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Bonjour Mes Amis!
Pike Place Market is always a bit magical, but this is my favorite time of the year to work here. Speaking of magic, I managed to get chowder without waiting in a huge line… People are bringing their out of town visitors in to see us & we’ve been helping folks plan their réveillon menus. Love it! Here’s to hoping you are making the most of the season & feel free to share your holiday traditions with us. A Bientot, _________________ Domaine de la Mordoree ‘Reine de Bois’ 2010, Chateauneuf de Pape $110 3 bottles available ____________________ Dr Seuss In French $12.95 each Mimolette Demi-Vieille $21.99 Foie Gras Butter adapted from Fat by Jennifer McLagan
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Friday, Dec 12 2014
High Scoring Wines and Rhone Valley Wines 12:47 am
This is the ultimate holiday gift for Chateauneuf lovers. Christophe Delorme says this is their best vintage ever. The Delorme brothers are based in Tavel & their vines are over 100 years old, situated in the rocky plateau of La Crau, Chateauneuf’s greatest cru. The ‘Queen of the Woods’ exudes their trademark concentration & extremely fine tannins.
The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reine des Bois is exquisite. It is hard to say that it’s better than some of its predecessors, because there have been so many magnificent wines to emerge from Domaine de la Mordoree since the mid-1990s, but this inky purple wine has an extraordinary nose of gun flint, wood smoke and blackberry jam intermixed with spring flowers, kirsch, and blueberries. Stunningly rich, this full-bodied wine is built like a skyscraper, with decent acidity, fabulous delineation to its component parts, and a whopping 45-second finish. The wood is gorgeously integrated, as it usually is, the tannins still noticeable, but not astringent, and the wine majestic. Give it 2-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25+ years. 
(10/ 2012)
It’s a Christmas miracle folks! I was able to get Mimolette, the real deal, this week. So what’s the big deal with Mimolette? The FDA had it on the no-fly list because of the unique process that goes into making it. Cheese mites burrow through the cheese devouring the rind, creating air flow & enhanced flavor as the cheese ages. The mites are gone before the cheese is sold, and what’s left is a unique cheese that tastes like salted caramel. French cheese lovers rejoice!
Forget about giving your friends a jar of jam for Christmas, give them this in a Duralex ramekin wrapped with a bow… And maybe with a bottle of Monbazillac.
Importer Eric Solomon has done us all a huge favor. He convinced Chateau Tirecul La Graviere to declassify & lower their price to get a foothold in the market. Score! Reviewers call it “massively lush” yet with enough fresh acidity to balance it out. If you’re not a foie lover, think blue cheese for a heavenly combo.
Cairanne is an over-achieving district of the Cotes du Rhone which may someday be awarded cru status. This is full of smoky blackberries & violet, bookmarked with a licorice spine. Priced for every day enjoyment–pair with Daube de Boeuf, or crack open by the fireplace.
Food & Wine just wrote an article recommending rustic Grenache & Charvin, as the perfect pairing wine for rich braised meats.March 15 Wednesday, Mar 21 2012
Aperitifs and Beverages and Burgundy Wines and French Food and High Scoring Wines and Red Wines and Rhone Valley Wines and Uncategorized and White Wines and Wine Regions 10:51 pm
| Paris Grocery News |
| March 15th, 2012 |
| We got a lot of new products in over the last week, so come in to check them all out! I could only pick out a few favorites to share this week though. Without further ado:
Chateau Haut-Mongeat Graves de Vayres Blanc 2010 40% Semillon, 40% Muscadelle, 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Light gold in color, this delicious blend is fresh and lively with a palate-cleansing, racy acidity and bright, ripe fruit. The bouquet is highly aromatic with abundant notes of apple, pear, pineapple, and flowers. Drink it as an aperitif or serve with almost any seafood, pork, or chicken. Excellent with spicy dishes! $10.99 Chateau D’Arlay NV Macvin du Jura Rouge A wine-geek’s wine, Macvin expands our understanding of wine in general and is a fascinating, adventurous treat. One third brandy and two thirds Pinot Noir grape must, this Macvin is held 4 years in casks and one year in old oak before being released. The result is curious, rich, layered dessert wine with plenty of spice. It reveals huge intensity along with some sweetness and glycerin from its red liqueur, with some slight peppermint notes as well. 95 points, Wine Advocate $21.99 350 ml Tirecul la Graviere Monbazillac 2007 Les Pins “Tirecul la Graviere is recognized as the top property of the [Monbazillac] AOC. The fame of Chateau Tirecul la Graviere has spread far and wide over the last several years. Most notably, Robert Parker has awarded the property two 100 point scores and compared it with Sauterne’s Chateau d’Yquem. With good acidity and a solid backbone, these wines can last for decades, a rarity in wines from this area of Southwest France. These wines are magical, defining examples of the best that Monbazillac can offer. 80% Semillon, 20% Muscadelle botrytized grapes grown in chalky soil, seeing some French oak. $19.99 500 ml
2009 La Granacha Vielles Vignes The 2009 La Granacha is made from 100% old vine Grenache (some parcels are nearly 100 years old). Also aged in tank before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, this is the most powerful La Granacha yet made, tipping the scales at nearly 16% natural alcohol. The belief that such a powerful wine can not also be elegant is disproved by the precise, fresh, lively kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with tobacco leaf, loamy soil, and forest floor characteristics. This delicious, deep ruby/plum-colored, round, generous, glycerin-filled wine can be enjoyed over the next several years. 90 points Wine Advocate $14.99 2010 Andezon Cotes du Rhone The classic cuvee, which has long been selected by importer Eric Solomon, is their 2010 Domaine d’Andezon, a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache. While there are critics of Syrah grown in the southern Rhone, even the cynics agree that the old-vine Syrah from the Gard has a special character to it. This wine comes from 40+-year-old Syrah vines and 60+-year-old Grenache vines, bottled unfined and unfiltered after being aged in both tank and concrete. Dense ruby/purple, with a stunning nose of blackberry liqueur and jus de viande (beef/meat juices), its thrilling, intensely pure, full-bodied mouthfeel, good freshness, and striking floral character all combine for one of the very best bargains in dry red wine that readers are likely to find anywhere in the world. 91 points Wine Advocate $14.99 2010 Domaine de Fees The newest cuvee is from a single estate, located just to the west of Lirac, called Domaine des Fees. Bottled separately, there are 1,000 cases for the US market and this blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, aged completely in concrete tanks, is stunning. Gorgeous notes of roasted meats, Provencal herbs, sweet black cherry liqueur, and licorice as well as spice jump from the glass of this dense, ruby/purple-tinged wine. Fresh, full-bodied and juicy, with a velvety texture, it is a beauty that would be best drunk over the next 3-4 years. Think of it as a Chateauneuf du Pape wearing a Cotes du Rhone mask.90 points Wine Advocate $14.99 Cheeses
Brillat Savarin Nirvana on a cracker! One of the most decadent cheeses you will ever eat, Brillat Savarin aux truffles is named after the so-called “Father of Modern Cooking.” The decadently creamy texture and milky flavor of this fresh cheese pairs beautifully with the earthy and aromatic black truffles. Definitely a cheese to share with friends! Try it with buttery crackers for a savory snack or paired with fruit for an over-the-top dessert. $46.99 Montealva Montealva is a semi-soft pastuerized goat cheese form Cadiz. Like Amercian goat cheeses Montealva is creamy, but has more of a moist chalky texture on the pallete. The mild slightly piquant goat tang translates into vibrant lemon tones and a lasting citrus finish. $20.99
Dark Chocolate Fondue with Fleur de Sel This charming chocolate fondue is a mixture of 70% dark chocolate and fleur de sel, adding a little kick to a favorite dessert. The ceramic cup is microwaveable, or it can be heated in a double broiler. Either way, use it to dip your favorite fruits and cookies and see what a little fleur de sel adds to a sweet treat! $22.99 We’ve always loved and carried Traou Mad de Pont Aven cookies from Brittany. Made with salted butter, these thick biscuits are supremely dunk-worthy. But in honor of the Gauguin exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, we’ve brought in these adorable Gauguin tins of cookies. Stop by the Paris Grocery after seeing the masterpieces and pick up a tasty souvenir! $13.99 each Pan Ducale Bastoncini Biscotti-Cantuccini. I opened these biscotti today for purely scientific purposes, and half the box was gone by noon. The same fate befell all the biscotti pictured above. Seriously addicting, these biscotti have the right balance of crunch and crumble to hold up by themselves or go with your morning coffee. Available in almond or chocolate-hazelnut. $6.24 each.
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For the latest Paris Grocery news and musings, join us on Facebook! Archives of this newsletter and other articles can be found on our blog.
Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you in the shop!
Ellen
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Salt and oil and vinegar, oh my! Monday, Oct 3 2011
Condiments and French Food and Newsletter and Oils and Vinegars and Wine Regions and World Cuisine 6:34 pm
| Paris Grocery News |
| October 3rd, 2011 |
The days are getting cooler, the holidays are coming, and our palates are about to be overwhelmed by a season of cake, pie, cookies, and other sweets. We love them of course, but sometimes it seems like the entire world of salty, sour, smoky, and tangy flavors gets overlooked this time of year. This week, we want to talk to you about our amazing variety of salts, oils, and vinegars. The difference in even a simple meal between using basic salts, oils, and vinegars and high quality products is substantial. Quality oils, exotic salts, and special vinegars make beautiful hostess gifts as well. We’re going to start doing oil tastings here at the shop soon, so you can come in a taste the difference! Les Moulins Mahjoub organic extra virgin olive oil from Tunisia The secret of Les Moulins Mahjoub olive oil lies in the choice of methods of grinding and pressing the fresh, organic fruit, designed to preserve the full flavor of the olive: crushing time, grinding under cold conditions, use of scourtins (round pressing mats) in natural fibers, selection of oil according to pressing, decantation using a hand skimming process, storage and maturation. The oil is not separated by centrifugation, but by natural decantation. As the oil is lighter, it floats to the top, above the vegetable water, enabling it to be skimmed off. Before bottling, the oil is left to settle and mature for some time until its flavor, odor and acidity are perfect. 37 cl, $10.99 or 1 L $21.99. Castelas extra virgin olive oil. A.O.C. Vallée des Beaux de Provence These people really, *really* love olive oil. Expounding upon the terroir of their patch of Provence, the family-owned Castelas suggests tasting this oil as you would a fine wine. It smells of, freshly cut grass and the olives’ green fruitiness, typical of an oil extracted from freshly harvested fruit. On the palate, intense olive flavors develop into exquisite notes of raw artichoke and sweet almonds. On the finish, delicate sensations heightened by peppery aromas and an enlivening hint of freshness. Try a comparison between their signature oil and their ‘black fruit’ oil as well. The darker fruit is more earthy and stronger flavored, as it takes more of these olives to produce a bottle of oil. 500 ml $25.00, or 750 for $35.00. Banyuls vinegar Banyuls vinegar is like sherry wine vinegar’s more refined and delicate French cousin. Like Port and sherry wine, Banyuls is a fortified sweet wine. Made from grenache grown in and around Banyuls-sur-mer, Banyuls vinegar develops a walnut, coffee, licorice, and vanilla, flavor and aroma of fresh plums after being aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of five years. Like sherry wine vinegar, it makes a great vinaigrette, and mixes well with nut oils. Its natural sweetness also makes it an good choice for deglazing rich dishes like sautéed duck or foie gras. It can be difficult to find, but we have two kinds! a five year old, 500 ml bottle ($16.99) and a six year old, 750 ml bottle ($26.99). Fusion Verjus This vinegar alternative is made from vinifera grapes harvested and crushed in mid-summer when acid levels are high and sugar levels are low. This “must” remains unfermented and is delicately tart, refreshing, and versitile in cooking. Fusion vejus enjoys a natural affinity to wine. It has a milder, more wine-friendly acidity compared to vinegars, which actually helps to integrate the food and wine. Where you might be tempted to stick to fuller-bodied wines when cooking with vinegar, verjus allows a more delicate wine to retain its integrity when paired with a strongly flavored food. 750 ml bottle of Red- $13.99 or White- $15.99. saltsaltsaltsaltsaltysaltysalt This week we got in some brand new salts and replenished our old favorites. I couldn’t quite fit them all on the plate, but I think you get the picture; fine regional, smoked, and flavored salts aren’t just tasty, they make visually stunning additions to your kitchen and table. Put them on display with an adorable salt pig like the one shown here($13.99), or in any suitable salt cellar. We pack them out ourselves for you, and prices range from $3.00-$7.00 for 2-4 ounces, varying by salt type.
In this picture: Smoked Cherrywood sea salt Raspberry Chipotle Culinary grade Dead Sea Salt French Harvest Blend Sea Salt Saffron Sea Salt Lime Sea Salt Wakame Sea Weed Sea Salt French Lavender additionally, we carry: truffle sea salt porcini sea salt fleur du sel french grey salt lemon sea salt smoked gralic sea salt garlic and onion sea salt smoked alderwood sea salt Wine
2003 Clos de Brusquieres $22.99 I know, I know, I keep talking to you about Chaeauneuf-du-pape. Call me obsessed, but we just got in the best deal I’ve seen through our doors yet, so I’ve got to gush. To quote Robert Parker (who gives it 90 points), “The superb 2003 Chateauneuf-du-pape is a deep ruby color with a big, sweet, flamboyant nose of damp earth, ground pepper, kirsch liqueur, licorice, and spice box. It is dense, full-bodied with relatively elevated levels of glycerin, moderate tannin, and some noticeable alcohol in the heady, long finish”. This wine offers a rustic, burly palate, and is not for lovers of more polished, reserved wines! Veuve Devienne rosé sec sparkling wine and Veuve Devienne brut sparkling wine $9.99 These sparklers are just plain fun. The white is light and refreshing with floral notes that stay away from being too sweet or gaudy. The rosé is juicier, with rhubarb and raspberry overtones. At this price, these are great sparklers to start off an evening out with friends or to bring to a larger gathering. Thanks for reading and we’ll see you soon!
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September 23rd Sunday, Sep 25 2011
Bordeaux Wines and Charcuterie and Deli Items and Food Writing and French Food and Goat Cheeses and Herb-Coated Cheeses and Loire Valley Wines and Meat and Red Wines and Rhone Valley Wines and Uncategorized charcuterie, cheese, foie gras, food and wine, french food, french wine, goat cheese, paris, pâté, purple haze, seattle, wine 6:36 pm
| Paris Grocery News |
| September 23, 2011 |
| September 25th is our two year anniversary, can you believe it? To those of you who have been with us from the start, a special thank you! It’s also an exciting week because we just received our copy of Food and Wine Magazine for October 2011, and the Paris Grocery is featured on a national list of best places to buy French wine. Check us out on page 106. To celebrate both occasions, we’re transitioning from our summer rosé six pack special to a fall red six pack. Take a tour through France with this grab-and-go six pack, and keep our Paris grocery reusable wine tote bag as a souvenir! Six tasty reds include wines from Bordeaux, Rhone, Cahors, and the Loire Valley, with a selection of different varietals. It’s a great way to jump-start the fall season and try some new wines! $58.00 includes sales tax.
Also this week we were nearly overwhelmed with two huge shipments, mainly of the glorious meaty and cheesy variety.
Take a long look at the brilliant, decadent little amuse-bouches above. Sweet, dark prunes soaked in armagnac (a distinctive brandy from gascony) and stuffed with foie gras. They’re called french kisses, and are a total knock-out. With such intense sultry flavor, these are the perfect size to get a mouthful that lingers on the palate. $15.49 for a set of six or $2.99 each. Uncured Smoked Duck Bacon. Yes, it’s back! a fresh batch of duck bacon. Made from moulard duck breast, this unique bacon can be enjoyed on its own for breakfast, or can be used to enhance other dishes. Try it on a salad, in a pasta, with haricot vert, or any other place you would normally use bacon to bring a richer flavor to the table. Or for a muskier, wilder flavor, try our wild boar bacon! duck bacon-$16.49, wild boar bacon- $9.49. Foie Gras Mousse Buttery texture, sumptuous flavor, this foie gras is perfectly fatty and perfectly fresh. light and creamy with a hint of good Sauternes wine added to the baked terrine to enhance the luxurious taste of the foie gras .Whether you want to spread it on baguette or, as many chefs are doing these days, try pan frying it, you’re in for a real treat. But we’ll save some meats to talk about next week. In the meantime, we have two amazing cheese specials. We accidently ordered too much of two great soft cheeses, so we’re pricing them to move quickly. Our mistake is your windfall!
Purple Haze Cyprus Grove Chevre (left) This is a beautiful soft goat’s cheese from California. The unexpected marriage of lavender and wild fennel pollen distinguishes Purple Haze and makes it utterly addictive. Delicate and sophisticated, this cheese is the winner of Best of Show, California State Fair Cheese Competition, 2009 and Best of Class, U.S. Cheese Championship 2011. I’ve eaten two of them already. You won’t find a price like this anywhere else. $1.99 The smoky outer layers of this cheese peel back to a sweet, soft center. This is a great little cheese for snacking on, and is perfect for kids or others who don’t appreciate your pungent gooey bleus or camembert. Melt it over mushrooms or asparagus for a perfect pairing of earthy and smoky flavors. Again, a steal at just $1.99! Thank you for reading and we’ll see you in the shop! Ellen |
Paris Grocery News 8/6 Saturday, Aug 6 2011
Alsatian Wines and Aperitifs and High Scoring Wines and Loire Valley Wines and Newsletter and Pantry Items and Red Wines and Rose Wines and White Wines Alpha Loire Domaines "Sables Blonds" Touraine Rouge 2009, André Neveu "Le Grand Fricambault" Sancerre Rosé 2010, Dolin Vermouth de Chambery, Domaine Pierre Sparr Marquis de Perlade, Duralex, Edmond Fallot, Kusmi, Parfum des Oliviers, Picardie, Piment d'Espelette, tarragon dijon, tea, walnut dijon 7:45 pm
This is my last newsletter for Paris Grocery. I’d like to say thanks to all of you who came into the shop (sometimes with color printouts of the newsletter, ready to use as a shopping list) and said nice things about the writing. It was always really pleasing to hear that you liked it. To say goodbye, I’m going to feature my all-time favorite things here in the shop. You can bet I’ll be stocking up before I leave.
Thanks for being such fun customers, and bon appétit,
Rachel
Will always be in style, will never break: the Picardie salad bowl.
Duralex “Picardie” Salad Bowl
I love this stuff, especially the iconic Picardie tumblers, which to me represent the Platonic ideal of a glass. We carry the tumblers in four sizes, and we also have ramekins, bowls, and plates. Before I leave today, I’m picking up the salad bowl (only $9!) for all my summer salads and for a never-break mixing bowl.
Trust me, these are delicious.
Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry
The only Vermouth that has earned an AOC designation. Dolin has none of the cloying sweetness or overly bitter qualities found in bottom-shelf Vermouths. The particular mixture of plants found near Chambéry give a fresh, restrained, and elegant nose with a subtle, complex, and bittersweet palate. I love this on its own with ice and a hefty piece of lemon peel, but it’s also great in cocktails. $13.99
André Neveu “Le Grand Fricambault” Sancerre Rosé 2010
André Neveu’s vineyards are located in Chavignol, on the silex soil of Sancerre’s hillsides. This exquisite, highly aromatic pinot noir rosé reflects this flinty terrain. Light yet concentrated, it exudes aromas of fresh strawberries and offers unbelievable minerality. While any day of the week, you might find me sipping any one of our incredibly tasty value roses, this is the one I’d really like to treat myself to. $24.99
Alpha Loire Domaines “Sables Blonds” Touraine Rouge 2009
This 100% Cabernet Franc is loaded with minerals and notes of earth and dark berries. It’s juicy and lightly tannic, making it ideal for a range of dishes, from pizza to vegetable tarts to flank steak. This is one versatile red, and is a great entry level choice for those wanting to try out cab francs. $9.99
Domaine Pierre Sparr Marquis de Perlade
Made in the traditional method, this sparkling wine is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Macabeu and Chardonnay from the wonderful Alsatian producer Pierre Sparr. Crisp, with lovely notes of green apple and a touch of honey and toast, this sparkling wine complements a big sweet and savory spreads, such as charcuterie, cheese platters, fruit, and nuts. While working here, this became my go-to festive sparkler, so now when I taste it, it reminds me of Christmas, birthdays, and raucous brunches with friends. $9.99
Lovely boxes, amazing teas.
Kusmi Tea
This stuff is so good! FloFab recently sang its praises, noting its beginnings as “the tea of the czars in 1867 in St. Petersburg.” Kusmi is now based in Paris, and its lovely black tea blends, often scented with flowers, citrus, or vanilla, have many fans. The packaging is really pretty, and each box comes with 20 muslin tea bags for $15.99 In stock now:
- Russian Morning: a classic breakfast blend of China, Ceylon, and India teas.
- Prince Vladimir: a Russian-style blend of China black teas with lemon, grapefruit, and spices.
- Anastasia (as in, the princess): Earl Grey with lemon, lime, and bergamot.
Tarragon, Walnut, and Piment d'Espelette.
Mustards!
Oh, yes. Mustard sells like crazy here at the shop, because it is delicious. My favorites are Edmond Fallot Tarragon Dijon (awesomely vivid green and excellent with meats, vegetables, or in potato salad) and Walnut Dijon (so good on ham and cheese sandwiches). A new item that I’ve been enjoying is the Parfum des Oliviers Mustard à la L’Ancienne au Coulis de Piment d’Espelette (grain-style mustard with Basque pepper). It adds texture and spices to meats. Vive la moutarde!
You can look forward to future newsletters and updates from the rest of the staff of Paris Grocery and the Spanish Table!
Thanks for reading,
Rachel
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Paris Grocery News 7/11 Monday, Jul 11 2011
Baking Ingredients and Bordeaux Wines and Burgundy Wines and Charcuterie and Condiments and Deli Items and Gascony Wines and Newsletter and Red Wines and Sweets and White Wines Château Mazeau Bordeaux 2009, Domaine A. et P. De Villaine Bouzeron 2009, Genovese salami, Royal Rose syrups, stroopwafels, Vignobles Fontan Domaine de Maubet 2010, Zoe's Meats 10:19 pm
No sleep til Brooklyn! (Because they're on a sugar high from these awesome syrups.)
New @ PG
Fancy syrups, hearty salami, and a texture-driven sweet: our new favorite things.
Florence Fabricant’s “Food Stuff” column in the New York Times is starting to get downright creepy. Every piece is either about some lovely product we just bought, or some new product we’d be stupid not to get. Thus: Royal Rose syrups! Handcrafted in Brooklyn, these organic syrups beautify cocktails, sodas, and desserts. Available in rose, lavender-lemon, cardamom-clove, and three chiles. Because we will do anything that FloFab tells us to do. $11.99 ($10.99 for the three chiles.)
Our love affair with Zoe’s Meats continues. Just in time for summer, we’ve brought in their Genovese salami. It’s a slightly larger diameter salami that’s completely nitrite free with a lean pork-to-fat ratio. Made with pinot grigio (rather than the sweeter sherry wine that they use in their house salami), its milder, juicier flavor makes for a great picnic salami that will go well with a varied spread. $21.99/lb
Share if you must.
Stroopwafels! (We really like saying that.) These incredible Dutch cookies are also referred to as “butter syrup waffles” (!) or “honey syrup waffles.” What they are: A gooey layer of buttery honey goodness smooshed between two chewy waffle cookies. Some people will say they are a little too sweet. Step slowly away from such people while concealing the bag of stroopwafels behind your back. They’re yours now. $5.39
Wine @ PG
Taking a break from our rosé obsession. (But omg there are so many good ones in the shop right now you have to come buy rosé!)
Yep, we're still buying great whites and reds.
Vignobles Fontan Domaine de Maubet 2010
Gascony whites never fail to please. This blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Gros Manseng, and Sauvignon blanc is refreshing without being too acidic. Tropical fruit on the nose, and an interesting note of grassiness on the finish. The screw-top bottle makes this one picnic-friendly. $8.99
Domaine A. et P. De Villaine Bouzeron 2009
For a perhaps more elegant get-together. This wine is made with Aligoté doré, a regional varietal that makes for versatile and aromatic wines. We love this Bouzeron; it’s crisp and lean with earthy, stony notes. It’s got a ton of finesse and understated earthiness. Excellent as an apéritif, and would pair well with seafood or a plate of cheeses. $26.99
Château Mazeau Bordeaux 2009
For those who still crave a deep red during the summer, we’ve brought in this nice quaffer from Bordeaux. Juicy red fruit flavors that deepen on the palate into a lingering, dry finish. Notes of licorice, coffee, and tobacco (oh, yeah). Can’t go wrong with price, either: $9.99
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
Rachel
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Paris Grocery News 5/21 Saturday, May 21 2011
High Scoring Wines and Newsletter and Provence Wines and Rhone Valley Wines and Rose Wines Château Bas "L'Alvernègue" Coteaux d'Aix en Provence 2010, Domaine de Couron Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardèche 2010, Domaine le Clos des Lumières Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2010, Elicio Vin de Pays de Méditerranée 2010, In Fine Ventoux Rosé 2010, Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2010 8:38 pm
A six-pack of our favorite rosés. (My sneakers not included.)
Wine @ PG
We’ve been buying up 2010 rosés like crazy, and right now we’re offering a grab-and-go six-pack of our new favorites. The price is $55 (or $110, if you’d like a full case of two bottles of each selection). The half-case discount of 10 percent and sales tax are both included in the price, and we’re throwing in the chic Paris Grocery black-and-white wine carrier, too. A glass of the pink stuff is like summer in a glass!
Our six favorite pink swillers.
Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2010
Top Rhône producer Jean-Luc Colombo created this intoxicating rosé at his childhood home of Cape Bleue. Made with 40 percent Syrah, 40 percent Mourvèdre, and 20 percent Counoise, it’s perfumed and fresh, with notes of peach, rose petal, and white pepper.
Château Bas “L’Alvernègue” Coteaux d’Aix en Provence 2010
Château Bas goes back centuries; near the vineyard are Roman temple ruins. This wine presents a fantastic value for a Provençal rosé. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, it offers a nice balance between freshness and fruitiness.
Domaine de Couron Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l’Ardèche 2010
This producer never fails to make excellently drinkable, classic southern style wines. This 100 percent Grenache wine has a dry finish, with delicate notes of strawberry and cherry.
Domaine le Clos des Lumières Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2010
A fun, medium-bodied Rhône rosé, made from 45 percent Cinsault, 30 percent Grenache, 15 percent Mourvedre, and 10 percent Syrah. With ripe strawberry and floral notes, the wine shows nice persistence and a hint of spice at the end.
In Fine Ventoux Rosé 2010
A ripe, full flavor rose from the valley of Mt. Ventoux in the south, which allows for a slow ripening. Lots of stony minerality and elegant fruit. 80 percent Grenache and 20 percent Cinsault.
Elicio Vin de Pays de Méditerranée 2010
This hot pink rose displays a richer, creamier style. Made with 80 percent Grenache and 20 percent Cinsault, it’s fruit forward, with flavors of raspberry. It stands up well to spicier fare.
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
Rachel
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Paris Grocery News 4/22 Saturday, Apr 23 2011
Baking Ingredients and Deli Items and Loire Valley Wines and Newsletter and Rhone Valley Wines and Rose Wines and Savoie Cheeses 2010 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy "Terre de Maimbray" Sancerre Rosé, Canterbury Naturals Crepe Mix, Comte de Fruitiere, D'Artagnan Duck Bacon, Domaine Balivet NV Bugey Cerdon Méthode Ancéstrale, Easter, Jean Paul Trocadero Brut Rosé Vin de Savoie 12:38 am
A picture of an Easter window display taken by the bosses last year while vacationing in Burgundy. Chocolate creatures sort of blur the line between charming and creepy, don't you think?
Wine @ PG
For Easter (or just taking advantage of a lovely spring day) brunch, I recommend pink and/or bubbles. (Surprise, surprise.)
Pink and/or bubbly.
Jean Paul Trocadero Brut Rosé Vin de Savoie ($9.99)
A vivacious sparkling rosé. Fruit forward, tasting of strawberries and cherries, with immense effervescence, this wine combines the best qualities of rosés and sparklers. A great pick for bridal showers, deck parties, or just lounging on the “beach” (whatever strip of backyard, park, or mini-porch you call your own). Peppery and fun.
Domaine Balivet NV Bugey Cerdon Méthode Ancéstrale ($22.99)
Very fresh and zesty, this sparkling rosé from Savoie complements a varied brunch spread. It’s made in the same process as artisanal cider, meaning only one fermentation as opposed to two fermentations (as is done with champagne and most crémants). 100-percent Gamay, it’s off-dry and unique, with flavors of cherry and ripe apple with a touch of sweetness. It has low alcohol (8-precent) and shows good minerality and acidity in the mouth, with fresh grape aromas in the nose. Really tasty and a pretty, delicate pink color in the glass.
2010 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy “Terre de Maimbray” Sancerre Rosé ($24.99)
Sancerre is usually known for its chalky white wines. Pinot Noir also grows there, however, and the cool climate makes for elegant, lacy rosés that are mineral-driven. Located on steep hills, this family-run estate is thought to be one of the finest Sancerre producers in France. From old vine Pinot Noir, the wine is a lovely faded pink, with a perfumey, floral nose and strawberry and cherry on the palate. While cheap rosés from the Rhône and Provence are wonderful, if you’re a rosé lover, you owe it to yourself to try this exceptional rosé from the Loire.
Food @ PG
Last-minute brunch necessities.
Canterbury Naturals Crepe Mix ($4.99/14-oz.)
You asked for it, and now it’s here! Crepe Mix. Just add eggs and water. And nutella and berries (not really, that’s just my serving suggestion).
Comté de Fruitière ($4.25/quarter lb.)
The crowd-pleasingest cheese ever. This raw cow’s milk cheese from the Jura is aged 5-6 months. It offers a fruit nectar aroma and a more delicate nuttiness than more aged Comté. Almost sweet and bursting with flavors of fresh milk and butter. Great melted, in salads, or with fruit.
D’Artagnan Duck Bacon ($9.99/8-oz.)
This stuff is insanely delicious. Regulars drop by on weekend mornings to grab a package, along with a bottle of sparkling, and it always gives me a serious case of brunch-envy (it’s a thing, look it up.) Made from Moulard duck, with no nitrates or nitrites or growth hormones or anything. A smoky and rich flavor, with a lean texture. Duck. Bacon. Yum.
There are so many things in this shop for brunch, it’s silly. Jams and honey and cheese accompaniments and olives and chocolates and on and on. We ought to rename ourselves the Brunch Store. Come by and see us for all your weekend snack attack needs!
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
Rachel
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Paris Grocery News 4/3 Sunday, Apr 3 2011
Baking Ingredients and Burgundy Cheeses and Newsletter and Provence Wines and Rhone Valley Wines and Rose Wines and Washed Rind Cheese Beurre d'Isigny, Chateau L'Ermitage Costières de Nimes Rosé 2010, Château du Rouët Côtes de Provence Rosé 2010, Domaine Sorin "Terra Amata" Côtes de Provence Rosé 2010, Le Wavreumont, Soumaintrain, Triennes Rosé 2010 7:20 pm
The first delivery of rosés! Can you stand it? (You can't.)
Wine @ PG
“April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.”
From “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
Apparently, perpetual sad guy Thomas Stearns never shopped at Paris Grocery. (Though I love the way he places those gerunds at the end of the line). But it’s hard for us to be cranky about this blustery spring weather when the first crop of rosés has officially arrived at the shop! Like so many shining flowers emerging from the cold bed of winter, these wines glitter with the promise of summer.
Sorry to be so corny. I just really really like rosé.
Chateau L’Ermitage Costières de Nimes Rosé 2010
This Rhône blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mouvedre is a perhaps slightly more fruit forward wine than the Provence rosés. It’s a vivid carmine color, with bright notes of melon and strawberry and a touch of spice and minerals. This is my pick so far for a “summer swiller”: that cheap rose that pairs with just about anything, making it perfect for larger groups getting together for a picnic or bbq. ($8.99)
Domaine Sorin “Terra Amata” Côtes de Provence Rosé 2010
Robert Parker called winemaker Luc Sorin one of the most exciting in the South of France, and his wines are served at some of the finest restaurants in the Côte-d’Azur. They have gained a reputation for being smooth and appealing, making for an excellent match with many styles of cuisine. The Côtes de Provence rosé is their best-known wine. A lovely, dusky pink, it’s light and refreshing, with intriguing notes of herbs. ($11.99)
Triennes Rosé 2010
Primarily made from Cinsault, the juice for this Provençal rosé spent only a couple of hours in contact with the skins, resulting in a very pale color and delicate texture. It’s bottled early to maintain its vibrant freshness. This one is my favorite, and I think it’s one of Sharon’s, too; it’s just such a beautiful wine. Light strawberry and red currant notes, with a vibrant minerality and an ethereal creaminess on the finish. It’s got that Provençal quality that I like to call “fruit and rocks.” ($15.99)
Château du Rouët Côtes de Provence Rosé 2010
Delicate and delicious; a perfect evocation of Provençal-style rosé. Made with a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. The grapes are hand-harvested from volcanic gravel soils that washed down from the Esterel mountain range. We love the curvaceous bottle! ($14.99)
Cheese & Butter @ PG
Le Wavreumont. (Say that five times fast.)
Back in stock!
Le Wavreumont
A newly commissioned cheese for the Belgian city of Liège, made with raw organic cow’s milk from the area farms. Inspired by the long tradition of monastery cheeses, this has a creamy, palate-coating texture and a complex, eggy flavor. Deliciously snackable! ($25.99/lb)
Perfectly round, perfectly yummy.
Soumaintrain
A cow’s milk cheese from Yonne in northern Burgundy. Like Époisses, the wheels are washed with brine and marc de Bourgogne. Pungent, gooey, rich, mushroomy, and barnyardy- some even say it displays umami. Try it with a Chablis for a particularly blissful experience. George, our resident cheesemonger, is obsessed with this cheese. ($24.99/each)
Beurre d’Isigny
Isigny Sainte Mère is a well-known brand of dairy products. The milk they use comes from the cows of many cooperatives who eat the nutritious grasses of northwest France all year long, allowing for higher trace amounts of iodine and other minerals. These charming paperboard tubs of sweet, unsalted butter are great for use in baking or just as a spread. ($6.99/each)
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
Rachel
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Paris Grocery News 3/18 Friday, Mar 18 2011
Baking Ingredients and Beaujolais Wines and Languedoc-Roussillon Wines and Loire Valley Wines and Newsletter and Red Wines and Sweets and Uncategorized and White Wines Biscoff, Calissons, Chocolate Truffles, Domaine des Braves Régnié 2009, Domaine Força Réal Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2005, Enclos du Petit Chien Cheverny Blanc 2009, Fig and Walnut Caramels, Fossier Biscuits Roses, Gavottes Crispy Crepe Dentelles, Les Confitures à l'Ancienne Drinking Chocolate, Marshmallow Ropes 8:38 pm
(Serving Suggestion.)
Sweets @ PG
Yet another bonanza of goodies, just arrived from France. (We’ve got the excess of packing peanuts to prove it.)
Fig and Walnut Caramels
Some insane trifecta of deliciousness is achieved here with this combination of caramel, fig, and walnut. They’re so earthy and sweet and chewy and crunchy, all at the same time, that you’ll feel deeply satisfied with even just one. (But you better get a few, you know, for later.) (79¢)
Calissons
A traditional treat from Aix-en-Provence. A chewy paste of almonds, sugar, and Cavaillon melon with a touch of orange rind and just the right amount of royal icing. (99¢)
Chocolate Truffles
Supremely creamy dark chocolate truffles, dusted with cocoa powder. Yep. The gold-foil packaging is pretty great, too. (60¢)
Les Confitures à l’Ancienne Drinking Chocolate
This amazing drinking chocolate made with raw cane sugar and the finest cocoa beans won the NASFT Outstanding Beverage Award in 2002. With undertones of fruitiness and natural vanilla, this mix makes a mean cup of hot cocoa. (75¢/sachet or $14.49 cube of 14 sachets*)
*The cube was mistakenly priced at $5.99 and listed as such in the newsletter; $14.49 is the correct price. Sorry for any confusion!)
Marshmallow Ropes
Do like the cool enfants and eat these adorable marshmallow ropes right out of the package! Or cut them into comically large squares and float them in a bowl of drinking chocolate. Pick your favorite flavor: lemon, raspberry, or violet. ($1.99)
Dunk 'em.
And: cookies!
Biscoff
The demand for speculoos spread continues apace here at the shop, so we thought it wise to bring in the original cinnamon-stoked cookies as well. These are a Flanders tradition, known stateside for being served on Delta flights. Make a cup of coffee and sit back like you’re flying Delta first class, unless that sounds awful, in which case think about how you’re enjoying the cookies without having to go through the hassle of air travel. ($3.99)
Fossier Biscuits Roses
These airy yet hardy biscuits from Reims, near Champagne, are infused with a touch of vanilla and dressed with a coat of powdered sugar. They’re meant to be dunked, in anything from milk or tea to wine, an aperitif, or even a glass of Champagne, which is so charming we just can’t stand it. Also, the Fossier website offers recipe ideas for tower-like cakes using the cookies like Jenga pieces that are quite ornate and ladies-who-lunch. ($6.99)
Gavottes Crispy Crepe Dentelles
These biscuits from Brittany are made of many many crispy layers, wound around each other like “the dance that lends them their name.” (A gavotte was, obviously, a Breton dance involving lots of spinning and twirling). Available in regular flaky goodness, as well as with milk or dark chocolate coating. ($4.99)
Wine @ PG
Newest of the new.
This just in! (As in, I just put these new wines on the shelf five minutes ago.)
Domaine Força Réal Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2005 ($8.99)
Crazy good price. This medium-bodied southern red has some intense rusticity, with notes of graphite and dark fruit. A good quaffer, especially with something particularly meaty or savory.
Enclos du Petit Chien Cheverny Blanc 2009 ($12.99)
Another fantastic value from the Loire Valley. This 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Chardonnay is, to quote Sharon, “yummy.” Expressions of herbs and minerals, and a nicely round creaminess in the mouth, revealing that the seemingly tiny edition of Chardonnay makes for an excellently balanced quencher.
Domaine des Braves Régnié 2009 ($14.99)
This 100% Gamay from Régnié, the most recently recognized cru of Beaujolais (1988), starts out with some residual sugar and floral hints of violet, but then deepens into dark berry notes and a smooth, refreshing minerality. We’ve noted the exceptional quality of Beaujolais wines from this vintage, and this one is no exception.
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
Rachel
and
Steve Winston and Sharon Baden
Owners, Paris Grocery
Paris Grocery in Seattle 