Tag: wine pairings

  • 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 

  • Brebis Pardou: One Sheepie Cheese

    Ed and I both have a taste for Sheepie cheeses, so we both enjoyed a wedge of Brebis Pardou from the Pyrenees region of France that was recommended by a cheesemonger at South End Formaggio.

    IMG_0683 - Version 22014-05-04-brevis-pardou-sheep-milk-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Ed was waiting outside the shop with our puppy Poppy. I loved my first taste so much that I had to share it with him and excused myself for a moment to bring him half of my sample slice. (The shop is smart enough to have a bench out there. Thanks!)

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    Ed approved the purchase with a happy nod and we enjoyed this piece over the next week.

    Here's how Formaggio describes this cheese:

    "Brebis Pardou
    Country of Origin: France
    Region: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
    City / Village: Laruns
    Type of Milk: Sheep
    Flavor Profile: Medium
    Wine Pairings: White: Full-bodied & Dry
    Wine Pairings 2: Red: Lean Old World

    A farmhouse sheep's milk cheese from the Vallee D'Ossau Iraty using the milk of the traditional breed of sheep: brebis béarnaise. Brebis Pardou has a wonderful smooth and supple texture with flavors and aromas of herbs, nuts, and sweet cream."

    IMG_0667 - Version 22014-05-03-brevis-pardou-sheep-milk-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

  • Brebis Pardou: One Sheepie Cheese

    Ed and I both have a taste for Sheepie cheeses, so we both enjoyed a wedge of Brebis Pardou from the Pyrenees region of France that was recommended by a cheesemonger at South End Formaggio.

    IMG_0683 - Version 22014-05-04-brevis-pardou-sheep-milk-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Ed was waiting outside the shop with our puppy Poppy. I loved my first taste so much that I had to share it with him and excused myself for a moment to bring him half of my sample slice. (The shop is smart enough to have a bench out there. Thanks!)

    IMG_0682 - Version 22014-05-04-brevis-pardou-sheep-milk-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Ed approved the purchase with a happy nod and we enjoyed this piece over the next week.

    Here's how Formaggio describes this cheese:

    "Brebis Pardou
    Country of Origin: France
    Region: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
    City / Village: Laruns
    Type of Milk: Sheep
    Flavor Profile: Medium
    Wine Pairings: White: Full-bodied & Dry
    Wine Pairings 2: Red: Lean Old World

    A farmhouse sheep's milk cheese from the Vallee D'Ossau Iraty using the milk of the traditional breed of sheep: brebis béarnaise. Brebis Pardou has a wonderful smooth and supple texture with flavors and aromas of herbs, nuts, and sweet cream."

    IMG_0667 - Version 22014-05-03-brevis-pardou-sheep-milk-cheese-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino