Here at Paris-Madrid Grocery, we are gearing up for a week of picnic weather! If you haven’t heard the forecast, Seattle will be sunny with 70+ degree temperatures later this week. We’ve got new cheeses and 2020 rosés in stock, perfect for outdoor dining. And we have many choices of pre-sliced and packaged meats in our grab and go case. Don’t forget to add pâté, cornichons and mustard to the picnic basket; we’ve got all of these items in stock.
We’ve have a pre-order opportunity for old vintages of sweet, fortified wines from France arriving in August:
Rivesaltes old vintages: Rivesaltes is an AOC in southern France that produces naturally sweet, fortified wines (called vin doux naturel, or VDN). These are delightful celebratory wines with bright acidity that are a pleasure to drink. But just like other fortified beverages, they’ve fallen out of fashion, meaning that prices are affordable and producers have stocks of vintages dating back to the mid-century. Typically a Rivesaltes needs to age at least 20 years before it’s ready to drink, and experts say the wine reaches its optimum after 50 years of aging. If you’ve got a special birthday or anniversary approaching between 1945 to 1990, one of these wines will make the occasion extra special, especially since all bottles come in individual wooden boxes. Prices range from about $270.00 for vintages in the 1940’s and 1950’s; approximately $170.00 for vintages in the 1960’s, $125.00 or less for 1970’s vintages and about $100.00 for bottles in the 1980’s or 1990. Unfortunately, not every year is available. A separate e-mail will follow shortly with details about the producers, vintages available and exact prices.
CHEESE ARRIVALS
Brillat Savarin Frais – Luscious sums up this triple cream cow’s milk cheese. Fresh and soft, made of pasteurized cow’s milk with a hint of earthy tang. Stunning with fresh or dried fruit on a mixed cheese plate.
Crottin de Pays: A two-serving mini round of flavorful goat cheese that is unctuous, soft, and spreadable. Perfect in a salad of fresh or bitter greens.
Manzanilla Olives stuffed with Piquillo Peppers Sadly, Ybarra Piquillo Pepper-stuffed Manzanilla Olives won’t be arriving until June due to shipping delays. Fortunately in the meantime, we are carrying Donostia brand piquillo-stuffed olives which are a worthy substitute. Most pepper-stuffed olives are filled with a bland pepper paste. The Ybarra and Donostia brands stand out because they are stuffed with actual strips of flavorful piquillo peppers which gives these olives their exceptional taste. Give them a try!
The 2020 Rosés are starting to arrive, including these cuvées that offer spectacular takes on rosado:
Azul y Garanza Garnacha Rosé, Navarra 2020 ($14.99/One liter) Made with certified organic grapes grown at 400 meters elevation, fermented with wild yeast in concrete tank followed by brief aging in stainless steel until bottling and release. Fresh and lively, this rosado offers up red fruit and floral aromas. Medium weight and dry on the palate, it shows strawberry and berry flavors with mineral notes and a lingering, dry finish. It’s a great value for one liter of rosé, and excellent with seafood paella.
Ameztoi Rubentis Txakoli, Gereriako Txakolina 2020 ($21.99) The iconic Ameztoi Rubentis rosé is a direct-press, field-blend of the local, indigenous hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza varieties, grown on traditional trellises high on the slopes rising above Getaria, an ancient Basque fishing village on Spain’s rugged northern coast. The backbone of the blend comes from an old hondarrabi beltza vineyard planted in 1840, preserved by the Ameztoi family for generations. Feather-light on the palate with only 11% alcohol, it delivers wild strawberry notes which are vibrant on the palate. The finish is persistent and bone dry with the signature Txakoli spritz.
Clos Cibonne Tibouren Rose Tradition Cru Classé Cotes de Provence 2019 ($34.00) Clos Cibonne’s Cuvée Tradition is 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache, and one of the only producers that grow the rare and finicky Tibouren grape which requires plentiful air circulation to avoid rot. As the winery is located 800 meters from the sea and it’s Mistral winds, Clos Cibonne is uniquely positioned to grow Tirbouren. The wine is made with estate grown, organic, direct-pressed tibouren with a splash of grenache. It is aged for one year under a layer of yeast in 100 year old foudres and bottled unfiltered. The result is an artisanal wine known for its texture, richness, minerality and ability to age gracefully. With impeccable balance & freshness, Clos Cibonne Tibouren offers incredible structure and superb drinkability over many years.