Over several days, a half bottle of the 2006 Giovanni Rosso "Serralunga" Barolo. Comparatively open and friendly for young Barolo, tannins are present but supple, moderate acids, black cherry fruit with a bit of tar and flowers. Not long or compelling, but no oaky notes, easy to drink, and good for reasonably typical Barolo flavors at a low price ($14/375). B

With one of our favorite summer recipes (lobster sauteed in butter with sweet corn with thyme and marinated tomatoes) I decided to go with a Cotat. The 2008 Francois Cotat "Les Monts Damnes" was corked to high heavens. Luckily the 2008 Francois Cotat "Culs de Beaujeau" Sancerre was clean as a whistle. Tensile, high acid, this takes a while to unwind. When it does it's lovely- herbs, white fruit, mineral, saline notes. Full and long. Infanticide. A-

Saturday we went to join friends for dinner. We started with soppresata and "build your own" caprese on the deck, then moved inside for some excellent crab cakes. Back outside while Al grilled, then inside for strip steak, corn, and salad. Wine was consumed (and some others also had some exotic caked tea and some single malts, just wine and water for me).

2008 Paul D. Gruner Veltliner
That's front label, I didn't check to see actual producer's name or even region. A tad sweet, very light,. soft, easy drinking, apple and sweet peas. B-/C+

2006 Thierry Germain Soliterre" Saumur blanc. Just a touch of sugar, wax and apple, moderate acidity, decent length B-

2005 Ch. Puy Guilhem (Fronsac)
Still some sturdy tannins, cassis with some leather, smoke and vanilla, a bit angular, a little shorter than I'd like but good with meat. B-/B

Dinner Sunday was orecchiette with fava beans and arugula, with the 2007 Roulot Bourgogne Blanc. Lemon,nuts, a littlebutterscotch, good acids, clean finish, big for Bourgogne AC but balanced well. B+/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