Highlight #110: Announcing THE 2008 “RIDING DIRTY” ATLANTA WINE PAIRING CHALLENGE

Hardy from Dirty South Wine dropped off an email with some exciting news. I don't know how he managed to get such an excellent list of restaurants together, but everyone should get out there and try some!

Here are the details:

THE 2008 “RIDING DIRTY” ATLANTA
WINE PAIRING CHALLENGE

Dirty South Wine’s search for Atlanta’s best wine pairing under $25! Atlanta, GA -- Dirty South Wine, Atlanta’s top wine blog, has announced the 2008 “Riding Dirty” Atlanta Wine Pairing Challenge. Fifteen of Atlanta’s top restaurants will prepare a wine and food pairing to be served at their bar for under $25. The goal of the challenge is to showcase the restaurant’s skill and
creativity in wine pairing, while presenting incredible, affordable combinations for the Atlanta dining public.

Restaurants must choose a glass of wine from their current list of by-the-glass wines, and the food may be either a small plate or appetizer from their standard menu. The pairings will be served to the judges at the participating restaurants and will be evaluated based on three criteria: taste, creativity and value.

The judges are:
1. Matt Richardson (aka Rowdy Food)
2. Broderick Smylie (ATL photographer http://broderickphoto.wordpress.com/)
3. Hardy Wallace (publisher of http://www.dirtysouthwine.com/).

All pairings will be chronicled and written up on Dirty South Wine. At the end of the challenge, an overall winner will be named, and the 2008 “Riding Dirty” award presented. Along with the overall winner, several subcategories will be announced as well.

The following Atlanta restaurants have agreed to participate:
Holeman & Finch
Joel
ARIA
ENO
Woodfire Grill
Toulouse
VITA
Repast
La Tavola
Top FLR
VINE
Canoe
Dogwood
ONE. Midtown kitchen
And the ISAW charity (International Society of Africans in Wine)

The tastings will occur throughout the month of November, and winners announced on December 3, 2008. Progress in the “Riding Dirty” Challenge can be followed at www.dirtysouthwine.com, and updates and news can be followed on Twitter under #dty (for Dirty).

With a spectacular list of restaurants, fine wine, great food, and the use of new media, “Riding Dirty” is a first of its kind event for Atlanta. For more information, please email Hardy Wallace at dirtysouthwine@mac.com