Saturday went to a German friend’s annual St Nikolaus party. It’s outdoors, and it was chilly, so for once I enjoyed a cup of Glugwein. But Fred and I each brought a bottle:
NV Tissot Cremant de Jura Extra Brut
Fresh, apples and lemon, very crisp and dry. Quite nice! B+
2011 Franck Balthazar Cotes du Rhone
Peppery, fruity, but I think suffered from the cold, I’ve liked other bottles more. B
With a turkey/rice/arugula stirfry, the 2010 Pepiere “Clisson” Muscadet. Man, I love this. I know these are intended to age, but super tasty now. Saline, mineral, oystershell, citrus fruit, long. A-
With tuna steaks, a lentil/bulgur dish, and spinach salad, the 2008 Terres d’Orees (J-P Brun) Cote de Brouilly. Good acids, raspberry and cranberry fruit, takes a while to fill out. Some smoke and spice with air. Caution- there’s a plastic cork, and my instinct is drink these up. Tasty now. B+
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.