Monday we had our rear neighbors over for dinner- lemon chicken, potatoes, and braised escarole with peppers. I prefer wine with the chicken, and opened the 2005 Giesen Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough). Clean gooseberry fruit, a little citrus zest and a hint of hot pepper on the finish. Nice clean SB, decent value at under $10. B
One guest prefers red, and we opened the only Long Island red in my cellar, a lone bottle of the 2000 Old Field Merlot (disclaimer- the Old Field proprietors are friends). Really a nice plummy round Merlot, varietally correct and pleasant to drink. Soft without being spineless. B/B+
Tuesday was Valentine's Day, and Betsy was accompanying David on a college visit to Bard. So I said I'd cook. But we'd had a lot of red meat, and chicken night before. With 20 inches of snow on the grill I was searching for things I can cook (I'm ok at certain things, but not versatile). Some recipes by David Kinch (of Manresa) from previous week's NYT caught my eye. So I made wild salmon with a hot (Colmans) mustard glaze, braised Bibb lettuce, as well as some pattypan squash. Definite heat in the fish glaze, so I went with something with its own sweetness - the 2004 Leitz "Dragonstone" (Rudesheimer Drachenstein) Riesling Qba (Rheingau). I wasn't wild about the 2003, but overall I still find this wine one of the great bargains out there. White peaches and a litltle pineapple, zippy acidity to balance the residual sugar, chalk and other minerals on the finish. Sweetness balanced the mustard's heat, while acidity kept everything defined and lively. B+
Wednesday was Betsy's version of steak Diane, accompanied by steamed artichokes with hollandaise, baked potato, and salad. I stuck with H2O through the artichokes, then with the steak we had a 375 of the 2002 Worthy "Sophia's Cuvee". Not a wine for those that fear blueberry jam. Very ripe, blueberry, blackberry,and vanilla. Not a style I buy much of, but well-enough done in the style. Stood up nicely to the steak and sauce, just not what I usually want. B/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.