Wednesday Betsy made spaghetti with a Bolognese sauce, I opened the
2007 I Perazzi "la Mozza" Morellino di Scansano. Rounder, modern style
of Sangiovese, sweet red cherries and a little vanila edge, a little
pedesrtrian but hey it was cheap! B-/C+

For the first time in many years, I turned over a Christmas Eve event
over to some volunteers, and spent the night at home. We had 6 guests
over, and decided to do the Italian-American Feast of the Seven
Fishes. Starter was a Cointreau/citrus gravlax I had made the previous
night, along with a citrus creme fraiche, plus Al brought shrimp with
a lemon mayo. A couple of sparklers to start:

2000 Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne
Light to medium bodied, hint of biscuit yeast, lemon and apple. Decent
length, moderately fine mousse. Good acidity, a nice apertif. Plus I
can't argue with the price- I had ordered the PH Rose Sauvage from
WTSO, they sent this (which they had sold for $10 more). I said while
I really preferred the rose, I'd keep this if easier for them than
shipping back. They credited my card for the roses, and told me to
drink this on them. Whoo hoo! B

NV Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs
I don't drink many California sparklers, but this wasn't bad. Full,
smooth, could use a bit more zip but quite decent. B-/B

OK, then we sat down. We had octopus salad, zuppa di pesce (ok, it was
bouillabaisse with snapper, sea bass, monkfish, and lobster, but in
honor of evening we changed name), fried calamari, salad, and kale/
polenta casserole. Wines we

2008 Firriato "Altavilla Della Corte" Grillo
Lighter styled, sweet white fruit, soft acidity, not bad. B-

NV Warwick Valley Harvest Moon White
A slight mystery, person who brought it says winery is in Warwick
(Hudson Valley), but back label gives a Watkins Glen address. I don't
think this is vinifera, a soft offdry wine with a wool meets green
plum character. Short finish, I was glad to try something different. C
+

2008 Anselmi "San Vincenzo" Soave Classico
Softer than most vintages, nice herbal edge, a hint of sweetness,
nice. B

2007 Bruna Riviera "Le Russeghine" Pigato
I loved the 2006 of this, this is a bit less exciting, but still a
nice bright white with nice mineral notes. Good acidity, good length,
my favorite dry white of the night. B+/B

2005 Terrabianca Campaccio
Not exactly a food match, but there was at least one person who really
prefers reds. Black cherries, a little cassis, a tad woody at the
moment. Tannins soften over evening, needs time. B

A flourless chocolate cake made the rounds for those that eat dessert,
and some good tallegio and gorgonzola dolce for the rest of us. Plus I
opened the 1997 Solatione Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (500 ml).
A gift, I had fairly low expectations as I find VS very variable. But
this is a nice version, deep rich and honied, citrus zest, coconut,
maple syrup. B+

OK, not a great wine night, but some fun ones, with good food, and
with the exception of the calamari (I did it, but forgot until time to
start we broke our candy/oil thermometer) food was fantastic. Good
Christmas Eve.

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.**