Thursday Betsy made several Madhur Jaffrey recipes, a rogan gosh (lamb), some tahiri (Rice with peas), and very good cauliflower. I thought re beer, but decided on wine. I usually think white, but with the lamb I thought a red with some spice. My only Zins were more "serious", so I went with the 2005 Vrac Cotes du Rhone (and yes, I'm aware of the peculiarity of a bottle with this name). Fresh and fruity, a lightweight wine with light flavors of raspberry and cherry, light tannins, light acidity. A light wine. Nothing that shouts Rhone, but a pleasant easy drinking little wine (that could be from anywhere). Not distinctive enough to look for, but certainly won't offend anyone at a backyard party. 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.