I went to work Tuesday AM thinking we were having friends over for simple Italian dinner, but got home to discover Betsy had been to the Chinese supermarket, and dinner plans were:
salt and pepper squid
sprout salad
Chinese broccoli
chicken poached in a soy sauce broth
plus some Chinese pickles she had made last week (all recipes were from Kylie Kwong book).
To go with the squid, the 2009 Hofer Gruner Veltliner (in liter bottle). Nice, fresh, floral, light. There's not a lot there, but it's clean and a good match for the hot squid, and $10./liter! B/B-, but a solid value.
The red was the 2006 Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune. Ripe red fruit, a hint of espresso, some earth. Nice balance of fruit, tannins, and acid. Straightforward Burgundy that is unlikely to wow anyone, but tasty and typical. B/B+
Nice night with good friends, plus their standard poodle. Dogs and people all happy
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.