2011 Cupra Ramato Attems Pinot Grigio

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





2011 Cupra Ramato Attems Pinot Grigio
#nb-25-12


This is a different type of Pinot Grigio, and although different, it is excellent with its distinctive color and flavor. The 2011 Cupra Ramato Attems Pinot Grigio hails from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia area of Northeastern Italy. The wineries from Friuli have become well known for Pinot Grigio. This one though, stands out because of its coppery color and its well rounded flavor tones. The color is achieved by a lenghtened contact with the must and the skins to take on an almost orange hue, which also brings out flavors not always found in Pinot Grigio.

We had a real summer time meal the other night of salmon and zucchini grilled on the barbecue, and paired with the Attems Pinot Grigio. What a delightful combination! The nose of this wine is floral and opens into a fruit bowl of flavors. There was pineapple and strawberry swirling around with tart cherry and a hint of apricot. The finish was mellow and lingering, with the presence of the apricot at the end. The alcohol level is 12.5%

This is definetitly a summer wine, and would be great with shrimp or fish on the grill, paired with grilled vegetables or peppers, and of course, it was spot on with grilled salmon. Norm's score is 88.


Score: 88
Price: $14 - $19


Norm

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

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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

Mondavi Private Selection Zinfandel

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






2010 Robert Mondavi Private Selection California Zinfandel
#nb-24-12


Zinfandel is excellent with barbecued chicken, and I make great barbecue chicken, featuring my own homemade BBQ sauce. We tried this the other night with a bottle of 2010 Robert Mondaviv Private Selection California Zinfandel, and I knew that summer had arrived. This is a value priced Zinfandel which is easy to drink and goes well with a variety of foods.

The nose is bright and full of lush berry aromas. The flavors are spicy with a little pepper, and a pronounced black raspberry presence. The wine finishes well with a lingering aftertaste of spice and tangy fruit. The alcohol level is 13.5%. The grapes are from the Central Coast region, and the wine was aged in oak for eleven months.

I always like Zinfandel with spaghetti, but this one was really good with our barbecued chicken, and would also be great for backyard hamburgers. Norm's score is 86.


Score: 86
Price: $8 - $10

Norm

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

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere

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






2009 Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere
#nb-23-12



A quality wine does not have to cost quality bucks, and this one is quality, plus its great with lamb! From the Rapel Valley in Chile, the 2009 Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere is terrific with lamb and not hard on the pocket book. The price is less than fifteen dollars, and if you shop around, you may find it for eleven or twelve.

We marinated some lamb chops in red wine with garlic, and cooked them a perfect medium rare on a hot grill. The Santa Rita was an excellent companion for our lamb chops. The flavors of dark berries and spice surrounded the garlic flavored lamb and took it into a mildly oaked finish which begged for another sip. The "Wine Spectator" liked it for 87 points, and described it as,"smoky and fleshy, with good briar, raspberry sauce and tobacco notes that hang on nicely through the lightly grippy finish." I don't know what a "grippy finish" is, but it sure made me want more of this delightful Carmenere!

I have always liked Merlot with lamb, but Carmenere is rapidly challenging that status, and if you don't like lamb, it would serve well with any other grilled chops, or even salmon. Norm's score is 88.


Score: 88
Price: $11 - $14


Norm

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

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay

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






2010 Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay
#nb-22-12



It was hard to leave paradise (Matlacha, FL) and all of the great seafood and beautiful sunsets, but even Cinderella had to go home after the ball. Our best meal while on the island was oysters on the half-shell, a bucket of steamed Pine Island clams, a mountain of fried shrimp, and a bottle of 2010 Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay. Paradise doesn't get any better than that, especially after you add in the gorgeous sunset.

The Hess has been a favorite for several years and the 2010 vintage was true to form. There are flavors of pear and green apple with a touch of pineapple, and a hint of citrus. The finish is clean and crisp with a mild touch of oak which lingers until the next sip. This is a true Chardonnay in the value price range, and would pair well with dinner or just some fruit and cheese.

While we can't be in paradise every day, we can enjoy a good seafood dinner and a bottle of Hess Select Chardonnay almost any day. It would be great with Shrimp Scampi. Norm's score is 88.


Score: 88
Price: $10 - $12

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 Big Fire and Erath Oregon Pinot Noir

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





2009 Big Fire and Erath Oregon Pinot Noir
#nb-19-12



We had friends over for dinner last weekend for grilled salmon, and my favorite with salmon, Pinot Noir. We selected two bottles of similar wine from Oregon for comparison, but could not decide which was the best, so I have decided to write about both. This week's Tasting Notes is a "Two for One".

Both Pinot Noirs are from Oregon, both are a little on the light side (perfect for salmon), and both are of the 2009 vintage. They also are very close to the same price. First is the 2009 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir which is from various vineyards in the Willamette Valley. The 2009 Big Fire Oregon Pinot Noir is also sourced from a variety of Oregon vineyards.  Both wines are a ruby red in color, with the Erath being a touch darker. Both have juicy fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry, with the Big Fire having a little nuance of plum, while the Erath is a touch on the earthy side. They both have a moderate amount of oak aging to add character to the finish.

The bottom line is that they were both so good, we could not decide which was best, so I suggest you get a bottle of each and some fresh salmon, and decide for yourself. Norm's score for both is 89.

Score: 89
Price: $18 - $21

Norm

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

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc

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






2010 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc
#nb-18-12



Well its almost time for the Cinco de Mayo celebration, but instead of beer and tacos, how about wine and ceviche?  Ceviche is the Mexican version of Sushi, and we found that Fume Blanc from California was the right wine to celebrate with. Our Matlacha Ceviche is a combination of shrimp, bay scallops, and pieces of grouper, marinated in lime juice with lots of cilantro. Our Fume Blanc was the 2010 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc from Sonoma County, California.

This is a perfect combination for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, but you can also throw in a taco or two, it you so desire. The Ferrari-Carano is a long-time favorite and paired well with our "Mexican Sushi". The flavors of lime, melon, and a hint of grass with lemon zest overtones, made the wine slide in right next to the flavors in the ceviche. This Fume Blanc is 65% Stainless Steel fermented, with 35% aged in old French oak for a clean and crisp finish, which measures 13.9% alcohol.

The wine maker's description said, "The wine has lively flavors that go well with spicy and ethnic cuisines such as Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, and Southwestern dishes." Well, that about sums it up. Try some this weekend with Matlacha Ceviche. Norm's score is 87.

Score: 87
Price: $15 - $18

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio

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






2010 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio
#nb-17-12


So what do you serve with salmon salad? Our choice last night was a bottle of 2010 Mezzacorona Vigneti delle Dolomiti Pinot Grigio, which proved to be an excellent choice for a warm spring evening repast. The Mezzacorona hails from the cool mountain vineyards of Northern Italy's Dolomite Mountains, and is a clean and refreshing Pinot Grigio. It is almost always a "Best Buy" choice, and the winery was recently awarded "European Winery of the Year" by the "The Wine Enthusiast" magazine.

The wine is a pale yellow with aromas of flowers and fruit. There are flavors of apple and honey which lead into a dry and clean finish, and would make it a good "Back Porch Sipper". The salmon salad was a bit on the spicy side with pickles and onions and was highlighted by the rich spicy taste of the Pinot Grigio.,

This would be a great choice for any summer salad or light seafood entree, and would also be perfect with baby Swiss cheese and a bowl of grapes. Norm's score is 87.



Score: 87
Price: $8 - $11

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity