Queso y Vino March 2nd enews: Greenwich Village Spinach & a Baker's Dozen
March 10, 2010
Hello to all my wonderful friends &
foodie family!
How was Portland? This haiku-esque tweet I wrote on Sunday morning sums
it up
pretty nicely, "love is waking up slow after a moonlit stroll under the
pdx cherry blossoms. rhubarb blush @ whiskeybar, pok pok, pix patis
sweetness"
I would love to have some buying clubs down south so I can have an
excuse to go
more often!
Thirteen exciting wines this week & a recipe to help edge us into
spring
eating. Many thanks to my friends in Portland for showing me much
kindness. My
palate is blossoming, and I am infatuated with wine again. I hope you're
as
thirsty as me, and see you at the farmer's market...
Besitos,
Catherine Reynolds
Presidenta, Queso y Vino, 206-518-1166, quesoyvino@gmail.com
______________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
Art of
the
Table ... March 10th Waiting list!
Stay tuned for Harvest
Vine / Txori
next ???
______________________________
SPINACH SALAD WITH PEARS, SPICED WALNUTS, & RICOTTA SALATA from The Flavors of Southern Italy by Erica DeMane
I am so excited about the new
cookbooks I
got in Portland. As someone who worked in the publishing industry &
gourmet
retail, I love supporting independent stores such as Powell's & In
Good
Taste. It was extremely hard to choose a recipe out of this new book, so
expect
to see more! I see wild spot prawns are available from Fishing
Vessel Hat
Trick at the U Market for one more week... This would make a great
side
with those beauties, & is apparently based on a salad served at
Grano
Trattoria in NYC.
WALNUTS
A few drops of
extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup very fresh walnut halves
Pinch of salt
4 scrapings freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of sugar
Pinch of cayenne pepper
DRESSING
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 Tbs fresh lemon juice
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
SALAD
2 unpeeled ripe pears, cored & thinly sliced (red Anjou are
especially
pretty for this)
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 shallot, very thinly sliced
1 small chunk ricotta salata
Heat a medium saute pan over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Add all the
spiced-walnut ingredients & saute until the walnuts are fragrant
&
lightly toasted, 3 or 4 minutes.
TO MAKE THE DRESSING: In a small bowl, combine the garlic, lemon juice,
salt,
& pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
Decorate the rims of 4 salad plates with the pear slices.
Put the spinach & shallot in a medium salad bowl. Remove the garlic
from
the dressing. Add the dressing to the salad & toss. Divide the salad
among
the 4 plates. Shave or crumble some ricotta salata over each salad &
garnish with the walnuts. Serve right away.
_____________
THIS WEEK'S QUESO Y VINO WINE RECOMMENDATIONS
I offer a 10% discount on whole or mixed cases, free delivery for
orders
over $150, smaller orders will be conveniently & gladly delivered to
you
for the nominal fee of $10. Start a buying club & I'll waive the
delivery
fee! Ask me if you'd like to arrange a free pick up at the Saturday University
Farmer's Market or Sunday at the Ballard
Farmer's
Market or the West
Seattle Farmer's Market. We're usually there from a window of 10:30
until
noon depending on our order requests, and can be around to meet you
before or
after your market shopping.
La Fiera Pinot Grigio 2009, Venteo
special intro price $7.99 (reg. $8.99)
"We're captive on the carousel of time" --Joni Mitchell. Here's to
one captivating Pinot Grigio! This is not rocket science, but after
tasting
this fair Pinot (pardon the pun) and think of how many disappointing
PG's I've
had in Italian restaurants I wonder, why??? You don't have to pay a lot
to get
a great Pinot Grigio, you just need a good source. The Botter family
knows
their stuff. They are 3rd generation wine makers, with a rebirth in 2000
under
son Luca who has gone with environmentally friendly practices. What
really
makes the difference here is that the grapes are immediately pressed and
cooled
after picking.Very fragrant nose of ice box peaches, soft, smooth,
satiny
crenshaw melons. Along with one of the $10 Chardonnays I've mentioned of
late,
this is a sure bet wedding wine of the summer, and generally great
quaffer to
have around the house. Funny, Zazou just came on the iPod, the gypsy swing band we
had at
our pastoral wedding in Poulsbo!
This is a lovely little bargain that made me happy to taste this morning, even though I spit. Estacao is a blend of 5 traditional port varietals from an award-winning family winery that has kept with the times and created a wonderfully drinkable red that's as soft as a ripe raspberry dangling on a summer vine. Winemaker Alves de Sousa is known for his style of "honest" wines, & is a founding member of the Independent Wine Growers Association, plus the only vintner to be awarded the "Producer of the Year" twice (1999, 2006) by Revista de Vinhos, Portugal’s prestigious wine magazine. Creamy vanilla bean sweetness, super-ripe roasted strawberries, & a plump/clean attitude make this a stand-out for the money. My mouth was left with the flavor of freshly spread jam on toast. Can you tell I tasted this at breakfast time? Fantastic deal.
Li Veli Passamente Rosso 2007, Salente $11.99
What a difference a year can make! Here's the story of how I initially came upon this wine from my January 2009 newsletter... I've revamped the actual tasting notes to reflect the new vintage, though.
A few blizzardy weeks ago, my husband & I were anxious to celebrate the arrival of the new (& only) pizza place in our neighborhood, Pizzeria Pulcinella,
Caparzo Rosso 2007, Toscana $11.99; $9.99 a bottle for case purchases ($120 a case)
Caparzo Sangiovese 2008, Toscana $11.99; $9.99 a bottle for case purchases ($120 a case)
I am definitely going global this week... These two Italian reds were an exciting find, which we popped open with a hearty baked pasta dish last evening. Shockingly good values. Both these bottlings were made in the picturesque town of Montalcino, by the famed Tuscan Brunello producers Altesino and a woman who was determined to "gently improve" a classic. "Caparzo is the only estate-bottled producer of Brunello di Montacino to have estate vineyards on all five sides of the hill of Montalcino, ensuring that no matter what climatic challenges effect one side, the other vineyards will more than compensate." The Rosso is a clean and juicy blend of Sangiovese, Cab, Syrah, Merlot, & Colorino which spends 4 months in oak, the Sangiovese is 100% varietally pure. Owner Elizabetta Gnudi Angelini and winemaker Massimo Bracalente have sought "terroir with increased softness & drinkability" which both of these wines have in spades. The Rosso has ripe cordial cherries, is balanced & savory with an earthy finish, plump & supple frame, good acidity--a home run. The Sangiovese is seductive with strawberry, raspberry fruit, pleasantly plump with springy juice, with licorice reins driving this thoroughbred.
Artazuri Garnacha 2008, Navarra $11.99 (reg. $14.99)
100% Garnacha from 60-80 year old vines, Artadi's Navarran foothold is all about wines with dark fruit and resounding balance with soft tannins, ideal for near-term consumption.
“Vivid red. Energetic, sharply focused strawberry and raspberry aromas are complicated by notes of rose, cinnamon and white pepper; smells like a sexy pinot noir. The very fresh palate offers silky, sweet red berry flavors and suave notes of candied flowers and Asian spices. Gains sweetness on the finish, lingering with good flavor authority and liveliness. This is an outstanding value.” -90pts, Stephen Tanzer’s IWC
Cuatro Rayas 2008, Rueda $13.99
In a time when Verdejo is being increasingly blended to taste, this is a wine that brought me straight back to Rueda, where I was first introduced to Tortilla Espanola the way it's meant to be. "What makes this so good?" I asked the winemakers between forkfuls. "Well, the potatoes are from down the road, the eggs were laid this morning, the local bar made this." My husband has become a master tortilla maker (ask him for his secrets when you get your next wine order!) and this white paired up beautifully with a midweek pobre dinner. Heck, I felt rich! Pomelo, lemon oil, & tangerine make this stunningly vibrant, and we threw in a Caesar salad on the side with some chickpea/meatball soup... Seventh heaven.
El Perro Verde Verdejo 2007, Rueda $14.99
"Light yellow. Subtle orchard fruits on the nose, with a suave tangerine note emerging with aeration. Nervier lime and orange zest on the palate, which offers good fleshy texture and gentle mineral lift. Gains heft on the finish, which features musky yellow plum and succulent herbal qualities. An impressive blend of power and verve."
-90 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Po de Poeira 2006, Douro $17.99 (reg. $20.99)
I was having a bite in Ballard at Portalis after Sunday market deliveries & savored a glass pour of this sumptuous red with a bowl of mussels & a plate of charcuterie. Winemaker Jorge Moeira was the enologist at Real Companhia Velha for seven vintages, and in 2001 he bought his own quinta. He joined the team at Quinta de la Rosa as chief enologist, but this is distinctly his own project. Despite this bottle's modern appearance, this is a minimalist winery with four traditional stone vats & an old vertical press. Po uses younger vines & is a move away from tannins toward acidity, with a goal to "(seek) its true character in elegance." Luscious blue/black fruit comes from a rich vein of Touriga Nacional & Souzao, a grape that was news to me. Souzao is a renaissance grape, re-emerging in the Douro thanks to its high acidity content & massive color, soft tannins. This wine has a royal purple hue dark as velvet. I sipped & cooed, but didn't take tasting notes, so borrowed notes for you this time around...
"red berry, black cherry, floral and chocolate edged fruit carries through on the palate, very 2006, this is fresh, defined and elegant. Fine grained tannins, mid weight wine." -Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective
Black Slate 2006, Priorat $22.99
Artadi Vinas de Gain 2007, Rioja $24.99
(reg. $35) 12 bottles available
critics have often compared these wines to the top wines of Chambolle-Musigny &
other top appellations of Burgundy. The key to this level of elegance comes from
the cold winds of the Pyrenees which blow from the north & mod-
erate temperatures--an absolutely majestic region.
“Artadi’s 2007 Vinas de Gain is 100% Tempranillo sourced from 40- to 60-year-old
vines and aged in 40% new French oak for 12-14 months. A saturated purple color,
it delivers an expressive bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, mineral, blueberry, and
blackberry. Layered and full-flavored on the palate, it is nicely balanced with the
structure to evolve for 4-6 years. Drink it from 2014 to 2027. It is one of the better
values in quality Rioja.” -92pts, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Specially Selected Six-Packs!
This has been such a successful way to serve you that I say we shall continue this tradition, holidays or not. You pick the theme and price level you want to pay & I'll mix and match from my favorites in the cellar. Limited quantities, thoughtfully selected.
Choose your juice theme & your 6-pack price level:
The Pride of Portugal $60; $75; $100
Savor South America $60; $75
Celebrate Spain $60; $75; $100
Great Grenache $60; $75; $100
Throwing a Party $50; $60; $75; $100
I have created a tip jar and I hope if you get something from my writing but don't want to order anything--maybe a recipe idea for an upcoming dinner, or wine advice that you put to use elsewhere--I hope you'll slip a couple of bucks in the jar from time to time. It's like sending your pledge money to public radio, only I don't interrupt the airwaves for a fund drive.Thank you & enjoy!!!!!!
Copyright, queso y vino 2010
--
Catherine Reynolds
Queso y Vino
206-518-1166
Oh my what a list of lovely lines, er, wines; and you're back with gusto. Hope you're not freezing down there in the upper elevations.
We're keeping the fires lit and the little woman is getting her stuff together for her demo at the library - Indian Wedge E Tarian.
Good luck on your meal this evening, Tom/Ms.G
Posted by: Tom/Ms.G | March 10, 2010 at 07:56 PM
Thank you dear islanders & family! The meal tonight was simply amazing, great time had by all. Wish you could have joined us, & good luck to the chef on her next teaching adventure. We'll have to go to Punjab Sweets together sometime for Indian veggie lunch on one of your future visits. Even better than Pabla in Renton, & the sweets are jewel-like. We went there last to make a thali-box, our favorite present for friends with newborns.
Man, I could really go for an evening in front of the woodstove. What did the cold snap do to the peepers? I heard the frogs were singing on Lopez a week or so ago... Love that time of year & their magic chorus.
Hope to see you on the islands soon or back here for some city time together!
Posted by: Catherine | March 10, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Did you ever expect a corporation to have a conscience,when it has no soul to damned,and no body to be kicked?Do you understand?
Posted by: lacoste shoes 2010 | July 22, 2010 at 11:49 PM
It is probaply true, but in wikipedia says:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012
Posted by: KimKardashianPics | May 20, 2011 at 01:37 PM
God i love the spain cuisine, they have any kind of good healthy food, i'm specially delighted with they paella and all kinds of seafood dishes!!
Posted by: Chanel Handbags | July 29, 2011 at 10:12 PM
During the pro forma sessions, which generally last from several seconds to a few minutes, no legislation can be transacted without unanimous consent of the kind that Mr. Reid worked out to break the impasse over the F.A.A. The job of handling the gavel generally goes to a member who lives in a nearby state, often someone of low seniority.
Posted by: Hermes | August 05, 2011 at 06:04 PM
http://hippo2011.insanejournal.com/
http://www.thoughts.com/hippo2011
http://hippo2011.over-blog.com/
http://www.blurty.com/users/hippo2011/
http://hippo2011.mylivepage.com/blog/index/
http://hippo2011.fotopages.com/
http://gvrl.com/blogsearchresults.asp?basicsearch=hippo2011
http://hippo2011.createblog.com/blog/
http://www.mywebprofile.com/hippo2011/
http://www.equestrianblogging.com/blogs/hippo
http://blog.163.com/hippo2012/
Posted by: hi | October 10, 2011 at 12:14 AM
In researching accomplishment operating on the web is factor you, yourself are working toward, you could be in excess of what concious of how much money determined effort and as a consequence conviction can be performed. With all the self-proclaimed important information on top of that facts that ought to be suffered from to generate a lender useful, enlarging consumer support authority must good for identify. As being the point is, regardless of if you will have the maximum appliances ever, if perhaps new customers should never assume then you, economic success can not take place.
A fine online privacy policy could make beautifully crystal clear specifically what data is acquired so stored the best way to the details are chosen. It really is declare been aware of is found look at submission moves out of which one particulars for a few choice is everyday people provide in that way. Whether or not you doesn't necessarily obtain records, consumer are not going to do understand here can easily it certainly is produced for your policy. Unique could actually help grow and maintain customers' current work load along with broaden advertizing and promoting and advertising investment funds through the internet. There has to be every paying attention about the determination about the employer to make sure of on the web convenience as wells as practices that appears to be delivered to keep it.
In this particular highly competitive publicise, setting aside time for any girl to create give is a crucial organ of the victory for the online business. Over the internet concealment should not be just care with applicants. If you refuse to make it the emphasis as part business plan, will probably be day-to-day life . new quick sales simply number of visitors won't look and feel riskless bringing discovered critical development a particular order. Don't incapacity to find an internet based privacy policy keep you together small business by using realizing successfulness.
Understand a webpage: http://www.istanbul.gov.tr/Redirect.aspx?url=https://viewhue.com/12t
In view that popular as internet shopping is considered gives out, web site online privacy is a helpful subjected to sensation problems as buyers, but also anybody who uses valuable time on the internet is anyway knowledgeable of the wide ranging pitfalls that can come whenever you are e-mail address gets to some of the cards of an individual who has something like perfect goals. A new naturally used and also you know planned online privacy policy communicates to consumers just consideration folks so are willing to have every little thing is crucial to maintain their intel safe and secure. The application lets them know that for the additional privacy will be as vital that you someone currently for.
When it comes to inducing owner trust in the world of online, cost of world wide web convenience simply cannot be mentioned ample amounts. Service repair shop who endeavor from the internet has got a responsibilities to have and / or generate a privacy policy that can take care of you and also many people buy from most people.
Deliver these potential customers to admire distinct around the internet solitude through all of my Completely free Online privacy policy president lately!
Posted by: Symnbync | August 26, 2012 at 06:01 AM
thanks for sharing good information nice color i enjoy this blog.
Posted by: Sunshine Coast Latin Dance | March 25, 2013 at 10:35 PM