October is well known for its fall gatherings and beer festivals as the air gets cooler and the holidays approach. While Oktoberfest celebrations are popular around the world, they can look different for some people. Instead, wine lovers gathered at Tapped Wine Tasting Market, located at 297 Prince Ave., on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for the annual return of Winetober Fest.
Tapped owners Todd and Angela Hurt hosted 12 Athens residents and visitors as they sampled five German wines, four white and one red, ranging from sweet to acidic to fruity. The first three wines were from Germany’s Mosel region, and the other two came from the Pfalz and Franken regions. Each wine was paired with a cheese that complemented and balanced its flavor, as well as Todd’s beloved homemade pretzels.
Winetober Fest was the first fall event that Tapped hosted this season, and was filled with flowing conversation as guests heard from Todd, who spoke about each wine and the historical context behind them.
Tapped Wine Tasting has become known for hosting interactive tasting events that blend social life with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Winetober Fest aims to further highlight Athens’ growing interest in wines and the sense of togetherness that comes with fall festivities.
Athens resident Lisa Ladd Myers said she and her husband were on the lookout for good Georgia wine when they stumbled across Tapped. Myers, who grew up in New York, met her husband, an Atlanta native, in Vermont. The couple later moved to Marietta, Georgia, where they lived for 36 years before settling in Athens. They maintained their love for wine everywhere they went, and continue to travel to search for the best wines in the world.
“It’s just fun, I always learn something,” Myers said.
To make the experience more approachable, the Hurts provided a handout to guide guests through the complexities of German wine labels. Todd broke down each label during the tasting.
“Each number means something,” Todd said. “Part of it’s the producer, part of it’s the wine, part of it’s where it’s from, so it actually breaks it down, and that actually goes through government testing before they get that number.”
The wine tasting encouraged guests to compare the wines, sparking lively conversation as people called out notes and aromas they detected from each sip and sniff. The tasting also allowed the guests to choose which wine they preferred and would like to try themselves at home.
In the wine tasting world, there are the four S’s: see, smell, sip and savor. These steps bring out the aromas and notes and allow for the perfect tasting. Guests took notes on paper and aloud, sharing their impressions after each glass.
As the night continued, the fourth bottle, Hans Wirsching Silvaner, drew particular attention. An eagle logo signifies a classification system used by about 200 German winemakers who formed a consortium to impose higher quality standards on themselves. Wines in this classification feature “GG” on the label denoting the level of quality, and includes the eagle emblem.
“Why so many classification systems?” Todd said. “I don’t know, but it’s part of why we’re here tonight.”
As the event wrapped up and glasses were finished, Todd and Angela took time to speak with each guest continuing the warm and welcoming conversation about German wines. The cozy atmosphere of Winetober Fest highlighted the importance of community and collaboration in Athens’ wine scene.
“Cheers to October not being about all beer, there’s some wine out there,” Todd said.
Tapped will host its next wine tasting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., led by University of Georgia professor Keith Herndon.
For more information, visit the Tapped Athens website.
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Dining and Cooking