Just returned from a few days in north Georgia. Camping in the mountains; spending the days fly fishing for the magnificent Brown and Rainbow trout and the evenings in front of the fire telling lies about the fish that day while dinner was cooking and the wines were opened. In the fresh air, wines always seem to taste better, as does the food, and for this reason I usually bring some of the good stuff.

Our first day, we spent the entire day on the Soque River getting wet, getting the gear tuned up and relaxing. I drove through the night and needed a slow day…no better place to slow the days down! At camp, we grilled up some mixed veggies and some smoked sausages while we snacked on some gruyere, manchego and cheddar with salami. W. Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent 2008 with the cheeses was simply delicious, and Michel Chapoutiers’ Bila Haut Occultum Lapidem 2010 ($25) was as good as it has ever been.

A good night’s sleep was interrupted by our need to get on the water at Blackhawk Trophy Fly Fishing. We grabbed our gear and a guide and spent the day on one of most beautiful sections of water I have seen. The fish were big and hungry and the day passed way too fast. Back at camp, we cooked up chicken and peppers on the open fire. A bottle of Pic & Chapoutier St. Peray ($20) signaled the end of the day and was also quite fine with the cheese plate. We chose the Cyrot-Buthiau Volnay ($45) for the wine, and it was stunning!

At sun up the next morning, we were already on the way to one of my favorite places in the area, Fern Valley. A beautiful stretch of the Soque, made even more so by the morning clouds and slight drizzle. I especially love casting the fly in the rain. It seems to be more tranquil, less people on the water and the trout come alive. A fat pork tenderloin roasted on the fire while we sipped the Mosel Riesling Spatlese trocken. Maison Champy Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds ($64) was perfect with the pork. Then all the fresh air caught up to us and we were out.

Our last day we were greeted by 50 degree temperatures as the sun came up over Duke’s Creek in the Smithgall Woods. Another of my favorite spots in north Georgia, for its rugged beauty and technical water—very hard to be successful consistently on Dukes. All day yielded only one trout for me, but it was a beautiful 23 inch hooked jaw leviathan, and it fought like the champion it was. After slipping her back in the cold water, we lazily roamed back to the truck and already you could feel the change in seasons, as the wind was settling down and the temperature was dropping. It was reported to be heading into the mid-30s that night, and it did. Two fat porterhouse steaks and a little Bordeaux helped ease the cold. The Ch. Ampelia 2011 ($18) and the Ch. Gloria 2010 ($55) both rocked the nearly two pound porterhouse cut, although keeping them warm enough to enjoy was a chore!

And did I forget to mention we also had a lovely selection of cigars? My next trip is already in the planning stages—just can’t get enough of those mountains!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne