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Pink Wine for Summer Sipping

May 12, 2011 in wine by traveleatlove | 9 comments

Earlier this week I participated in Pink Out, a rosé tasting that I did virtually through TasteLive! Pink Out is put on by RAP Rosé Avengers and Producers, and while I participated from home, RAP had a fabulous event in San Francisco to celebrate what they have declared International Rosé Celebration Day.

Since rosé season is officially kicked off, I thought I would share a few favorites in varying styles and at different price points.

Travessia Bastard Rosé I have mentioned this in past posts, but this is my favorite of all pink wines. Made right here in Massachusetts, this wine is made in small production and is a stunner for a steal, only $14. It can only be purchased at the New Bedford winery, and I would definitely suggest you grab a bottle or two if you can.

Passaggio Cabernet Rosé I had the pleasure of trying this wine, from the maker of award-winning un-oaked Chardonnay, before it was even officially bottled. It is beautiful, from its color to its juicy, refreshing fruit flavors and subtle floral notes. The winemaker is a great person and passionate about her wine, and it shows in the glass! You won’t see this in stores, but it can be purchased online.

Pares Balta Ros de Pacs – Introduced to me by my fave wine store, The Urban Grape, at their opening nearly a year ago, this has become one of my favorite rosés. It is quite hearty for a pink wine with a light sweetness, balanced by acidity that makes it refreshing and great with food. Paella, anyone?

One of the wines we tried for Pink Out was Robert Oatley Rosé of Sangiovese Mudgee, a sweet deal, but not a sweet wine, from down under. While I don’t usually fall for a label, I have to admit to finding this one mesmerizing. You would have no idea the wine inside is $16! This wine is bright and dry, I would call it the perfect BBQ wine or boat wine. Winking smile

Cheateau D’Esclans Garrus Another of the Pink Out wines, this Rhone blend has been heralded the greatest rosé in the world. It’s ballet-slipper pink color is lovely, and the wine lush, and decadent. At $80 a bottle, it is a splurge indeed, but it would make a great gift for a wine-loving graduate or for another special occasion.

And finally, if you like your pink wine to sparkle, and why wouldn’t you, Mumm Brut Rosé brings tiny, festive bubbles, a yeasty nose, and a creamy mouth feel, with loads of fruit flavors, as well as a bit of that toasty brioche taste I love. A celebration in a bottle!

I hope that these suggestions are helpful! I am compiling a list of summer whites I love too; even if you aren’t a wine fan, keep these suggestions handy next time you are shopping for a party.

I say we are long overdue for some gorgeous weather for sipping our favorite bevvies outside. My evenings on the deck soundtrack last summer included Jack Johnson, James Taylor & Carole King, and others, and my most recent favorite Pandora station, Simon & Garfunkel, is killer for relaxing evenings. What can I say, I like the music my parents listened to when I was growing up!

What music is part of your perfect summer soundtrack?

Technorati Tags: rose, rose wine, wine

the girl + the fig

March 14, 2011 in Food, Travel, wine by traveleatlove | 16 comments

One of the biggest highlights of last week’s visit to Sonoma was undeniably getting to see my friend Robin again. I have referred to Robin in past posts, like the time we met at Bistro du Midi and had dinner at Towne, but she is probably most famous for the Venge wine dinner she hosted in September. Robin is a ton of fun, an amazing chef and blogger, and overall just one of those people who you just have to have a good time with!

On a very warm and sunny day (last Tuesday), Eric and I went to Robin’s house where we reunited with her adorable dogs and very sweet mom. I also finally got to meet Cynthia Cosco, the winemaker at Passaggio Wines and someone I have been tweeting with for some time. Luckily, she kindly brought me a bottle of her highly-acclaimed Unoaked Chardonnay. I can not wait until it arrives in Boston (via NJ, stupid MA wine laws!) with the wine we shipped from California.

We also got a sneak preview of Cynthia’s first rosé, which has yet to be released. It was absolutely beautiful.

Robin had made lunch reservations at the girl + the fig, a restaurant I was eager to try since we cancelled reservations last March, due to our being on East Coast time and staying pretty far away.

the girl + the fig is located on Sonoma Plaza, and on this particular day, the weather was perfection. The restaurant touts country food with a French passion, and both the outside and inside are wrapped in cozy French country meets Sonoma warmth.

Once we were situated at a big round table near the back, we let the winemaker among us order the wine, a dry rosé, Maison Bouachon from Tavel France, an area known for its dry rosés. Did I mention the weather was perfect? Rosé was a perfect choice, and after we returned the first bottle, which was corked, we were all happy with the wine.

To start, we shared pastis-scented steamed mussels and frites.

Served with grilled bread and a tarragon aioli, the mussels were fragrant and perfectly-cooked, and the frites were nice and crispy, perfect for dipping.

The table also shared the grass-fed steak tartare which Robin somehow convinced me to try. It was good, but while eating raw tuna doesn’t bother me, I couldn’t get over the raw beef factor.

It was back to veggies for me. I ordered the arugula and fig salad; I figured I must have figs at the girl + the fig. Lightly dressed with a port vinaigrette, the arugula was spicy, the goat cheese creamy and fresh, and the figs like sweet candy.

Robin had the wild flounder meuniere.

And Eric had the beet salad with pretty pink beets.

We were all too full from dessert, but I am hoping a return trip to the girl + the fig is in our very near future. Who knows when we will be in Sonoma again?

A lovely lunch was followed by wine tasting and sunshine. More to come. . .

And if you missed it earlier, please check out my new recipes page!

How’s your Monday coming along?

Technorati Tags: arugula, Chef Robin White, Figs, Food, frites, mussels, Passaggio, Restaurants, rose wine, Sonoma, the girl + the fig, Travel, wine

Tags: arugula, Chef Robin White, Figs, Food, frites, mussels, Passaggio, Restaurants, rose wine, Sonoma, the girl + the fig, Travel, wine

Bar Bites

March 3, 2011 in Uncategorized by traveleatlove | 8 comments

Another great evening at Bistro du Midi cemented in my mind that this Back Bay gem is one of my favorite places in Boston.

Having been able to sit outside on my last two visits (here & here), I had never actually been inside Bistro du Midi’s downstairs bar area, which is normally open to the street in nicer weather.

At 5:30, the bar was almost empty and remained that way throughout the hour-plus that we were there. With soft French music in the background, it was the perfect place to catch up with friends Daisy and Megan before heading to the Boston Chocolate School.

We sat at the bar, where I perused the wine list and went with a summery Rosé. While we sipped our drinks, I grabbed a few photos of the space which is cozy, serene, and has a great open kitchen.

And views of the Boston Public Garden. It is a simply lovely space.

Since we had a night of chocolate and wine ahead, we split a few appetizers. There was the perfectly crispy-on-the-outside calamari.

And the crostini with eggplant and olive spreads.

And the un-photographed fried artichokes.

Despite the fact that we had two fried dishes, everything still felt very light and summery. Chalk it up to Bistro du Midi’s Provencal flair! Everything was simple and delicious, went perfectly with my choice of wine, and made me wish it was 70 degrees and the doors to the outside were open. . . and that we could stay for the entire evening.

I love sitting at the bar and catching up with my husband on an impromptu date or with friends after a work day, and Bistro du Midi provides a lovely environment to do just that.

Do you have a bar or restaurant that just says “relaxation” to you, a place you return to repeatedly because you love it so much?

Technorati Tags: bar bites, Bistro du Midi, Boston, calamari, Food, fried artichokes, olive tapenade, Provencal food, rose wine, wine