Goodbye Recession. Hello, Optimism!

First Annual Bubblypalooza Scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 12-3 pm

It's official. We're survivors. All of us. Anyone who has plowed through the past two years of economic hardship probably has a good story to tell. Stories of survival, of hardship, of victory and of loss. We certainly have a lot we could share as a result of our first 19 months in business at The Mercantile. Our stories would mostly involve those of community, team work, exploration, grass roots efforts and passion. All of those stories would be mingled with notes from hard lessons learned through inexperience, unforseeable economic hardship, tangled city ordinances, cash flow debacles, and some of the hardest work anyone will ever know.

Mixed in with all that is the ever present philosophy that continues to fuel what we do everyday at The Mercantile: "Food is storytelling. Wine is mythology." Through everything the past two years, we've enjoyed the opportunity to be part of our neighbors' lives. We send roasted chickens out the door towards a family who has just had a joyous birth. Someone comes in looking for a wine as a gift to a friend who has had a promotion. A repairman from Marta called us a couple of weeks ago just to say that was the best chicken salad he had ever tasted. People order cookies for parties and pick up chocolate cake after a rough day. Each time we have an opportunity to help a guest create a memory or commemorate something, we are gratified.

We are still standing. And we are so grateful. We want to celebrate. We want you to join us. Let's celebrate the fact that we are all Recessionaires! We are richer with knowledge, burdened with new vision, leaner in operation, smarter than when we began, and brandishing new street smarts everyday. The road ahead still looks a little bumpy. Recovery is difficult, but imminent. Optimism is crucial to keep us all going. Let's say goodbye to the Big Recession and Hello to Optimism. Celebrate with us this Saturday!

It's gonna be a long time before most of us can afford to drink true Champagne. But, let's not allow that to stop us! Join us this Saturday for a sparkling wine tasting. Explore sparkling wines that cost less than $20 per bottle. We'll be tasting Australian sparkling, Chilean Brut and a delicious cava that's perfect for summer! Who knows, we might even tempt extravagance and break out some pate by Trois Petits Cochon.

We'll see you in the shop on Saturday, May 1 between 12pm-3pm to celebrate the future!
-Janea Boyles and Chef Samantha Enzmann

The Great White Wine Tasting

Tired of Chardonnay? Looking for a departure from your usual Pinot Grigio? Join us this Saturday, April 10 from 12 pm - 3 pm to learn about and taste some off the beaten path white varietals. Check out Argentina's white hot grape, Torrontes. Become acquainted with Portugal's summer favorite, Vinho Verde. Find a white blend to shake things up a bit and learn why Viognier is so floral and yet soperfect to sip on the patio.

As always our wine tastings and classes are free. Identification is required to taste. We'll also be previewing and sampling items from our Spring Menu. This is a drop-in event. Come sip, taste, relax and learn at The Mercantile this Saturday, April 10 between 12pm - 3 pm.

The Mercantile
1660 Dekalb Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307
www.themercantileatl.com
404-378-0096

Wines from Argentina at The Mercantile

Barrica Wine Tasting
Come and learn more about Argentina's wines at The Mercantile. Try the hottest white wine making waves in the wine drinking world: Torrontes. Learn about Argentina's appellations and try their most widely grown grape, Malbec. We'll also be tasting what they are up to with Cabernet Sauvignon in South America. Join us as we continue to explore affordable wines from around the world that you can learn about and enjoy in your everyday life! This is a Free event! Identification is required to taste.


Flat Creek Lodge Cheese Tasting Too!
Flat Creek Lodge's Natural Rind Cheddar took first place in the World Champion Cheese Competition last week for the Bandaged Cheddar Mild to Medium category. We are proud to have been carrying Dane Huebners artisan cheeses at The Mercantile now for nearly eighteen months. A representative from Flat Creek Lodge will be here tomorrow tasting their Natural Rind Cheddar. This cheese will be perfect with the Argentinian red wines we're trying tomorrow. Please join us between 12 pm - 3 pm to taste, learn and enjoy!

Our Coordinates
The Mercantile
1660 Dekalb Avenue
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-378-0096
http://www.themercantileatl.com/

"California Dreaming" Wine Tasting

Yes, it is still possible to find really great California wines for under $15! We are thrilled to be part of Robert Reynolds debut to Atlanta. Join us this Saturday to try this new line of wines which are very affordable gems from the Lodi region. Robert Reynolds is made by the oldest winery in Lodi, Oakridge Winery. Come and learn more about the Lodi region and the Oakridge Winery this coming Saturday!

Robert Reynolds Wine Tasting
Affordable California Reds from Lodi valley.
When: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 12- 3 PM
This is a free event. Identification is required to taste wines.
Looking forward to seeing you in the shop!

Taste Portuguese and Chilean Wines With Us!

We continue to explore wines from off the beaten path at The Mercantile. Drop in on Saturday, March 13 between 12 pm - 3 pm to taste and learn about wines from Portugal. We'll also have a return visit from a recent tasting: Chilean wines by Terra Andina. These are back by popular demand and if you missed the last tasting, this is your chance to see how modern wine making techniques are helping Chile to produce some of best values in quality wine. We'll be tasting Terra Andina's Chardonnay and Carmenere along with some new wines from Portugal! As always, our wine tastings are free. Identification is required to taste wines!

See you Saturday!
March 13
12 p.m. until 3 p.m.
1660 Dekalb Avenue
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-378-0096
www.themercantileatl.com

The Mercantile's Chocolate Truffle Extravaganza Returns!

Our chocolate truffle event returns this year and it's bigger and better! Jill Davis returns to teach us how to make delightful truffles for our Valentine. This year, we're also privileged to have the opportunity to bring you some wines that make perfect accompaniments for chocolate. Make chocolate truffles, taste hand dipped chocolate truffles from Texas and try red zinfandel, chocolate laced red wine, a sparkly pink rose prosecco from Italy and more!

The Details
Saturday February 13, 2010. 12 pm - 3 pm
This is a drop in event. Reservations are not required. We look forward to seeing you in the shop! ID required to taste wines, but not to roll truffles.

The Place
The Mercantile - Bring Home Something Good!
1660 Dekalb Avenue
Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-378-0096
http://www.themercantileatl.com/

The Fine Print
This is a free event. It is also a kid friendly event. You must be 21 years old or older to taste wine and identification is required. This is a drop-in educational event and you do not have to be present for the entire three hours to learn and enjoy yourself.

Winter Wine Tasting this Saturday!

Join us this Saturday to try some marvelous and hearty red wines. We'll be tasting Chilensis 2008 Carmenere Reserva, 2008 Domaine Courtois La Source from the Cote du Rhone and a wonderful zesty sauvignon blanc that will help to chase away the winter doldrums! We'll also be offering some perfect cheeses alongside these wines. This is a free event. Identification is required to taste wines. This is a drop-in event from 12 pm - 2 pm.

Learn more about other upcoming events in this week's newsletter! Our chocolate truffle event is gonna be outta sight!
For more questions, you can reach us at 404-378-0096.

We look forward to having you in the shop!
-Janea Boyles and Chef Samantha