Saturday was a snowstorm but we picked up some friends and attended a dinne r put together by friends. Greeting was crostini, some with Delice de Bourg ogne & quince paste, others with smoked trout and creme fraiche. Wine was t he NV Patrick Piuze Val de Mer Cremant de Bourgogne Extra Brut. Dry to poin t of austerity on its own, but with the canapes it went well- chalky, pear fruit, but slightly coarse mousse. B/B- Next was an endive/beets/walnut salad, with the 2011 Terres Dorees (JP Brun ) Beaujolais Blanc. Clean Chardonnay fruit, a little chalk and flint, midbo died and pleasant. B Main course was beef Burgundy with sauteed vegetables, with the 2011 Piron Coteaux Bourguignons. I think Coteaux Bourguignons is “the appellation fo rmerly known as Grande Ordinaire” and I’m told it’s 100% Gamay. Redde r fruit, pepper, pleasant and light. B- I had double-decanted a magnum of the 1993 Morot “Teurons” Beaune 1er b efore going over- on opening I thought it showed excessively tart and acidi c. But a couple hours later we shared it around and found a nice Burg enter ing its maturity plateau- black cherry, acids still bright but not longer h arsh, some smoke and earth. A pleasant surprise. B+
Sunday I made mussels with penne, wine was the 2011 Picq “Dessus la Carri ere” Chablis. Round pear and apple fruit, a light saline note, moderate f inish. B
No wine Monday as I had a late meeting, but Tuesday with roast salmon, spin ach, and rice the 2002 Lafarge Bourgogne. Fully mature but not tired to me, red cherry, plum, a little exotic sandalwood note. Nice finish, very good for level. B+/B
I thought Betsy was making pork chops, but we actually sat down to veal cho ps with sage- along with potatoes, a nice salad with sauteed cremini, and t he 2009 Monje Tradicional(Tacoronte- Acentejo). I think this is indigenous Canary Island grapes, but has a spicy Rhone like edge to it. Peppery, red b erry fruit, juicy and easy to like. 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 pa rty where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.