Connoisseur's Choice - Matt Bradford

The philosophy behind your wine list: Canoe's wine list strives to list wine that exemplifies the current trends with wine in the United States while maintaining a representation of what is happening with wine across the world.

The biggest trend in 2006: In 2006 there was a resurgence of traditional grape varietals indigenous to countries with a long history of wine production. Not only were they becoming increasingly available, the quality rose while maintaining a fair price.

Wines I'm drinking now: I am currently enjoying Gruner-Veltliner from Austria.  Bouchegger is a producer currently listed here at Canoe with a beautiful example.

Favorite wine word (descriptive): Veraison is the period of the beginning of berry ripening. The berries become soft and take on the colors characteristic of their specific varieties.

The quintessential pairing: The quintessential wine and food pairing that I am currently enjoying is a light clean Italian white wine, like Maculan Pino & Tio, with goat cheese and roasted beets.

The bottle I can't wait to uncork in 2007: I am looking forward to uncorking a bottle of Soter 2003 Little Creek Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley in 2007.

Next new thing in wine:  There will soon be a rise in the availability and quality of wines from two countries in Europe: Portugal and Hungary.

Canoe

4199 Paces Ferry Road, NW

Atlanta, Georgia  30339

770-432.2663

www.canoeatl.com