Cooking wine this week was the 2012 Berger Gruner Veltliner, but I managed to get a few tastes in. lightbodied, lemon cream, a hint of spritz, good f or the $13/liter tag. B-/B
Dinner was halibut in a cabbage and white bean sauce, with the 2011 Barat "Monts de Milieu" Chablis 1er. Mid-bodied, mid-acids, lemon and a bit of flint. Good not great. B
Friday was spicy turkey burgers, sauteed arugula, and a grilled sweet potat o/scallion salad. Wine was the 2012 Dashe "Heart Arrow Ranch- Les Enfants T erribles" Zinfandel (more of these rebellious children? I remember when it was just one). Bright acids, raspberry fruit, some light earth/forest floor notes, light to medium bodied, very lively. Probably wouldn't pick as Zinf andel blind, but a fun wine. B+
Saturday we had an early dinner of grilled Montauk swordfish and leftovers sides before going to an excellent jazz concert. Wine was the 2011 Terre Ne re "Cuvee delle Vigne Niche" Etna Bianco. Good pairing with the swordfish, pear and citrus, chalky, lightly framed with oak, well-balanced. I liked ev en more when I tried after concert. B+/A-
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 objectivit y, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.