2018 "Norm's Best of Pine Island Winners

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 "Norm's Best of Pine Island Winners"

I always enjoy reading the "Best of Pine Island" results in the Pine Island Eagle every year.  Since I am most interested in wine and food, the following are my choices for the best places to eat and drink on Pine Island for 2018.

1.  Blue Dog Bar and Grill ----- "Best Tacos" - Bang-Bang Shrimp Tacos

2.  Bert's -------------------------- "Best Lunch" - Burgers out on the deck

3.  Tarpon Lodge ---------------- "Best Dinner" - Fresh Catch of the Day

4.  Island Grill -------------------- "Best Sandwich" (Tie) - Grilled Reuben

4.  Little Lily's --------------------- "Best Sandwich" (Tie) - Triple Decker Club

5.  Lazy Flamingo --------------- "Best Raw Bar" - Oysters on the half shell

6.  Pizza Bella -------------------- "Best Pizza" - Italian Sausage and Cheese

7.  Island Grill -------------------- "Best Breakfast" - Ham and Eggs

9.  Moretti's -----------------------"Best Restaurant to leave the island for" (Cape Coral

If you have not found great food in south west Florida, then you haven't looked in the right place.  Try Pine Island, you won't be disappointed!

score: 100

price: Very Reasonable

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

CummingHome.com | News and Events from Cumming and Forsyth County

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2014 Villa di Campobello Chianti Riserva

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2014 Villa di Campobello Chianti Riserva

#nb-16-18

We visited our favorite Italian Restaurant in Cape Coral, FL the other night, and of course had a fabulous dinner.  We have enjoyed the cuisine at Moretti's for more than two decades now, and have never been disappointed.  The food is so good that it makes an everyday bottle of Chianti taste wonderful!

The Campobello Chianti Riserva is a value priced wine that when paired with great food adapts to a higher standard.  The wine is a pretty ruby red in color, with a nose that suggests cherries and berries.  The flavors feature cherry and plum with a little spice, wrapped in a smooth texture for a subtle, yet complex presentation.  The finish is smooth, with a bit of mellow, toasty tannin at the end. The alcohol content is 13%, and Norm's score is 88.

I can't praise Moretti's in Cape Coral enough, it has never been a disappointment.  The food is simply the best, and the prices are far below average.  I enjoyed my favorite, "Fettuccine Frutti de Mar", which is like Cioppino over fresh fettuccine.  The Chardonnay Queen had "Spicy Mango Shrimp", and the wine was perfect for both of our dishes.  

 

price : $11 - $16

score:  88

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

CummingHome.com | News and Events from Cumming and Forsyth County

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2014 Bodega Marques de Caceres Rioja

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2014 Bodega Marques de Caceres Rioja

#nb-15-18

We have enjoyed the Rioja wines from Spain for many years, and find them to be an excellent choice for a lighter red dinner wine.  The predominate grape is always Tempranillo, if the wine is not 100% of that grape.

The Marques de Caceres is one which has always been dependable, and the 2014 vintage matches its lineage. The wine is a pretty medium red in color with a subtle nose suggesting spice and a touch of red berry.  The flavor is mostly light cherry with a bit of red raspberry and undertones of vanilla and a little spice.  The finish is clean and pleasant, with a small dose of mellow tannin in the end.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 87.

This Rioja is a great choice for pasta and grilled meat.  A suggestion would be to pair it up with a thick juicy pork loin chop from the grill.  

 

price : $11 - $15

score:  87

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

CummingHome.com | News and Events from Cumming and Forsyth County

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2015 Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2015 Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay

#nb-14-18

We have enjoyed many vintages of Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay over the years, and it has become a standby for the Chardonnay Queen and I when it comes to a value priced Chardonnay.  The 2015 vintage is still available in the marketplace along with the 2016 Anniversary Edition, which is also a good choice.

The 2015 has a wonderful bouquet of tropical fruit, apple and a touch of citrus.  The flavors are apple, pear, pineapple, and a touch of lemon.  The wine has a rich creamy texture which leads to a fresh clean finish which lasts until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 88.

We recently enjoyed a bottle with friends as an aperitif with light appetizers.  This wine is also well suited to seafood fare or a wide variety of other food choices.  It will be a perfect companion this summer for grilled chicken salad.  

 

price : $10 - $14

score:  88

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

CummingHome.com | News and Events from Cumming and Forsyth County

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity