Barely a week since I got back from my vacation to India, and I was invited to this fun wine tasting event which introduced attendees to the flavors of Montepulciano. Presenting at the venue were several wine sellers and the tasting and presentation were quite the experience. I have visited Italy but never the region specifically, so mental note to self to visit these wineries when I get there next. There were some serious oenophiles at the event - the ones that don't swallow their wine but taste it and then spit out - yeah, that serious. I'm thinking - what a waste of wine, but if it weren't for their studied palates, any wine I'd be having would be pretty shitty so I guess I gotta be thankful for their lot. There were 3-4 tables with at least 20 seated at each, and all of us had 6 red wines to taste that afternoon. Each was from a different company and they all had representatives who came up and presented their bottles. I was privileged to try the Casale Daviddi, Cantina Crociani, Fattoria La Braccesca, Lunadoro, Montemercurio, and for the life of me couldn't pick a favorite. They had some great bites and cheeses after as they opened the floor to guests and we could walk around to learn more about all the vendors and their offerings, but the wines presented were certainly the stars of the day. And maybe, just maybe, I had a fondness for the Montemercurio!

Wahoo Grill has been in the Decatur area for ages but they now have a provision store to boot. Do stop in and say hello at Wahoo Provisions and Wine while you shop gourmet goodies locally sources and presented stylishly in their cosy new space, right next to the restaurant. They have a wine club, rent out the space for events and encourage friends new and old to visit. Besides, you can also stop next door for a bite!