Atlanta Wine Fever

Unprecedented momentum                                                            

Bones steakhouse’s F&B director Martin Donovan is well-placed to see the evolution: “The appetite for wine has grown considerably over the past ten years.” Food and wine journalist Henna Bakshi concurs: “Today a new wine bar opens almost every other month in Atlanta.” This momentum has been accompanied by a profound change in consumer behavior: “Clients want to know what is behind the label. They want to understand the terroir and production methods and are ready to treat themselves to rare wines,” she explains.

At Sherlock’s Wine Merchant, a historic wine distributor, Doug Bryant and Craig Maske confirm the trend: “The wine scene in Atlanta is booming, with an increasing number of innovative wine bars and wine festivals and clubs.” These new offerings often target a younger audience that is also better versed in wine. “With time, wine consumers have become more curious and educated,” says Craig Maske.

A turning point: the launch of Michelin’s Atlanta Guide

While Atlanta has been seeing creative new formats and growing interest among younger wine consumers, the launch of Michelin’s Atlanta Guide in 2023 also elevated standards, inciting restaurants and sommeliers to revisit their menus. “It encouraged healthy competition. The Michelin Guide set higher standards and allowed the city to grow recognition abroad,” states Mcswell Pereira, head sommelier at Michelin-starred Atlas. This led to new restaurants with extensive wine lists, multi-tiered wine and food pairings and the introduction of lesser-known regions and producers. According to Adriane Laclef, business development manager for Cos d’Estournel in the U.S., Atlanta is thriving: “The arrival of the Michelin Guide bolstered ambitions. Consumers have been increasingly interested in wine and want to explore different regions. They are just as curious about renowned estates like Cos d’Estournel and emerging producers.”

The pivotal role of Bordeaux

In the midst of this effervescence, the wines of Bordeaux continue to enjoy special recognition, especially among the most educated connoisseurs. At Atlas, four pages of the wine list are dedicated to the region’s wines. “Fine wine lovers enjoy discovering different vintages of Bordeaux,” underscores Mcswell Pereira.

At Sherlock’s, Doug Bryant and Craig Maske affirm: “The wines of Bordeaux have become a habit among connoisseurs.” And within the panorama of offerings, Cos d’Estournel benefits from “a strong cultural identity, its balance between tradition and innovation,” underscores Adriane Laclef. These are elements sought by a generation that “is not only seeking prestige but a narrative and a style, as well.”

A young city with great promise

Atlanta, a new wine capital for the U.S.? “The level of knowledge and the breadth of the wine lists are not yet comparable to those found in New York or Chicago,” Mcswell Pereira tempers. But enthusiasm is palpable, with a diversification of profiles and a proliferation of initiatives. As Henna Bakshi sums up: “Today in Atlanta you can enjoy choosing the experience that you seek, whether it’s the simple, relaxed setting of a local bar, a Michelin-starred dinner with a fine wine from Bordeaux or discovering a local wine in a blind tasting.”

All in all, Atlanta’s wine scene is coming to resemble the city as a whole: multi-faceted, ambitious and entirely forward-looking!

Henna Bakshi : Henna Bakshi

Sherlock’s Wine Merchant : Sherlock’s Wine Merchant, Buckhead Wine Shop

Atlas : Unparalleled Culinary Experience | Atlas Restaurant | Atlanta, Georgia

Bones : Bones Restaurant – Atlanta’s Premier Steak House