by Karina Roe
We're debuting an extra-special, extra-delicious Pairing to celebrate the 4th of July! This weekend, we're pairing one of the tastiest things we produce in the Cheese Shop--our incredible Lobster Roll--with one of the tastiest rosés we sell in the wine shop: Clos Cibonne 'Tentations' from Provence, France. Clos Cibonne is well-known for utilizing an old, nearly-forgotten grape variety called Tibouren, which makes up about 15% of the blend in this particular rosé. Grenache is the star of the show with its perfectly ripe strawberry notes and friendly nature, and is supported by Cinsault and Syrah, along with the Tibouren. This elegant rosé is carefully pressed to give just a hint of ballerina-pink color to the wine, then fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve its fresh and fruit-driven character.
This unpretentious rosé has long been a staff and customer favorite at France 44 and proves to be a perfect match alongside our Lobster Roll. Sweet, juicy lobster claw meat is folded in with celery, apple chunks, fresh tarragon and chives, and mayo, then piled into a delicious Rose Street Bakery bun. Rosé and lobster are a classic pairing: the fruitiness of the wine meets up with the sweetness of the lobster, but the wine's crisp acidity also cuts through the richness of the lobster. The tanginess of the apple and celery, matched up against the creamy mayo, make this an unforgettable pairing that fires on all cylinders.
In short, we think this is one of the best beverage and food combos we've happened across in a long time. Stop by this weekend to see for yourself--your taste buds will thank you!