Thai-style Shrimp and Cheddar Spring Rolls A refreshing and delicious idea for a picnic What is it about eating outdoors that is so appealing? Is it simply the fact that we are trapped inside for most of the year and we need to get out come summertime? Maybe the increased amount of oxygen makes the food and wine taste better. Or maybe natural light soothes a primal part of our psyches, making the meal experience that much better. Whatever the reason, I just love eating outdoors, and I’m always on the lookout for new, easy and tasty picnic recipes. Thai-style […]
Cheese & Wine
Ontario VQA Wine and Canadian Cheese Twitter Tasting
What an amazing tasting last night! on Twitter with Canadian cheeses. A terrific group of wine tasters shared thoughts on the pairings and lots of laughs in a live tweet-up that everyone could join. (They had a whey with curds.) Most amazingly, our discussion trended #1 on Twitter: it was the most discussed topic on Twitter worldwide, more popular than Jay-Z, Mitt Romney’s wife and pop culture icons. Smokin! Join us this Wednesday at 8 pm as we get together again for a live Google + video group wine tasting. How do you participate in the next wine and cheese […]
Twitter Wine and Cheese Tasting July 19: Join Us!
Join us for a all-Canadian wine and cheesing tasting on Twitter Thursday July 19 at 8 pm. This tweet-up tasting will bring together some enthusiastic and knowledgeable wine reviewers below who will share the tips and favourite pairings that evening. Here are two more articles on pairing wine and cheese from the Ottawa Citizen and The Ledger. We want to hear from you too. Here’s a sneak peak at the wines and cheeses we’ll be tasting if you’d like to indulge yourself. See you (and tweet with you) soon! Natalie PS The hashtag for our conversion is #CdnCheese. 2010 Inniskillin […]
Italian-Style Burger Recipe with Canadian Mozzarella and Chianti
Bring the taste of Italy to your backyard this summer. July is one of my favourite months, traditionally the warmest month of the year in Canada. It’s the perfect time to get together with friends and enjoy the best life has to offer. With warm days and spectacular sunsets, it’s easy to believe you’re in an exotic place where the weather’s more accommodating year round. To get the most out of your summer, here’s an exotic spin on an old favourite that’s best enjoyed with a bottle of wine, good conversation and the comfort of a backyard or patio. The […]
How to Pair Wine and Cheese Plus Serving Tips
It’s been said that wine and cheese are not only the perfect marriage, but the one that never breaks up! The key here is to build up a momentum. Offering three separate servings, start with lighter cheeses accompanied by light wines or beers and move on to stronger cheeses and more full-bodied vintages. And don’t forget to look for the 100% Canadian milk symbol whenever you buy cheese. Presentation: It doesn’t take much to attract a crowd to cheese. So a simple, elegant plate can suffice. But a lovely assortment of cheeses luxuriously laid out on a prized marble or […]
Grilled Flank Steak Sandwich Recipe with Gorgonzola, Roasted Red Pepper Paired with Liberty School Cabernet
This isn’t your average steak sandwich. Pair this recipe with a wine that offers lots of ripe red fruit flavours and firm, but silky tannins. A great choice would be Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from the California’s Paso Robles region.
Japanese Grilled Steak Sandwich Recipe with Canadian Havarti & Riesling
According to the calendar, summer officially starts in a week – on June 21. However, I believe that in sun-starved Canada summer starts the moment we see leaves on trees, and that’s why we’ve been enjoying it for more than a month. I suspect that many of you have fired up your barbecues long ago and by now you’ve probably cooked your fair share of burgers and steaks. So I thought you’d appreciate a fun, new idea for a simple and delicious recipe on the barbecue: Japanese-style Steak Sandwich with Canadian Havarti. This steak sandwich recipe features a mouth-watering, exotic […]
Pork, Peach, Feta Recipe Paired with French Chardonnay
A Short and Tasty Recipe for a Long Summer Day I love the long days of June. I love having 16 sun-soaked hours to enjoy the splendour of Canadian summers and relish the prospect of lots of warmth and sunlight to come. It’s important to enjoy every minute of these days, from sunrise to sunset. Let me suggest a simple recipe for the barbecue that will put a perfect end to your day and start you off on a great summer night, preferably with some friends and a bottle of wine. The recipe I have in mind is Pork, Peach […]
The first patio party of the year
I’m glad to announce that I am officially opening my patio. There have been enough warm, sunny afternoons to make me believe that I can safely take my garden furniture out of storage and organize a small get-together. You should do the same. I propose you host an afternoon wine and cheese party so that you can bask with your friends in the spring sunlight, whether it be on your patio or balcony. The cheese platter I have assembled was inspired by the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, a national competition that celebrates Canadian cheese-making excellence, awarding the best in each […]
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 […]
