I’m not sure I should have titled this post “Gluten-Free Cheese Straws and Sparkling Rosé Forever.” Really, it was just the “Gluten-Free” part I was concerned with. Because these cheese straws and cheese crackers are so good that there’s no need to compartmentalize them. Good food is good food, period. They just happen to be gluten-free and delicious. Can I take some credit for their deliciousness? I mean, I do have proof that I helped out:

Yes, I did some rolling. But all culinary praise must go to my wonderful and talented host for this baking-and-wine afternoon excursion: Jeanne Sauvage. She’s the author of Gluten-Free Baking for the Holidays; that’s where you can find the recipe for these cheese straws and crackers. (I am a firm believer that a sunny Wednesday in Seattle counts as a holiday. Especially when you have delicious cheese crackers and sparkling wine, no? Hell, every day you bake is a holiday!) And after you pick up a copy of Jeanne’s book (and a couple dozen to give away as gifts), make sure to bookmark her blog, Art of Gluten-Free Baking.

Also, I’ve kind of developed a thing for aprons. I certainly didn’t plan that two out of the last four posts would include photos of me in an apron. But I’m damn glad it worked out that way. When Jeanne asked me if I wanted an apron, my answer was, “Do you have to ask?!?”

Once our baking was done it was time to head out into the garden and enjoy the fruits (cheeses?) of our labor. And have some dang wine! I must say, I was mightily impressed with the Champagne coupes Jeanne provided. I am not immune to the charms of a fancy, ornate drinking vessel.

So what sparkling rosé did I select to enjoy in all that sunshine? The Tenuta Col Sandago. Hailing from the Veneto region of Northern Italy, this wine is most notable for being made from an unusual grape: Wildbacher. It’s an Austrian import that, in this case, makes an elegant, pretty rosé that pairs wonderfully with the crunchy, salty, cheesy straws and crackers.

About the only thing I love as much as the Tenuta Col Sandago is this new (to me) app for the iPhone, Over. It allows you to add text (or “typography” as Over calls it) to your photos. It’s super-easy to use and super-addictive. I probably (ok, definitely) went a little overboard with this post, but I am in the honeymoon phase with Over. Which could last forever. Or, forOver.

And be sure to read Jeanne’s recap of our sparkling afternoon.

Tags: gluten free baking, gluten free cheese straws, tenuta col sandago