This is big news chez Evil Lair because I have such affection for Australian made things - music, wine, food, art. Everything, really. Living & creating in an isolated place brings a certain aesthetic to things and I dig it.
Here's a photo of my most recent haul from Down Under:
Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing some reviews & suggested pairings. Here's a sneak peek:
Nothing like uncorking your dinner after a 60 hour week with another 12 hour day ahead of you!
KIDDING!!! #boozebag
I did not have half a bottle of wine with a packet of crackers for an evening meal. There was a huge plate of cheese, charcuterie, & salad out of the frame...as well as my hawt husband, who was splitting everything with me. The wine just went best with these particular crackers.
Before I get into the reviews though, I wanted to serve you an apero!
In the Fall, I went back to the "Old Country", a.k.a. Ireland, and ate some very tasty things. We decided to do one fancy meal & chose The Greenhouse for their tasting menu. It's billed as modern organic Irish food and it's made by a Finnish chef...so it has a bit of that trendy Nordic thing happening. Highly recommended.
They have a signature cocktail which is a great starter & would be really wonderful in hot weather. It's Blanc de Blanc champagne, citrus syrup, kaffir lime leaf, & elderflower cordial. The above is a decent approximation of it with components found at any basic shop.
As champagne is much more expensive in the US than the EU, I wanted a blanc de blanc fizzy from another region. Total Wine didn't have much in that style, hence, my choice of Cremant d'Alsace. In general, I tend to use the Trader Joe's Blanc de Blanc or prosecco if I'm creating something with a more subtle flavor profile. This Cremant worked well but it was a bit heavier than the resto version with its red juice component. For the citrus piece, we made lime syrup with just sugar & fresh lime juice and did a St Germain floater. It's a great starter, especially, if you've got a night of eating & drinking in front of you.
Enjoy!
