Bring out the bubbly! It’s a 10th anniversary celebration! The Coastal Coalition for Children has been hosting the Taste of the Vine fundraiser for a decade. That means 10 years of community support for this important not-for-profit organization that provides essential services and tools to mothers with newborns through the First Steps and Healthy Families programs and to grandparents raising grandchildren through the Grandparent Connection program.
Last year alone, Taste of the Vine raised more than $18,000 for Coastal Coalition for Children thanks to attendance at the event, silent auction bids, raffle ticket purchases, as well as sponsorships and donations. Successful community involvement is what allows these valuable programs to continue.
Your support of Taste of the Vine helps ensure that local children get off to a healthy start in safe, caring and stable homes. Every new mother who delivers a baby at SGHS maternity center is eligible to receive services from the First Steps program. Following the mother’s approval, a staff person meets with the new mom, explains what she can expect and supplies her with a packet of helpful information on important topics for new parents. The Healthy Families program makes services available to new and expectant parents both before and after the birth of their child to help ensure the child has a healthy future. Grandparent Connections provides support for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and we can all work together to build healthier families who are the building blocks of a strong community.
The carefully selected wines and delicious food that will be served at Taste of the Vine aren’t the only perfect pairing either. This year, Coastal Coalition has partnered with the new Georgia Sea Grill at 407 Mallery Street in the Village to introduce a fresh venue for the always popular event. With a wine bar as one of the main features of the Georgia Sea Grill’s remodel of the old J. Mac’s location, it’s an ideal combination! Attendees will enjoy delicious food and wines carefully chosen to complement as well as other beverages. There will be a silent auction with opportunities to take home select wines and gift certificates and a 50/50 cash raffle. Piano-bar style entertainment will round out this delightful Sunday evening. Block off 6:00-9:00 p.m. on September 20 on your calendar and purchase your tickets today.
Discounted advance tickets are available on the Coastal Coalition for Children website at cc4children.net/taste-of-the-vine for $65 per person or $120/couple. Tickets purchased at the door on the evening of the event will be $75 per person.
Wine Like a Pro
Wine can be intimidating. Everyone has an opinion about what you should drink and wine snobs are everywhere. Taste is both subjective and acquired. Start simply by drinking what you like. Always savor the wine in your mouth and across your tongue rather than just swallowing directly so you can identify the interesting and subtle flavor characteristics beyond the “wine” flavor. Then start expanding your palate by increasing the range of wines you taste.
Learn the lingo. It’s helpful to have a clear understanding of regional wine to know what types of wines are made where and what they are called. Some consider Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia to be the consummate source; however, the World Atlas of Wine by Johnson & Robinson might be easier to digest.
Once you’ve educated yourself on terminology and regions and delved into a variety of wines, start testing wines that are outside of your taste “comfort zone.” Try wines from different regions than what you’ve come to prefer. Try bigger and bolder wines. Bold wine varieties include Syrah/Shiraz, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. This category contains some of the most sought-after wines in the world. Go beyond the norm and try more complex wines. These are wines in which you can identify more than two fruits as flavors and three other characteristics such as roses, cinnamon, chalk, or spices. The palate of the wine should also change between the moment you taste it and the moment you swallow.
When you think you’ve tried it all, go back to the basics. Once you’ve expanded your range, return to your favorites and learn which nuances you prefer within that varietal. Now you should be able to discern cheap blends from valuable vintage. And always remember Champagne pairs well with just about anything!
