With Betsy's season going, it sometimes becomes hard to find quality time together. So we decided to settle on at least one "date night" per week, which we could devote to each other- no phone calls, no internet, no meetings, no laundry - we could stay in or out, but just us. Unfortunately, on Tuesday when we were first scheduled, a volunteer became ill and I had to lead a group to the city. So we rescheduled for last night.
I was cooking, and banned Betsy from the kitchen. I managed to turn out a decent pissaladière, and a good salad. I thought Provence rosé or Beaujolais with the pissaladière, but what was in my hands as I came back from basement was the 2004 Clos Roche Blanche Gamay (Touraine). I've liked this wine in past vintages, but have never done the cartwheels that others have. This fits the pattern. Nice bright strawberry and raspberry fruit, a pleasant whiff of herbs, with just the faintest hint of minerals on the finish. Good acidity, a nice clean friendly wine to enjoy on the patio with a light meal. A good wine and a good deal at about $10, but not a wine I clamor for . But not every wine needs to be. B
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.