What's an appropriate wine to serve at a Atlanta Braves themed party? What wine would be a good gift for a hard core Braves fan?
The Atlanta Braves' history dates back to the very beginnings of Major League Baseball. The team actually predates Major League Baseball by a few years, joining the National League as the Boston Red Stockings in 1876, five years after its founding. The Braves and Cubs share the honor of being the oldest teams in the National League. The team has played under a variety of names, including the Boston Beaneaters (1883), the Boston Doves (1907) and the Boston Braves (1912). The team won its first World Series in 1914 as the Boston Braves. In 1936 the team changed its name to the Boston Bees, but reverted to its former name in 1941.
The Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and the team won its second World Series four years later, in 1957. In 1966, the team moved again, this time to Atlanta, where it has remained ever since. The Braves began to attract a lot of attention when media mogul Ted Turner bought the team in 1976, showcasing games on his television station and thus bringing Braves baseball into homes across the country. Of course, the team's winning ways and strong rosters helped ratings, especially when the Braves won 14 division titles, five National League pennants and the 1995 World Series in the years between 1991 and 2005.
For many baseball fans, thoughts of the Atlanta Braves conjure up memories of some of baseball's greatest players. Slugger Hank Aaron proudly wore a Braves uniform. So did Babe Ruth, Warren Spahn, Johnny Sain, Eddie Mathews, Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Olympic great Jim Thorpe and many other baseball greats.
For other fans, thinking of the Braves brings to mind the "Tomahawk chop," an up-and-down forearm motion that Braves spectators make to urge their team to victory. Still others think of the Braves' annual slogans; in 2012, the slogan is, "This Is Why We Chop." 2011's slogan was, "Chop This House," and the 2010 slogan was, "The Excitement of Turner Field." Turner Field, the Braves' home since 1997, definitely has that "old-time ballpark" feel, even though it is equipped with state-of-the art technology. It's easy to see, even via television, how much the Braves fans love their team, especially when they are enjoying a game at Turner Field.
What wines would you serve to an Atlanta Braves fan?
Two Braves players have teamed with Charity Wines' Longball Cellars to create and sell wines that benefit charities. Chipper Chardonnay, named in honor of Chipper Jones, the Braves' switch-hitting third baseman, sells for about $14 per bottle, as does Cabernet Glavignon, named for retired Braves pitcher Tom Glavine.
For a truly dedicated Braves fan, you might want to serve a bottle of Tomahawk Mill wine. Tomahawk Mill Vineyard and Winery is located in Chatham, Virginia. The water--powered grist mill, which was open for business until 1980, is now part of the winery complex. Visitors can tour the mill and taste Tomahawk Mill wines. A bottle of 2008 Tomahawk Mill Riesling sells for $20, while a bottle of 2009 Sergeant Anderson's Red, which is a dry wine made from concord grapes, costs $13. Tomahawk Mill also makes a sweet concord wine, a red blend called Tobacco Road Blues and several varietals.
If you prefer to offer your Braves fan a wine from the Atlanta area, you will have to travel about 30 miles from Turner Field to find a winery. Fox Vineyards and Winery, in Social Circle, is due east of Atlanta. Fox Vineyards also has a tasting room in Helen, in Georgia's wine country, which lies along the southern edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest in the northern part of the state. Fox Vineyards and Winery produces wines made from native scuppernong and muscadine grapes as well as from hybrid and viniferous grapes grown in its vineyard.
A bit farther away, in the heart of Georgia's wine country, you will find Tiger Mountain Vineyards. Located in Tiger, Georgia, Tiger Mountain Vineyards specializes in wines made from Georgia-grown grapes. If you visit the winery, you can take a vineyard tour, taste Tiger Mountain wines, or, with advance planning, attend a music or wine and cheese event. Tiger Mountain Vineyards 2010 Petit Manseng won the Jefferson Cup for White Vinifera Wine at the 2011 Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, while the 2008 Rabun Red won gold at the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition. Expect to pay $35 for a bottle of the Petit Manseng and $15 for a bottle of the Rabun Red.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery, just five miles north of Dahlonega, also offers tours and wine tastings. Enjoy Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch with live music at the Vineyard Café. Wolf Mountain Vineyards Chanteloup, a dry white wine, won gold at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition, while the 2010 Brut Rosé, a sparkling wine, won gold and Best of Class at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition in 2011. You'll pay about $24 for a bottle of 2010 Chanteloup and $28 for a bottle of the 2010 Brut Rosé.
