New Year And New Wine
Though the seasonal shift pulls us like the tides outside our windows, here on Ocean Ave, most of my inspiration for change comes from my travels.
Welcoming Change and Some Vinho Verde
The New Year Is Upon Us….
I hope to bring you a sense of adventure and exploration with this blog so that you can get out there and explore!
Welcome to the beginning of change at Langosta Lounge. Though the seasonal shift pulls us like the tides outside our windows, here on Ocean Ave, most of my inspiration for change comes from my travels.
I recently returned from a visit to Portugal. One of the biggest takeaways from my trip was that I can slow down and savor the moment. When we take the time to slow down and savor the moment, we open up the opportunity to take in new experiences. Two of my favorite experiences to savor are good food and good wine. Both of which were found in abundance in Portugal.
In Portugal, the dairy is unpasteurized and GMO free. This gave the cheese an amazing flavor - even the milk in our coffee seemed to bring our morning cuppa to this heightened sense of umami. Unfortunately, we can’t replicate this delicious experience here in the U.S. But we can bring back some of the wine!
While in Portugal we attended the Wine in Azores festival where over 25 Azorean wines were showcased. There, I had some of the best vinho verde I’ve ever had and you can now come on in and sample my latest find at Langosta Lounge!
The popular misconception about vinho verde is that it’s a grape. But it’s actually a region in Portugal. The Vinho Verde wine region starts just below the Portuguese-Spanish border, and extends all the way to the coastal city of Porto in northwest Portugal.
Vinho Verde is created mostly by a blend of grapes found in the region. The wines can be red or white. In the states, white vinho verdes are most popular. White vinho verdes are light, crisp, and most widely known for their effervescence.
The way vinho verde opens your palette and leaves your mouth watering makes it a perfect accompaniment to the holidays - as it will keep you gobbling up all your delicious turkey and stuffing and other winter meal treats!
Now that I’ve got you craving something new, delicious, and delightful: Come in to Langosta Lounge to try my favorite Vinho Verde and share in my memory of the wonder of Portugal! You may even find yourself setting off on an adventure to the wine’s native land so you can make a vinho verde memory of your own!
Hurricane Rick
We came back from the storm with rejuvenation and salt...
Hurricane Rick on the Mexican Coast
We drove up the coast to Todos Santos for some homemade Damiana liquor and Sea of Cortes sea salt to carry home. If you get the chance to venture to the cape - make sure you indulge in some Damiana for your margarita. Damiana is an herbal tea as well which settles the tummy and those womanly monthly pains as well as boosts the fertility hormones.
The best reason for the trip up the coast to Todos Santos is the return sunset stop at Art and Beer.
I had a pure, au natural pina colada right up there with my Galapagos cocktail.
Since Hurricane Rick was hanging over us, we spent many hours watching the powerful surf and sipping on some wonderful Mexican rose’. Who would have thought we could enjoy local wines on the Mexican coast?
Of course we indulged in the local tacos at Gardenia's by the McDonalds in Cabo as well as our new find in San Jose - Taqueria Mexico!
If you travel to San Jose in the winter months, check out the new local farmer's market on the outskirts of town and take the drive up the east cape to Cabo Pulmo for some snorkeling.
We didn't get to check it out, but Sandy's Restaurante on the highway to the airport has a very traditional dished called camerones agua chile. Next time, I suppose…
One last tip: Try Tequilas for a very soothing garden experience. Great lighting and ambiance!