This chat with CBC radio in Ontario was one of 26 interviews with the morning and drive-home shows on Friday about terrific (and surprising) pairings for Canadian wines with barbecued food. We also kicked off The Great Canadian Wine Match: BBQ Edition. Got a wine to nominate? Or maybe you’d like to see which wines others have nominated and vote for them. Check out the race so far here with lots of great ideas for July 1 barbecue wines. Read more about the wine competition here as well as prizes for those who nominate wines, including a $3,000 Weber Summit […]
Vegetables & Wine
Drinkin’ the Green: Matching Vegetables with Wine
Matching Green Food & Wine Green food and green wine go well together: vegetables dance with wines that have herbal, grassy aromas, such as New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. In fact, if there were an award for Veggie Wine of the Century, it would go to this one. Not only does it have complementary aromas of asparagus and canned peas, but it also has bright citrus notes that complement most vegetables. While white wines often work better than red wines with vegetables, light reds like Pinot Noir and Gamay also work because they have soft tannins, juicy berry flavors and good […]
Get Out of Your Wine Rut in 2014: Try These Wines
What are the best wines to try in 2014? Want get out of your wine rut? That’s our wine topic on the CTV News video clip above. We looked at great wines to try based on what you already like, similar to how Amazon recommends books: if you like this one, then you might like that one. Let me know about a new wine that you discovered this year in the comments below. Get Out of Your Wine Rut in 2014: Try These Wines News Anchor: And now back to Leanne Cusack with a little more on the good […]
Poutine Recipe Paired with Australian Shiraz
Warm up to the Weather with some Afternoon Delight One thing most people don’t know about me is that I absolutely love poutine. It’s as Canadian as you can get, and it is simply delicious. Homemade fries? Yes. Fresh gravy? Yes. Melted, mouth-watering Canadian Cheddar cheese curds? Yes, yes, yes! While it’s not something I make every day, I like to make sure it’s as good as possible when I do make it. That’s why I love this simple recipe for Traditional Poutine. With Canadian Cheddar cheese curds and homemade gravy, it leaves me feeling full and happy until the […]
Squash Herbs Soup Recipe Paired with Riesling
Be thankful for good food and wine. This is my favourite time of the year. Not only is the air crisper and the weather perfect, it is a time when I’m constantly reminded about all the wonderful things in my life that I’m thankful for. Like great family and friends (which I’m constantly surrounded by). In fact, the only thing that makes this time any better is being surrounded by amazing food and wine as well. I like to keep cooking during the holidays as easy and stress-free as possible so I can focus on what’s really important: quality family […]
Collard Greens Recipe: Holiday Wine Match
This African side dish that is part of the feast for Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of culture, community and family from December 26 to January 1 that is observed in both West African nations as well as by those of African descent in Canada, the United States and other countries. “Kwanzaa” is derived from Swahili meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” The loose-leafed collard greens are simmered in chicken stock, then spiced with chili flakes and other seasonings. Ingredients Preparation Please share your tips on preparing this recipe or another collard greens recipe in the comments below. […]
Vegetarian Wines with Sommelier Instructor Video
In our second video chat below, Dave Loan shares some specific vegetarian and wine pairings, such as the Seitan dish above, which is a protein made from high-gluten flour, has the texture of a cutlet and a higher protein value than beef. He coats it in a pecan crust, pan fries it and serves it with a black rice cake, sautéed vegetables, a thick tomato chutney and a robust red wine. Dave also discusses his course on New World wines for the sommelier program at Algonquin College. What’s the most memorable wine and vegetarian pairing you’ve ever […]
Wine and Vegetarian Pairing Video
In our video chat below, David Loan, co-owner of Ottawa’s best vegetarian restaurant, Zen Kitchen, chats about pairing wine with vegetarian dishes. In particular, he discusses styles of wine that work well with vegetarian dishes and how both protein and umami play a pivotal role. And why is it that green vegetables always seem to clash with tannic, red wines? Is there any hope for a wine lover when it comes to artichokes and asparagus? Are there any general guidelines you suggest when pairing wine with vegetarian dishes? Are there particular styles of wine that tend […]
Wine & Vegetable Pairing Tips
When it comes to the task of pairing vegetables with wine, an award-winning sommelier and wine writer is up to the challenge. “A lot of us are eating a lot more than meat these days, and even if you haven’t gone completely vegetarian, the move towards more healthy eating means there is a lot more greenery on our plates,” says Natalie MacLean. But she does agree the match between the plate and the glass becomes more challenging when it comes to seeking veggie-friendly wines. Full-bodied red wines should be avoided because they contain tannins, she explains. These are the natural […]
Recipe: Beef Tenderloin, Root Vegetable Ragout, Porcini Red Wine Sauce Recipe
Beef Tenderloin with Root Vegetable Ragout and Porcini Red Wine Sauce An elegant and easy classic pairing. Rich, roasted beef tenderloin with sweet earthy root vegetable and mushroom ragout make this dish a terrific match with Chateau Pipeau Saint Emilion Grand Cru. This new addition to Vintages Essentials is an impressive Bordeaux, mainly Merlot, and is full of expressive red fruit with a long, structured finish. Serves 6 For the Ragout: 1 cup boiling water 1 cup dried porcini mushrooms 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp butter ½ cup chopped shallots 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups chopped parsnips (peeled […]
