Nod To The Odd: Arneis By Holly Bruns A memory can rest, tucked away, until suddenly, in an instant, something unlocks it. It might be a certain song that brings back the high school gym and that first dance, it may be the scene of a particular vista that triggers thoughts of a time and place long gone, or a particular aroma may work to capture a feeling of the past. A few years ago, after a long, leisurely lunch, I tried a sip from a bottle of Arneis. At the time it reminded me of an arboreal landscape, pine […]
Food & Wine Pairing
Recipe: Tagliatelle Mushroom Ragù and Illuminati Riparosso
Tagliatelle with Mushroom Ragù A rich, hearty pasta dish featuring earthy mushrooms in a tomato red wine sauce. The recipe is fairly quick to prepare for an easy weekday meal. Enjoy the dish with a fruity, lush red like Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2009, a terrific bargain at $12.95. Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients 1 ½ cups mixed dried wild mushrooms (any mixture of porcini, shiitake and morels) 3 tbsp quality olive oil 1 onion, peeled and chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps sliced 2 cups cremini mushrooms, stems removed […]
Spring Lamb Recipe with Don Maximiano Cabernet Sauvignon or Tyrrell’s Semillon
My good friend and chef extraordinaire Tracey Black developed this tender and juicy recipe for Spring Navarin of Lamb. Tracey will be re-opening her fine food store and Ottawa-based catering and gourmet take-away store in early April. Details below along with my wine pairings for this dish. Serves 4 Ingredients 2 pounds boneless lamb leg or shoulder Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 cup red wine 1 cup canned tomatoes with juice, seeded and crushed 3 cups […]
Recipe for Chorizo Cheese and Black Bean Dip Paired with La Posta Cocina Tinto, Argentina
Warm Chorizo Cheese and Black Bean Dip A crowd pleasing dip featuring oozing melted cheese and black beans with a touch of heat from jalapeno peppers and chorizo sausage. A perfect pairing to try would be La Posta Cocina Tinto 2010, a blend of Malbec, Syrah and Bonardo from Argentina. If you are unable to find chorizo, substitute hot Italian sausage or even turkey sausage and serve the dip with tortilla chips or pita triangles. Serves a crowd (8 to 10) 1 lb. bulk chorizo sausage 1 cup onion, diced finely 2 tbsp fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional) 1 […]
Braised Lamb Shanks Recipe with Indian Spices and Basmati Rice Pilaf Paired with Tilia Malbec, Argentina
Braised Lamb Shanks with Indian Spices and Basmati Rice Pilaf A ripe, fruit forward red with soft tannins would be the perfect match to this Indian spiced braised lamb dish. Try Tilia Malbec 2010 from Argentina’s Mendoza region. The wine displays concentrated black raspberry flavours and a touch of sweet spice. Serves 6 2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp coriander seeds ½ tsp turmeric 2 tbsp vegetable oil 6 lamb shanks 2 cups chopped onion 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced 2 cups beef stock 1 28oz. can crushed tomato, with juice 1 piece […]
Thai Spice Infused Risotto Recipe with Sauteed Scallops and Shrimp Paired with Tilia Torrontes, Argentina
Thai Spice Infused Risotto with Sauteed Scallops and Shrimp An Asian twist on the classic risotto recipe. Coconut milk, lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves infuse the broth and a touch of heat is is provided by Thai red curry paste. Choose a wine that is able to stand up to all these flavours. A perfect match would be Tilia Torrontes 2010, an aromatic, dry white from Argentina. Serves 4 1 400ml can coconut milk (not coconut cream) 4 cups chicken stock 4 kaffir lime leaves (1 tsp lime zest can be substituted) 1 stalk lemon grass roughly chopped 2 […]
How To Pair Wine With Chocolate – CityTV
We asked Natalie MacLean, author of the bestseller Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines, for her top ten wine and chocolate matches for Valentine’s Day. 1. Dark Chocolate and Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico, Italy 2. Chocolate-Covered Biscotti and Jackson-Triggs Gewurztraminer Icewine Proprietors’ Grand Reserve, Niagara-On-The-Lake 3. Chocolate-Orange Cake and Niepoort Port Ruby, Douro, Portugal 4. Chocolate with Nuts and Warre’s Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal 5. Milk Chocolate and Tokaj Kereskedöház Tokaji Aszú 4 Puttonyos, Hungary 6. Bittersweet Chocolate and Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi Le Rose Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 7. Chocolate-Dipped Fruit and Open Vidal Icewine, […]
Chocolate and Wine Matches for Valentine’s Day – Zoomer Magazine
Natalie MacLean, author of the bestsellerUnquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines shares with us her top ten wine and chocolate matches for Valentine’s Day. •Dark Chocolate and Remo Farina Amarone Classico, Italy •Chocolate-Covered Biscotti and G. Marquis Vidal Icewine The Silver Line, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario •Chocolate-Orange Cake and Quinta Do Portal Port Fine Ruby, Douro, Portugal •Chocolate with Nuts and José Maria da Fonseca & Van Zeller Vintage Port, Douro, Portugal •Milk Chocolate and Tokaj Kereskedöház Tokaji Aszú 4 Puttonyos, Hungary •Bittersweet Chocolate and Bava Barolo, D.O.C.G., Piedmont, Italy •Chocolate-Dipped Fruit and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Kerner […]
Rainbow Trout Recipe with Brown Butter, Lemon Capers and Pine Nuts Paired with Foxglove Chardonnay, California
A simple but elegant way to prepare rainbow trout. Pair this dish with an un-oaked Chardonnay with citrus notes and a zesty acidity such as Foxglove Chardonnay 2009 from California Serves 2 12 oz. rainbow trout filet, pin bones removed flour for dredging 2 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp unsalted butter 2 lemons, segments cut away from skin and pith (This technique is called supremed – here’s a quick video on how to supreme a lemon) 1 tsp lemon juice 2 tsp capers, chopped 2 tsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp pine nuts salt and pepper In a large skillet, […]
Baked Ziti Recipe with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper, Fennel and Mozzarella Paired with Alamos Malbec, Argentina
Crowd pleasing and soul satisfying. This hearty pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food. The recipe can be prepared ahead and refrigerated overnight making it the perfect dish to serve game day. Pair it with a fruit forward, full-bodied red like Alamos Malbec 2010. Serves 8 to 10 1 lb. ziti or rigatoni pasta 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 small fennel bulb, diced 1 lb. Chorizo sausage, casings removed 1 can diced tomato with juice (28 oz.) ½ can crushed tomato (14 oz.) ½ cup roasted red pepper, diced ¼ cup parsley, […]
