Another Recipe: Shrimp Salad
and some rosé inspo :)
Hello friends!!
Firstly, such big thanks to everyone who came out and supported my event with my good friend Josh Walker at his terrific bottle shop/wine bar – Wine & Company – last Saturday!! It was quite the party and just pure fun to share so many great rosés and our rosé inspired snacks! On that note, I thought I would share the recipe for my shrimp salad that I featured! Scroll on down if you are just here for that recipe. But I also wanted to share the lineup of rosés I chose for the day. I know that some of these are still available for purchase at Wine & Company. So stop on by if you live in the Charleston area.
My Sparkling Pick:
Raventós i Blanc de Nit Rosé $30
Grape: Xarel.lo, Macabeo, Parellada & Monastrell
Region: Conca del Riu Anoia, Spain
Story: Pepé Raventos and his family were long known as classic Cava producers but in December 2012, Raventós i Blanc took an important step in its evolution, leaving the Cava designation aka DO. See, usually DO refers to a geographical area but the Cava DO simply means it is sparkling wine made in the Champagne method from Spain – anywhere in Spain! So Pepé led the charge in creating a new designation, Conca del Riu Anoia. This is a special place (south of Barcelona on the Mediterranean side of Spain) where the truly great Spanish sparklers come from, and the Raventos family wanted to see this recognized. Since then several other top sparkling producers have also left the Cava DO. The Raventos winery is located in the middle of the estate, and the family lives right there on this “sustainable, self-sufficient and lively farm”. (The winery has been certified organic since 2009 and certified biodynamic since 2013.)
Personal Note: I have been lucky enough to meet Pepé a couple of times here in Charleston, and I have to say he is truly amazing – full of great positive energy, genuinely concerned for the environment, all the things! And his wines are stellar. From his family’s traditional sparkling wines to his own personal project of still wines (Can Sumoi)…I can’t say enough good things! This sparkling rosé has always been a favorite of mine – elegant, mineral driven, and of tremendous value considering the exceptionally high quality.
My Old World Pick:
Domaine La Suffrene Rosé $35
Grapes: Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache,Carignan
Region: Bandol, Provence, France
Story: Cédric Gravier grew up as a city boy in the coastal French town of Marseilles, but on weekends he would visit his grandparents on their farm in Bandol. His grandfather Fortuné Piche had tended the land his whole life and grew grapes but sold them off to the local co-op. After university, Cedric spent a year in the United States where he realized the impact of French culture on the rest of the world and came to appreciate it even more. Thus inspired, he returned to work with his grandfather and began making wine. Now he helms this beautiful domaine that makes outstanding wines and olive oil. (They began the conversion to organic farming in 2018 and have been certified organic since 2021.)
Personal Note: For our showdown I could not help but showcase Suffrene but also the region of Bandol. This is basically ground zero for “serious” rosé – i.e. rosé that you could age for a bit or pair with a more serious meal – think roasted chicken or whole grilled fish. There’s a VERY famous producer in Bandol that I have written of in the past – Domaine Tempier – but their rosé has become very difficult to find and quite pricey when you do find it. So, thank goodness for other great producers like Suffrene so we can all enjoy the magic of Bandol.
My New World Pick:
Redolent Rosé of Nebbiolo $25
Grape: Nebbiolo
Region: Waving Tree Vineyard, Columbia River Gorge, Washington
Story: Jon Larson and Boyd Pearson had long wanted to produce wine together, as they’d been neighbors in Portland, Oregon for years and shared the dream over many a glass of wine and pint of beer. Jon has a background in all things fermentation, and Boyd has worked in wine sales for years. In the late summer of 2015, they got their shot. David Polite of Carlton Hill Vineyard contacted Boyd and said he had an extra ton of Pinot Noir available should Boyd want it. Eight years later they have expanded but both still have day jobs, and they both do ALL the Redolent work themselves :) (Waving Tree Vineyard practices sustainable agriculture.)
Personal Note: Full disclosure, I have known Boyd for many years and consider him a friend. So yes, I am a bit biased when I say this was the rosé of the day. But guess what – Josh said the same thing! There is just so much texture and loveliness to this wine, and for $25?! Mind blown! Do look for other Redolent wines around town – they are all delish!
Shrimp Salad
1 pound boiled shrimp, each shrimp chopped into 2 or 3 pieces depending on size (see recipe below for boiled shrimp)
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup mayonnaise, preferably Duke’s
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (use less dill if using dried)
Combine shrimp and celery in a large bowl. In a separate large bowl combine mayonnaise, mustard, black pepper, and hot sauce. Whisk to thoroughly combine. Fold in dill using a rubber spatula. Add this sauce to the shrimp and celery and combine gently, preferably using a rubber spatula
Yield: 1 quart, enough for about 25 sliders :) or serve over lettuce with some deviled eggs on the side!
P.S. I halfway promise the next recipe will not be mayonnaise based, but what can I say…it’s summertime in the south – so lots of mayonnaise based salads :) Also if you enjoy this you might also like my Shrimp Remoulade recipe, which is similar but different :) Click here for that!
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Wine event sounded like lots of fun!!!
Can’t wait to try this yummy salad also 🦐