Betsy made a lemony pasta with hot pepper oil, served with grilled breast over greens. She said it was spicy, so I went with a little RS, choosing the 2006 F. Pinon "Cuvee Tradition" Vouvray. The lemony fruit complemented the pasta, while the light sweetness balanced the heat. Nice wooly/waxy Chenininity (a new word!), good length, appealing wine. B/B+
After dinner Betsy and her mom had plans, so I went by a big party at a friend's home for a little while. Great food spread, but I concentrated on small tastes of some of the wines:
2006 Clos Roche Blanche "L'Arpent Rouge" Touraine
Pretty red fruit, tobacco, pine, and herbs. Nice light to mid-bodied wine with good acidity. B+
2006 Jules Cotes de Provence rosé
slightly thin, but clean strawberry fruit. Dry and easy, possibly a touch tired. B-
2004 Montevertine Pian del Ciampolo (Toscano IGT)
Dried cherries and flowers on nose, raspberries and bitter cherries on palate. A little note of fresh coffee grounds, refreshing Sangiovese. B+
2003 Graves de Pez (St. Estephe)
Beware the cheap Bordeaux you've never heard of. Be especially wary of the ones that have common Bordeaux words in the name. Overripe yet thin, an overwhelming sense of dullness. Guy next to me liked more than I (of course, he also loved the Luna di Luna in the blue bottle, I didn't have the guts to try that again). C/C+
Fun party, but I headed home early to family.
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.