When I was a kid, I compared myself to everyone. One teacher called me "other-directed" and it wasn't until my twenties that I realized that wasn't a glowing compliment. I carried a bit of this into adulthood, and perhaps it shows up in my voyeuristic sneak peeks at what wine drinkers are sipping. As a wine writer, it's good to have my sights on the scene, so I ask bars, restaurants and wine retail shops from time to time to reveal what you're drinking.
It appears that you guys, after an Anything But Chardonnay run, are migrating back to this classic white. Rathbun's in Atlanta sees plenty of action in its Edna Valley Chardonnay. But co-owner Cliff Bramble reports an educated price variance in what people are choosing – in the under-$40- per-bottle category, people order a "chardonnay," whereas in the upper price tier, customers request selections from specific wine regions – aka AVAs – like Carneros or Russian River. Same goes for other varietals like pinot noir or malbec, as in the delicious Terrazas Malbec from Argentina they pour by the glass.
Vinocity Wine Bar in Atlanta constantly scours for quality, underpriced wines. Owner Ian Smith's best sellers are Poppy Pinot Noir, Plungerhead Zin, Bloom Gewurztraminer and one of my favorites, Quivira Sauvignon Blanc. Looking pretty good there.
In Tampa, Bern's Fine Wines and Spirits and Mise en Place Restaurant echo the chardonnay boon but
This article appears in Aug 19-25, 2009.