks.
I’m thrilled to have met you and Jonjie and look forward to seeing you this week!
Thanks for the killer post!
–Joe, thanks for the kind words as well. I really appreciate it.
Joe, you are friggin hilarious! Love your suburban views and I can relate having been a resident of Roswell for 7 years before moving ITP. We really need to get together with these other ATL winos and foodies after all this wonderful networking that has been bringing us all closer together.
Hardy, I speak straight from the heart, you are the man and I really enjoyed hanging with you and Jimmy yesterday wrapping up the #WBC09… Keep up the great work!
Sometimes, I’d love to move back ITP (that’s “inside the perimeter” to non-locals), but then it would totally screw up my approach.
I need to get my butt to some of these tastings around town. Got any recs? Otherwise, I want to start a monthly tasting event for fellow winos so I can dunk my whiskers into some bottles I can’t afford by spreading them out over a group of 6-8…stay tuned!