Due to computer issues, coupled with this being our largest issue ever, we are a week late. I was reminded of life's preciousness last week as I received word that my ex-father-in-law has prostate cancer. He has caught it early, thus he will likely be in the majority of 280k American men who are diagnosed but make it through the experience. He is a quick study, and he made available lots of good information about prevention; namely, having an annual "PSA" test if you are a male over 40. Giving my own two cents here, I would remind readers (men in particular) that 2-3 glasses of red wine per day has PROVEN to reduce the chance of prostate cancer by 50%! Those are odds you can live with.

As I was cleaning out my office recently, I ran across a newspaper clipping of a letter from USA Today writer, Jerry Shriver, to his niece on her 21st birthday. It's my sweet & thoughtful contribution for Valentines Day. The article is here.

Wine Industry Winds of Change
The current Direct Shipping law being reviewed by our land's highest court is tending to bode well for consumers and states who are FOR allowing direct shipping of wine to our doorsteps. Perhaps this is why two non-direct-shipping states came forward this week to propose allowing it. I suppose it's better for a legislator to read the writing on the wall rather than have a Federal law pass and then be told your state law is null and void.

Outside of this country, the dollar weakening against the Euro is affecting our price of wine, particularly French, Italian & Spanish wines. Contributing writer Arnie Millan, Sommelier and accomplished speaker & consultant to restaurants and retailers on the West Coast, provides an article which explains this dilemma.

And the wine world gets a little more compact with another proposed acquisition, this one by Fosters, the famous beermaker. One of Australia's TOP 100 companies, Southcorp, is being considered for purchase by Fosters for $2.4 billion. "Consolidation - whether it be in production, retail, big or medium-sized companies - is a reality of life today," says Managing Director David Woods, of competitor Constellation Brands, who picked up the Mondavi Corporation practically overnight for $1.3 billion. Prior to this announcement, 4 Australian corporations produced 75% of the country's wine. If Southcorp is sold, it will certainly change the landscape.

Atlanta Wine School in the News
My national television debut was February 2nd on the Food Network show, Good Eats. We used a "model" to represent the component changes to wine when cooked--I think it got the point across but if we decided to do it again, we might choose another model. Either way, it was a blast to work with Alton Brown. Schedule of additional showings is here.

Coming in the Atlanta Magazine March issue, check out an article we consulted to them on Icewine (Eiswein). Again in March, check out a story on the school in the Piedmont Review, already posted at sister company AtlantasFinestDining.com And a new magazine to hit stands, Georgia Lifestyles, features our thoughts on Georgia Wine.

Exciting Changes (Winds of Change Deux)
Our little newsletter will be crammed with more content (and a few more advertisers) in the coming months, starting this issue with contributing writers Arnie Millan, Sommelier and Matt Bonano, Fromager.

Updates to the website include the About the School section, with sublinks, and the 10 Reasons Why you should take an Atlanta Wine School course.

If you were one of the 300 attendees to Discover Chile in November, you know that Discover Italy on May 1st is going to top it in number of wines, more food, specialty coffees & entertainment. Hold that date from 3-6pm, again held at The Signature Events Facility in Dunwoody.

Held at the Mason Murer Fine Art Center, this unique event features hundreds of fine, allocated, rare, and vineyard-designated wines teamed with an abundance of gourmet food provided by Atlanta's top Chefs.

So why all the fuss?
Atlanta has plenty of wine tasting events, but Atlanta does NOT have any "Ultra-Premium-Only" wine tasting events. This isn't about song & dance, or winemaker demonstrations the whole week before (not that I don't like that)...No, this is a bevy of rock-solid, big-hitting wines with hefty price tags, all served in Riedel crystal for tasting. What sorts of wine you ask?

Ok, so there is a sampling of 9 wines out of 300 being poured. And this is why the price of a $100 ticket is a screaming deal.

Order Your Tickets Here and remember to put "CWW" in the Vendor Code Field.

Atlanta Wine School Course Calendar, February - April, 2005

February 23rd, Weird Wines, $40, 7-9pm, Signature Events Facility
Pinotage Dessert Wine, Australian Boytritised Semillon, Vintage New York State Brut Sparkling Wine...the list goes on, and on. Join us as we leave the boundaries of grocery-store Chardonnay and get into some weird territory.
RSVP Now *17 seats remain

March 9th, The Wines of Canada, $49, 7-9pm, Office Residence of Canadian Consulate
And you thought all they made up there was icewine. *14 seats remain
RSVP Now

March 14th - April 18th, Mastering Wine: Intermediate Level , $329, 7-9pm, held at the NEW Pearson's Wine of Atlanta Tasting Room. This is the next level of wine education succeeding the Introduction to Wine series. Presentations by grapegrowers & winemakers will emphasis deeper discussions on regional Viticulture, Viniculture & Terroir. Additional in-depth presentations on Fortified & Sparkling wines. Limited to 16 attendees. *12 seats remain
RSVP Now

March 17th - April 21st, Introduction to Wine, $299, 7-9pm, Signature Events Facility
The classic how, why, where of wine. An essential to finer living. *13 seats remain
RSVP Now

Upcoming Courses--Information posted to website in the next week:

April 20th, The Pinot Brothers: Gris & Noir, $40, 7-9pm, location TBA. Industry veteran Gary Lynn of King Estate Winery will replicate the seminar on Pinot Gris & Pinot Noir, given to $185 ticket-holders at the famed Epcot International Wine & Food event. Current and older vintages of global expressions will be tasted. Limited to 24 people.

April 28th, American Wine & American Cheese, $49, 7-9pm, location TBA. On the two previous events involving Matt Bonano for cheese presentations, attendee ratings have been 5 out of 5 across the board. Join us again for the standard 9 cheeses/9 wines symphony--this time we call upon our countrymen for their artisanal products.

May 1st, Discover Italy, $40, 3-6pm, Signature Events Facility
The next in our Discover! Series, this event will showcase the country's diverse wines, foods, cheeses, specialty coffees, & entertainment. A tasty cultural trip state-side on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

>>>>To the Atlanta Wine School Website

The package they assembled is de rigueur for any wine lover. Wine Accessories Mart has provided a beautiful Tall Slant Top Decanter, Decanter Stand, Decanter Brush and six 17oz German Crystal Hi-Performance Glasses.
Retail value: $129.00

Enter the Drawing Here