While the city was sizzling under a hot sun and stifling humidity, down the shore, it was cool, breezy and refreshing. And to add to the refreshment, this year's version of "Sipping by the Shore" featured several whites and one red from Spain, starting off with a spritzy Txakoli from the Basque Region. Our hosts put on a fabulous spread, and instead of traditional tapas, it was more eclectic and even local with the main event featuring delicious mini-hoagies from Bruno's - which the photographer forgot to snap, but here are the hors d'oeuvres which included several different dips, olive focaccia and calamari:
From our balcony, we had a splendid view of the shoreline and rolling waves of the Atlantic:
All wines were purchase at PA wine shops, so they are widely available, many at discount prices as Chairman Selects.
Salud!
Txakoli Primo Zarautz ($10 Chairman Select; $26 suggested retail)
Origin: Zarautz
Varietal:
Xarelo; Macabeo; Chardonnay
Production/Tasting
Notes: Lightly
frizzante; aromas of lemon, fresh basil; nasturtium; flavors of lemon, orange
and lime zest; chopped basil, parsley, lavender; briny, salty on the palate;
oyster shell minerality. (92
points Wine Enthusiast)
Food
Pairing: Aperitif; light appetizers; shellfish
Alcohol:11.5%
Vina Olabarri
Blanco 2021 ($16.39)
Origin: Rioja DOCa
Varietals:
100%
Viura; 10% Garnacha and Malvasia
Production/Tasting
Notes: Nose of jackfruit flesh, curry leaf, citrus; nutty,
savory, phenolic on the palate; spiced fruit; medium bodied; nicely rounded.
Food Pairings: pasta; salads; fish, seafood
Alcohol: 13%
Dominio de la Granadilla Verdejo 2020 ($20)
Origin:
Rueda
DO
Varietal:
100%
Verdejo
Production/Tasting
Notes: Fermentation in Hungarian and French oak; 9 months
on the lees with constant bâtonnage; intense, complex nose with balsamic and
spice (fennel) notes; rounded on the palate; lively acidity; (90 points, James Suckling)
Food
Pairing: appetizers; fish; white meat; smoked meat; Serrano
ham
Alcohol: 13%
Bodegas O'Ventosela Taquilino Treixadura 2021 ($18)
Origin: Riberiro DO (Galicia)
Varietals:
Treixadura
Production/Tasting
Notes: Aromas
of white fruit, crisp apple, pear; fresh, lively acidity; persistent on the
palate; a "softer Assyrtiko" (Max).
Alcohol: 12%
Dominio
Los Pinos 2021 ($20)
Origin:
Valencia
DO
Varietal:
40%
Syrah; 40% Monastrell; 20% Garnacha
Production/Tasting Notes: Organically grown; malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks; no barrel aging; 30 year old vines; natural, indigenous yeast; dark fruit, cherry jam notes on the nose; spicy; eucalyptus; rich, dense on the mid-palate; lingering finish; no added sulfites;
Food
Pairing: beef stew, lamb, roasted or grilled red
meats;
Alcohol:
14%
