n unexpectedly social week, a former neighbor was in town and we hosted a small dinner party with other neighbors, and then had Betsys sister join us next night.

Cooking wine was 2015 Anselmi San Vincenzo . This almost Soave had nice melon and lemon flavors, a touch of straw and nuts, just a little rounder than Id like but good value. B-

With seafood risotto, kale/feta salad,
2014 Adalia Soave
Light, nutty/almondy, touch of grass, bright. B/B-

2014 Terre Nere Etna Rosso
Base bottling. Crisp red fruits, bright, fresh. Gets herby with air. Nice value B+

I shucked some oysters
2014 Barat Mont de Milieu Chablis 1er (375)
Crisp, saline, good value. B

I picked up some black garlic, used with a lot of assorted mushrooms to make a pasta sauce, along with a greens/avocado salad

2015 Hudelot-Noellat Bourgogne
Cherries, cranberries and smoke, good acids, touch of tannin. Good but could use a little cellar time. B

Rose in winter? Sure, with chicken bouillabaisse (aka Provencal chicken)
2016 La Bastide Blanche Bandol rose is a bunch of strawberries with herbs on top. Fun and fresh. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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 consisten