Wines with a Yuletide dinner with friends:
Famille Moussé Champagne l'Or d'Eugène Solera Blanc de Noirs Brut – green apple in the nose plus some yeast, and a lengthy clean finish. With black olive brochette and a pear apple parmesan salad with crispy shallot rings.
Served with a tourtiere (French Canadian, eh?):
2001 Ch. La Confession (St. Emilion Grand Cru) – dark fruit and hints of tobacco and espresso with a long clean finish. Good showing.
2009 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers – darker red, good nose with hints of oriental spice, medium length smooth finish. Likely at peak now. I thought that the Bordeaux was the better wine but the Crozes was a better foil to the food.
With cheeses (considering the season I am unable to resist adding ‘of Nazareth’ after ‘cheeses’.
1990 Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Auslese – in 375 ml size, and showing a lovely light amber colour, this was neigh on perfect with the assorted cheese. Some apple in the nose and enough acidity to balance the middling sweetness of the wine.