This Photographer's Life (Architecture + Interior Design): North ...

 But when it comes to wine, most wine drinkers and restaurants have a blind spot. They focus their wine selections on either the "big 4" US producers or European wines.  If you were not aware, there is a small but good quality wine industry in Georgia. Georgia has a proud history of wine production.  Until 1907, Georgia was the sixth largest producer of US wine.  This effectively ended Georgia wine.  Until the 1982 Farm Winery Act, there was not much interest in opening a winery in Georgia. Some people turn their nose up to Georgia wine.  The assumption is it must be sweet Muscadine wine.  Outside the almost perfect environment of Napa, most of the world’s vineyards struggle against all odds to produce fine wine.  We embrace the environment and create from what the land gives us some really good wine. wine; just good wine that reflects Georgia.  But when it comes to wine, we automatically start the comparisons to other more developed regions of the world.  Instead we should be looking for the flavor of Georgia and pair foods that complement the wine.  Same applies to Georgia wine. Next time you patron your local farm-to-table restaurant, check out their wine list for local wine.  Same should apply to wine. For denizens of Atlanta the heart of Georgia wine country is a little over an hour north.  Many have overlooked the beauty of north Georgia and hopped on one of thousands of flights out of Hartsfield to Napa, Bordeaux, or Tuscany in search of wine, food and the beauty of flowing hills of vineyards. Northeast of Dahlonega there are three wineries within a short distance of each other:  Blackstock Vineyards, Frogtown Winery and Three Sisters Vineyards.  If you want to maximize wine tastings in a short day this is a great trip.  They have a variety of wines including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sangiovese and Viognier. Check their calendar for wine dinners.  Frogtown also has wine dinners pairing their wines with really fine dining.  They produce a variety of wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Cabernet Franc.  They also serve a variety of hybrid wines and even a port.  Their wines include Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon among others.  For those wanting to live in wine country there are homes for sale.  They grow a variety of grapes but produce a full menu of European style blends rather than single varietal wines.  Wolf also produces a sparkling wine.  For dining options they serve gourmet lunch, wine dinners and Sunday brunch.  I hope you will put away preconceived notions and take the time to explore Georgia wines in person or at a restaurant.  Armed with the right perspective, you will open up new horizons in wine.  Hope to see you in Georgia wine country soon.