6 Ways to Kick Up the Flavor with Arvum Sherry Vinegars

Vinegars (like good wines) vary in flavor and complexity by grape varietal, and also by production method. Arvum is a co-op of over 1200 small grape growers and winemakers who follow traditional methods for growing and production. Their commitment to quality and tradition make their vinegars and vinegar sauces truly unique. These distinct and elegant sherry vinegars are surprisingly versatile. Here are a few ways to add a splash of "wow" to your next meal:

• Combine the Muscatel Reserva with a few cloves of chopped garlic, a splash of Spanish olive oil, flor de sal and rosemary, and pour over chicken before baking
• The lightly sweet flavors of Pedro Jimenez Reserva will make your next spinach strawberry salad sing!
• For an easy appetizer, wrap canteloupe melon with thin slices of Spanish jamón and drizzle with Balsamic Cream
• A fresh summer dessert: place a dollop of vanilla ice cream in a ripe nectarine or peach half, and drizzle with Arvum Arrope
• Toss chopped mangos, blueberries and mint or basil with Balsamic Sauce and serve with pork or salmon
• Drizzle roasted or grilled vegetables with Gran Reserva and serve with torn basil or rosemary 

Spanish Fruit Breads and Cheese - A Perfect Pairing!

Chances are, if you’re lucky enough to be in Spain during the holidays and are invited to share a meal, you’ll be offered all sorts of traditional holiday sweets. Maybe some almond turrón or a few alfajores... but you also might be offered a slice from a large, solid round reminiscent of a wheel of cheese. However, this wheel is dark in color and more solid – it is comprised solely of dried fruit and nuts. Spanish “fruit breads” are the essence of sweet simplicity.

The “fruit breads” of Spain aren’t really bread at all, but a sweet compressed round of dried fruits and nuts that are eaten in slices. Fruit breads are most typically eaten around the holidays, but are also enjoyed year-round as a simple dessert or as an accompaniment to cheeses. Our Matiz Fruit Breads are made from figs and apricots paired with walnuts and almonds. We source our fruit breads from a family-owned Spanish company called Biovera. The Sanchez family cultivates fruit trees in La Vera, located in hot, arid Extremadura in central Spain.

Figs and apricots were originally brought to Spain by the Moors. These fruits are original cultivars of the Middle East and northern Africa, but were natural transplants to the desert-like climate of southern and central Spain. In fact, Spanish dates are the most northern dates grown in Europe. Figs are picked and dried in the fall months, preserving them for winter. Once these fruits are dried, their nutritional properties remain intact. Figs and apricots are high in fiber, and apricots are high in vitamin C.  They are an all-natural, delicious treat that you can feel good about!

This holiday season, may we suggest this “recipe” for a festive cheese course with fruit breads and other fine accompaniments from Matiz. !Buen provecho!

Matiz “Just Add Cheese” Course

Lay out an array of some of our finest Spanish cheese accompaniments, add a few good hunks of Manchego, Idiazabál or Mahón and your cheese course is complete!

Matiz Fig Bread

Matiz Apricot Bread

Matiz Date Bread

Matiz Picos and Tortas de Aceite

Matiz Quince Paste

Matiz Marcona Almonds

Dequmana Cured Olives

Matiz Piparras

Arvum Sherry Vinegar