While Betsy made a caesar salad, we sipped a glass of the 2008 Loosen
"Dr L" Riesling. Lots of lime, fairly sweet, tangy acids. Fairly
simple, but satisfying $8 wine! B-/B

We lugged our salad, some applesauce, and our hound to friends who
were celebrating their spaniel's birthday (hey, she came to Lucy's
party). The dogs enjoyed bones, the people enjoyed stuffed pork chops,
potatoes, salad, etc. I had also carried the 2001 The Old Field
Merlot*(North Fork). Black plummy fruit, a little smoke meets vanilla
oak note, medium acidity. There's a little pruney edge on the finish
that says drink up, but overall a nice enough wine. The issue (as
always with me and NY wines) is value, at $19 it has tough competition
from less expensive Bordeaux and New World merlots. B-

There was also a Zardetto prosecco, dependable as always.


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.**