Eight pounds were added this holiday season, the time of year when Sloth & Gluttony are encouraged. So I won't devote any thoughts on rich & savory food descriptions as all of us have had enough for now.

The last week prior to New Year's Day is a perfect time for a half-conscious state...napping, eating leftovers, reading, going to the movies, and setting your goals for the new year. I did all of those things with zeal.

I flew through A Good Year by Peter Mayle, author of A Year in Provence, as well as French Lessons. The book stirred my memories of South France so much that I convinced my wife to let me return to my friends in the Languedoc-Rousillon during Harvest in early October. The South of France is a memorable place, and while Provence gets much credit, the areas further west & south (French Catalonia) are just as incredible, and less touristy. This short write-up will give you a feel for life in Provence.

My second book to peruse, more than read since it is basically a resource guide, was On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee. From how eggs spoil to why cooking transforms one group of compounds into another. If you like detailed descriptions (although less erudite for tv's sake) like those of Alton Brown of Good Eats fame, writer & host of a 30-minute cooking show on the Food Network, then this book is for you. Self-horn tooting: I taped a network show in November with Alton on the theme, Coq au Vin, which will air on the Food Network, February 2nd.

So with some reading behind me, it was time to set some goals. I stopped bothering with exercise-related goals, and now simply shoot for moderation, a form of self-control that is simply less involved than driving to a health club. "No Pain, No Pain." Thus goal number one is to travel to more wine regions. It's not enough to sponge books, one must be standing in the vines if one wants to truly absorb the cultural nuances that make one wine region different than another. And due to fortuitous circumstances, travel to Chile, Monterey, CA, and the Okanagan Valley of BC, Canada is certain. Trips to the Mosel of Germany, South of France, and Piedmonte, Italy are looking very optimistic!

Goal #1 done. Goal #2 is do less with more. Do fewer things, but do them extremely well. This will be difficult for someone who likes to say "yes" all the time.

Goal #3 is support my wife's entrepreneurial endeavor. She has been researching and studying the competition, and is close to launching something of her own. Remember, top reasons for marriage failure among the self-employed are "money" and "lack of spousal support"--two reasons joined at the hip, and vital for success in the long run, with the lack of the second reason relating to the demise of the first reason, and ultimately failure.

Set your goals for 2005. Include at least one learning activity, travel destination solely for cultural awareness rather than relaxation, or a continued education course on food, drink, cooking, art or music. And for those of you who easily slide into work-related discussions during social situations, make these goals mandatory! Yes, you CAN save yourself.

AIWF
2005 GALA
"Savor the Flavors"

Jan. 17th
7 - 11pm
Cocktail Attire

$50 AIWF Members

$60 Non-Members

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.

Atlanta Wine School Course Calendar, January - March, 2005

January 5th - February 9th, Introduction to Wine, $299, 7-9pm, Signature Events Facility
The classic how, why, where of wine. An essential to finer living. SOLD OUT.

January 9th - February 13th, Introduction to Wine, $299, 4-6pm, Oughtabee's Restaurant
The brand new Oughtabee's Restaurant, at 5192 McGinnis Ferry Rd in Alpharetta, will provide a convenient location for you North-enders. *13 seats remain.
RSVP Now

January 31st - March 7th, Introduction to Wine, $299, 7-9pm, Pearson's Tasting Room
The brand new Pearson's Wines of Atlanta Tasting Room, located 50 yds from Pearson's Wine in Buckhead. *10 seats remain.
RSVP Now

January 20th, The World of Reds, $40, 7-9pm, World Gallery + Market
Travel around the world with us as we hit both hemispheres, cool & warm climates, with light and full-bodied wines. Ten (10) wines for sampling. SOLD OUT

February 3rd, Wine & Cheese, $49, 7-9pm, Signature Events Facility
We're bringing fromager Matt Bonano back for another course--this time NEW Artisanal Cheeses, and NEW Artisanal Wines. Also, we are limiting this to 24 seats so everyone get's plenty of TLC. *13 seats remain.
RSVP Now

February 23rd, Weird Wines, $40, 7-9pm, Signature Events Facility
Sparkling Cabernet Franc Ice Wine, Pasteurized Wine, Non-Alcoholic Wine, White Port, Pineapple wine...the list goes on, and on. Join us as we sample some of the wine-world's strange concoctions! This will be a fun, slightly rambunctious class we think.
RSVP Now

March 9th, The Wines of Canada, $49, 7-9pm, Office Residence of Canadian Consulate
And you thought all they made up there was icewine. *20 seats remain
RSVP Now

Mastering Wine, $199
For those beyond the novice level in wine, who are interested in examining the characteristics of more varietals, more obscure regions, and expanding their vocabulary of professional tasting terms. Introduction to Wine is a pre-requisite OR successfully passing a short exam. Limited to 16 people. We need a minimum of eight people to run this course--if you have an interest let us know at info@atlantawineschool.com

>>>>To the Atlanta Wine School Website

Wine Accessories Mart is one of the first business relations I made within the wine industry. They always provide a good price for wine accessories, and will stand by every product's performance. If you are drinking wine from high-performance stemware at a local Atlanta restaurant, there's a good chance it is there because they sold it to them.

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

Karen McNeil, author of The Wine Bible, offers a "page-a-day" calendar (which I received for Christmas) but the exact same wine trivia can be delivered to your email address each day at no cost. Here is what you do:
-- Visit pageaday.com
-- Click on "Register" in the upper left corner; follow directions
-- When prompted to enter your Free I.D. Code, use the following:
    WINE-5466172261