So yesterday Betsy and I finally had our sausage-making session. She had given me a grinder attachment to the Kitchenaid, and Dave gave me a load of casing for Father's Day ( I froze them). Yesterday we made about 5 pounds- some Italian fennel sausage, some a variant on Alice Waters' Champagne sausages. The main variance was that I didn't have any demi-sec Champagne, and debated Brut Champagne vs. off-dry wine. Ended up with the latter, the 2008 Donnhoff Riesling QbA. A little lime, a little cherry, a mediumbodied very tasty Riesling. I admit I was surprised by this, because the "word" is that 08 is a high acid vintage, especially from those who felt 07 was a tad acid-deficient (which I didn't for most bottlings). This is a very tasty wine, but I'd call it softer than the 07. Still, it's Donhoff, and the quality shows. Excellent Riesling for the money even if not quite what I expected. B
We froze much of the sausage, but used a bunch to make Mario Batali's sausage and peppers recipe. Since the mixer was upstairs, Betsy decided to make fresh fettucine, plus she made Judy Rodger's kale. Cooking and dinner wine was the 2006 Monte Antico (Tuscany). Screwcappedl, split a case with couple friends at $8.25/bottle. Good deal at that price, nicely ripened cherry and raspberry fruit, a little leather, mild tannins, moderate acidity. Unsure re blend, but in the past this has been mostly Sangiovese with a bit of Merlot. At price, good wine. B-/B
We celebrated the Basset hound's birthday a week early, as Betsy will be away next weekend. This year's barkfest was comparatively limited, as only 5 canine buddies could join. But the dogs and their people had a good time on a lovely cool afternoon, and after the last pup left Betsy threw a chicken in the oven. She also cooked some butternut squash and made a baby bok choy/pecan/apple salad, and we toasted Lucy the birthday girl with the 2002 Mulderbosch "Faithful Hound" (Stellenbosch). Ripe cherries and plums, some vanilla and toasty oak, tannins mostly resolved. This isn't really fading, plenty of fruit, decent length, but I can't say it's added any complexity in last couple years. A decent Bordeaux blend, let's give it a B, even if we give our faithful hound an 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 party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.