"2012 Christmas Special"

Norm's Tasting Notes
by:Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net



Christmas Special
#nb-45-12


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.

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, which I would recommend as good choices for some of the above.

2009 Francis Coppola Director's Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 score
2007 Barba Vignafranca Momtepulciano - 92 score
2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay - 90 score
2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir - 91 score
2009 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 score
2009 Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay - 90 score
2006 Three Sisters Cabernet Franc - 93 score
2005 Sargrantino di Montefalco Collepiano - 93 score
2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc - 91 score
2009 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 score

This year's Wild Card selection would be any vintage you can find of Rodney Strong
Russian River Chardonnay, which would be the pick from the "Chardonnay Queen" to
accompany her famous "Christmas Eve Seafood Salad".

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:
dawsontimes.com
cumminghome.com
pineisland-eagle.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity