Wines with food

[Florida Jim]

With a ragu of white beans, chicken sausage and spinach:

1998 Salomon, Grüner Veltliner Reserve:

A varietally correct, clean, focused wine with just the slightest hint of oxidation; maybe it was just this bottle but my inclination is that it is time to drink this up.

With salad nicoise:

2005 Terres Dorees (Brun), Beaujolais Nouveau:

God bless Jean Paul Brun; simply wonderful.

Dinner with friends:

With grilled pork chops, celery gratin and chanterelle risotto:

2001 Bruno Giacosa, Nebbiolo d’Alba:

Excellent, authentic nebbiolo after three hours in the decanter; before that, a bit tannic,

and,

2002 Maligny, Chablis:

Really nice Chablis that is character driven, texturally viscous and lasts longer than expected on the palate,

and,

2004 Álvaro Castro, Dão Vino Tinto:

Simple wine yet of its place, moderately complex and interesting; a pleasant and inexpensive way to accent the meal.

Leftovers night:

First; some manchego cheese with a few almonds and a slice of freshly baked olive bread:

2001 Schumann Nägler, Riesling Kabinett Johannisberger Erntebringer:

Nearly dry, very clean and pure, with good Rheingau character and a dandy finish.

Second; Diane took oven roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, chicken and fresh picked green peas and combined them with wine butter (truly a lovely use of leftovers)

2002 Maréchal, Bourgogne Cuvée Gravel:

An equally lovely wine, all about purity, elegance, cut and focus; needed an hour or so in the decanter to show its best so this probably has a shelf life as well. Perfect with the food.

Best, Jim