Sunday School

WINE

Xarel-lo (Orange) “Materia Prima,” Parés Baltà, ’24

Penedès, Spain

Parés Baltà is a family-run winery in Penedès, Catalonia, with roots dating back to 1790. Today, the family farms organically and biodynamically, with a focus on minimal-intervention wines that let the grapes do their thing. Materia Prima is their more experimental side, and this bottle gives Xarel·lo, one of the region’s signature white grapes, a whole new personality.

So, how does a white grape become an orange wine? Through skin contact. For this bottling, Xarel·lo juice ferments with grape skins, including a little Gewürztraminer skin contact to bring extra floral and spicy aromas. The skins lend the wine its golden-amber color, a little grip, and more texture than your typical white wine. Think of it as white wine that decided to try something new.

Expect mandarin, orange peel, green apple, and pear, with floral notes, black tea, and a peppery, mineral edge. It is dry, fresh, and gently grippy, with enough texture to keep things interesting without overwhelming the fruit. Basically, this is Xarel·lo out of its comfort zone, and looking pretty good there. A little citrus, a little tea, a little attitude. Orange wine curious? This is a delicious place to start.

$16 glass‍ ‍•  $11 glass

CHEESE

Calkins Creamery Vampire Slayer

Honesdale, PA · Cow–R

Calkins Creamery, a sixth-generation family farm in northeastern PA, is dedicated to protecting the planet as well as creating delicious cheese. With the motto, “Conserve, Preserve, Sustain, ” they use solar panels to power the creamery and excess whey from the cheese to feed their pigs. Their herd of 160 Holsteins enjoys a low-stress life, which cheesemaker Emily Bryant believes produces higher quality milk and better cheese.

Calkins Creamery only uses raw milk and vegetarian rennet to make their cheeses. Vampire Slayer is a farmhouse cheddar hand-mixed with garlic, onion, and paprika. It is dipped in a spooky black wax to seal in the robust flavor. This Halloween, keep the monsters at bay with this semi-firm local gem. It’s to die for!

$9‍ ‍•  $6