Patagonia produces some of Argentina’s best Pinot Noirs, wines which are rich in strawberry and cherry flavors, accompanied by touches of vanilla, tobacco and walnut. In spite of its delicacy, Patagonian Pinot Noir is surprisingly well structured, and may benefit from a brief passage through French oak, which gives it texture and silkiness. When it comes to pairing Pinot Noir with the food on your dinner table, the mind lingers on a delicious butterfish tiradito (a traditional Peruvian dish, similar to ceviche) with a crunchy Nikkei tartare. This dish pays tribute to traditional Peruvian cuisine, so full of seductive flavors […]
Food & Wine Pairing
Stoneleigh New Zealand Wine recommends great books for autumn
Now that the weather has become chilly and people are retreating to the comforts of home, gathering with friends to discuss great books and share a bottle of wine is more appealing than ever. Some solo reading time with a glass to savour is another cozy way to spend precious free time. Stoneleigh Wines from Marlborough, New Zealand are the Official Wine Partner of Random House of Canada Limited. Together, they have a range of book selections to recommend, and accompanying wine suggestions for book clubs large and small… plenty of food for thought, and nuanced wines to complement good […]
This fall, cozy up to some great wine and cheese pairings
Photo: Dairy Farmers of Canada As the seasons change so do our palates. It’s a perfect occasion to try some new wine and cheese pairings. This time of year dark fruity reds, think a Chilean Merlot, Minervois, or Corbières, are delicious with semi-soft Canadian cheeses that melt in the mouth. Try to avoid wines that are too tannic. A great first course platter combines Mont St-Benoît, a sophisticated cheese with fresh hazelnut and butter flavours, Noyan, with it’s creamy-nutty flavour is easy to love and Comtomme, a medium cheese with hints of crab apple and pinapple. Try them all or […]
Bring out the Red for your Rib Eye
While the end of summer may leave you with barbeque withdrawal, oven roasted dishes allow for a seamless transition into delectable fall meals. An earthy wine is the perfect accompaniment for an earthy food like braised bison. Try the Jackson-Triggs 2007 Delaine Vineyard Merlot. This gold medal winner at the 2010 Ontario Wine Awards is a terrific full-bodied red with accented dark berries, plums and rich ripe cassis and currents. It is beautifully structured with excellent balance and is long on the finish. The recipe’s combination of bison, merlot and cocoa will have your kitchen smelling so good the neighbours […]
There’s no shortcoming with Merlot Braised Short Ribs
If there’s one thing that everyone around the dinner table can agree on, it’s that nothing pairs better with red meat than red wine. But accompanying the meal isn’t all that the wine is good for. Braising or marinating the meat with your favourite red creates a symphony of flavours and elevates the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. Whether you are hosting a dinner party or simply making a quiet meal for two, merlot-braised short ribs are sure to be a hit. When choosing the merlot, try the Jackson-Triggs 2007 Grand Reserve. Deep ruby coloured, this impressively […]
Wines designed to be fabulous
Saturday September 18th, 2010 | 2 to 4 p.m. Reif Estate Winery and CBC’s Steven and Chris launch TREND WINES, designed to be fabulous! Join Klaus W. Reif, Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman at the winery for the launch of the TREND wine collection. No reservation required, tasting complimentary. Reif Estate Winery and Design Duo Steven & Chris launch new wine collection. This new partnership was inspired by the international design duo’s love for entertaining and designing all things fun and fabulous. It seemed a natural progression to expand their home décor line, S&C Collection, to include quality VQA […]
Fill your fall with seasonal vegetables – and cheese
Fall may mark the return of shorter days and lower temperatures – but it’s also a great time to rediscover hearty dishes such as soups, stews and chowders. If you’re lucky enough to have a vegetable garden, you’ll know that a whole host of vegetables come into season at this time of year. Broccoli, pumpkin and celeriac are extremely versatile fall vegetables, while cabbage, onion and carrots are available year-round – but generally reach their peak in September and October. These ingredients make excellent fare for soups, stews and risottos, and with a little imagination, you can add a creative […]
Give Thanks for Ontario Wines: Food & Drink Magazine
In the fall issue of the LCBO’s Food & Drink Magazine, I’ve chosen eight of my favourite Ontario wines for fall meals and Thanksgiving dinner. Lucy Waverman has developed some extraordinary recipes to pair with these wines. Pick up your copy soon … although there are half a million copies published, they go fast! Let me know what your favourite Ontario wines are. Cheers, Natalie What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with a bumper crop of our own Ontario wines? With such a wide range of styles, there are lots of choices for every dish on your holiday table, […]
Baked Barbecue Pineapple Chicken
This sweet and tangy dish is a great dish for the family or for entertaining guests and is a great way to cook those thighs. The homemade barbecue sauce especially will keep them coming back for more. Baked Barbecue Pineapple Chicken Serves: 4 Developed for Chicken Farmers of Canada by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc 1 1/3 lb (640 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 pieces) 14 fl oz (398 mL) diced tomatoes, canned 1 cup (250 mL) fresh pineapple, diced 2 Tbsp (30 mL) brown sugar 1 ½ tsp (7.5 mL) Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp (15 mL) […]
Eat, Pray, Drink: Top 5 Wines to Pair with the Book & Movie
I’ve read the book, but have yet to see the movie. In the meantime though, I’ve thought of 5 terrific wines to drink while you’re reading the book or watching the movie (I guess you’ll have to slip a bottle into your purse/man purse for the latter if you’re going to the theatre). Have you got a wine to suggest? Cheers, Natalie 2008 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, D.O.C., Valdadige, Italy: We’ve got to have an Italian wine given the “Eat” part is in Italy, and this wine is fantastic with pizza! Lovely aromas of lemon, white melon and chives. […]
