Norm's Tasting Notes

Norm’s Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2013

#nb-46-12


First let me say MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY DINING!...To make this happen you will need to make some good choices for your holiday meals. Below is a list of suggestions for which wines go best with which foods, that I put together several years ago. I hope this will help you with your holiday planning.

Roasted or Baked Turkey - Riesling or Chardonnay

Baked Ham - Rose or light Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay

Grilled Steak or Beef Tenderloin - Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb Chops or Pork Loin Chops - Merlot
Barbecued Ribs or Spaghetti - Zinfandel
Prime Rib or Roast Duck - Pinot Noir
Lobster, King Crab, Half Shell Oysters - Chardonnay
Oysters Rockefeller or Broiled Fish - Sauvignon Blanc
Shrimp Alfredo or Clams Marinara - Pinot Grigio
Baked Fish, Poached Flounder - Riesling or Pinot Grigio
Cornish Game Hens - Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Grilled or Baked Salmon - Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir

The following is a top ten list of some of the wines that I have written about earlier this year, as well as their scores, which I would recommend as good choices for the holidays.

2011 Robert Mondavi Napa Chardonnay - 90

2010 Waterstone Napa Valley Merlot - 90

2011 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc - 91

2010 Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva - 93

2011 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma Chardonnay - 91

2011 King Estate Oregon Pinot Gris - 91

2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 92

2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc -91

2009 Villa Antinori Toscana - 91

2011 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel - 94

This year's Wild Card selection is the 2011 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir, which is scored a 91+ by Robert Parker's "The Wine Advocate".  It would be a great choice for prime rib, which will be the Christmas dinner at the Bentley house this year.

Whatever special dinner or wine you enjoy this year, I hope you have a:

Merry Christmas - Norm's Score - 100

Norm

Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/‎

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity