With a pork/apple stew and potato pancakes. the 2009 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett (Nahe) won't be mistaken fior traditional Kabinett, but there are vivid acids keeping bright and light. White fruits, a dash of citrus, long and minerally. This has the structure to age, but I may not have the willpower for it to have the chance. A-
Wednesday I went to Queens to speak at St Johns, when I got home (a fun ride, with a leak in a brake line) had a glass of the wine Betsy had used for her dinner, the 2009 La Vieille Ferme blanc (Luberon - it actually just says Luberon, not Cotes du). I'm not a big white Rhone drinker, but this is a value, good acidity for region, yet with some typical citrus meets tropical fruit, slight oiliness, floral notes. A bit clipped, but at $8 worth buying. B-/B
Friday with whole wheat pasta with a sauce of squash, shrimp, and tarragon, the 2005 Luneau Papin Semper Excelsior Muscadet. Big, rich, fruit has good ripeness that you'd almost mistake for RS. Bold, bracing acidity. I'm sure cries of infantcide, but this is damn tasty right now. B+/A-
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.