Douro red wine as the special drink of the night. On the Christmas table, cod, French toasts, Aletria, Bolo-Rei (king cake), Pão-de-ló (sponge cake), hallacas. The smell of cinnamon and candied fruit mark her Christmas, which, as in everything in her life, is divided between the two countries. Bolo-rei (fruit cake), pão-de-ló (sponge cake), and now, many other traditional Venezuelan sweets. However, people still seek the Confeitaria do Bolhão at Christmas for what is its strong and traditional points. “They find old friends, sweets from home, smells that remind them of their childhood, this is what Christmas is all about”, she said.īecause of the Venezuelan origins that are rooted in the confectionery for 22 years, the offer has grown a lot. It is a place of gathering at Christmas and where customers are reunited with their origins. “They already come with an idea of the wine they want to buy”, he concluded.īernardete Matos is Venezuelan, and the Coffee shop represents both nationalities. “However, in the last few years the clients have been increasing their wine knowledge”. They buy wines to harmonize with the meal and many times “they buy the wines we suggest”, he admitted between chuckles. And of course Dão red (normally bought to be enjoyed with the main courses). But also Muralhas of Monção, a Vinho Verde Branco (very balanced, and ideal to accompany the meal). “People seek the establishment for its vast offer of dried fruits, codfish, canned foods, and wine,” he confessed.Ĭustomers usually buy Porto Ferreira (to accompany desserts, an authentic wine with strong roots). Among household smells and sweets, “cinnamon, sweets, and dried fruits” are the smells that most mark his festive season.Īntónio knows the business better than anyone, and it’s Christmas that sets the pace of the grocery store. French toast and Dão Red, the wine “that signs his Christmas”, his favorite, he confessed that he never exchanges it. On his Christmas, he can’t miss the traditional codfish, bolo-rei (king cake), Aletria. Among the cod, smoked fish, dried fruit, local wine, and canned foods, António Reis, the owner, makes us feel home. With a historic facade, the Pérola do Bolhão, founded in 1914, is part of the Christmas of the Portuguese and is where the local tradition begins. The Christmas bustle and shopping starts at the beginning of November, Porto is dressed in lights and Christmas decorations. His shop is a landmark in the city’s traditional commerce, especially in the commercialization of ground coffee and dried codfish. And Diogo Gonçalves, manager of Pretinho do Japão, a grocery store with more than 70 years of history. Bernardete Matos, in representation of Confeitaria do Bolhão, a 121-year-old pastry shop, now counting with a Spanish accent. António Reis, owner of Pérola do Bolhão, a traditional grocery store in the city center that has accompanied the people of Porto for 104 years. They gave us their vision about Christmas traditions and wines that mark the season. To give the best advices to make the ideal choice of wine, tradition and pairing this Christmas, we interviewed three major landmarks of Porto. But the best option is to harmonize wine and food, to fully respect the identity of each food. With the gathering of family and friends, there is a greater possibility of choosing wines of various styles and regions. (There’s also a Gruner Veltliner at Syncline Winery in Lyle, Washington and another at Balboa Wines in Walla Walla, Washington).The richness of aromas, a table full of typical dishes, seasonal ingredients… These are the characteristics that come to mind when we think of the Christmas season. Other wineries selling Gruner Veltliner in Woodinville include Chateau Ste. If you like, you can watch my brief video talking about this Savage Grace Wines Gruner Veltliner from Woodinville here on YouTube: I picked up this 2019 bottle at my local PCC Natural Markets, where the wine steward does an excellent job of curating interesting local Woodinville and Washington wines. Savage Grace Wines, one of the few wineries I’m a club member at here in Woodinville, reliably makes a spectacular Gruner Veltliner nearly every year. Take a look at what WineFolly suggests for Gruner Veltliner food pairings, too. It pairs well with vegetarian foods such as the mushroom tacos I’m going to eat tonight on Taco Tuesday, and the tofu dishes and salads I eat throughout the week. This refreshing dry, high-acid white wine is mostly grown in Austria but a handful of bold Washington winemakers make a few cases every year. We make quite a lot of excellent white wine here in Washington State, but as Spring approaches, I’d like to introduce you to a more unusual varietal that not every winery chooses to make: Gruner Veltliner.
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