[1] Rosé is the perfect summer wine: light yet substantial, delivering flavor and finish (photo © Herringbone Eats | Santa Monica).

[2] The rosé rainbow, in colors from the palest pink to the deepest rose (photo © Jacksonville Magazine).

Thibaud-Boudignon-Rose[/caption]
[3] Top of the list: Thibaud Boudignon Rosé 2019 from the Loire region of France (photo © Thibauld Boudignon).

[4] The top pick from Austria is (photo © Weingut Pittnauer).

[5] (photo © Fontanafredda).

[6] Domaine Collotte is from Marsannay, the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy, France (photo © Domaine Collotte).

[7] Rose is delicious with fruit and cheese (photo © S.L. | Unsplash).

This summer, a very discriminating oenophile*, Ken Merrill, tried some rosé wines, from Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain.

And, in the manner of rosé pricing, they are more than affordable: most are less than $20.
 
 
SUMMER 2020: THE TOP 10 ROSÉ WINES

Over the last few weeks, I have been trying a great many of the European rosé wines now available in New York City. It seemed like a very interesting thing to do as we headed into the height of summer, and particularly appropriate to do as we have increased the time we spend on the beautiful rooftop terrace atop our building.

There are four clear winners from three different countries, which point out that the world of rosé is quite varied, with high points usually being the surprise.

One big plus is that they were all in the lowest alcohol levels from all that we’ve had. A vivid freshness of red fruits, more strawberry and raspberry, along with herbal and mineral notes made them stand out for their clarity of expression and their lovely, light, dance-like feel.

When rosé alcohol levels get higher, it actually seems like you start to lose much more than you gain. They start to seem rather heavy and dull, lacking in that joyous, light red fruitiness that gives them their summertime appeal.
 
 
OUTSTANDING ROSÉ WINES

Thibaud Boudignon Rosé 2019 (Savennières, Loire, France)
The Thibaud Boudignon Rosé de Loire 2019 was outstanding. Savory, very complex nose and palate; it started with a light watermelon scent, alluring and mysterious, opening into lighter raspberry scents. A wonderful wine which walks that exciting tightrope of tension between salty minerals and ripe fruit. Made from 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Grolleau, it’s at that perfect 12.5 alcohol level. Boudignon is now often touted as one of the very finest makers of dry Chenin Blanc. His Savennieres and Anjou Blanc are superb. This rosé wine which he just started making 3 years ago seems clearly to belong in that same high echelon of quality. Chambers Street has it for $22.

Weingut Pittnauer Burgenland Rosé 2019, (Gols, Austria)
Another standout was a wine from Austria that we had never heard of before, the Pittnauer Burgenland Rosé 2019. Made from mostly Blaufrankisch, it offers so much at a low 11.5 alcohol! Full bodied, red berry fruit and perfumed with alpine aromas, combined with a crisp, pleasing acidity. Available at Chambers Street for $18. A joy to find such a well made wine from someone unknown to us! And, this is his starter rosé! We have to try some of the other wines!

Fontanafredda Solerose Langhe Rosato 2018 (Piedmont, Italy)
The Fontanafredda Solerose Langhe Rosato 2018, a blend of Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo, was another real standout. Priced at $19 at Eataly, it is an utterly charming, lovely wine, with beautiful notes of mountain flowers and strawberry, perhaps even closer to fraises des bois. And at 11.5% alcohol, it is a total winner in its balance and grace. More please!

Carrel Jongieux Vin de Savoie Rosé 2019 (Savoie, France)
The fourth real standout was a lovely wine coming from an area we tend not to think of so much, the Savoie. Carrel Jongieux Vin de Savoie Rosé 2019 is a blend of 80% Gamay and 20% Mondeuse. Also strawberry scented, it has hints of Alpine flowers and a lovely minerality. The alcohol level is 12.5%. A truly excellent value, it’s available in Manhattan for $12-$14, but Empire Wine in Albany, which has the best shipping rates in the country ($11.88 per case!) has it for $10.

Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé 2019 (Marsannay, Burgundy, France)
Another standout that we just tasted is the Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé 2019. From one of the finest producers in Marsannay, this wine was beautiful and full, hinting of strawberry and cherry. At 12.5% it has that perfect balance of full flavor, beautiful grace, and a lively, engaging personality. Excellent. At Chambers Street Wines for $21.

Domaine Olga Raffault 2019 (Chinon, Loire, France)
Another lovely rosé is that of Olga Raffault in Chinon 2019. Made from 100% Cabernet France, at 12.5% alcohol, it shows a lovely, elegant fullness on the palate. We’ve drunk her reds with great pleasure over the years, and this is a very pleasant, enjoyable rosé wine which Chambers Street Wines sells for $20.

Dr. Loosen Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 (Pfalz, Germany)
Dr. Loosen Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 had some very appealing elements in its bright red fruits nose, but unfortunately for me, it showed some sweetness on the palate which doesn’t suit my current palate for either white or rosé wine. But, many people would undoubtedly enjoy this very easy to drink rosé. The alcohol level is an appealing 11.5% and the wine is priced very reasonably at $10 at Warehouse Wines downtown. Definitely worth trying.

Chateau de Manissy Tavel Cuvée des Lys Rosé 2019 (Tavel, Rhone, France)
A wine with higher alcohol, a very precise 13.57%, that proved to be quite good was Chateau de Manissy Tavel Cuvée des Lys Rosé 2019. A very beautiful dark coppery pink, the Grenache based wine had a shy nose, but a wonderful fullness on the palate. Very much a food wine, not for just sipping. A lovely bottle. Available at Chambers Street Wines for $18.

Lecci e Brocchi Il Meticcio Toscana Rosato 2019 (Siena, Tuscany, Italy)
The Lecci e Brocchi Il Meticcio Toscana Rosato 2019 was an interesting bottle in the way it developed. At 13.0% alcohol, on the first day it was very tart and lemony, maybe too much so. A lovely color from the blend of Tuscan grapes: Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera, Alicante, Foglia Tonda, Colorino, and Canaiolo Nera, presumably explaining the name of the wine, the Italian word for a cross breed horse. On day two, however, it became beautifully full, richer and more cherry-like. Definitely a wine to try, but I would suggest decanting it to give it its fullness of flavor. Available for $20 at Chambers Street Wines.

Campo Alle Comete Bolgheri Rosato 2018 (Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy)
The Campo Alle Comete Bolgheri Rosato 2018 was another quite delicious rosé. Quite full in flavor, particularly for its 12.5% alcohol. Slightly herbal, raspberry nose. Even better the second day. With medium body, it’s a real food wine for sure—not just for sipping on the terrace. A blend of 50% Merlot, plus 25% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They have it at Eataly for $20.
 
 
MORE WAYS TO ENJOY ROSÉ…

…but don’t use the stellar rosés above for any of these. You can use a perfectly good $10 bottle of rosé.

 
 
FOOD & WINE TRIVIA

Dry rosé wine is the all-occasion wine in the south of France—no surprise, since Provence is the world base of dry rosé production. There, vin rosé is paired with all the foods, all year around.

In fact, dry French rosé outsells white wine in France!

The dry rosés from Provence can be substituted any time you need dry wine. When you can’t decide between red or white wine, reach for the rosé.
 
 
> What Is Rose Wine & Why Should You Be Drinking It?

> The History Of Rosé Wine

> Have A Rosé Tasting Party

> Rosé Wine & Food Pairings

Our gluten-free expert, Georgi Page-Smith, approves of Nocca’s gluten-free gnocchi (NYAW-kee). Gnocchi are soft dough dumplings that may be made from semolina or ordinary wheat flour and filled with cheese, potato or other ingredients .

Nocca is an Italian pasta company that specializes in quick-to-the-table, shelf-stable gnocchi.

They make conventional gnocchi with wheat flour and a potato filling, plus a gluten-free version made with rice flour.

When I discovered Nocca Gnocchi at last summer’s Fancy Food Show (alas, no show this year due to COVID), I was thrilled for an opportunity to sample the gluten-free version which, as they say, can be ready to serve in as little as 2 minutes on the boil.
 
 
TASTING THE GNOCCHI

Perhaps their quick-cooking nature has to do with the size of Nocca’s gnocchi.

 
Flavor-wise Nocca’s gluten-free gnocchi are a match with the gnocchi I remember from my gluten-tolerant days.

Tender, with a slight tang, they are a delicious foil for fresh pesto (photo #1).

This is the gnocchi you want for a light lunch, or when you are putting dinner together quickly and still want something satisfying and/or different.

It’s also comfort food.

Nocca makes one plain variety of gnocchi (Original) for the gluten-sensitive, but also makes several other varieties of wheat-based gnocchi for those who can tolerate gluten: Cocoli (mini), Original, Pesto, Truffle and Whole Wheat.

The line is available in stores across the Northeast and can be found via their store locator.

You might have to call first to see if they carry the gluten-free variety; but you can buy them on Amazon, along with the wheat-based varieties.

—Georgi Page-Smith
 
 
FOOD TRIVIA

The word “gnocchi” has an unknown origin, but it may have derived from the Italian word nocca, meaning knuckle. The oval-ish shape of the pasta is somewhat reminiscent of a knuckle!

They’re not Italian: gnocchi are of Middle Eastern origin. As the Roman Empire expanded, favorite foods and recipes were brought home and adapted, based on local ingredients and preferences.
 
 
GNOCCHI RECIPES

How about gnocchi for breakfast?

For breakfast or brunch, take a look at this Egg & Gnocchi Casserole Recipe.

For lunch and dinner:

 
 
MORE TO DISCOVER

> The History Of Gnocchi

> The Different Types Of Pasta
 
> What Are Gnudi & How Are They Related To Gnocchi & Pillow Pasta?

[1] Gnocchi in pesto sauce with shrimp and cherry tomatoes (all photos © Nocca Gnocchi).

[2] Gnocchi Bolognese, in meat sauce with a fresh basil garnish.

[3] Gnocchi with sauteed mushrooms and sage.

[4] Just pop the gnocchi into boiling water. They’re ready in 2 minutes.

[5] Here’s what to look for. Or, buy Nocca Gluten-Free Gnocchi on Amazon.

[1] Mint limeade (photo © Pasta Eater | NYC).

[2] Cherry limeade, made with fresh cherries. The recipe is below Stemilt.

[3] Add a scoop of cherry, lemon, or lime sorbet to make a float (photo © J&J Snack Foods).

[4] Classic limeade (photo © Le Coucou NYC | Starr Restaurant Group).

[5] Blueberry limeade. You add any fruit purée into limeade. Here’s the recipe from Ciao Florentina (photo © Ciao Florentina).

[5] Ready, set, slice (photo © Loveart Foods | Pexels).

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

But what about limeade?

It’s just as delicious and refreshing—even more so, since it’s such a rarity in the U.S.

One reason is that the U.S. is not a lime-growing country, so limes are costlier than lemons.

Limeade is popular in tropical areas like the Caribbean, India, Pakistan and Southeast Asia, where the heat and humidity are good for lime cultivation.

Limes were once grown in Florida; but after a series of natural disasters, the groves were not replanted and production moved to Mexico (97% of our limes come from there). Here’s more about the end of U.S. lime production.

Upcoming days to make a pitcher:

 
 
RECIPE #1: BASIC LIMEADE

The method of preparation for basic limeade is the same as for lemonade: juice the limes and combine the juice with sweetener, water and ice.

Gin, tequila or vodka can be added to make a limeade cocktail (we call this version a “summer sour”).

See below for more variations to vary basic lemonade.

Ingredients For 8 Glasses

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the lime juice and sugar; stir to dissolve.

2. ADD to a pitcher of ice water; stir to combine.

3. SERVE over ice. Garnish as desired.
 
 
RECIPE #2: CHERRY LIMEADE

Thanks to Stemilt, a grower of cherries, apples and pears in Washington State, for this recipe (photo #2).

This recipe uses fresh cherries, although you can substitute frozen cherries or cherry syrup if cherries are out of season.

For Sonic fans: Sonic’s Cherry Limeade is a different recipe, adding 7Up and maraschino syrup. Here’s a version of it.

Our favorite way to enjoy this recipe: Add a scoop of cherry, lemon, or lime sorbet for a cherry-lime float.

The cherry-lime concentrate may be stored in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to ten days.

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the cherries and honey in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

2. ADD the lime juice and stir to combine.

3. ASSEMBLE: For a single serving, add 2 ounces of the cherry-lime concentrate to a tall glass. Fill with ice and top with water. Stir and garnish with fresh cherries. To prepare a pitcher-full, combine the concentrate with 32 ounces of water and lots of ice.
 
 
LIMEADE VARIATIONS

 
 
MORE TO ENJOY

> The Different Types Of Limes
 
> The History Of Limes
 
> The History Of Cherries
 
> The History Of Lemonade

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*The average lime yields 2 tablespoons of juice.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers*, and an all-American cookout is traditionally on the menu?

But what if you decided instead to observe the cuisine of laborers elsewhere?

Most of us have a Labor Day grilling routine. We decided to try a different grilling menu, focusing on a sure-to-delight theme: skewers.

The word kebab† refers to fish, meat or vegetables that are roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit. In the U.S., “skewers” has become the term used outside of Mediterranean restaurants.

This Labor Day we’re going kebab crazy, with grilled skewers and Greek and Middle Eastern sides, the latter called mezze in Greek.

Scroll down to see all the mezze. The hardest part for us is deciding what to make (or buy). We want them all!
 
 
SKEWERS, A.K.A. KEBABS, KABOBS & OTHER SPELLINGS

Instead of an American buffet with grilled whole foods like brats, burgers, chicken, fish, franks or steaks, we’re grilling skewers of some of the same meats:

 
(Personally, we’ve decided on chicken, scallops and shrimp.)
 

MEZZE TO SERVE WITH YOUR SKEWERS

We decided to bypass the corn on the cob and potato salad for Mediterranean sides, like Israeli salad and basmati rice pilaf with dried fruits and almonds.

We’ve also chosen three Mediterranean spreads, to enjoy on their own or dip with pita triangles.

Because hummus, baba ganoush and tabbouleh are everyday foods at our house, we chose three other: tzatziki/cacik seasoned yogurt, which is a great side to the grilled meats; skordalia, garlicky potato purée; and melitzanosalata, a chunky eggplant dip.

Mediterranean Dips/Spreads

In Greek these are called mezze (MEH-zay), meze in Arabic. They are a selection of small dishes that originally accompanied drinks, either as a snack or as a first course to a meal.

Mezze can include the dips and spreads on this list, served with pita; plus dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), falafel, feta, halloumi cheese, kibbeh, olives and other Mediterranean delights. Check out this list for a “full menu.”

Depending on country—Greece versus any of the countries in what was formerly called the Levant*—there may be different names for the same or similar dishes. For example, Greek tzatziki is Turkish cacik.

Here are a dozen favorites. Note that spellings may differ because the names are transliterated into the Latin alphabet from the Arabic or Greek alphabets.

Babaganoush: Smoky roasted eggplant and tahini combine in a dip that can be smooth or chunky. Baba ghannouj is another spelling. Here’s a recipe.

Cacik: The Turkish name for tzatiki, a yogurt and cucumber dip. It is pronounced kah-SEEK.

Ezme: Similar to Israeli salad, ezme is a Turkish salad of finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mild peppers, parsley and olive oil.

Hummus: A paste of chickpeas, olive oil, garlic and spices. There surge in popularity has resulted in dozens of blend-ins, from the traditional Mediterranean flavors (olive, red pepper) to the trendy (chipotle, edamame hummus, everything bagel topping). Here’s a recipe to make your own.

Labneh: Labneh is thick, strained yogurt with a consistency similar to spreadable cheese like cream cheese. It is spread onto pita. Here’s more about it, and a recipe.

Htipiti: Htipiti (tee-PEE-tee) is a spicy spread of roasted red pepper and feta, mixed with olive oil, thyme, shallots and garlic. It can be smooth or chunky, and is closely related to kopanisti and tirokafteri (see below).

Melitzanosalata: This traditional Greek Eggplant dip is difference from baba ghanoush in that the latter is Levantine‡ and uses tahini. Melitzanosalata is Greek and doesn’t have tahini. Common ingredients are eggplant, olive oil, garlic, lemon, salt, pepper. Some melitzanosalata recipes add onion. Chopped parsley is a traditional garnish.

Muhammara: A Syrian dish of roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate molasses.

Skordalia: A Greek potato and garlic dip (purée).

Tabbouleh: A salad of bulgur, chopped parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Taramasalata: A spread made from tarama, cured carp (or other fish) roe, whipped with lemon juice and olive oil.

Tirokafteri: Feta cheese dip, similar to htipiti. It includes feta, olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped chilies or red pepper flakes, oregano, and often roasted red peppers (not hot) and yogurt. Kopanisti, another spicy feta dip, includes olive oil, lemon juice, mint, pepperoncini, garlic and red pepper flakes.

Tzatziki: A yogurt and cucumber dip. It is very similar to Indian raita, and like the latter, it is also served with grilled meats. Here are recipes for both.

[1] We can’t wait for this assortment of kebabs, a.k.a. skewers (photo © Victoria Shes | Unsplash).

[2] The classic shish kebab: lamb skewers, served with tabbouleh (photo © Stix Restaurant | NYC).

[3] Mixed vegetable skewers, always popular. You can also make skewers of cherry tomatoes (photo © Pixabay | Unsplash)).

[4] How about grilled, halved beefsteak tomatoes? (photo © Tolga Ahmetler | Unsplash).

[5] Shrimp skewers (photo © Seasoned Skewers).

Spell it kebap, kabab, It appears in Turkish texts as early as the 14th century, meaning roasted meat.

It may be broiled or grilled on skewers, but also the word also refers to meatballs, stews and other formats.

In English, the word has come to mean food on a skewer, be it small chunks of meat, seafood, vegetables, seitan, tofu, etc.

The word kebab likely came to English in the late 17th century from the Arabic kabāb, which has roots in the Persian, Turkish, Urdu and other old tongues, including Aramaic and its predecessor, Akkadian.

The skewered form has spread around the world, from Europe and the U.S. to the satays of Southeast Asia.

________________

*Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Here’s more about it.

†The word kebab came to the English language in the late 17th century, from the Arabic word kabāb. Kabāb, in turn, derived from kabab, from the Persian, Turkish and Urdu languages. Transliterated from the Arabic alphabet, there are various spellings including kabob and kebap.

‡The Levant was a large area in southwest Asia: south of the Taurus Mountains, with the Mediterranean Sea as the western boundary, and the north Arabian Desert and Mesopotamia in the east. “Levant” is an English term that first appeared in 1497. It originally referred to the “Mediterranean lands east of Italy.” The historical area comprises modern-day Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. Among other popular foods, Levantine cuisine gave birth to baklava, falafel, kebabs, mezze (including tabbouleh, hummus and baba ghanoush), pita and za’atar, among other dishes that are enjoyed in the U.S. and around the world.

[1] Delicious, nutritious chickpea toast (photo © Betsy Haley For Salt & Honey Catering).

[2] Dried chickpeas will expand to twice their weight. These are from America’s leading provider of artisan beans, Rancho Gordo (photo © Rancho Gordo).

[3] Green chickpeas in the pod (photo © Hannah Kaminsky | Bittersweet Blog).

Move over, avocado toast—one more time. We previously wrote about mushroom toast, and it was delicious.

But now, there’s something more nutritious and less expensive than both of those toasts combined!

Bay Area Catering Company Salt & Honey Catering in Oakland, California has shared their popular Garlicky Chickpea Toast recipe with us.

In addition to a delicious change, there are benefits to chickpeas over avocados:

 
 
RECIPE: GARLICKY CHICKPEA TOAST WITH LEMON YOGURT

Make extra chickpea mixture if you wish; it’s delicious hot or cold and can be served as a side with eggs, vegetables, etc.

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE combine yogurt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, zest from one lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. HEAT the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat; add the garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.

3. ADD the chickpeas and the asparagus and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is just cooked through. Stir in remaining lemon juice, zest, red pepper flakes and fresh herbs.

3. SPREAD a dollop of yogurt onto a piece of toasted bread. Top with a heaping spoonful of the chickpea mixture. Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper.

________________

*Rehydrated dry chickpeas have a better texture than canned; and also aren’t packed with sodium. There are, however, low-salt and salt-free versions.

†If asparagus is out of season, you can substitute frozen asparagus; or broccoli (cut the cooked stems into strips and save the florets for another purpose), broccoli rabe, green beans or hearts of palm.

Including:

 
Check it out here.
 
 
ABOUT SALT & HONEY CATERERS

Founded by Dominican-American Olivia Colt, Salt & Honey believes in using locally sourced and sustainably raised-and-caught produce, meat and seafood.

The dishes are driven by the bounty of Northern California, finding inspiration in Caribbean, French, Italian and Mexican flavors.

The Bay Area catering and events company has created memorable weddings, parties and corporate events for Facebook, Google, One Kings Lane and smaller clients.

Need a caterer? For starters, head to the website.