Taco Tuesday just got a little more exciting with Portuguese red blend Carta da Fitapreta
Carta da Fitapreta is a relatively new wine to Northeast Ohio. It’s not placed in many wine shop or grocery stores. That’s what makes this wonderful $19.99 Portuguese red blend so attractive to me. It's kind of cool that the grapes are hand-harvested from an estate in the hills of Alentejo, Portugal, near the ancient Roman city of Evora.
I love to pour new wines for friends when they come over for dinner, especially when they enjoy them as much as I do.
From where I live in Cuyahoga Falls, I am within 2 miles of four authentic taco trucks. Every day can be Taco Tuesday.
On this particular night, I ventured across the high-level bridge into Akron's North Hill neighborhood for a visit to El Malecon Mexican Grill, located behind the Peoples Bank on Elma Street. I picked up a few chicken and steak street tacos for my own little 14th Street asada.
Those tacos are wonderful, especially when you add a dollop of their yummy guacamole. Be sure to get the hot sauce on the side. Anything more than two drops will melt your fork.
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I always have a few nibbles before I dive into the main event. This red, which is a blend of 50% aragonez, 30% touriga nacional, and 20% alicante bouschet, really pairs amazingly well with a few slices of Fermin’s iberico chorizo. It’s a tasty $9.99 pack of imported Spanish chorizo slices available at Beau’s Market in Copley. The best chorizo I have had anywhere.
A few slices of Campo De Montalban cow, goat and sheep cheese went perfectly with the wine’s black cherry and dried cranberry flavors. The winery recommends blue cheese, and that’s what I will do with my next bottle.
This wine surely enhances the enjoyment of these foods. Pick up a bottle along with some of your favorite Mexican food and make this the summer of yum.
Buy this wine at Krieger’s Market in Cuyahoga Falls, Beau’s Market, and Cornerstone Market in Munroe Falls.
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Local craft distillery wins awards
Cheers and congratulations to Towpath Distillery head distiller David Sheffer and founder Anthony Piscazzi on their recent awards from the 2023 American Distillery Institute’s International Spirits Competition. Read more here.
Send me an email at philyourglass@gmail.com with any wine questions and follow me on Instagram @pmasturzo_philyourglass
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Portuguese red blend Carta da Fitapreta fairly new to Northeast Ohio
