Galicia, in northwestern Spain, is a region known for its 1000 miles of rugged Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts, and ruins of ancient Celtic settlements from which Galicia is named. (Gallaeci were a Celtic people). The five Galician river estuaries that dump into the Atlantic ocean are rich feeding grounds for an incredible selection of shellfish, finfish, many which are canned locally. Galicia also produces fantastic cow milk cheeses, including mild Tetilla, smoked San Simon and flavorful Arzúa-Ulloa which is the ultimate melting cheese. Inimitable white wines are made from native Galician varietals Albariño and Godello which pair spectacularly with the local seafood. If you can’t visit this beautiful region soon, stop in at Paris-Madrid Grocery and pick up some of these stellar products.
We carry an enormous selection of tinned fish processed in Galicia and Portugal and just restocked our shelves in a big way. From value tins to cans of extraordinary seafood of all varieties, some spicy, some smoked, some not – we’ve got something for everyone. Jose Gourmet products feature the best of the best from Portugal and Spain; they comb the coasts to find handcrafted seafood products of optimum flavor, richness, and nutrition. They believe in the principles of fair trade and often pay in advance for the best seafood products. The stunning graphic design of the packaging by Luis Mendonça pays homage to the fishermen and canneries with a life-long dedication to their trade. We now carry Jose Gourmet small mackerel in olive oil, codfish in olive oil, smoked small sardines in olive oil, mackerel pâté, sardine pâté, tuna pâté and more. Give these a try!
Turn a tin of Jose Gourmet codfish in olive oil into a quick dinner by stuffing piquillo peppers with the codfish. Top the piquillos with a bit of cream and heat in the oven until bubbly. We recommend using Ferrer or Matiz whole piquillo peppers for the best flavor. Take it up a notch by mixing the codfish with mashed potatoes and topping the stuffed peppers with a sherry-infused white sauce.
We have a wide selection of fish pâtés which can be eaten straight from the can, or add a dash of Espinaler seafood sauce to make the flavors burst. The pâtés are also wonderful served with crackers for an appetizer, as a sandwich spread, or made into a salad by adding hard-boiled eggs, olives, garlic, and olive oil. Or toss the sardine fish pâté with cooked Valfleuri egg pasta, olive oil, and parsley for a great pasta dish.
Quick note: A load of Spanish products arrived this morning, including Morcilla, Butifarra and Finca Pasculete sheep milk cheese.
WHITE WINES TO SERVE WITH FISH:
Envidiacochina Albariño, Rias Baixas 2020 ($27.99) Certified biodynamic farming. Fantastic with any seafood! Aromas of stone fruit and lime have a savory edge. Very creamy on the palate with excellent minerality and complexity. Lively and fresh with citrus flavors, and wonderful balance. 100% Albariño from vines of an average 30 years of age, fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and aged 6 months with weekly battonage, after which it is blended with 15% of Frore de Carme Albariño from the previous vintage.
Equipos Navajos Manzanilla en Rama 2019, Sanlucar de Barremeda ($16.99) Sherry lovers, you must try this. The initial touch of characteristic pungency on the nose develops into complex nutty aromas. Very bright on the palate with notes of almond and olives. Slightly salty and briny, it offers some viscosity, nuanced flavors and a huge, lengthy finish. Swirl the glass to release more flavors and enjoy this super dry Manzanilla en Rama. “En Rama”s are only slightly filtered, and show more freshness and flavor. than a regular sherry which is highly filtered They are the closest thing to drinking a copa right out of the barrel.
Viña Godeval Godello Cepas Vellas, Valdeorras 2019 ($25.99) This old vine Godeval is simply spectacular. Sleek and lithe, the vibrant freshness is captivating. With notes of seashell, ripe white fruit, and citrus notes, it offers up tension and focus. Bright and lifted with pervasive minerality this is a richly layered wine with a delicious and lengthy dry finish. This wine cries out for oysters or any other type of shellfish. Made from the estate’s oldest vineyards averaging 50 years of age, grown on pure slate soils at 500 meters elevation. Fermented with native yeasts and aged on lees in stainless steel for 5 months.
Domaine Gerard Fiou Sancerre, Loire Valley 2020 ($29.99) Sancerres are 100% Sauvignon Blanc, and Gerard Fiou’s superb estate bottling is made from vines over 60 years old, grown in flint soils. The combination of old vines and flint soils means a mineral-rich white wine that keeps you coming back for more. Aged in stainless steel on its lees for more than 6 months, it displays overflowing aromas of flint and spices. Powerful in fruit and in body evokes the Sauvignon flower and the sap of the vines. With a superb balance, a delicate and harmonious expression, all of its elegance grows on the mineral-laden finish.