I had an epiphany the other day.  No, I was not going to stop drinking, lose weight, and try to beat my personal record in the local bike race.  Nor was I going to finally learn how to type (although I am trying).  I have thought about trying to master the guitar so that my sons will actually believe that I could have been the rock star I claim to be.

No, I decided to have a few people over and sample some of the inexpensive whites at the PLCB. This is certainly not a Edison or Einsteln quality idea.  I realize it is more of a Castanza or even a Homer level ‘epiphany’, but it was a change of pace nonetheless.  In the next few weeks, I plan to write a scathing article about those clowns at the PLCB–I am sure they are shaking in their boots.  In the meantime, I have adopted the ‘if you can’t beat them, appear to at least tolerate them’ approach.  So after the Philly triathlon (I did the bike leg in a relay–don’t ask), we had some friends over to pull a few corks on the wine currently available. Nothing mind-blowing on the plate–just some tri-tip (my favorite cut of meat for the barbie–I am soooooo Californian) and a couple of salads.  Before the tri-tip, we did some grilled marinated shrimp to pair with the whites.  What whites? Well, here you go:

2007 Argyle Riesling: Retail ~$20. Disclosure: I paid $12.99 at the PLCB for personal consumption.  Alright, we all know that I am but a shill for Argyle–I do not receive any sort of compensation whatsoever from these guys, but I have been enjoying their wines for years.  This was no different.  It has received some mixed reviews on Cellar Tracker, but I found this to be very good.  A bit muted but then some petrol on the nose along with a bit of pineapple.  Too cold initially, but as it warmed, much more expressive with a medium to long finish. Will likely buy some more.  Very Good to Excellent.  89 points.

2011 Nieto Senetiner Torrontés Reserva: Retail ~$14. Disclosure: Purchased for $9 at the PLCB for personal consumption. To be perfectly honest, I do not have a lot of experience with Argentinian wines, so I was eager to pop this one.  A floral nose with notes of citrus, and a hint of peaches.  On the palate, this was really refreshing: lots of acidity balanced nicely with the fruit.  Medium to long finish.  At $9? I would buy this again.  Very Good to Excellent. 88 points.

2010 Laurenz V. Grüner Veltliner Singing Laurez und Sophie: Retail ~$14. Disclosure: Purchased for $15 by a friend at the PLCB for personal consumption. We went to Austria last year and had our fair share of Grüner.  Although this is not a top of the line GV, it has an impressive nose of cantaloup, grapefruit and a bit of pineapple.  On the palate, the typical Grüner acidity exploded onto the tongue.  Clean and crisp, very enjoyable.  Very Good. 86 points.

2009 Domaine Roc du Châteauviex Muscadet: Retail ~$13. Disclosure: Purchased for $8 at the PLCB by a friend for personal consumption.  Muscadet is one of those wines for which I have rather low expectations.  Meant to be consumed young in almost all instances, these wines are not ‘deep’.  This one was no exception.  Bright and cheery, an honest an clean wine, this would be a great pairing with seafood, particularly shellfish.  Good to Very Good.  84 points.

2011 Lieb Family Cellars Pinot Blanc: Retail ~$23. Disclosure: Purchased for $14 at the PLCB for personal consumption. Above all the wines we assembled for this little tasting, I was most excited to give this one a swirl since I had visited the winery and it is from Long Island, NY.  Mineral nose with some kiwi, interestingly.  Very crisp on the palate, with some good fruit and decent balance.  Medium to long finish.  This is certainly a ‘buy’ in my opinion.  Very Good to Excellent. 89 points.

There you have it, I will try to do more of these little tastings so please do let me know what you think.  Cheers!