A fabulous assortment of toothsome cheeses arrived last week, and Father’s Day is this coming Sunday. If Dad loves fromage…you see where I’m going? Treat him to an assortment of these fantastic cheeses for Father’s Day.
Petit Sainte Maure Cendré – Weighing a bit less than a half-pound, these pasteurized goat logs are coated with edible charcoal ash. The cheese is dusted with the salted charcoal and left to ripen for around four weeks, during which time the wrinkly rind develops, becoming increasingly melty under the surface. The creamy white pate has flavors of lemon, becoming more nutty and herbaceous with age. The ashed rind lends a salty, slightly peppery note. Sainte Maure Petite pairs wonderfully with Sancerre, minerally Albariños and Roses.
Chabichou du Poitou is back in stock. Recognized as one of the great cheeses of the world, it offers a delicate complexity of flavors. This young cheese sports a wrinkled rind and is sweet-cream fresh. Tender and scrumptious, it is excellent on its own with a cracker and some olives.
Schlossberger Cave Aged Gruyere – Made from raw cow’s milk, this semi hard cheese has a firm and slightly brittle paste. Aged 18+ months in a stone cave, it develops crunchy salt crystals and delivers buttery, herbal, and hazelnut notes. One of our favorite Gruyeres!
Capricho de Cabra is a rindless Spanish goat log with a crumbly texture. Soft, mild and fresh, it is excellent in salads or baked in a quiche.
NEW: Organic Les Moulins Mahjoub sun-dried tomatoes in EVOO: Les Moulins Mahjoub produces organic fruits and vegetables in the Mejerda Valley of Tunisia and is known for its commitment to artisan standards These tomatoes are dried in the hot summer months of July and August then individually layered in glass jars and covered with extra virgin olive oil. It takes 14 to 15 kilos of fresh tomatoes to make just 1 kilo of sundried tomatoes. Most other sundried tomatoes are packed in less expensive, less flavorful seed oil; however, the Mahjoubs’ decision to use olive oil means that once the tomatoes are gone, there is still a jar of high-quality flavored oil to drizzle over grilled bread or add to a salad dressing. These tomatoes are excellent with pasta, couscous, and salads. Produced using traditional farming methods with no additives or artificial processes.
Looking for Father’s Day inspiration? We’d love to help you choose the perfect gift for Dad. Whether he’s a wine lover, passionate cook, or devoted gourmand, we’ve got a wide selection of specialty foods and paella ingredients. Our legendary assortment of paella pans in all sizes, gas-fired burners for cooking paella outdoors and clay cookware will put a smile on Dad’s face. For wine-loving Fathers, a bottle of French Champagne makes a great gift or for those who enjoy older vintages, choose from our stock of ports or aged Rioja Gran Reservas. If you can’t decide what to get, we sell gift certificates. And we will have our last round of padrón plants for sale beginning Friday, June 18th. Stop in and see us!
WINE CORNER:
The weather forecast is for sunny and hot weather for Father’s Day. The shop is fully stocked with French and Spanish rosés, beer, vermouth, white and red wines. This week’s white wine spotlight is on a delicious Sancerre:
Famille Thomas Les Creots Sancerre, Loire Valley 2018 ($20.99) 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on the renown calcareous soils of France’s Sancerre region. Intensely aromatic with hints of white orchard fruit. Notes of Anjou pear, white pepper and salty mineral have a richness on the palate. Very dry, fresh and vibrant, this enticing white wine will draw you back for another glass. Excellent with cheeses such as Sainte Maure Cendré goat cheese or seafood risotto. It’s an amazing value!
We have older vintages of Rioja Gran Reservas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, ports, and other wines to make Father’s Day special. The following two wines would make just about any Father very happy.
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904, Rioja 2011 ($80.00) One of the benchmark producers of traditional Spanish Riojas, the 2011 vintage was just released. Founded in 1890, the winery follows historic tradition while implementing sustainable practices, respecting the earth and the winery’s heritage. La Rioja Alta is converting an initial 40-acre plot to organic viticulture; the rest of the vineyards are farmed sustainably by limiting treatments in the vineyard, reusing water and producing solar power. Their wines have always been marked by graceful finesse and layered complexity. The 2011 vintage was officially rated excellent; this Gran Reserva is 89% Tempranillo from vines over 60 years old and 11% Graciano. Winemaker notes: “Intense and complex aromas, dominated by fruit (blackberry jam, raspberries and orange zest) that reveals underlying spicy and balsamic notes of cigar box, cedar licorice, cloves, chocolate mints and toasted wood. Elegantly refined entry. Fresh and lively in the mouth, nicely balanced with polished, silky tannins and a gentle, delicate finish. Very long aftertaste, with citrus and balsamic notes that provide long, complex final sensations.” These wines are excellent with lamb, poultry and paella. 92 points Wine Spectator
Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin, Bourgogne 2016 ($72.00) 2016 was a low-yielding but high-quality vintage in Burgundy, as you’ll discover with the elegant 2016 Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in French barrels for 14 to 18 months. Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin -”Gevrey-Chambertin is a wine with a beautiful, bright ruby colour. Intensely fruity on the nose, the aromas are reminiscent of black cherry, wild blackberry and licorice. The woody character is subtle and marries delicately with the other aromas. As the wine evolves, there are more complex notes, such as mild spice, nutmeg and leather. Later still, mushroom and damp earth nuances make their appearance. Although present on the palate, tannin is never astringent but blends itself harmoniously with the natural freshness and velvety texture of the wine. “A polished red, this delivers cherry, strawberry, rose and spice aromas and flavors. Balanced and vibrant, ending with a mouthwatering aftertaste.” 92 points Wine Spectator