bostonzest

Tag: Spain

  • 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 

  • 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 

    Related articles
    Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015
    Sherry, A Trending Drink and a Great Book

  • Mas Marcé El Set: Milk from a Rare Breed of Sheep

    DSC_9044 - Version 22013-10-11-Mar-marce-el-set-sheep-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    El Set, a sheep milk cheese from the Mas Marcé area of Spain is our latest taste delight from Formaggio South End.

    DSC_9043 - Version 22013-10-11-Mar-marce-el-set-sheep-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    With a pretty basket pattern, El Set looks great on a cheese tray. Its dry texture and herby flavor will please many a cheese lover. This is not an overwhelming sheepy cheese like many of the ones we love. But, we planned to enjoy it with a piece of fresh pecorino and didn't want something that would mask the flavor of the milder cheese.

    This is a "hero cheese," in our opinion, because it's made from the milk of a rare breed of sheep that's native to the Catalan region of Spain. And, it is a vegan cheese since the cheesemakers use thistle rennet found in the same pastures where the sheep graze. When you buy this cheese, you are helping to preserve the sheep whose milk production is too low for mass producers.

    We are so fortunate to have cheese shops like Formaggio Kitchen and Formaggio South End where you can find a new cheese with a great story each time you visit. And, if you follow them online, they will tell you those stories one wedge at a time. You'll find links to their facebook and twitter pages on their website links above.

    Here's an example from their Facebook page.

    Formaggio facebook on it 

    And, here are other items from our Cheese Tray!

    What's on your Cheese Shopping List? Here are some great books about cheese. These make wonderful gifts for a cheese lover. And, when you shop Amazon from here, they put some coins in our tip jar.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 PennyCherubino , Shreenshot courtesy of Formaggio South End 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Mas Marcé El Set: Milk from a Rare Breed of Sheep

    DSC_9044 - Version 22013-10-11-Mar-marce-el-set-sheep-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    El Set, a sheep milk cheese from the Mas Marcé area of Spain is our latest taste delight from Formaggio South End.

    DSC_9043 - Version 22013-10-11-Mar-marce-el-set-sheep-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    With a pretty basket pattern, El Set looks great on a cheese tray. Its dry texture and herby flavor will please many a cheese lover. This is not an overwhelming sheepy cheese like many of the ones we love. But, we planned to enjoy it with a piece of fresh pecorino and didn't want something that would mask the flavor of the milder cheese.

    This is a "hero cheese," in our opinion, because it's made from the milk of a rare breed of sheep that's native to the Catalan region of Spain. And, it is a vegan cheese since the cheesemakers use thistle rennet found in the same pastures where the sheep graze. When you buy this cheese, you are helping to preserve the sheep whose milk production is too low for mass producers.

    We are so fortunate to have cheese shops like Formaggio Kitchen and Formaggio South End where you can find a new cheese with a great story each time you visit. And, if you follow them online, they will tell you those stories one wedge at a time. You'll find links to their facebook and twitter pages on their website links above.

    Here's an example from their Facebook page.

    Formaggio facebook on it 

    And, here are other items from our Cheese Tray!

    What's on your Cheese Shopping List? Here are some great books about cheese. These make wonderful gifts for a cheese lover. And, when you shop Amazon from here, they put some coins in our tip jar.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 PennyCherubino , Shreenshot courtesy of Formaggio South End 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Mas Marcé El Set: Milk from a Rare Breed of Sheep

    DSC_9044 - Version 22013-10-11-Mar-marce-el-set-sheep-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    El Set, a sheep milk cheese from the Mas Marcé area of Spain is our latest taste delight from Formaggio South End.

    DSC_9043 - Version 22013-10-11-Mar-marce-el-set-sheep-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    With a pretty basket pattern, El Set looks great on a cheese tray. Its dry texture and herby flavor will please many a cheese lover. This is not an overwhelming sheepy cheese like many of the ones we love. But, we planned to enjoy it with a piece of fresh pecorino and didn't want something that would mask the flavor of the milder cheese.

    This is a "hero cheese," in our opinion, because it's made from the milk of a rare breed of sheep that's native to the Catalan region of Spain. And, it is a vegan cheese since the cheesemakers use thistle rennet found in the same pastures where the sheep graze. When you buy this cheese, you are helping to preserve the sheep whose milk production is too low for mass producers.

    We are so fortunate to have cheese shops like Formaggio Kitchen and Formaggio South End where you can find a new cheese with a great story each time you visit. And, if you follow them online, they will tell you those stories one wedge at a time. You'll find links to their facebook and twitter pages on their website links above.

    Here's an example from their Facebook page.

    Formaggio facebook on it 

    And, here are other items from our Cheese Tray!

    What's on your Cheese Shopping List? Here are some great books about cheese. These make wonderful gifts for a cheese lover. And, when you shop Amazon from here, they put some coins in our tip jar.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 PennyCherubino , Shreenshot courtesy of Formaggio South End 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Plan a Jamón Ibérico Tasting

    A twitter conversation with Peter, a West Coast friend, reminded me of our New Year's Eve jamón tasting.

    CHE_0234 - Version 22012-12-31-imberico-jamon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Lovely curls of Jamón ibérico

    We splurged on a bit of Jamón Ibérico and tasted it with a larger portion of Jamón Serrano. We combined a great bottle of grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs, with a wooden board covered with crusty breat, great cheese, salumi, and the two jamónes. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c32a6a113970b-800wi
    Piles of Jamón Serrano

    We love the combination of salty meat with Champagne. And, when we decide to stay in and enjoy the bounty of our own wine rack, we think it's okay to splurge a bit on the food. 

    There is a theory that your taste buds are most receptive to the first 1 to 4 bites of something. Why not take advantage of that when you want to splurge. Buy the best in a small quantity. Then, buy a larger amount of something wonderful but a lot less expensive.

    We took our time and savored those curls of Jamón Ibérico and then went on to enjoyed the lovely pile of Serrano.

    Someone wrote on twitter today that she loved having guests because she could go to Formaggio for a cheese tray. We love having shops like Formaggio, so we can go and buy one perfect cheese or outstanding jamon, just for us.

    Related Posts:

    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs

    Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Pig out with a Spanish specialty at Jamon Iberico Pata Negra
    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs
    Going local in Andalucia
    Spanish Chronicles: Jamón Jamón
    Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Plan a Jamón Ibérico Tasting

    A twitter conversation with Peter, a West Coast friend, reminded me of our New Year's Eve jamón tasting.

    CHE_0234 - Version 22012-12-31-imberico-jamon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Lovely curls of Jamón ibérico

    We splurged on a bit of Jamón Ibérico and tasted it with a larger portion of Jamón Serrano. We combined a great bottle of grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs, with a wooden board covered with crusty breat, great cheese, salumi, and the two jamónes. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c32a6a113970b-800wi
    Piles of Jamón Serrano

    We love the combination of salty meat with Champagne. And, when we decide to stay in and enjoy the bounty of our own wine rack, we think it's okay to splurge a bit on the food. 

    There is a theory that your taste buds are most receptive to the first 1 to 4 bites of something. Why not take advantage of that when you want to splurge. Buy the best in a small quantity. Then, buy a larger amount of something wonderful but a lot less expensive.

    We took our time and savored those curls of Jamón Ibérico and then went on to enjoyed the lovely pile of Serrano.

    Someone wrote on twitter today that she loved having guests because she could go to Formaggio for a cheese tray. We love having shops like Formaggio, so we can go and buy one perfect cheese or outstanding jamon, just for us.

    Related Posts:

    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs

    Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Pig out with a Spanish specialty at Jamon Iberico Pata Negra
    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs
    Going local in Andalucia
    Spanish Chronicles: Jamón Jamón
    Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Plan a Jamón Ibérico Tasting

    A twitter conversation with Peter, a West Coast friend, reminded me of our New Year's Eve jamón tasting.

    CHE_0234 - Version 22012-12-31-imberico-jamon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Lovely curls of Jamón ibérico

    We splurged on a bit of Jamón Ibérico and tasted it with a larger portion of Jamón Serrano. We combined a great bottle of grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs, with a wooden board covered with crusty breat, great cheese, salumi, and the two jamónes. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c32a6a113970b-800wi
    Piles of Jamón Serrano

    We love the combination of salty meat with Champagne. And, when we decide to stay in and enjoy the bounty of our own wine rack, we think it's okay to splurge a bit on the food. 

    There is a theory that your taste buds are most receptive to the first 1 to 4 bites of something. Why not take advantage of that when you want to splurge. Buy the best in a small quantity. Then, buy a larger amount of something wonderful but a lot less expensive.

    We took our time and savored those curls of Jamón Ibérico and then went on to enjoyed the lovely pile of Serrano.

    Someone wrote on twitter today that she loved having guests because she could go to Formaggio for a cheese tray. We love having shops like Formaggio, so we can go and buy one perfect cheese or outstanding jamon, just for us.

    Related Posts:

    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs

    Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Related articles
    Pig out with a Spanish specialty at Jamon Iberico Pata Negra
    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs
    Going local in Andalucia
    Spanish Chronicles: Jamón Jamón
    Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
    Enhanced by Zemanta