LocalWineEvents.com is a great website that I use quite often to find tastings, wine dinners and other wine-related events in the Atlanta area.  After my recent review of the iVisit Sonoma County application on the iPhone, Eric V. Orange, CEO/Founder of LocalWineEvents.com reached out and asked if I’d take a look at their new application too.  The app was just released on January 28, 2010 so it practically hot out of the oven.

PROS

1. Just like many iPhone apps, this program will be more valuable when you allow it to use your current location.

2. Once you select your location, you are given a list of today’s and future events that are closest to your current location.

3. The Details screen show some good information including the phone number of the establishment that can be pressed and automatically called.  You can also view the establishment on a map and even forward the event in an email to a friend.

4. If you know you are travelling to another location other than where you are currently, you can easily select another city in a another country to find events.

OPPORTUNITIES

1. The event listing screen always defaults to 30 Mile radius and only has 4 options.  It could be helpful, at least in my opinion, if it remembered my previous setting and offered more flexibility in radius options.  For example, by having the radius options as buttons at the top, the number of selections are limited.  The scroll list type of function could be used and allow more options to be made available, or it could allow the user to type in the radius directly.  Personally, I would like the option of 5 mile radius to be made available.  In most cases, I will not be travelling 50 miles around Atlanta to go to an event, especially with the lovely traffic we get here

2. Just like I found with the Sonoma County app, the map option on the details screen does not allow the user to get directions that is so common and helpful via Google maps.

3. I’d like to see a website link, if available, for the establishment on the Details page, which is often available on the event page on the website.

4. It may also be very helpful to add a calendar feature which allows the user to specify a date in the future to further filter the event list.  If I know I am not available until this coming Saturday and want to see what’s going on then, I have to scroll through the list currently.

5. In addition to the mail feature, it might be nice to include some of the social media links like Twitter or Facebook so that a user can inform their networks they are attending an event and include the event link.

6. Unfortunately, as with many version 1.0 releases, I did stumble upon a few bugs that I am sure will be worked out over the next couple of releases.  Some of these still occurred after deleting and reinstalling the app as well as hard-booting the iPhone.

<<02/19 2:52pm EST: Error screenshot removed to not reveal proprietary code or vulnerabilities>>

Overall, I feel this application can be very valuable for those users looking for wine-related events in their cities while on the go.  It can become even more valuable when even more valuable mobile and social features are added including those mentioned above.  The more users can do with regard to filtering and finding events, making it easier to get to an event and finally sharing the event with others, the more valuable it will become.

Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar is a national chain with 64 locations in 28 states that is mostly known for its, you guessed it, steak.  However, they also tout what they term “The New Fleming’s 100,” which is a list of 100 wines that are available by the glass.  Only about 30 of those wines are available for less than $10 a glass, but flights are available and you can choose any 3 from the list in a flight.  So, if you’re interested in trying many different wines, this is the way to go.  There are a lot of well-known places, varietals and producers on the wine list, so you are not going to find any crazy, off-the-wall or eclectic options.  The list is very easy to read, categorized by grape and includes some icons to identify “wines of exceptional value” and those producers employing organic and sustainable practices.

The decor and ambiance of the place is much like what you’d expect from a steakhouse.  Dark browns and oranges with maple wood and dimmed lighting.  The smell of charred meat fills the air, so much that your clothes will reek of it and you’ll relive it for much of the ride back home.  The bartending staff was friendly, fun and willing to talk about the wines, though didn’t seem to have super in-depth knowledge of all the wines on the list.  Once again, getting there early allows you to get more one-on-one time with the staff, while going later will give you more ambiance and interaction with other patrons.

To mix things up, try a flight of whites first followed by a flight of red, choosing those varietals and styles you most enjoy or go crazy and randomly choose some you’ve never had before.  The flight will be served in a mini-stand where the glasses hang at three different levels circling around the middle rod.  The bartender also writes down what you ordered on a card and attaches it to the top of the stand for your reference.  It’s very cool-looking and unique, but really a little too much to deal with as you have to be careful pulling the glasses from the stand and if you go back and forth between wines while you taste, it’s really more practical to have them all on the table.

Here’s a flight we enjoyed:

2008 Parducci Sustainable White  – Nose was a little subdued with only hints of peach and floral notes. Very lemony and mineraly on palate with good balanced of acid.  Refreshing and crisp.

2008 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Gris – Gewürztraminer-like aromas with floral and grapefruit notes with spice. Good acid and citrus on the palate.

2008 Loredona Viognier – Also very floral aromas (white flower) with citrus and lemon on the palate.

Venue: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Address: 4501 Old Perimeter Way, Atlanta, GA 30346

Phone: 770-698-8112

This year, Atlanta was the first stop of the U.S. Tour of the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeauxas 82 Chateaus descended upon the Ritz downtown to peddle their offerings of the 2007 vintage to the trade.  Other stops include New York, Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles.  2007 experienced some serious weather (much rain) challenges throughout much of the growing season causing maturity to occur more slowly and later than usual.  The end of the season was good enough to allow grapes to fully ripen, however, due to the extended maturity timeframe, there are some more vegetal characteristics than normally expected in some of these wines.  This vintage is said to be much leaner, charming, tannic and more approachable early than recent years, but with this quality of this region, variations of comparisons to other vintage are relative and tiny.  I will post more about my interactions and about the differences I perceived between the AOCs within Bordeaux, but for now, here is a slide show of many of the wines tasted.

Of the 82 Chateaus present, 3 are 2nd Growth, 4 are 3rd Growth, 7 are 4th Growth and 8 are 5th Growth classifications.  There are 15 St.-Emilion Grand Crus as well as 8 Chateaus representing Barsac and/or Sauternes.

Tell us about your experience with Bordeaux, whether you love it not…

Top Flr is a cozy, two-story very affordable bistro in Midtown that also boasts an eclectic wine list that gives wine lovers of all levels an opportunity to try something different.  Walking in you will have the option of 3 sections in which to sit.  There is a bar only on the right, a dining room and another bar on the left or the quaint dining roost upstairs.

The decor is monochromatic consisting of white walls and black table tops and provides an opportunity to easily make new friends.  The staff is very friendly and Becca, the bartender for this particular evening, is very knowledgeable and was very helpful in selecting wines for both white and red flights.  Be sure to ask for her if she is working.  If you’d rather taste many different type of wines then be sure to ask for a flight (of 3 or 5) instead of purchasing by the glass.  The fact that they offer flights was not obvious on the menu or the website.

The wine list offers Prosecco, Cava and  Champagne as well as reds and whites from all over the world including Italy, Spain, France, Austria, New Zealand, Argentina and even Macedonia.  The 2004 Vranec (unknown producer) displays some Cabernet Sauvignon-like attributes like vanilla, licorice and blackberries most likely due to its aging.  Younger versions may not be this complex.  Vranec  (pronounced Vrah-netz) is the most important grape of Macedonia and is something you might have a hard time finding at other establishments around town.  For more information on Vranec, check out Two Friends Imports here who specialize in Macedonian wines.

The wine list is equally matched by the food menu which offers appetizers, pizzas, pasta and entrées.  The Duck Confit, Applewood Bacon, Grilled Portobello Mushroom, Pesto Pizza was simply phenomenal as was the White Bean Hummus with Flat Bread all at favorable prices.  Just be sure to go later in the evening when the crowd really begins to hum for the best experience.

Address: 674 Myrtle St. Atlanta, GA 30308

Phone: 404 685-3110

Email: topflr.atlanta@gmail.com

Always telling yourself you want to learn a little more about wine or broaden your wine horizons?  Maybe you’re interested in the difference between Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Pinotage?  Learning some basics like understanding the different wine grape varieties, what to expect from different regions and how to read a wine label will enhance your wine experience and enjoyment 100-fold in the coming year.  Not to mention, reading and finally understanding the wine list and recommending options for your friends is satisfying and fun!

If you’re really hard core about wine, you might be interested in studying for a certification and become a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), or you may simply be interested in learning about Italian wines one week or Spanish wines the next.  Either way, the Atlanta Wine School is the authority on wine education in the Southeast and offers all types of classes for all levels of expertise.  Click here to see the current courses available and sign up today!  Look for a wine school near you.

Another way to learn more about wine is to attend more wine tastings.  Many restaurants, wine shops and bars offer such an experience and are often themed from month to month.  Here are a couple of favorites in the Atlanta area, but feel free to locate other options at LocalWineEvents.com at any time.

• Join Chris Gaither, the People’s Sommelier, at Parish in Inman Park every other Wednesday.  Chris puts a fun twist on his tastings and is very entertaining.  Yet, he is very serious about wine and you’ll leave dazzled and enthused.  Address: 240 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA  30307 
• Muss & Turners in the Vinings offers a tasting every Tuesday night in a laid back atmosphere.  Ryan Turner himself often hosts these events.  Address: 1675 Cumberland Pkwy, Ste 309, Smyrna, GA 30080 
• Sherlock’s in Brookhaven offers free tastings every Saturday from 3 – 5p.  Address: 4062 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA. 30319

Make wine a priority and a source of inspiration for you this coming year.

Cheers!