This edition of a wine, a recipe and an album I am using someone else’s recipe I adapted just a tiny bit because it is that good. I typically create my own because I am a weirdo. I do infuse the sugar with ginger root- but I have to give credit to Jennifer Lindner McGlinn for creating the perfect ginger cookie.

Fiuza Eminente Red Blend Reserva 2021

The Mascarenhas Fiuza family has been making wine in the Tejo region of Portugal for over a century. They use grapes from two estates: Quinta da Requeixada and Quinta da Granja. Both are in the Santarém sub-region (see map below). They grow a mix of native Portuguese grapes as well as native French grapes. Between the two estates, they have 120 hectares under vine. If you ever have a chance to visit the winery, you really should. In 2015, they hired two famous graffiti artists to transform their winery with art. It’s a beautiful tribute to the art of wine.

Eminente is a red blend crafted from native Portuguese and French grapes. The grapes are sourced from their two vineyard sites. It happens to be their entry-level red blend. They age the wine in oak, allowing it to develop for approximately 3 months. Grapes combine to create a rich, dark red wine. It has berry fruit notes, hints of vanilla, and a touch of smoke. The tannins are present but not too strong. For an entry-level wine, it definitely delivers on flavor. Wines from the Tejo region are tough to find in America. You usually have to ship them in from Portugal. I discovered this one in my local area by chance.

Old-time gingersnap cookies

Ingredients

• 4 cups flour
• 4 tsp baking soda
• 4 tsp ground ginger
• 4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) salted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 large eggs

*optional ginger infused sugar ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 large ginger root, peeled and sliced thin
• 1/4 cup water

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together.
2. Mix cooled melted butter, sugar and molasses in a big bowl.
3. Add in the eggs and mix until well combined.
4. Slowly add in the dry ingredients.
5. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. You can leave it overnight as well or up to 48 hours.
6. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Make small dough balls (see image above) and then roll in the sugar (or ginger infused sugar)1.
7. Bake at 350F for 10-13 minutes. Eat lots, share with friends and make more!

I had to go with one of my all-time favorite albums ever while baking my favorite cookie recipe. I had to. I have a background in music. I sang semi-professionally from 9 to 27 and worked at recording studios from 17 to 26 on and off. Jazz was a gigantic part of my life. Now, I know it is a controversial genre, but get over it. Real jazz is not elevator music. So don’t go there. Listen to this album and I promise you I will have converted you. If not, I apologize, but we are unlikely to become friends in real life. Just kidding… kind of.

Every song will get you moving. You’ll dance as you prep the dough, sip your wine, and bake the cookies. Jazz and red wine pair extremely well together. You have a little moody music with a smooth moody wine.

Take Five, number 3 on this album, is one of my favorite songs ever. I know, how… common for a jazz lover. But it really is a perfect song. While making these, I kept playing it on repeat! I would love to know your thoughts on jazz and this album. This album takes me back to Marmont Mondays in Philadelphia. Back in the day when my musician friends would all gather for open jazz mic night. Half the musicians are extremely incredible. Some tour with Common, John Legend, Amos Lee and a lot of others. Regardless of their “claim to fame," they each had incredible talent. Those days at that tiny bar in Old City are memories I will cherish forever. This album brings me right back to that place and time. I am forever grateful to the wonderful music that helps keep memories alive. That’s why I paired it with the baking of this cookie. These cookies are so nostalgic to me, but also to everyone I have ever baked them for, sent them to, or shared them with.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2FpXNwmewH9F2bytZMevuS?si=Hwx9ZipwRl2ZZM4I7ohgSg

I do hope you enjoyed this edition and would absolutely love to hear it if you try the wine, bake the cookies and listen to the album!

1. If you want to make ginger infused sugar and want to also have crystallized ginger at the end of the project- follow this recipe here. You can alternatively grate fresh grated ginger and rub it into a cup of sugar.