NEW MASK MANDATE: As of last Monday, all customers must wear a mask when shopping in person at Paris-Madrid Grocery. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee issued the rule to slow the spread of Covid-19 as cases are rising again. We have complimentary masks available at the counter, if you forget yours. We also offer on-line ordering with curbside delivery if you prefer not to shop in person. 
To order online, go to parismadridgrocery.com and click on the orange “Order & Pick Up” button, which will bring up a menu of our products. Place an order, we’ll call you for payment information and you’re set!
Garcia Barquero 1 year DOP Manchego – NEW!! A pasteurized sheep milk cheese from La Mancha, it is creamy, sweet & buttery. Fresh and smooth with a caramelized note and lingering flavors, it is excellent with herbed Valencian almonds and Pajero Spanish figs.
We’ve reached the height of fresh Padrón Pepper season. If you weren’t able to set out your own plants, come here and get a bag of these peppers while they are in season. Grown in West Seattle, they are freshly harvested 2-3 times per week. They are a snap to prepare, simply sauté them in Spanish olive oil, turning until each side is blistered. Remove from the heat, sprinkle with coarse sea salt and serve. Or make it even better by making Huevos Rotos (French Fries topped with fried eggs and strips of Jamón Serrano) topped with freshly sautéed padrón peppers.
WINE CORNER – Some exciting new wines arrived recently and below are four highlights. Stop in and check out other new arrivals from France, Portugal and Spain!
Naia Blanco, Rueda 2020 ($13.99) We carried this lovely wine years ago, and finally it’s available again. Made of 100% Verdejo, from vineyards 30-40 years old located at 750 meters elevation. Aged on its lees for 4 months, 70% in stainless steel and 30% in neutral oak foudres, this rich and complex white wine has always been a favorite. On the nose, it recalls citric aromas, stone fruits, such as peach or apricot, and notes of fennel. It is a complex wine that evolves in the glass by releasing different nuances. Balanced, dense and unctuous on the palate, it’s sensational with black cod and clams.
Tantaka Arabako Txakolina 2019, ($21.99) Organically farmed and naturally made by Juanjo Tellaetxe on land his family has owned for generations, Juanjo’s goal is to produce “honest wines with a deep, local character… avoiding manipulation and masking”. Tantaka 2019 is 100% Hondarrabi Zuri, spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged 6 months in steel tank. With tantalizing deep and fresh aromas, it delivers richness, weight and intense minerality on the palate. A white wine of substance and glorious texture, it has subtle citrus flavors and palate-cleansing refreshment. Produced in the Arabako Txakolina subzone where wines are made without the spritzy character found in other Txakolina subzones, this is one of the best Txakoli white wines we’ve ever tasted. Pair it with shellfish for a sublime gustatory experience! As only 820 cases were produced and just 6 cases came to Seattle, it won’t last long, so get it now.
Xarmant Txakoli in a can ($6.99/250 ml): What a perfect way to enjoy Txakoli when you’re at a park or picnic. Take it along on a camping or boating trip and don’t worry about breaking a glass bottle. And unlike the canned wine served at stadiums, Xarmant Txakoli in a can is super tasty! With dusty notes of apple, citrus and a savory touch it is very dry and light (12.5% alcohol). It’s perfect for day drinking.
Catherine Le Goeuil 2017, Côtes du Rhône ($18.99) 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan from 50 year-old certified organic vines. Fermented with native yeast, aged in cement and stainless steel, bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a great choice for a late summer-weight red wine. Earthy aromas with juicy red fruit show bright acidity. Notes of spice with silky tannins and balanced structure. Very approachable and versatile, this wine shows elegance and finesse, and pairs well with pasta, mushroom dishes or pizza.
Spanish Tuna & Heirloom Tomato Salad with Txakoli, Serves 4
We were served a version of this salad at the stunning Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli winery, near San Sebastian, many years ago. The combination of Spanish Bonito del Norte Tuna with Txakoli and shaved sweet onion was so simple and fabulous with the Txakoli that we’ve never forgotten it. This version of tuna salad is a variation on Txomin’s recipe and pairs great with Xarmant Txakoli. Take this salad and canned Xarmant Txakoli on your next picnic.
1 – 4 oz.can Spanish Bonito del Norte Tuna in olive oil
4 medium heirloom tomatoes, sliced
1/2 tsp. capers
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Drain the tuna, reserving the olive oil.
Mix the reserved olive oil with sherry vinegar, salt and pepper.
Lay the slices of tomato on a plate and drizzle the olive oil- vinegar mixture on top.
Spread the tuna over the tomatoes, then top with mayonnaise and capers.
Serve with Xarmant Txakoli white wine.