We had Betsy's sister and family over for first night of Hannukah, they are vegetarians so we kept it simple -latkes with applesauce and sour cream, broccoli rabe with pea, and desserts. Just because there is no protein doesn't mean there can't be wines:

1998 M. Gaunoux Pommard 1er Cru
This is a generic 1er blend. Lots of 1998s are drinking well now, but this seems to need some time. Tannic and tough, by end of night it was showing a bit better- black cherry fruit, leather and a little sweat, flowers. A B- for drinking now, but think this will improve.

2002 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Kabinett
As corked a wine as I've ever run across, damn

Mystery wine:
I ran downstairs (20 minuites before guests) and grabbed another 2002 Riesling. But bottle was finished that night, it went into Wednesday's recycle pickup, and I can't swear to what it was. I THINK it was a 2002 Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Kabinett, but not in CT and I can't find any record of buying that. In any case I opened to discover....fake cork! But the plastique hadn't blown up the wine, this didn't taste oxidized. It was a bit simple, just a slightly flat just off dry wine that was finished, but didn't really do it for me. B-/C+ for whatever it was.

Wednesday was spaghetti with meatballs, spinach with garlic, and a salad The 2006 Mustilli "Cesco di Nece" Aglianico was a bit big for the dish, some slightly rough tannins, full black plum fruit, not that giving. Tasted over 2 more nights it softened and developed some interesting leathery/earthy notes, though by Fri oxidative notes win. B/B+

Thursday I cooked- grilled clams with garlic, tuna steaks, broccoli, and potatoes. Wines was the 2010 Castellroig rose. Big, dark for rose, juicy red fruits, stands up well to tuna. B

Last night Betsy was busy with holiday baking, but managed to throw together a very nice Chinese dinner- chicken with honey, ginger, and 5 spice, dryfried beans with hoisin sauce, and fried rice. Wine was the1990 Steinmetz Kestener Paulinsberg Spatlese. This showed quite young- fresh acids, no petrol aromas, just spiced apple and mineral. This isn't profound Riesling,but a fine buy at $17 for a 20 year old Spatlese. 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.