Last weekend, I attended the New York Wine Expo for the very first time. Believe me, it takes a lot to get me excited about a trek to the Jacob Javits Convention Center but I happily made the schlep when I heard that the event would showcase more than 200 exhibitors and 600 wines. I sampled some wonderful wines from around the globe but some of my favorite tasting experiences came courtesy of Italy and France.
The Italian Pavilion
Wines from Italy had a huge presence at the New York Wine Expo and the Italian Pavilion drew a very enthusiastic crowd. In addition to an abundance of vino, there were spirits like Grappa and Amaro, cheeses, olive oil, and complimentary copies of La Cucina Italiana magazine. One wine that I really enjoyed was Terra Mitica Gragnano Penisola Sorrentina DOC - a sparkling chilled red wine from Naples. Made from Piedirosso, Aglianico and Olivella grapes, it is a beautiful shade of ruby red and not too sweet. This will be a great summer sip.
I tasted, and could not resist purchasing, this wonderful Dell'Orto lemon extra virgin olive oil made with lemons from the Amalfi Coast. The owner of the company told me that these are the same lemons used to produce limoncello. I drizzled it over some fresh steamed green beans - delicious!
Maille Mustard - Ooh La La!
Little black dresses go quite nicely with a Maille mustard yellow scarf!
Mustard at a wine expo? Well, Maille was serving their delicious Fresh Chablis mustard "à la pompe"
(on tap) which is normally only available at their two boutiques in Paris and Dijon. The spiciness of the Dijon mustard was beautifully enhanced by the addition of Chablis wine. Although, the Chablis mustard is not normally available in the US, the other varieties of Maille mustards, including Honey Dijon, Horseradish, and Old Style, are easy to find - I've spotted the sleek jars with the elegant black label in my local supermarket. More than just a sandwich spread or salad dressing ingredient, Maille mustard can really add a special zest to a wide variety of savory dishes.
Mustard so good that even a king could not resist it! Created
in 1747 by Antoine Maille, La Maison Maille® stepped into history when the recipes pleased the palate of King Louis XV of France and became his official supplier of vinegar and mustard.
Clearly, I've only given you a little taste of the New York Wine Expo experience. Want more? Visit their website for more delicious details.
