Avery Gavel, assistant manager and sommelier at The Five Fishermen restaurant in Halifax, shares his insights about pairing wine and seafood, creating historic meals with wine and his take on Nova Scotian wines. What was your first wine experience? I grew up on a dairy farm in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, the oldest of five children. Wine wasn’t part of our family traditions, not even special celebrations. Communion in church was grape juice, even. My first wine experience was at The Five Fishermen in the early 1970s when I was 24 and on a double date. We ordered the cheap German […]
Wine Recipes
Grilled Fruit Salad, Bocconcini, Mint Recipe and Dessert Wine
Harvest in the Flavours This Season Fresh fruit abounds this summer. So when I came across this light and refreshing recipe for Grilled Fruit Salad with Bocconcini and Mint, I knew I had to try it. Jam-packed with juicy fresh fruits and fresh Canadian Bocconcini cheese, your mouth will water just thinking about it. A fruity recipe like this calls for a fruity wine. Rossignol Estate Iced Liberty Blossom is a sweet wine from Prince Edward Island that is made with three different kinds of apples. Another great match is Clos de Caveau Fruit Sauvage, a sweet, yet […]
Smoky Stuffed Eggplant with Mozzarella and Feta Recipe
Summer Entertaining Made Easy The season every hostess longs for is finally here: Summer Entertaining Season. But along with the many hostess woes (What should I wear? Will the weather be good? What date works for everyone?) comes the most difficult questions of all: what should I make? Luckily, I have a recipe that will put the pickiest hostess at ease. This recipe for Smoky stuffed eggplant with Mozzarella and Feta contains the best elements of summer in one self-contained bowl. Healthy vegetables? Check. Garden-fresh herbs? Check. All-natural Canadian cheese? Check. Now that you know what to make, you can […]
Grilled Canadian Feta Skewers Recipe
Welcome back the BBQ! As the mercury continues to climb, I’m starting to shake the remaining winter chill out of my system. I was looking for menu inspiration to transition out of sweater weather into BBQ season and found this wonderful idea. This simple recipe for Grilled Canadian Feta Skewers is quick, easy, and will give you a break from the stuffy indoors. Along with being a colourful addition to summertime meals, these skewers are made with savoury Canadian Feta – a refreshing break from traditional BBQ recipes. A great wine that goes well with barbequed flavours is Miguel Torres […]
Maple and Cream Cheese Squares Recipe
Celebrate Canada Day the Canadian way Summer is almost underway and Canada Day is fast approaching. If you’re looking for Patriotic menu inspiration, look no further. Nothing screams Canada more than maple. Now combine the deliciously sweet flavour of maple syrup with the rich and creamy texture of 100% Canadian Cream Cheese, and you have yourself the perfect Canada Day treat. These delectable Maple and Cream Cheese Squares will have your taste buds singing “O Canada” in no time. As for Canuck-approved wine pairings, I can recommend a variety of different local varieties from Canada’s finest wineries in Niagara, Ontario. […]
Garlic-Ginger Shrimp With Quinoa Recipe Paired with Alpine Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Garlic-Ginger Shrimp With Quinoa By Liz Pearson Fresh tasting, totally delicious, fast and easy! That is how I would describe this meal. It’s fantastic. It’s great for lunch or dinner and company will love it too. Shrimp is a lean source of protein and rich in nutrients, including selenium, vitamin B12, choline, magnesium, zinc and copper. Although shrimp does contain cholesterol, for most people, in moderation, shrimp can easily fit into a healthy diet. As for quinoa, it is considered a whole grain and is rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, magnesium and folate. I hope you enjoy this meal as much […]
Pan-Seared Halibut Recipe: Eat + Drink Canadian
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has worked with a Canadian chef to create some delicious recipes that can be made with all-Canadian ingredients! Remember to look for the Canadian content or process statement on all the ingredients you buy! Pan-Seared Halibut Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 tbsp Butter (30 ml) 3 tbsp Canola oil (45 ml) 4 Halibut filets, skin on (2 lbs)(907 g) Salt pinch Pepper pinch 1 Zucchini, cut in cubes 20 Cherry tomatoes, cut in 2 20 Sugar snap peas, cut in 2 1 Green onion, sliced 2 cups Vegetable stock […]
Canadian Provolone and Mango Chutney on a Cracker Recipe
Spice up Your Long Weekend Staycation Sometimes having no plan is the best plan you can have. Why not savour the long weekend by inviting another couple over for a game night. With ample Canadian cheese and wine, it won’t take long before you feel like you’re away at the cottage. Tired of serving the same old snacks? This recipe for Canadian Provolone and Mango Chutney on a Cracker is a great twist on an old classic. The mango chutney gives delicious Canadian Provolone an unexpected punch, bringing out the cheese’s subtle smoky flavour. Take couple’s night to the next […]
Recipe: Berry, Canadian Mascarpone Cheese, Oat Crisp Salad
Wine, Cheese and Brunch make the Perfect Trio Running out of dinner party ideas? Change things up by inviting your friends over for brunch instead. It’s less stressful than planning a dinner and gives you a whole afternoon to chat and catch up. If you’re looking for something different to make, this recipe for Berry, Mascarpone, and Oat Crisp Salad is just the thing. With Canadian Mascarpone cheese, it’s deliciously refreshing and very simple to prepare. In fact, it’s bound to become a staple in your brunch rotation. And to complement the wonderfully creamy taste of the cheese, you want […]
Recipe: Canadian Swiss Cheese and Roast Beef Sandwiches
Plan the Perfect Spring Picnic There’s nothing quite like finding the perfect picnic spot. However, choosing the spot is only half the battle. The other half is packing the right wine and Canadian cheese. Luckily, I found a great combination of flavours that will have you and your fellow picnicers giddy with anticipation. This Canadian Swiss Cheese and Roast Beef Sandwich is a delicious picnic treat. With melted Canadian Swiss and savoury roast beef, you will be full and satisfied while you sit and chat the afternoon away. Tote along a wine with a touch of sweetness like a Riesling […]
