2016 Bigi Orvieto Classico

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 Bigi Orvieto Classico

#nb-37-18

The highlight of our dinner last night was the Frutti de Mar Fettuccine, which is one of my most favorite dishes in the world.  In addition to fettuccine, there is a variety of fish, plus clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops.  And, of course, the meal was served at my favorite "Little Italian Place".  We also enjoyed a bottle of 2016 Bigi Orvieto with our feast. 

The Bigi Orvieto is a classic style from Umbria which appeals to the senses with a delicate bouquet of wild flowers and a fruit basket of fragrant scents.  The flavor is light, clean and crisp, with the presence of peach enveloped in a citrus breeze, backed by the taste of melon and a hint of almonds. This is a great wine for seafood and can be had for a modest price.  The alcohol content is 12.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

The "Little Italian Place" is Moretti's Italian Grill in Cape Coral, Florida, where the seafood and pasta are always the best in town.  The Bigi Orvieto is a house standard offering and pairs well with almost every dish on the menu which calls for a white wine.

price : $11 - $15

score:  88

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2016 1000 Stories Zinfandel

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 1000 Stories Zinfandel

#nb-36-18

The report this week is a little unusual since it is about a sampling of two different batches of the same 2016 Zinfandel from 1000 Stories from winemaker Bob Blue.  The other twist is that both of these Zins have been aged in bourbon barrels.

The wines tasted were Batch #45 and Batch #47 from the 2016 vintage.  Both wines were very similar in taste. Both had flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and a little cherry.  The #45 was a little sweeter, while the #47 had a little more cherry flavor.  Neither had much noticeable tannin, and I could not discern a significant taste imparted by the bourbon barrel aging.  The alcohol content is 15.5% for each batch, and Norm's score is 87 - 88.

Overall, these zinfandels are quite drinkable with big fruit and a mellow finish.  Either would pair well with grilled meat or barbecue.

price : $15 - $18

score:  87 - 88

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2016 McManis Family Vineyards Viognier

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 McManis Viognier

#nb-35-18

The report from the "Little Cottage by the Sea" is that the fishing is decent, the seafood is great, and there are abundant quantities of good wine to pair with the occasion!  The first wine we sampled was a 2016 Viognier from the folks at McManis Family Vineyards in northern California.

The McManis opens with a fragrant nose which has the aroma of a big basket of fresh flowers, surrounded by ripe fresh picked fruit, with peach and pear being the most pronounced.  The flavors swirl in the glass with an abundance of pear and ripe peach, and a hint of melon.  The finish is crisp and clean, with a touch of tangy spice at the end.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

Viognier is perfect with spicy foods like Thai Scallops, or Sushi with generous amounts of Wasabi.  It is also a great companion for a range of seafood, from Grilled Grouper to Mango Salsa Shrimp Tacos.

price : $11 - $15

score:  88

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity