The Other 46
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertising
  • Archives
  • Polls
  • Home
  • / Reviews
  • /
  • Quality Over Quantity

Quality Over Quantity

February 21, 2010ReviewsAtlanta, Chardonnay, Dahlonega, Georgia, local wine, Montaluce, Rob Beecham, Viognier

I had the opportunity to meet Rob Beecham, COO of Beecham Builders, and also part of the leadership team at Montaluce Winery and Estates late last year in Orlando. Down visiting Disney World, I welcomed the chance to meet up and discuss Montaluce and their first vintage. Montaluce is the first of its kind in Georgia, a development conceptualized and planned around wine, food, and community. Located just outside of Dahlonega and north of Atlanta, Montaluce provides the perfect backdrop for a long weekend wine rendezvous or a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta.

Montaluce 2008 Chardonnay

Montaluce 2008 Chardonnay

Before bidding adieu, Rob gave me a bottle each of their 2008 vintage Chardonnay, Viognier, Risata, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tonight I focus on their white wines. Coincidentally, I happened to pair each wine with scallops. On the nose, the Chardonnay displayed consistent notes of green apples and pears, followed by lemon, honeysuckle, and a hint of minerality in the mouth. A crisp, balanced Chardonnay that pairs perfectly with shellfish or salad. A few nights later, I opened the Viognier. This happened to be my first Viognier from the state and will definitely not be my last. A floral nose gives way to peach, apricot, and citrus. A delicious example that showcases the varietal expression of Viognier. Bravo.

Stressing quality over quantity, Montaluce has all the key ingredients for a bright future in Georgia. I look forward to enjoying a bottle very soon on my next visit to Georgia’s wine country. In the meantime, I recommend a visit to Montaluce (and to my Georgia friends, what are you waiting for) and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you. Cheers!

* FYI, the beautiful photo (and icon) displayed on the home page was shot by Biskuit and can be seen on Flickr.

Click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

Comments

Joe February 22, 2010 at 11:33 am -

Great place, good people, incredible food (chef Hartman’s crew at Le Vigne makes meals easily worth the hour drive north from Atlanta), and surprising wines. I’m fiercely proud of my home state, and it’s very exciting to see the quality level continue to climb in North GA.

Brian Kirby February 22, 2010 at 8:07 pm -

Hi Joe,
Thanks for stopping by. Montaluce is definitely representing the state’s growing wine industry. Once again, I think the sky is the limit, especially after they get a few vintages under their belt. Great people + great wine + great food = a very bright future. Next time I’m in Atlanta, we definitely need to catch up for a tour of a few wineries. Cheers!

MVineyards February 22, 2010 at 9:10 pm -

Trying to bring connection of food and wine like in Europe. I can’t imagine eating a meal in Italy, France or Spain without drinking wine. And they don’t like wines that overpower their food. By bringing farm-to-table and local wine together it is the closest we can come to replicating that culture.

biskuit February 24, 2010 at 10:17 am -

Well done. First time reading your blog and love the focus on wine where one might not expect to. Hopefully with producers like Montaluce out there, we will all be able to enjoy wine from our own backyards (well, not literally, though that would be even better).

Brian Kirby March 1, 2010 at 8:38 pm -

Hi Biskuit,
Thank you for your readership and kind words! First, beautiful photography! I was hooked after looking at your Montaluce album! That said, Montaluce is bringing it in Georgia and setting the bar high for Georgia wine. Hopefully more and more people will realize the treasures they have in their own backyards and begin seeking out local wine. Cheers!

Write a Reply or Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA
Refresh

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Archives

  • January 2015
  • April 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • September 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008

Calendar

February 2010
S M T W T F S
« Jan   Mar »
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28  

Categories

  • Books
  • Conferences
  • Events
  • Industry
  • Miscellaneous
  • Movies
  • Musings
  • Pairings
  • Reviews
  • Tastings
  • Technology
  • Travels
  • Wine

Copyright © 2016, TheOther46.com | Theme by Theme in Progress | Proudly powered by WordPress