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  • Our Happy New Month Toast for March Will Be with a Prosecco…

    However, we have not decided which Prosecco, so we have chilled two of our favorites. 

    IMG_3863

    On the left is Adami Bosco di Gica Brut Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401543419cdd3970c-800wi

    We have written more about that here.

    On the right is Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d2de5dc0970c-800wi

    That one was covered in this post.

    We love both of them and have been going back and forth all week about which to have. They are both light and lively and perfect for the start of our favorite hospitality season. It is traditional in parts of Italy to greet guests with a glass of prosecco. 

    They are both just 11% alcohol by volume which is an important stat for the warmer months.

    We'll have to come back and let you know which one we opened or if we opened both and took the opportunity to taste them together.  

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Our Happy New Month Toast for March Will Be with a Prosecco…

    However, we have not decided which Prosecco, so we have chilled two of our favorites. 

    IMG_3863

    On the left is Adami Bosco di Gica Brut Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401543419cdd3970c-800wi

    We have written more about that here.

    On the right is Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d2de5dc0970c-800wi

    That one was covered in this post.

    We love both of them and have been going back and forth all week about which to have. They are both light and lively and perfect for the start of our favorite hospitality season. It is traditional in parts of Italy to greet guests with a glass of prosecco. 

    They are both just 11% alcohol by volume which is an important stat for the warmer months.

    We'll have to come back and let you know which one we opened or if we opened both and took the opportunity to taste them together.  

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Duchess Poppy Is Seven Years Old

    Http---bostonzest.typepad.com-

    If you see Duchess Poppy out and about with us this weekend, say Happy Birthday. She turned 7 years old yesterday. That is 44 in human years for a small dog. Here's a chart and link to an article from WebMD with the conversion by dog size.

    Dog_age_05

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Duchess Poppy Is Seven Years Old

    Http---bostonzest.typepad.com-

    If you see Duchess Poppy out and about with us this weekend, say Happy Birthday. She turned 7 years old yesterday. That is 44 in human years for a small dog. Here's a chart and link to an article from WebMD with the conversion by dog size.

    Dog_age_05

     

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Go to Toro and Order This Combo! It’s a Best Bite…

    IMG_3247

    It had been a while since we'd visited Toro, but at two recent lunches, we really enjoyed this combo of tomato bread ("Pan con Tomate -Toasted bread, tomato, garlic" on the menu) and Chorizo ibérico de Fermín proving that simple, high quality ingredients, perfectly prepared and presented can be wonderful. 

    That board was filled with slices of the most delicious chorizo before we tucked in, and the tomato bread had a perfect, crisp, grilled bottom to stand up to being handheld as you munch. A glass of sherry or a beer will match this snack well. 

    Try it the next time you're in the area. By the way, if you have found Toro too busy and too noisy, we highly recommend visiting at lunch time on a weekday. 

    IMG_3253 IMG_3241

    Toro, 1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

    617-536-4300

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Here's something we love having in our kitchen. It's perfect for getting all the foam out of our Nespresso Aerocchino frother.

     

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Go to Toro and Order This Combo! It’s a Best Bite…

    IMG_3247

    It had been a while since we'd visited Toro, but at two recent lunches, we really enjoyed this combo of tomato bread ("Pan con Tomate -Toasted bread, tomato, garlic" on the menu) and Chorizo ibérico de Fermín proving that simple, high quality ingredients, perfectly prepared and presented can be wonderful. 

    That board was filled with slices of the most delicious chorizo before we tucked in, and the tomato bread had a perfect, crisp, grilled bottom to stand up to being handheld as you munch. A glass of sherry or a beer will match this snack well. 

    Try it the next time you're in the area. By the way, if you have found Toro too busy and too noisy, we highly recommend visiting at lunch time on a weekday. 

    IMG_3253 IMG_3241

    Toro, 1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

    617-536-4300

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Here's something we love having in our kitchen. It's perfect for getting all the foam out of our Nespresso Aerocchino frother.

     

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • No Fooling! Our April 1st Toast Will Be with a Glass of Artomaña Txakolina

    Why Artomaña Txakolina? We wanted to pick a wine that would be fun and a bit of a surprise for our toast to April 1st. Txakolinas are just that. These wines from the Basque region are light, lively, low-alcohol, food-friendly, and the tiny supply that reaches our shores usually shows up this time of year.

    AT-X

    We scanned our wine rack and grabbed a bottle we had picked up somewhere in our travels. As we tried to remember where, that star on the label brought back a special memory. We think this is the first Txakolina we ever tasted many years ago at Tinto in Philadelphia. This was before Chef/Owner Jose Garces was well known. If he's as gracious to his guests these days as he was to us back then he will always be a success.

    We'll add him to our toast as we pour a glass of this wine from on-high with the help of our special Txakoli pourer.

    IMG_3393

    Tidbits you might want to know if you'd like to try this wine:

    • In the Basque language TX is pronounce CHA, so this wine is pronounced “chah-kuh-leena.”
    • And, if your server is in the know, the wine will be poured from high above the glass to aerate it and activate the fizz.
    • Finally, that glass may be a large tumbler rather than a stemmed wine glass.

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • No Fooling! Our April 1st Toast Will Be with a Glass of Artomaña Txakolina

    Why Artomaña Txakolina? We wanted to pick a wine that would be fun and a bit of a surprise for our toast to April 1st. Txakolinas are just that. These wines from the Basque region are light, lively, low-alcohol, food-friendly, and the tiny supply that reaches our shores usually shows up this time of year.

    AT-X

    We scanned our wine rack and grabbed a bottle we had picked up somewhere in our travels. As we tried to remember where, that star on the label brought back a special memory. We think this is the first Txakolina we ever tasted many years ago at Tinto in Philadelphia. This was before Chef/Owner Jose Garces was well known. If he's as gracious to his guests these days as he was to us back then he will always be a success.

    We'll add him to our toast as we pour a glass of this wine from on-high with the help of our special Txakoli pourer.

    IMG_3393

    Tidbits you might want to know if you'd like to try this wine:

    • In the Basque language TX is pronounce CHA, so this wine is pronounced “chah-kuh-leena.”
    • And, if your server is in the know, the wine will be poured from high above the glass to aerate it and activate the fizz.
    • Finally, that glass may be a large tumbler rather than a stemmed wine glass.

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut Champagne with Great Stories for Toasting March 2019

    Happy New Month! This time we are raising a glass of Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut Champagne to salute the month of March.

    IMG_3149

    Today we will also toast two wonderful gentlemen, Tom Fielding and Scott O’Connor, who provided us with fabulous wine selections at Perry's in Provincetown for years.

    Here's to the two of you! We hope you'll have many happy years in your new home in San Miguel de Allende. This is the last bottle we have that was one of their selections. And what a selection it is! We can't wait to taste it.

    IMG_3162

    Philipponnat has its own story!

    In case you didn't notice the 1522 in the top photo, we took a close up of it on the neck of the bottle. The Philipponnat family have been on this land for nearly 500 years. They provided wine to French King Louis 14th, other royals, magistrates and mayors, even to those in the Champagne region.

    We have read that the current family member managing the vineyard is Charles Philipponnat who's responsible for bringing it back to greatness by paying close attention to details from vine to bottle.

    IMG_3160

    No flutes for this wine. We'll be enjoying it in large wine glasses to capture every nuance of the blend.

    The winemakers say:

    "The Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier. First press juice of mainly Grand and Premier Crus grapes from the heart of the Champagne wine-growing area. 20 to 30% of reserve wines are aged in wooden barrels using the solera system to incorporate older wines without losing freshness."

    "TASTING: 

    To the eye: Deep gold in colour with amber glints. Delicate froth, lively and lingering.

    With the nose: The first nose reveals vine blossom, linden and fresh, lightly toasted bread. After breathing, aromas of summer berries, citrus fruit and honey develop.

    With the mouth: Fine vinous attack on the palate, fruity (red currant, raspberry, ripe grape) and full- bodied, generous and long. Light notes of biscuit and freshly baked bread on the finish."

    IMG_3152

    Tip: When you want to find a wine, take a photo of the back label. This gives you the information your wine shop will need to order it for you.

    We purchased our bottle at Perry's in Provincetown ~$60.00

    IMG_3175

    (03.01.19) 4p – Update: Be sure to drink this wine through the temperatures because it is spectacular at 55º in a large glass!

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Join our Sparkling Resolution.

     

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut Champagne with Great Stories for Toasting March 2019

    Happy New Month! This time we are raising a glass of Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut Champagne to salute the month of March.

    IMG_3149

    Today we will also toast two wonderful gentlemen, Tom Fielding and Scott O’Connor, who provided us with fabulous wine selections at Perry's in Provincetown for years.

    Here's to the two of you! We hope you'll have many happy years in your new home in San Miguel de Allende. This is the last bottle we have that was one of their selections. And what a selection it is! We can't wait to taste it.

    IMG_3162

    Philipponnat has its own story!

    In case you didn't notice the 1522 in the top photo, we took a close up of it on the neck of the bottle. The Philipponnat family have been on this land for nearly 500 years. They provided wine to French King Louis 14th, other royals, magistrates and mayors, even to those in the Champagne region.

    We have read that the current family member managing the vineyard is Charles Philipponnat who's responsible for bringing it back to greatness by paying close attention to details from vine to bottle.

    IMG_3160

    No flutes for this wine. We'll be enjoying it in large wine glasses to capture every nuance of the blend.

    The winemakers say:

    "The Blend: 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier. First press juice of mainly Grand and Premier Crus grapes from the heart of the Champagne wine-growing area. 20 to 30% of reserve wines are aged in wooden barrels using the solera system to incorporate older wines without losing freshness."

    "TASTING: 

    To the eye: Deep gold in colour with amber glints. Delicate froth, lively and lingering.

    With the nose: The first nose reveals vine blossom, linden and fresh, lightly toasted bread. After breathing, aromas of summer berries, citrus fruit and honey develop.

    With the mouth: Fine vinous attack on the palate, fruity (red currant, raspberry, ripe grape) and full- bodied, generous and long. Light notes of biscuit and freshly baked bread on the finish."

    IMG_3152

    Tip: When you want to find a wine, take a photo of the back label. This gives you the information your wine shop will need to order it for you.

    We purchased our bottle at Perry's in Provincetown ~$60.00

    IMG_3175

    (03.01.19) 4p – Update: Be sure to drink this wine through the temperatures because it is spectacular at 55º in a large glass!

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Join our Sparkling Resolution.

     

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2019 Penny & Ed Cherubino