Ciao Food & Wine based on Washington’s Whidbey Island provides the flavors of Italy with a new online marketplace and curated boxes.
They recently sent my fellow Lesley & Mishana Show co-host and I their curated Picnic in the Park gourmet gift basket to try. The basket contained:
- Choice of 1 bottle of white, red, or sparkling wine
- Includes 2 meats
- 1 cheese
- Crackers
- Spread
- Nuts
- Snack Mix
- Olives
- Casamara Soda Aperitif
I love Chardonnay, so they included Viberti Giovanni Chardonnay Piemonte– which was to die for! With tropical fruit flavors and essence of banana and star fruit, I felt like I was sipping on a liquid bouquet.
The meats included Salame Parma and Prosciutto di Parma from Ferrarini. The richness of the fatty meats brought me back to my trips to Europe, where robust flavors hit your palate different than in the States.
The Auricchio Inforna e Gusta Provolone Dolce, comes in an exclusive terracotta bowl that is easily microwaveable for two minutes. If you love cheese, the molten pot of ooey gooey goodness will hit the spot in your belly immediately.
The Mitica Toketti crackers are made from traditional Sardinian flatbread called Pane Carasau. Reminiscent of pita chips, they delivered the perfect crunch to accompany the plethora of flavors we were experiencing.
The San Giuliano Artichoke Spread was complementary as a spread, adding a full-bodied layer to the meats.
Italy is famous for their olive trees, and the Ranise Taggiasca Olives did not disappoint. There is nothing better than eating a divine olive from Liguria. These olives are pressed into a buttery and delicate extra virgin olive oil that can be used to enhance other specialties such as pesto, seafood or vegetables.
And to end your Italian journey at home, take a sip of the Casamara Club sparkling Amara soft drink and you will immediately want to be enjoying it al di fuori at a piazza.
I highly recommend ordering a basket from Ciao Food & Wine for yourself, your family, for a socially-distanced neighborhood party and more! Food baskets include:
