by katrin on June 9, 2011
The Freixenet Cava and Tapas Truck parked in front of Tapeo
KATRIN – On one of the first true summer evenings in Boston, a group of area food and wine bloggers were treated to a special event featuring Freixenet sparkling wines and tapas by Tapeo on Newbury Street. Last night could not have been a better evening for sipping some cool Cava, both straight and in specially-created cocktails, sampling tasty passed tapas, and enjoying the company of fellow bloggers, including Jacki from Just Add Cheese, Bianca from Confessions of a Chocaholic, and Molly from Cheap Beets. I can’t help but say “Kudos!” to Freixenet and their public relations firm Janet Kafka and Associates for jumping on the food truck trend just as it’s reaching its peak. Impeccable timing!
A Lively Group of Boston Food and Wine Bloggers on the Tapeo Patio
GLENN – Food trucks have quickly become a feature of fast-food dining in Boston. With the help of Hizzoner the Mayor, the number of trucks and locations has exploded. But a tapas and cava truck – now that’s unique! The Freixenet – the “x” is pronounced “sh” – Tastings and Tapas Truck is in town until Sunday to raise awareness among younger drinkers about sparkling wines in general and Freixenet in particular – either enjoyed as is or combined in a cocktail. The Boston visit is one stop in truck’s Northeast tour.
Perfect for a summer evening
With its extremely affordable price point, Freixenet can be drunk without the need for a special occasion, though, as I’ve always felt, a sparkler makes any occasion special. Food also makes an occasion wonderful and the tapas from Tapeo were excellent.
Tortilla Espanola and Serrano Ham
Gambas con Gabardina (Saffron Batter Fried Shrimp with Spicy Mojo Sauce
Empanadas filled with spicy beef and chicken
GLENN – The truck will be at various locations during the next four days – Mojito’s on Winter St., Tapeo on Newbury, and at the Stuart Street Block Party for Pride Weekend on Sunday, when cava and a choice of tapas will be offered gratis. During the tour, Freixenet partners with a local charity and matches up to $500 the donations received at the truck. Boston’s donations will benefit a charity chosen by the Pride committee. Be sure to see the full schedule.
Buñuelos de Verdura (Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cheese Puffs)
A highlight of the evening was being able to meet and chat with Rob Williams, Freixenet Business Manager of the East Region. As wine geeks, we were able to talk about the technical side of making Freixenet – traditional Methode Champenoise – with the affable Mr. Williams. “Thank You’s” are in order for Megan Duran of Janet Kafka Associates for organizing the event and for Rachel Blumenthal of Boston Food Bloggers - and I don’t know where she gets all her energy – for facilitating the fun evening.
Time for Rosé! The Segura Viudas Pinot Noir-based rosé
KATRIN – Also special thanks to the warm hospitality of staff at Tapeo, especially Katie, and the fun hosts from the Freixenet truck for a great evening! Visit our Facebook page to see all of our photos of the event. The bottom line is: you should definitely check out the truck while it’s in town this weekend!
by katrin on April 29, 2011
This old vine Garnacha is a fantastic value from Spain’s Calatayud region, which is known for its high altitude vineyards and continental climate. If you have scoped out Spanish value wines, then you have certainly come across another wine from the region: the seemingly omnipresent Las Rocas Garnacha and Garnacha Rosé from the Bodegas San Alejandro cooperative. The team behind Altovinum is led by importer Eric Solomon, French winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage, and Yolanda Diaz, who also happens to be Managing Director at Bodegas San Alejandro.
Evodia has fantastic fruit – lots of blueberry, cherry, and raspberry. It is mouthfilling, but still elegant and nicely balanced, with medium tannins and acidity. There’s a touch of spice in the finish. This would be a great party wine since it is an easy-going, crowd-pleasing, that will please even finicky palates. And at the price, this is hard to beat!
At WineNation for $8.99.
by glenn on February 7, 2011
Sunshine in a bottle - a winter's remedy
The cold of winter came quickly this year – no lingering warmth from autumn. In fact, temperatures in December were below average. (Thanks, Harvey Leonard, for the meteorological data.) Then January turned into a marathon of storms. February begins ominously. I received an email from a wine shop this week that stated the one thing you can do in these storms is drink. Thanks for the encouragement. And as the days too slowly start to lengthen, I want more sunshine. If wine be sunshine in a bottle, then I will head to the sunniest section in the wine department – Spain. After an infusion of European Euros and an attunement to the modern wine market, Spanish wineries have been producing reliable – and affordable – wines for several years. In fact, there seems to be an almost deluge of value wines from revitalized Spain. But are they any good? Value and reliability and palatability not being equal. So I was off on patrol to discover some Spanish gems. Click on through for the results of my foray. [click to continue…]
by katrin on February 18, 2010
I don’t always fall for the pitch and buy the wine that has been awarded a rating of 90+ or has appeared on some wine critic’s top 10, 25, or 100 list for the year, but vinodivino’s recent email about the Viña Zaco’s Tempranillo from Rioja at the everyday price of $15.50 caught my eye. Yes, Spain is hot. Yes, wines from Rioja can be incredible. But even with many wines from Rioja in the $15-20 range, some of the better wines push $30+. The wine did happen to land on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for 2009 list with a rating of 90, so I thought I would give it a try.
I tasted this wine over two nights. The first impression left me feeling so-so and not terribly impressed. The second try was quite different, so I will focus on my notes from day two. The Viña Zaco is a solid brick color, and still quite dark. The nose is dusty earth and black cherries. It tastes of chocolate, smoke, and cherries, with some herbaciousness. It is light bodied with zippy acidity and pleasant tannins. This wine just kept getting better in the glass, so I do recommend decanting it. And as you’re waiting for the wine to breathe a bit, check out their slick website, too.
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