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AJC.com > Living > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USConfessions of a social alcoholic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My name is Mia and I’m a social alcoholic turned wino.
For years my friends have been trying to upgrade my taste in alcoholic beverages, namely wine. I had as much interest in wine as I had in beer. They both tasted nasty to me although beer definitely tastes worse.
Don’t get me wrong. I would drink wine on special occasions or at certain social functions but I would sip the same glass of wine the entire time. Wine just tasted bitter to me. But I have one friend who was determined to turn me into a cultured wino such as herself and the conversion process is underway.
It started with a glass of botrytis semillion at Vinocity. It’s a sweet desert wine that costs about $12 a glass. Of course the first wine I would actually like would be expensive. Botrytis Semillion is made out of almost rotten grapes that is why it is so sweet and so expensive. Then it was Rosa Regale a sparkling wine that is best enjoyed with chocolate and strawberries.
But it would ultimately take a guy for me to open my mind to the wonders of wine. The one that got away has become a bit of a wine connoisseur living in California. I prefer red wine but he prefers white. So on his last visit we shared Rosa Regale and Marco Negri Moscato d’Asti.
But my search for a white wine that I actually like has ended. One of my girlfriends from college introduced me to Duplin Scuppernong, a muscadine wine, that is the oldest wine made in America and only about $7 a bottle. Now that’s my kind of wine.
What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage and how did you discover it? Do you have certain drinks for certain occassions that you enjoy? What’s a drink you would recommend someone else to try?
Permalink | Comments (47) | Categories: About Mia
Comments
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By QC
October 21, 2005 08:19 AM | Link to this
Happy Friday Bloggers
By DC Native
October 21, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this
Good Morning Everyone!!!!!!
By SheSpeaks
October 21, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this
Good morning all!
I love me a Sloe Gin Fizzzzzzzzzz I discovered this while in college and it reminds me of my girlz everytime I get one…I also like Asti Spumante with Pineapple Juice…I serve these when I host brunches or sometimes baby/bridal showers.
By Rell
October 21, 2005 09:53 AM | Link to this
WOW, were do i start, what can i say i likes to get my sip on!!!!….lol, I like vodka Kettle One, Skyy, Chopin, Three Olives…wine, i like the brand yellow tail..white and red..nice and smooth..beer pick one, but i am giving that habit up for a bit….
By anonymousella
October 21, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this
damn… i see y’all are having technical difficulties this morning. wrote and lost my post :-(.
so like i was going to say, i stick to the classics for the most part: rum and coke, vodka-cran or mmmmm an extra dirty vodka martini. beer-wise, i only drink imports and small production brews. looooove sweetwater esb and brooklyn brown ale.
but wine? wine is my thing. i just love the variety of styles and flavors you can get from wine. i had a 1971 pedro-ximenez port that was thick and rich and tasted like figs and prunes. it was $14 a glass. maaaaan, me and sweetie sat there and split a glass… lol. but that was some good ish.
my favorite wine right now are arte forma 2002 feteasca alba, and la legua 2003 from spain. nothing like a glass of la legua with some idiazabal or manchego (spanish cheeses).
By Dee Dee
October 21, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this
Been a long time since I posted…I too am not really a wine person, I stick to more mixed classics. Funny thing is I used to be a food critic, so I have tried a few more expensive wines including some I was not really impressed with. However I was turned on to a relatively inexpensive white wine called Fat Bastard. I got it at a tapas bar in Buckhead. It was very, very good.
By cey
October 21, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this
Favorite drinks. I like Belvy and Red Bull, Belvy & Pineapple, Henn on the Rocks, those Bahamarita’s at Bahama Breeze, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ripple(j/k).
Good morning yal! Happy Friday!
By Wise Diva
October 21, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this
Cultured Wino rawks!!
I love this topic Mia!!
Wines are very relaxing for someone like me who likes to drink alone (is that wrong?) and works hard at school and work…so I have wine around for bath time (with Maxwell and Miles Davis soothing me). I enjoy a nice Merlot whenever I cook a really nice meal since it goes well with veggies, meats and red sauce. Cab Shiraz Merlot is a good one (which was recommended by someone on cultured wino).
I hope I am not turning into a lush.
By Rell
October 21, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this
but my favorite is drinking vodka and tonic and chasing it with shots of suaza tequila…..yum
By The Truth
October 21, 2005 11:02 AM | Link to this
Whats up peoples?!
TGIF!!!
When I first came to the “A” it was a Blue Mother** … I came up on those at The Gate and Club 559! At The Gate, they came in a small version of a mason jar!!!
Now I sip on top shelf Long Islands…
By VANikia
October 21, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this
What’s Good Party People!!!
I see we have the right topic for a Friday…. Ummmm…. what can I say…. I don’t know anything about wine. I had a glass once a long time ago but I can’t remember what it was. It wasn’t too appealing to me. I have been interested in going to a wine tasteing and there is a vineyard about 45 minutes from me so I might go there one day. I am not much of a drinker, but when I do I just get the same ol’ mixed drinks and on occassion I’ll ask the bartender to make something special for me. They are always so happy to oblige…. tryna get me drunk.
By Ignatius
October 21, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
Three rules of thumb, it has to burn blue, there has to be a lot of it, and it has to mix with diet coke. Other than that, I am not terribly picky about alcohol. You all have a great weekend!
By anonymousella
October 21, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this
@van: the only thing you need to know about wine is “do i like it?” knowing about regions and grapes is cool if you want a guide to what you might like versus not when you’re picking in the store. but it’s really not all that complicated.
By Wise Diva
October 21, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this
Attending wine tastings is a GREAT date idea too. Getting tipsy and heavy flirting really should be a sport.
By Mia
October 21, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this
Someone mentioned Fat Bastard…you can buy that at Kroger and it is always on sale for like $7-9.
All this talk of wine I may need to take a trip to the DeKalb Farmer’s Market. They have the best selection by far.
By VANikia
October 21, 2005 11:50 AM | Link to this
Thanks anon I guess you’re right, but then again I was reading this wine book and it says that certain wines only go with certain types of foods and I would hate to mess up a good meal by drinking the wrong wine with it.
I agree Wisey there is nothing like a litte tipsy flirting.
By abc
October 21, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this
A nice (Autralian) Yellowtail Shiraz or Chardonnay is good and relatively cheap, only $10-13 for 120ml. The Shiraz isn’t bitter either, kind of chocolatey. Avoid domestic wine. Drink nothing that’s pink.
By Rell
October 21, 2005 11:59 AM | Link to this
@ABC, yep forgot to include the aussie part in my post..but the yellow tail got me hook, everybrand smooth…i have turned alot of my friends on to it…the chardonnay sneaks up on you…lol
By Wise Diva
October 21, 2005 12:12 PM | Link to this
speaking of drunk dating, LOL..what is considered TOO much likka to drink on a first date? I ask because I had one scary date with this guy who drank a LOT. Growing up, my dad was a minister so I didn’t have daily exposure to dudes that drank. Sometimes it is hard to gauge someone who is a social drinker and someone who needs to be on the 12 step program. Any tips for someone who is clueless?
By Just lurking
October 21, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this
Good afternoon!
I am not really big on wine, but if I have to buy it for a special occasion I always get yellow tail brand. As for other drinks… I drink hennessy and pineapple juice, Absolut Peach and coconut rum, Bailey’s and Hennessy, and a white russian with grey goose vokda is always nice.
Have a great weekend!
By Wise Diva
October 21, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this
I am a Ketel One chick myself, but I am not a lush, really, I’m not.
By Tech Babe
October 21, 2005 12:18 PM | Link to this
Bombay Sapphire and tonic w/lime twist. Now that’s a good drink!
By VANikia
October 21, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this
I think I can answer your question wisey since I had the pleasure of having an experience like that. I think there should be a 2 drink limit for the 1st date. That’s reasonable enough…. right? Four to five just leaves a bad impression. Even if they are an alcoholic I’d prefer they pretend they aren’t on the first date…. LMAO.
By Wise Diva
October 21, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this
LOL @ Van!..I see your point..man, I hope he wasn’t drinking because he thought I was bad company though?..
.nah..that couldn’t be it, LOL
By VANikia
October 21, 2005 12:38 PM | Link to this
lol…. I was just thinking the same thing as I was typing that…. but I doubt it was me.
By DasKrait2
October 21, 2005 12:40 PM | Link to this
WISE - if someone has to consume alcohol EVERY day, they are probably an alchie.
But then I rarely drink, last beer was on vacation, the one before that probably two weeks before that. So cannot comment on today’s topic really. LOL Last time I was ‘drunk’ was at a music festival where I did not have to drive after. Consumed 5 beers over about 8 hours so was not really drunk.
Oh, Good Afternoon, (now, isn’t it), ALL.
By DasKrait2
October 21, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this
oh @ IG - on my drive north I spent about 1.5 hours driving around in Greene County(TN). Never did find HorseCreekCampground but the Sheriff I asked for directions told me it was closed this time of year anyway. I now know the mistake I made in transit, so will attempt to find it some summer-time travel. Ended up in JohnsonCity before getting back to I-81.
By VANikia
October 21, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this
Speaking of TN, I heard you can walk around with open containers. Is that true?
By DasKrait2
October 21, 2005 12:55 PM | Link to this
LOL @ Van - don’t know about that, but I ran into the next county, Hamilton I think it was, and sitting in his vehicle, below the “A Zero-Tolerance for Drugs County” sign was yet another county sheriff.
By DasKrait2
October 21, 2005 01:03 PM | Link to this
would have been Unico County with the sign and the waiting sheriff. I turned around, but only because I knew I was heading towards NC, not in the plan. So went by him twice.
By Tazzee
October 21, 2005 01:21 PM | Link to this
Afternoon folks.
I’m not much of a wine person either. I’ve been to that cultured wino spot a few times but I have yet to experiment. Its funny Mia mentioned Wine and Beer because wine tastes like beer to me. Mind you, its been over 15 years since I’ve had a sip of beer - so I’m sure its a mental thing.
Alcoholic beverages - I guess my faves would be apple martini or a mojito.
By Big Vince
October 21, 2005 01:53 PM | Link to this
I’m a plain old Crown and coke type of guy myself.
By anonymousella
October 21, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this
yeah, i agree with vanikia: two drinks on a first date is plenty. three if it’s a long date (like a drink with dinner and two at the club). more than that and you just look like a lush.
@das: i disagree. if someone has to get drunk every day, they’re an alchie. if they crave it, they’re an alchie. but if they like to have a glass of whatever every night to relax, that’s fine. in fact, i saw one study that encourages folks to do so.
<aside> reason #452 why i don’t like SUVs: they’re too dayum high. how ‘bout i split my pants climbing into my co-worker’s montero on the way to lunch? </aside>
By Ivy
October 21, 2005 02:05 PM | Link to this
Hey, everybody!
Nice topic. I’m a social drinker as well. I do keep a collection of some type of wine at my home for entertainment purposes. I only read the question but my favorite drink right now is the Raspberry mojito (too bad only a select few know how to make them, Prime Restaurant makes the best one so far). I love Sangrias made from white wines. I highly recommend Moscatos, which are my next favorite wine because I love the sweet burst of flavor. Next would be a Johanessburg Reisling and Gewürztraminer, which are both really great white wines. Fetzer and Chateau St. Michel both make great reislings and the Fetzer Gewürztraminer is really good.
By Ivy
October 21, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Mia, muscadine wines are always good that’s why I highly recommended the Moscato. I haven’t had a bad one yet.
By Ivy
October 21, 2005 02:10 PM | Link to this
Rell, I’m with you on that Yellow Tail…..a friend of mind turned me on to that wine and that’s the only brand of red wine that I’ve like so far. I usually keep me a bottle of the Yellow Tail Merlot in my wine rack.
By anonymousella
October 21, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this
ivy, if you like sweet wines, try that arte forma feteasca alba. it’s fruity, but finishes with a little bit of acidity. sort of sweet and not-sweet at the same time.
By Ivy
October 21, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this
There’s actually this place off of Wesley Chapel in Decatur. I believe it’s at the corner across from the Texaco when you get off of I-20. It kinda sits back a little bit but they have some of the best brands of wine and they are really cheap. They take off 2% if you use cash instead of credit or debit (and yes that’s for wine and liquor).
By Rell
October 21, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this
@Ivy, yea the yellow tail is always in rotation. I like resilings also but they seem to go fast around me….lol.
By Ivy
October 21, 2005 02:17 PM | Link to this
Wise, I usually limit myself to no more than 2 drinks when on a date or when I’m out with friends (and that’s 1 per hour).
By Ivy
October 21, 2005 02:22 PM | Link to this
hahahaha, Rell, I know. They are so good that you don’t realize you are drinking and before you know it, well there’s only a sip in the bottle.
By bigswats
October 21, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this
if you want some good wine you should get some cold duck, wild irish rose, thunderbird, or some champipple
By Pecan
October 21, 2005 03:11 PM | Link to this
Funny this is the topic today. I was just telling my friends we should go out for drinks tonight to CELEBRATE THE FILING OF MY DIVORCE….WHOO HOO CHOO CHOO..lmao I am SO HAPPY right now!!!!!!!!
By VANikia
October 21, 2005 03:16 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Pecan!!! I’m happy that you are happy.
By pecan
October 21, 2005 03:21 PM | Link to this
Thanks Van!!! Just wait til it’s final Imma be the one rollin down 85 with the FREE AT LAST SIGN waving from the back of the Yukon!!!!!!!
By Rell
October 21, 2005 03:23 PM | Link to this
@pecan….lol, that bad huh?….you must feel like a new nickel..lol
By pecan
October 21, 2005 03:31 PM | Link to this
Rell- YEP!! Wish I coulda been there when the sheriff walked into the office. Especially since he works at the courthouse