First let me say Merry Christmas and 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.

2012 Simi Sonoma  Chardonnay – 90
2011 Trapche Broquel Malbec – 89
2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc – 92
2011 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 89
2013 Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay – 90
2012 Coppola Black Label Claret – 91
2011 Chateau Ste, Michelle Indian Wells Merlot – 90
2011 Trimbach Gewurtztraminer – 91
2011  Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon -90
2012 Root 1 Carmenere – 92

This year’s Wild Card selection is the 2011 Robert Stemmler Carneros Pinot Noir, which is scored a 90 by The Wine Spectator.  It would be a great choice for Surf and Turf, 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!

By: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net

  Beverage, Food, Norm Bentley, Norm’s Tasting Notes, Wine