Even though I got way behind at Christmas, I have managed to do some ‘champagne’ tastings at the Liquor Store in a more timely manner.
They had some Italian Prosecco, but I wasn’t that fond of it, finding it all about ‘green apple’ and too sour. There was also some French Champagne, Piper-Heidsieck, the most popular in France according to the hostess. At $50 plus dollars a bottle, it should have been fabulous but I also found it too sour! Perhaps they shouldn’t have paired it with those delicious, but sweet, dark chocolates filled with Contreau.
They also had four different Spanish ‘champagnes’, known as Cava, to taste, each paired with a different cheese. And my favourite was (drum roll please), Codorníu – Clásico Brut. It is light and crisp, and the cheapest at $13.99! It was paired with Manchego cheese, a hard sheep cheese from Spain, and the combination was magic.
After purchasing the bottle I immediately ran out and bought some Manchego cheese. Note that this cheese is a bit chalky when cold, and needs to be served at room temperature.
Codorniu – Clásico Brut: light, crisp @13.99
Manchego cheese: purchased from Santa Barbara Market on Commercial Drive – about $3.29/100 grams; fabulous with Cava (Spanish Champagne)
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