What are you drinking this weekend?

Rolet Arbois Tradition. Have just purchased the `05 to see if I should get more! Made from 40% Poulsard, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Trousseau.

Hows about you?

[David M. Bueker]

Last night was half a bottle of 2007 Éric Texier Côtes du Rhône Villages Vaison La Romaine. The other half of the bottle goes down tonight.

David, I have seen Texier up here!

I just finished a Muller Catoir Riesling which I will post on soon and may open a 2000 Chateau La Tour Figeac from Bordeaux. I bought six bottles on release and this may be my final one. I plan to cook a Rachel Ray recipe for french onion soup casserole this weekend (flavor of French onion soup with caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese, etc. in a casserole with egg noodles.) Soups are sometimes difficult to pair with wines. What wine choice would you normally make for a French onion soup?

[David M. Bueker]

What wine choice would you normally make for a French onion soup?

Gewurztraminer

Well, I do have a Trimbach Gewurztaminer on hand (the regular bottling). I was going to open that on Thanksgiving but I could probably pick up another at the grocery store. Maybe I will save the Bordeaux for a beef dinner night. I'm following your advice and holding off on the Donhoff so will put another Riesling into the lineup.

Last night pulled this as folks stopped by and ended up staying for an impromptu panini sandwich and spaghetti dinner: 2006 Windy Oaks Estate Pinot Noir Proprietor's Reserve Schultze Family Vineyard.

Tomorrow, I'm thinking 1988 Ridge Monte Bello with roast chicken and yucca.

As for the soup pairing, when I'm not sure what might work or just don't want to make a big deal out of it, I pull a Pinot Noir. I think that would work with that soup too.

TN: `07 Domaine Rolet Nature de Jura Arbois

Second bottle, pale yellow, some green. Earthy floral nose, some minerals here. Not that oxidative though. Big acidity here, nutty, sharp with lemon and ginger(?). BC apple, completely dry, some might wonder about this white.

2009 McManis Family Vineyards, California, Pinot Noir. Very nice with grilled Tenderloin Steaks and fixings. Mmmm good!

[David M. Bueker]

Right now: 2001 Paolo Scavino Barolo

Right now: 2001 Paolo Scavino Barolo

What's it like?

Friday night, with classic cheese fondue: 2007 Franciscan Napa Valley Chardonnay and St. Supery 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay Oak Free. Even though these were both 2007s, the lack of tannin from oak in the St. Supery made it a little past it's prime: dark straw color, just a hint of that oxidized flavor but still drinking OK. The oaked Franciscan seemed to still be improving but nearing its peak.

2008 Castillon-du-Gard Chateauneuf du Pape on Thursday, 1994 Branaire Ducru on Friday and 2001 Durfort Vivens last night. My wife likes Rhone, hence the Chateauneuf; I don't like it enought to talk about it. The Branaire was lovely, nicely aged and cedary and not even close to beyond its time. I was a touch disappointed with the Dufort. I believe Robert Parker gave it 82 points (but I can't find his notes, so maybe I am confabulating), saying things about it that made me think I might like it a lot - probably that it was too funky, or too loamy, or something like that. I liked it, but I didn't think it measured up to 2nd Growth status. I know not may critics do, either, but I have been positively surprised by wines Parker and other critics didn't like because they were too funky,or earthy, and I usually love 2001 Margaux. I'll sit on my other two bottles for a few years, but I won't hold out much hope for any gained grace. The bottle was pretty tannic and rustic.

2010 Knapp, Finger Lakes, Riesling. Enjoyed it with a roasted boneless loin of pork, brown rice in ham stock, and salad from our garden. Mmmm good!

last night, 2010 Seghesio Arneis(sonoma)..Outstanding..tonight 2004 Alesia (Rhys) Kanzler Vyd (Sonoma Coast)Pinot Noir..took about 30-40 minutes to open up, well worth the wait, very Burgundian..lovely PN

Extra hour in bed too...for some of us!

2005 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kab Feinherb from Wegeler.

This weekend? Well on Saturday - Beer! Liz, I and the boys have an evening tour of Flying Dog brewery in Frederick Maryland. They make wonderfully flavored, balanced ales with names such as Raging Bitch, Doggy Style and Backyard Ale and many more. Their current fad is "The Fear" - their pumpkin brew. On Sunday Liz and I are going to brunch and whatever we have there will continue into the evening - Pinot? We’ll see. Has anyone tried the Sonoma Cutrer Pinot Noir?

[James Roscoe]

Extra hour in bed too...for some of us!

2005 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kab Feinherb from Wegeler.

Bob, I thought Canada had joined the US in waiting until the first weekend in November to go back to standard time. Is that not true?

Beer here, too. I'm having a bunch of high school buddies over to watch the Toronto Bills play the Redskins. I'm cooking ribs, baked beans and mac & cheese.

Toronto has a football team! Your former Buffalo Bills?! That shows you how closely I've been paying attention.

[James Roscoe]

Beer here, too. I'm having a bunch of high school buddies over to watch the Toronto Bills play the Redskins. I'm cooking ribs, baked beans and mac & cheese.

Go Redskins!!!!

Toronto has a football team! Your former Buffalo Bills?! That shows you how closely I've been paying attention.

Nah - The Buffalo Bills play one home game in Toronto every year.

Extra hour in bed too...for some of us!

2005 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kab Feinherb from Wegeler.

Had two glasses late last night and wonderful. Slight effervescence, good acidity, tangy white stonefruit, found the slate too. Finish off later.

Milk. Skim milk to be exact.

In the middle of my annual "on the wagon" phase.