DaleW wrote:
> 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+

Thanks for the notes, Dale. We've had the AOC '07 L'Ancien, and I have
a bottle of the blanc queued up in the "to drink" rack. Sounds like a
wine to look forward to.

Mark Lipton