I cannot wait to share this with you.

The weekend is coming up and that means parties and that means wine! Swoozie’s has come up with the most brilliant way of keeping the Chardonnay frosty cold – without being refrigerated!

May I introduce, the Corkcicle!

We need this!

This is what the Swoozie’s Sweeties have to say:

Experience wine at the perfect temperature every time with the Corkcicle!

Whether you’re entertaining or simply enjoying a bottle over dinner, now you can have perfect wine everytime!

Makes a brilliant hostess gift (hint, hint!)

At $22.95, the price is a bit steep, but just think of all the use you will get out of it!

I am putting this on my list for Santa!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Merle Haggard – Little Ole Wine Drinker Me

Happy Saturday! Hope you have something fun planned. Wait, what? Nothing planned? Oh my goodness.

My adorable friend Char, at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans has been busy with a capital B! What better time than spring to visit the grande dame of the south and enjoy the country’s best cocktails, food and music?

What’s cookin’ Char?

NEW ORLEANS, La. – April 1, 2011 – Spring has sprung and summer is on the horizon, so it must be festival season in New Orleans!

From French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, Essence Music Festival, Tales of the Cocktail and Satchmo Summerfest, visitors can enjoy the best of the Big Easy.

The Gem of The Crescent City

Spring forward at the 28th annual French Quarter Fest by listening to “all that jazz” from the hotel’s headline entertainer, Jeremy Davenport. You can catch the Grammy-nominated artist, known for his Rat Pack stylings, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in The Davenport Lounge, a top destination for live Jazz in the French Quarter. It is located on the third level of The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans’. See below for appearances by Davenport at upcoming festivals and information pertaining to events happening both outside and within the hotel. It’s time to spring forward…and all that jazz!

FESTIVALS/EVENTS
French Quarter Festival: (28th annual, 4/7-4/10)
The hotel is in walking distance to French Quarter Fest, the largest, free, outdoor festival in New Orleans. It features 17 outdoor stages showcasing gospel, jazz, funk, classical, cajun and zydeco, brass bands and much more, it’s a don’t miss.
Participation: Catch Jeremy Davenport on Saturday, April 9th at 2:00 p.m. at the WWL Stage.
Location: The hotel is in walking distance to the festival (2 blocks).

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: (41st annual, 4/29-5/8)
Background: Thousands flock to this seven-day event that has been called America’s best festival. Headliners: Arcade Fire, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Sonny Rollins, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Robert Plant, Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Strokes and John Legend & The Roots.
Participation: Davenport will perform on Saturday, April 30th at 2:50 p.m. at the WWOZ Jazz Tent.
Location: Festival-goers enjoy shuttle service to and from the hotel and can purchase Ritz-Carlton backpacks with sun block, a hat, bottled water, etc.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience: (20th annual, 5/25-5/28)
In 1991, a group of local wine and food professionals had a vision of creating a series of events to raise money for charity. The five-day festival brings together world-renowned winemakers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders. New Orleans is the “home of the cocktail” so it seems only fitting that this internationally acclaimed festival of cocktails, cuisine and culture would be held in New Orleans.
Participation: Winemaker Dinner (Wednesday, May 25th) and Grand Tastings Competition (Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th)

Nothing but incredible music!

Essence Music Festival: (17th annual, 7/1-7/3)
Known as “the party with a purpose” the three-day festival features empowerment seminars at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the day and concerts over three nights. Headliners include Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Kanye West, Jill Scott, Boyz II Men, Charlie Wilson and Fantasia.
Tales of the Cocktail: (9th annual, 7/20-7/24)

Satchmo Summerfest: (11th annual, 8/4-8/7)
This premier jazz festival dedicated to the life, music and legacy of New Orleans’ native son, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is free and open to the public.

HOTEL EVENTS
Crawfish Concierge: (Spring-Summer)
The Crawfish Concierge is back in the courtyard every Saturday, teaching guests how to cook, peel and eat a Louisiana staple, crawfish. No need to worry if your travels bring you to New Orleans outside of crawfish season. Our Oyster Butler, Snowball Sommelier and Recovery Concierge are here to serve, seasonally. ($12/portion)

Spring Cleaning Spa Package
You spring clean your house, so why not treat your body to the same type of revitalization with an apothecary scrub, power peel, manicure and pedicure.
New Spa Services:
Drift to Sleep, Table Thai Massage, Velvet Massage and Mimosa Champagne Massage

Easter Tea and Easter Brunch
Jeremy Davenport will perform during Easter Brunch for the 1st time and it will be held in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom for the 1st time.

Pack your prettiest bonnet for tea!

Mother’s Tea and Mother’s Day Brunch
The hotel has added a Mother’s Tea for the 1st time.

Hard Hat Happy Hours
Look for a private media-only invitation to Hard Hat Happy Hours this summer in The Davenport Lounge. Enjoy a Davenport-ini and then a sneak peek at our opulent renovation showrooms. The hard hat isn’t needed; we just like the way it sounds!

Renovation
Slated to begin in July, the hotel will undergo a $9M soft goods renovation. All guestrooms in The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans will be renovated (415 deluxe rooms and 38 suites) including The Ritz-Carlton Suite, also known as The Penthouse.

Summer Rates
Summer is considered off-season in New Orleans, so travelers should plan a trip to NOLA. Rates start at $169, based upon availability.

Are you kidding me? $169 per night? Pack up the kids, Eric, we’re moving to NOLA for the summer!

I adore New Orleans, and as hot as it is here in Atlanta in Summer, you might as well be hot in New Orleans with a perfectly crafted cocktail and a recovery concierge.

And you don’t want to miss MY favorite concierge in New Orleans, the always fabulous Rudy at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. He’s the best.

I really need a vacation. You, too?

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Will Smith – Summertime

A very special celebration is in the works and it involves my good friends at Three Sisters Vineyard & Winery. Last week I traveled up to Dahlonega with my fun friend Terri (you met Terri here) and we lunched with Doug & Sharon Paul. Chef Dairen was on hand to cater and discuss the event with us. Everything was lovely and I just adore being up in the north Georgia mountains – it’s all so serene. As an extra special treat, Sharon took Terri and I on a fabulous tour of some glorious spots on the property. I cannot wait until I can share the details of our upcoming evening with you!

But I can share the details of our lunch together.

A beautiful salad with homemade dressing started the meal.

Salad Course Paired With Fat Boy White

All the ingredients for lunch were sourced locally. The veggies were super fresh.

Our main course was pasta with shrimp, tomatoes and squash. Delicious.

The Main Course

It’s fine to drink in the afternoon if you are at a winery. In fact, it would be considered rude not to imbibe. At least that’s what I told myself. And since I wasn’t driving, no problem! Thanks, Terri.

And there was dessert! A gorgeous berry parfait with berries that had been hand picked that morning. So yummy.

The Huge Berry Parfait

Between the eating and clinking of glasses, a lot of details were worked out. As we get closer, I will tell you everything.

And please don’t think that lunching at the winery is only for the bohemians and upper crust, it’s for everyone. Go on up and say hi to Doug, Sharon and Mittie (and Jess – hi Jess!) and lounge about the deck, drinking lovely wines and taking in the peaceful surroundings.  You deserve a fabulous day. Playing hookie from work would just make it better!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Henry Mancini – Days of Wine and Roses

Isn’t it great to have an extra day off? Since Eric had Monday off we were able to squeeze in some extra fun this weekend. Friday night found us at Farm Burger in Decatur for the yummiest burgers this side of your home grill (actually, better than home burgers). Saturday we decided to go back to Dahlonega and visit our friends Doug and Sharon Paul at Three Sisters Vineyard & Winery for a special treat. We started with the wine pairings – my favorite was their Blood Mountain Red paired with Cheetos! Cheetos! Don’t you love Cheetos? Me, too.

Have No Idea How Doug & Sharon Thought This Up, But It's Great!

Three Sisters is such a fabulous getaway. Awesome wines, the quiet calm of the vineyards and my friendly, yet wildly vinocentric friends.

My Sweet Eric

Outside on the crush pad held more surprises. One was meeting the delightful Chef Dairen of Pig-N-Chips BBQ & Catering, who was formerly the yacht chef for Jimmy Buffett – don’t you just love Jimmy Buffett, especially in the summertime? Anyhoo, Chef Dairen has dreamed up the perfect portable summertime dish – a BBQ Sundae! This fun concoction is a clear cup layered with bbq beans, slaw, pulled pork, more beans, more slaw and topped with a cherry tomato! So delicious and so adorable!

Chef Dairen. Got Pork? Love The Tee.

Are You Ready For Some Sundae?

While We Waited for Sundaes, I Snapped More Photos of My Sweetie.

Nom, Nom, Nom! It's A BBQ Sundae, Y'all!

Doug and I are banding together with Chef Dairen to bring you a special Key West inspired dinner at Three Sisters for 40 folks. Please leave me a comment if you would like to make a reservation for this fun evening of conch fritters and other south Florida delights. We will be holding the dinner in September, with more details to follow.

And of course, there will be music. This day’s music was bluegrass. It paired perfectly with the bbq, the wine (Fat Boy Red-perfect for bbq) and all that bucolic scenery.

BBQ & Wine, Made Better With Bluegrass Music

A special hello to Val and Jim, our new friends from our afternoon on the Crush Pad and as always, the biggest thanks to Doug & Sharon, the most wonderful hosts ever.

xoox, Patti

Today blogging to Seals & Croft – Summer Breeze

Wow, do I have a ton of fun pictures for you all today.  Our sweet Valerie is having quite the year so far – she graduated college on the same day she & Jay got engaged and this past weekend we visited the wineries of North Georgia to celebrate her birthday. Nothing but fun around here!

First stop, Sublime Donuts – nothing gives you energy like a couple of sugar laden donuts, right?  Ohhh, they are so yummy.

Donut Art!

We all met at Sublime Donuts – many thanks to Denise & Rick for picking me up while Eric had some errands to run.

Our first winery was Montaluce – a spectacular Tuscan style villa with a full dining room and loads of wines.  The vistas were breathtaking.

Second stop, and my favorite, was Three Sisters Winery, owned and operated by my good friends Doug and Sharon Paul, who so generously and graciously set up a private tasting for us. Doug regaled us with the history of wine and terrior, French for land.  He also charmed our French friend Benoit, when he told him in his native tongue, “I cannot speak French, but I am tall, strong and crazy!” The wines were the finest we tasted all day. I went home with a case. In the future, I plan on organizing an exclusive tour to Three Sisters, so please let me know if you have an interest in joining us.

Our friends all packed the loveliest dishes and we picnicked at Three Sisters as we learned about the wines. Doug treated us to their splendid port, which we all loved.  Even an impromptu rain shower did not dampen our spirits.

We could have stayed at Three Sisters all day, but we had a plan to visit four in one day and the next winery was Blackstock. More gorgeous scenery. And a foot race for Taruan and Valerie!

And a Brady Bunch photo op.

And some more fun photos.

Our last stop of the day was Frogtown Cellars. We all liked the lively atmosphere, although it might have seemed like a cocktail party because it was the end of the day. No matter! Always time for a party! And more photos!

And the last shot of the day – our beautiful party princess enjoying her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Valerie. We love you!

Thanks to Jay who thought up this great idea and a million more thanks to Doug and Sharon Paul at Three Sisters for the private tasting – it was the highlight of our day. And of course, thanks to Rick & Denise, who allowed me to ride up with them.

And if you didn’t get enough photos, check out the little slideshow I did on You Tube of our day.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to UB40 – Red, Red Wine