"banyuls" news and stories

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the many ways to savor sherry wine vinegar. Banyuls vinegar is like sherry wine vinegar's more refined and delicate French cousin. Like Port and sherry wine, Banyuls is a fortified wine which means that alcohol is added to it. Banyuls vinegar develops a walnut flavor, taste of gingerbread and vanilla, and aroma of fresh plums after being aged in wooden barrels for five years. It comes from the Pyrenees, close to Spain. Like sherry wine vinegar, it makes a great vinaigrette.

Where can you find this vinegar?
You can purchase the vinegar online from French Food Exports, Honest Foods, and Gourmet Food Store. A while ago, I bought my favorite bottle of this stuff from Formaggio Essex in NY.

How can you spice up your meal with it?

1. Seared sea scallops with banyuls vinegar and chicory slaw
2. Frisee salad with blue cheese, walnut, and cranberry crostini
3. Black-pepper-crusted wagyu new york steaks with black truffle vinaigrette
4. Lamb chops with feta and banyuls-cherry sauce

Wine Enthusiast has an interesting take on combining candy with treats of a somewhat more mature nature. Pairing wine with candy sounds like a great way for the big kids to enjoy themselves on Halloween. Just be sure not to offer a glass to any wee goblins who ring your doorbell next week.

Among the suggested pairings:

• Chocolate: Always goes well with Port, but WE suggests anything in the red wine family, including Shiraz and Banyuls.
• Chocolate with nuts: Try a Sherry or Madeira to go with that Snickers bar.
• Caramel apples: Muscat or Gewürtzraminer are match well with caramel notes, while a Sauternes will highlight more of the apple flavor.
• Candy corn: WE suggests a Chardonnay to pick up on the seasonal treat's buttery, vanilla flavors.

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