Reynolds Family Winery Persistence Red Wine, Napa Valley, 2005

COST: $50-56

WHAT: This is not a wine you will drink every day, but if you are renting your house out for the Masters Tournament, leave out a bottle of Persistence and you will impress your visitors. It is a big, bold blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petite Verdot that was made to serve with food. The deep, red wine opens with subtle aromas of tobacco and berries. In the mouth it is a complex blend of berries, tobacco and oak. Open the bottle at least an hour before drinking. The rich complexity of the wine really comes out as it breathes.

THE WINERY: When Steve Reynolds gave up his dental practice to open a winery, it took six years to produce his first vintage. Thus the name "Persistence" on his signature blend.

GOES WITH: Lamb chops, or a thick steak. I had it with barbecue and with chicken pot pie, and it was wonderful with both.

Reach Dennis Sodomka at dsodomka@knology.net. Read his column on planning a trip to wine country in the April issue of Augusta Magazine.

WINE EVENTS

TODAY

In-shop tasting, Wine World, 5-8 p.m.

Wine tasting, 6:30 p.m., Cadwallader's Cafe, featuring Ron Lachini, of Lachini Vineyards; $55; world-class Oregon Pinot Noirs paired with great food; (706) 860-7444 for reservations

Wine dinner, 6 p.m. at Calvert's, wines from Franciscan, Mount Veeder, Simi, Estancia and Paso Creek; $65; (706) 738-4514 for reservations

FRIDAY

Friday wine fest, Vineyard Wine Market, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Saturday wine fest, Vineyard Wine Market, 1-6 p.m.

Wine dinner fundraiser 7 p.m. at Mulberry Center for the CSRA Gynecological Cancer Support Group; food by Roux's Catering; for reservations, phone Ginger at (706) 721-3992 or Tiffany at (706) 832-6089

WEDNESDAY

Wine tasting, six-course meal at Stonecrest Southern Steak House, 6 p.m.; (706) 651-0123 for reservations; $65 single, $125 per couple

MARCH 19

Spring wine preview, 6-8 p.m. at the River Island Clubhouse; fun whites and a few reds; $20; call Toast for reservations by Monday at (706) 922-8627