By Wendy Willming, Hop City Marketing Manager
I’ve been the Marketing Manager with Hop City ATL since early Spring of 2024 and it’s a pleasure to finally say hello! In my off hours, I am also an avid lover, student, and drinker of wine. I am always tasting and trying new bottles from our vast library and thrilled to let you into my little corner of the Hop City wine world.
Before we get into it, a little more about me: I’m a fairly recent transplant from Los Angeles working many years in the film industry when a small thing called COVID wreaked havoc and I found myself with a full time job at a wine, beer and spirits shop in Culver City, CA (shout out to my Bar & Garden fam!). My year there expanded my knowledge and love of wine exponentially. I devoured Natural and Biodynamic wine books and fell in love with Noble Rot. Soon enough, my ever-waking past time was spent researching and seeking out sustainable wine producers. I found myself surprisingly reignited after a tough professional time - ah the power of wine. Living in Atlanta for over 2 years now, I can’t say enough amazing things about our wine community and how much knowledge and passion lives in this amazing city. I am continuously inspired here.
While I am no wine expert or certified professional, I do know all the ways a great bottle of wine can complement a plate of food, gatherings, and create a mood (VIBES!). I always look forward to feeling at ease during this time of year when the overstimulation of everything has taken its toll on our bodies and minds (yes, I’m looking at you SOCIAL MEDIA says the social media person). I find solace in opening up a bottle of wine, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. Living in the moment, as they say. Allowing ourselves to slow down and really savor our days, meals, and community is so important and I can’t think of anything more important than that right now.
Here’s a few of my favorite bottles that we currently have adorning our shelves. I hope this inspires you to enjoy a great bottle of wine, food and merriment with those you love.
Torremilanos El Porrón de Lara ($28.99) - I am a big fan of Spanish wines and this one is a banger! A stunning Biodynamic (a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming for those wondering) bottle from the Castilla Y Leon region of Spain, it's made up of 100% Tempranillo. With notes of dark cherries, herbs, spices and a hint of briny soy sauce with a dry finish, it’s an earthy and beautiful wine. Holds up well to any big, gamey meats or hearty veggies but I’d also pair this with classic charcuterie.
O Tinto Perfeito O Clarete ($24.99) - Portugal, you have been bringing us such stunning (and affordable) wines for some time now! I love how many regions we feature and the Duoro region is one of them. Hailing from a family with a deep history in Port production (you can tell by the shape of the bottle), this is a field blend of 85% red grapes and 15% white organically and biodynamically grown. On the palate you’ll get black pepper, juicy blackberry, plum and savory herbs which pairs with just about any spread of food you have on the table.
Âmevive 2022 Ravie ($34.99) - Ok, I started out big and bold with the first two but this wine is gentle and beautiful and chillable and savory and all the things you want in a lighter bodied but impressionable red. This is me taking it back to my California “upbringing” in wine and I love that these wines are becoming more prominent here in Atlanta. Alice is a truly inspiring female winemaker making nuanced wines in big ways. Her wines made me fall in love with California wines again. Many of the bigger Cali producers were doing very standard California big reds and oaky whites. But then new winemakers started to change that and these guys were a part of that movement. Organic and Biodynamic, this is a blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre. It tastes like a perfect, crispy fall day with notes of white cherries and crushable red punch. I can drink this all day and night.
Limoges Cellars Blanc de Pommes ($35.99) - Bringing my little wine journey full circle, it’s important to highlight our incredible LOCAL WINERY under 2 hours North of Atlanta that is a true standout. Made in the style of Champagne, this dry, and exciting bottle is filled with frenetic energy. The acidity is perfect to cut through those rich Holiday dishes and at only 11% ABV, it’s a helpful sipper for those all day cooks (I see you, I am you). If you haven’t been to their winery yet, you must! It’s an ideal setting with excellent wines.
And if you want to try a bunch of great wines for your Thanksgiving tables, join us next week for our Thanksgiving Wine Tasting (tickets are only $12)! We'll have a plethora of thoughtfully selected bottles perfect for the Holidays ahead.
