With Betsy playing a concert in White Plains, it was my job to play
cook for first night of Hanukkah, and I made brisket (based on a
simple recipe, but I substituted 4 oz of Sauternes, a dash of vinegar,
and some San Romano tomatoes for the cup and half of ketchup), latkes
(I used a mix, but went half oil and half duck fat), and broccoli. Not
bad for the goy boy. We lit the candles, enjoyed the meal, and Betsy
asked me what the wine was. She got more of an explanation than she
bargained for. The wine was the (NV) Brun (Terres Dorees) "L'Ancien"
VV Vin de Table. The short version- this is the wine where apparently
the first batch was approved for the AOC (so 2007 JP Brun/Terres
Dorees L'Ancien Vieilles Vignes Beaujolais AC , and then the second
batch was denied AC status as not being typical.
This seems like Beaujolais to me. Light tannins, good acidity, fresh
black and red cherry fruit, big floral nose. Doesn't strike me as very
different than the '07 that got the AC. One thing is I notice just a
hint of that potted plant/geranium thing I get from Loire Gamay, but
just a hint. Overall a very nice lighter red. Betsy's eyes seemed
glazed over as I finish my 10 minute explanation and dissection of the
AOC system, but I'm sure she was just tired. Wine gets a B/B+

Tonight she made a pasta with a lemon/mushroom/spinach/marsala sauce
along with fennel/orange salad. wine was another of M. Brun's , the
2007 Terres Dorees Beaujolais Blanc. Apple and pear fruit, a little
lemon that seems to come to forefront with the lemony pasta, some
chalk and flint. Decent length, good if not bracing acidity, fine by
me.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.