Let’s get Snacking
I’ve written here before for the Wine Press blog, but this is a good time to formally introduce myself. I’m Eric Sacco, and I’ve been working for WP since June. Last week, I was given the amazing opportunity to manage the gourmet food program at both the Fenway and Brookline locations! I’m excited to be working with the whole team and the community at both stores to develop a truly amazing food program that’s accessible, fun, and delicious!
One of the best things about WP’s gourmet food program is being able to work closely with the wine side of the business to create amazing and thoughtful pairings. Watching the trends in food around Boston, I’ve come up with three ideas for you to try at home that reflect some of the great products at WP.
#1 - Tinned Fish is only going to get bigger this year
If you haven’t tried any of the tinned fish options at Wine Press, you need to rush in ASAP! Tinned fish is booming on Instagram, Tik-Tok, and right here on the Boston food scene. Wine Press carries some excellent brands like Fishwife, Island Creek, and Patagonia (yes, the apparel and adventure company!) Tinned fish comes in a wide variety of styles - cured in olive oil, filled with herbs, and even a smoked fish and chili crisp pairing. It’s a healthy and delicious way to get a snack or meal filled with protein, ‘good’ fats, and flavor.
Putting together a tinned fish board at home is easy. For 2 people, you should select 2 cans in diverse styles (oil cured and chili crisp, or lemon and smoked), add some cheese (Meredith Dairy Marinated Sheep & Goat milk cheese is fantastic), and a jar of Olympia Provisions pickled cauliflower. Finish it off with a container of rosemary & sea salt Firehook crackers.
Pairing tinned fish requires something with a touch of crisp acidity to cut through all that gorgeous, unctuous fat. I recommend one of our Austrian whites, the Weingut Lagler Gruner Veltliner from Wachau. It’s a zippy, crisply acidic wine filled with green apple, a touch of pepper, and great citrus notes.
#2 - Fish outside the box
Familiar types of fish like salmon, swordfish, and cod are always great. But there are a myriad of new varieties out there to try. At Wine Press, we source our fish from Wulf’s Fish, a local company that specializes in sustainably sourced and seasonal seafood. We only carry a small amount of their offerings, though. Any customer can shop their website for free delivery in the greater Boston area. Among their unique offerings include green crabs, an invasive species of crab to the New England area.
Green crabs come in 3-lb. bags of deceptively sweet, easy to crack crustacean-y goodness. They’re especially good at flavoring stocks, soups, and sauces. A great way to use them is in a tomato sauce. Fry a few garlic cloves in oil oil, then add the green crabs, and 2 cans of Italian whole-peeled plum tomatoes. Let the whole pot simmer over low heat for 90 minutes. Ladle over a box of Sfoglini pasta from Wine Press Market.
This is one of the few occasions when red wine and fish pair wonderfully together. Our Natural Wine section features an excellent Nero d’Avola from Sicily by Sikele. It’s light and brightly tannic, and the volcanic soil helps it to develop robust cherry flavors with just a touch of cigar box.
#3 - Simplify
Sometimes the best pleasures come from the simplest things. One of our newest products in the market is Rosemary-infused olive oil from Jose Gourmet. The earthy, woodsy herb infuses every drop of the brilliantly bright and zesty olive oil from Spain. Pair with a few toasted slices of bread (like our Clear Flour miche) rubbed with a garlic clove, it makes for an easy, hearty snack.
To pair with this simple cuisine, why not try one of our new favorite non-alcoholic cocktail mixers, New London Lights ‘Midnight Sun’ Aperitif. Inspired by the tastes of the Nordic regions of Europe, this delightful NA spirit tastes of seaberry, salty breezes, and pine. Splash it into a glass of Fever Tree tonic water and let the European summers wash over you during this chilly New England winter!
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Stop by Wine Press Brookline and Wine Press Fenway this January to stock up on your old favorites, to try something new, or find a great pairing!
Eric
