Hi Dale,
Wow, sounds like a hectic Christmas. I had to chuckle when you mentioned
casseroles. Here in Minnesota (with all the Scandinavians) a casserole
is called a "hot dish". Fortunately, casseroles and "hot dishes" are
not as popular as they once were.

Cheers for a Happy New Year!
Dick (a Scandinavian) in Minnesota, USA

Dale Williams wrote:
> Christmas Eve is a big worknight for me, my non-profit has a big event, but one
> has to eat first. So we went with some friends to a local Thai place. Some
> other wines might have worked better with the food, but the one I wanted to try
> was the 1999 Jean Paul Droin "Les Vaillons" 1er Cru Chablis. Medium acidity,
> apple fruit with a squirt of lemon, chalk and flint. Good finish. B+
>
> After a fun (but tiring) expedition on Christmas Eve, I returned home at 2:45
> AM to get ready to leave at 3:30 for Atlanta. A few minor adventures later, we
> were at my parents' new home. I got in a quick nap, then sat down to a big
> family dinner. Now, my Dad decided to start drinking a glass of red a day after
> the "french Paradox" stuff came out. Unfortunately, the wine he has decided is
> favorite is Taylor Lake Country Red. He always has other stuff for us, but not
> usually my favorites. As I was bringing down wine as a gift for my brother, I
> tucked in an extra inexpensive bottle. We were having an assortment of (mostly
> Southern) foods : ham, turkey, dressing, squash casserole, asparagus casserole
> (my mom is of the casserole generation), turnips, green beans, lima beans,
> green salad, etc. Needed a food-friendly wine, so I brought the 2002 Clos de la
> Roilette Fleurie. Nose of flowers and red fruit, palate of bitter cherry. I
> like a lot, but the acidity and tart fruit make it not a crowd-pleaser. But
> still gets a B+ from me.
>
> Next night we end up at the Village Tavern, a local steakhouse. Betsy's ribeye
> is tasty, but my strip steak is close to tasteless. But I wash it down with
> the 2001 Foppiano Petite Sirah. Tannic, but that is ok with the steak. Dark
> berry fruit, some earth, a little cedar/coffee. Nothing to write home about,
> but ok for $30 on a wine list. B
>
> Next night we are going to my brother's home, to eat some fish he hooked on a
> recent trip to Alaska (king and coho salmon, halibut). I offer to stop and pick
> up some pinot noir for the salmon, Doug says "we have plenty of reds". When I
> get there I discover he does, but almost exclusively Bdx varietals. But I
> choose a 1998 Frescobaldi Fili di Seta. Bad choice. Not a horrible wine, but a
> fairly big, oaky, tannic Supertuscan. Black cherry and cassis, lots of vanilla.
> Too bad, I like other Frescobaldi wines (I think I gave this to Doug). A B-
> with food, though tasting as night wore on suggests a B to me.
>
> Sunday night my mom made fried chicken. Why would someone who can cook like
> this spend so much time on casseroles? Great meall, and well-accompanied by the
> leftover Fleurie. So airtime has really given this a chance to shine. Luckily,
> I have all to myself, as others decided they didn't like in Xmas and pass in
> favor of other wines.
>
> Interspersed over weekend were some truly awful Vendange, Meridian, and Fetzer
> Chards. Luckily, I have put them out on my mind. This AM got up at 3:30, went
> to Atlanta airport. Said goodbye to Betsy and David as they flew to Betsy's
> grandmother's in Southern CA , flew home. Retreived the basset from kennel,
> worked, then came home to start a scientific examination of wines brought to
> our party pre-Christmas. First to be uncorked was the 2000 Brusco dei Barbi
> (Tuscany). Indeterminate Tuscan blend, though some cherry fruit and good
> acidity make me guess there's Sangiovese in there. Flowers, black cherries,
> leather, cedar. Sounds good so far, but the whole is less than the parts. And
> the finish is clipped. Ok if a $10 wine, this kinda sucks if $30. B
>
> More host gift tastings to come this week.
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B
> a good wine, C mediocre at best. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a
> party where it was only choice.
> Dale
>
> Dale Williams
> Drop "damnspam" to reply