ATHENS WINE WEEKEND 2014

Mark your calendars for the fifth annual Athens Wine Weekend, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2014, at The Classic Center in downtown Athens. The event is a benefit for The Classic Center Cultural Foundation, which helps provide performing arts scholarships for high school students and supports performing and visual arts programs.

The weekend kicks off with a special reception Friday evening. Featured chefs will conduct an in-house presentation of Amuse-Bouche, a sampling of each chef's cooking artistry, all paired with the perfect wine to arouse the pallet.  

Saturday once again features a Grand Tasting, with hundreds of wines available to sample. More than 800 people attended last year's tasting, which also includes a seminar schedule covering a variety of topics presented by wine experts. A silent auction is also slated for Saturday. Last year's auction included a wide range of items from locally created pieces of art and jewelry to exotic vacations. 

The gourmet dinner is a treat for the senses, featuring carefully selected wines with each course. As each course is served, the weekend's sommelier introduces the dish and the wine, explaining the interplay between the two and why each wine was selected. The menu is still being finalized for this year's dinner, one of the most eagerly anticipated aspects of the weekend.

The weekend closes with an amazing brunch Sunday morning and a Sparkling Wine Seminar. Featuring complimentary beverages and a feast of breads, sweets and meats, the Brunch is the perfect way to close an extraordinary weekend of new discoveries.

There are several ticketing options available, including a discounted package that includes deluxe hotel accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn.