Dinner with wine used to be simple. The rule was white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat. But most of us don’t just eat meat and potatoes or drink claret and chablis these days. With modern fusion cuisine and wines from new regions around the world, the choices – and confusion – are great. One new school of thought is that any wine goes with any dish. However, most of us don’t put ketchup on our ice cream for the same reason as we don’t drink a delicate white wine with a hearty meat dish or […]
Cheese & Wine
An early taste of summer
We’ve all noticed the days getting longer and warmer. Very slowly. Instead of waiting for Mother Nature to give us a taste of summer, why don’t we treat ourselves to a generous dose of sunshine right now? Let’s pair southern warmth with the Canadian spring equinox and enjoy some fruity wines, exotic cheeses and great company. How can friends refuse an offer of good food and good wine? They won’t, which takes us to step one, food. Allow me to propose a sunny entree of almond-crusted maple salmon fillet and follow it up with an exotic cheese platter. The theme […]
A Valentine’s Day cheese platter is a great opportunity to treat your loved one
A great way to let your valentine know you care is with small, unique gestures. So why not go beyond the traditional flowers and chocolates and surprise your special someone with a romantic cheese platter? Your partner will think the world of you and it only takes minutes to prepare. This platter maximizes pleasure and simplicity, and everything on it can be eaten with a fork. Start off with a Saint-Paulin, a creamy and buttery cheese, and couple it with a salty and savoury Parmesan. Cut both cheeses into cubes and place them on the simplest, most elegant plate you […]
Brighten up your winter with food, drinks and friends
The holidays are over and we must now deal with the realities of winter: short days, cold weather and for many of us, no vacation in sight. So let’s create our own holiday by hosting small, intimate gatherings of friends and family. Let’s share laughs and forget about the weather, but let’s keep it simple: use your favourite comfort dish, dress it up with a great appetizer and finish off the meal with a delicious cheese platter. Start off your first dinner party of the new year with a classic dish prepared with a fresh twist: French onion soup with […]
Holiday wine and cheese party: festive meets simple
During the holidays, some of us feel the need to indulge our loved ones with lavish meals, while others opt for easy but tasty hors d’oeuvres. Here’s an alternative that offers the best of both worlds: a festive wine and cheese party. By matching fine cheeses with bright, sparkling wines you will create a very special event full of holiday magic. Start the celebrations with a bottle of Domaine Rolet Crémant du Jura, a smooth sparkling wine from France, and a colourful Rumball Coonawarra Sparkling Shiraz from Australia. Their aromas of gingerbread (Crémant), blackcurrant and vanilla (Coonawarra) are perfect for […]
Make holiday meals special with fine cheese
With all the entertaining that goes on during the holidays, you can never have too many recipes. It’s also the perfect time to break out the wow factor and impress your guests. Cheese, especially fine cheese, is an ideal way to add a little something special and make the occasion one to remember. Canadian fine cheese offers a world of recipe ideas, whether you’re looking to build upon a classic or you want to try something completely different. For many, the holidays just aren’t complete without a turkey dinner. That’s why I love this fresh twist on the most festive […]
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 […]
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 […]
Introducing Vintners 2
Balderson Cheese, Canada’s award winning leaderin premium aged Cheddar has a new and interesting cheese offering for lovers of great wines and great cheese. Today’s consumers are becoming increasingly interested in home entertaining, preparing special meals and serving Cheese plates. Our Vintners Cheddar provides an easy choice to fill this need as well as to highlight the excellence of Canadian Cheddar for special occasions. Vintners Cheddar now comes in a Gift Box that contains one piece (280g) of the Vintners Red and the Vintners white in a striking gift box presentation making it idea for Christmas gifts, house warmings, appreciation […]
The white wine for the occasion
Nothing goes better with Canadian cheese than a good glass of red wine. Or does it? While red wine is the obvious pairing for most cheeses, the right white wine can offer a crisp alternative, especially for bringing out the full flavour of soft cheeses. As a general rule, light white wines pair well with mild cheeses, while fruitier whites pair with pungent cheeses. For the intense flavours of blue cheeses, try a sweet dessert wine, such as Canadian ice wine. You should also match like-with-like in terms of acidity: a high-acid cheese such as Canadian Feta will pair wonderfully […]
