When Betsy needed some white wine to cook with a couple days ago, pulled out the 2002 Melini Orvieto Classico. Clean oakless floral nose, clear pear & citrus fruit with a nice nutty note to the finish. Nothing complex here, but really pretty decent $7 white. B
Tuesday's dinner came out of Ming Tsai's Blue Ginger cookbook. Scallops in a star anise and orange/carrot juice sauce, along with lemon basmati rice. The scallop recipe called for "bright Chardonnay" as accompaniment, so I opened the 2002 JP Brun Terres Dorres Beaujolais Blanc. This $10 Chard is great QPR, nice mineral/chalk overlay on the sweet apple fruit. Nice finish, bright acidity lets it do well with this not-such-an-easy-match main course. B+
Wednesday brought the first in my little town's summer weekly evening concerts by the river. A hot day, but the breeze off the Hudson made it very comfortable. Series is mostly jazz, though this time it was a bluegrass band fronted by a couple of old friends of mine. Betsy had gone all out, grilling steaks and serving over arugula and St. Andre cheese. Dilled green beans, fruit salad too. What could be better than a beautiful day, friends, music, good food, and the woman you love? Well, how about a beautiful day, friends, music, good food, the woman you love, and a good dry rosé? I really liked the 2003 Château d’Oupia Minervois Rosé. Bright nose of white flowers and wild strawberries, crisp palate with ripe strawberry fruit. Balanced and flavorful. A steal at $8. 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. Dale
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