bostonzest

Tag: Basque region

  • 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.

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    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.

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    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…

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    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.

     

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

  • September’s Toast: Here’s to Keeping Summer Going with Etxaniz Txakoli Rose!

    If there is a Txakoli on a wine list, you can be sure Ed will consider ordering it. In this year of old favorites for our Happy New Month toast, we'll pour from on high with a bottle of Etxaniz Txakoli Rose.

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    After a scorching month of August, we're hoping for a September that's more typical of a Boston summer. We've been hoarding a few bottles of this favorite wine from the Basque region of Spain. This particular producer creates one of our favorites. It's a nice low 11.5% alcohol by volume and is wonderfully food friendly. Lower alcohol makes for a more refreshing warm weather drink.

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    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! In 2018 we decided to feature a year of old favorites like this one. Tonight we'll pop the cork and pour this frizzante wine from on high to create its signature froth! 

    On egin!  (A Basque toast which roughly translates, "Enjoy your meal!")

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    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: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • September’s Toast: Here’s to Keeping Summer Going with Etxaniz Txakoli Rose!

    If there is a Txakoli on a wine list, you can be sure Ed will consider ordering it. In this year of old favorites for our Happy New Month toast, we'll pour from on high with a bottle of Etxaniz Txakoli Rose.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d1d7d590970c-800wi

    After a scorching month of August, we're hoping for a September that's more typical of a Boston summer. We've been hoarding a few bottles of this favorite wine from the Basque region of Spain. This particular producer creates one of our favorites. It's a nice low 11.5% alcohol by volume and is wonderfully food friendly. Lower alcohol makes for a more refreshing warm weather drink.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c84de597970b-500wi

    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! In 2018 we decided to feature a year of old favorites like this one. Tonight we'll pop the cork and pour this frizzante wine from on high to create its signature froth! 

    On egin!  (A Basque toast which roughly translates, "Enjoy your meal!")

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c84decff970b-800wi
     

    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: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Ameztoi Hijo de Rubentis 2015 a Sparkling Txakoli for our November Toast

    This month we're trying a new take on one of our favorite wines, Ameztoi Hijo de Rubentis 2015. We were checking out the wines at Formaggio South End when we spotted an odd looking bottle from Ameztoi – one of the best producers of our beloved Txakoli wines. We finally realized that the bottle was shaped and capped as a full sparkling wine. 

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    We just happened to have a couple of bottles of the regular Rosé Txakoli on hand. We may just open both styles to experience the difference. (Links to some of our posts about other Basque wines are in related posts below.)

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    On closer examination of the label, we spotted the words "Méthod traditionnelle Champenoise." Most Txakoli wines are frizzante or a bit fizzy. This is enhanced by a high pour (we use a special Txakoli pourer ) to encourage the wine to foam. This one would call for our favorite Champagne stopper because it is a full-fledged sparkler.

    Here's what we learned about this wine:

    The importer says:

    "Hijo de Rubentis means 'Son of Rubentis.' This sparkling rosé txakolina is sourced from the same vineyard as the Ameztoi Rubentis but the grapes were picked 10 days early to ensure a lower base alcohol. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle.

    Vinification Méthod traditionnelle. Aged on the lees for 14 months.

    Tasting Notes Bright pink grapefruit color with fine and persistent bubbles. Floral aromas with notes of red fruit and raspberries on the nose. The wine is cheerful, fresh, elegant and persistent with a hint of red fruit.

    Pairing Salmon, sushi, other seafood, delicate cream sauces and desserts.

    Grapes 100% Hondarribi Beltza

    Vine age 20 – 150+ years

    Soil Sand and clay

    Farming Lutte Raisonnée "

    We purchased our bottle at Formaggio South End for ~$28.00

    IMG_0513

    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!

    We look forward to raising a glass of this variation of an old favorite. 

    Related Posts:

    Poured from On High, Txakoli Rose Is a Great Seaside or Seafood Wine

    Basque Country Supper: Recreating Happy Memories

    Txakolina Extends Summer Fun

    Check Out Our Wine List for Thanksgiving & Holiday Gatherings!

    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: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Ameztoi Hijo de Rubentis 2015 a Sparkling Txakoli for our November Toast

    This month we're trying a new take on one of our favorite wines, Ameztoi Hijo de Rubentis 2015. We were checking out the wines at Formaggio South End when we spotted an odd looking bottle from Ameztoi – one of the best producers of our beloved Txakoli wines. We finally realized that the bottle was shaped and capped as a full sparkling wine. 

    6B613F4B-9295-48F4-88F1-CF8DBE019791

    We just happened to have a couple of bottles of the regular Rosé Txakoli on hand. We may just open both styles to experience the difference. (Links to some of our posts about other Basque wines are in related posts below.)

    1FEEE1A1-133F-435C-9CC8-D5A77EF5FAC0

    On closer examination of the label, we spotted the words "Méthod traditionnelle Champenoise." Most Txakoli wines are frizzante or a bit fizzy. This is enhanced by a high pour (we use a special Txakoli pourer ) to encourage the wine to foam. This one would call for our favorite Champagne stopper because it is a full-fledged sparkler.

    Here's what we learned about this wine:

    The importer says:

    "Hijo de Rubentis means 'Son of Rubentis.' This sparkling rosé txakolina is sourced from the same vineyard as the Ameztoi Rubentis but the grapes were picked 10 days early to ensure a lower base alcohol. Secondary fermentation occurred in bottle.

    Vinification Méthod traditionnelle. Aged on the lees for 14 months.

    Tasting Notes Bright pink grapefruit color with fine and persistent bubbles. Floral aromas with notes of red fruit and raspberries on the nose. The wine is cheerful, fresh, elegant and persistent with a hint of red fruit.

    Pairing Salmon, sushi, other seafood, delicate cream sauces and desserts.

    Grapes 100% Hondarribi Beltza

    Vine age 20 – 150+ years

    Soil Sand and clay

    Farming Lutte Raisonnée "

    We purchased our bottle at Formaggio South End for ~$28.00

    IMG_0513

    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!

    We look forward to raising a glass of this variation of an old favorite. 

    Related Posts:

    Poured from On High, Txakoli Rose Is a Great Seaside or Seafood Wine

    Basque Country Supper: Recreating Happy Memories

    Txakolina Extends Summer Fun

    Check Out Our Wine List for Thanksgiving & Holiday Gatherings!

    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: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Poured from On High, Txakoli Rose Is a Great Seaside or Seafood Wine

    We are welcoming May with a slightly effervescent bottle of Txakoli Rosé. April was a rosy month for us. Txakoli Rosé returned to the wine list at Select Oyster Bar. We enjoyed it there, both before and after our vacation in Provincetown.

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    On our first day in Ptown, we asked our trusted, local wine merchants at Perry's Wine & Liquors if they had Txakoli. "It's coming in tomorrow," was the reply. We returned the next day to stock up for our own enjoyment and for any guests who happened to join us for a glass of wine and bit of cheese. (Some neighbors from Boston were in town during our stay and we may have added them to the list of fans of the Basque wines.)

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    Perry's was carrying the Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli Rose. We paired its casual sparkle with a variety of foods from Spanish cheese to lobster and scallops, throughout our days by the sea.

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    We loved and agree with the description of this wine from PJ Wine in NYC …

    "Txakoli rose is like salted watermelon juice. It's like the ocean air drifting through a raspberry bush. It's like… well, it's like heaven. For summer drinking, for salty fried things, for any grilled thing from the sea with olive oil and salt, the straight Txomin Txakoli is one of our favorite drinks. In rose form, it's even better! Think of the refreshing San Sebastian elixir with cranberry tartness in place of the limes. Not sure who wouldn't like this wine, it's that good and refreshing. With just a tiny spritz of bubbles it's also an ideal aperitif, so go ahead and drink this all year long. – PJ"

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    Back in Boston, we slipped into a couple of bar seats at Select Oyster to enjoy Chef Michael Serpa's selection, UlaciaTxakolina Rose. On this visit, we matched it with shared plates of Gloucester Swordfish, Scallops Ceviche, and a side of Avocado Toast – another delicious combination.

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    Perhaps it's that the sea air is so close to where the grapes for this wine are grown. Or maybe it's the crisp flavor and low alcohol (11%) that make this gem a perfect match for spring, summer, and the best of living near the Atlantic Ocean. All we know is that we've become devoted Txakoli fans. 

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    We've even purchased the special stoppers (traditional Spanish escanciadors) that aerate the wine as it's poured into a glass from on high. Above is Elisha behind the bar at Select doing the Basque high pour for us.

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    By the way, Elisha did ask if we preferred it served in wine glasses or in the traditional tumblers used in the Basque region for both the wines of Txakolina and the area's famous ciders. This is an easygoing, fun wine perfect for summer on the roof deck, patio, or a chair by the sea. Those places can be windy and have you clinging to your stemware. So relax, hold a Txakoli on high, pour it splashing into a tumbler, and join our Sparkling Resolution as we toast May and look forward to the warmer days of summer 2016!

    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, today's 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: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

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