Number of Wines Recommended: 46 Review date: 11/13/2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 18 wines under $20 – Best value white: Refreshing Chilean Sauvignon Blanc $13.95 – Favourite white tied: Zesty, mouth-watering Niagara Riesling 92/100 – Favourite white wine tied: Classic California Chardonnay 92/100 – Best value red tied: Rich, robust Chilean red $13.95 – Favourite red wine: Benchmark Rhone red 95/100 – Favourite sparkling wine: Blanc de blancs with green apple notes for parties $19.95 – Best value sparkling wine: Lovely French bubbly for shellfish and dinner party starters $17.95 Here is the text-only […]
MFK Fisher: Consummate Eater, Drinker and Writer
It was such a thrill to travel to Palm Springs October 23 to accept the MFK Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing from Les Dames d’Escoffier International! I was touched by the support and warmth of the members that evening at the dinner ceremony. I was also moved by the outpouring of support on Twitter, Facebook and good old-fashioned e-mail: the real win was in sharing it with food-and-wine-loving friends! Here’s the press release from Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Thanks again guys! Cheers, Natalie Les Dames d’Escoffier International Announces Winner of the M.F.K. Fisher Award LOUISVILLE, KY–(Marketwire – November […]
A gift from the water gods
When prepared properly, scallops can be a heavenly, melt in your mouth seafood. And it makes for a deliciously light meal welcomed any time of year. It is also an ideal fish to pair with a rich and buttery Chardonnay, as the generous amount of acidity cuts through the richness of the dish and refreshes your palate for the next bite.Try using the Jackson Triggs Gold winning wine at the Ontario Wine Awards & Selection Mondailes for the perfect compliment in a buttery Beurre Blanc sauce. JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS’ GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2008 $20.95 Join the Jackson Triggs facebook page […]
Tasty Caramelized Onion, Tomato & Chicken Pie Recipe
Caramelized Onion, Tomato & Chicken Pie Serves: 6 Developed for CFC by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc 1 cup (250 mL) cooked chicken breast, diced 1 pie shell, frozen, ready to bake (9” / 23 cm) 1 Tbsp (15 mL) butter 1 cup (250 mL) onions, sliced 2 tsp (10 mL) balsamic vinegar 2 Italian “plum” tomatoes, chopped ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp (garnish) (60 mL + 15 mL) fresh basil leaves, minced 1 cup (250 mL) smoked gouda cheese, grated 3 medium eggs ¼ cup (60 mL) plain yogurt, 1-2% MF 1 Tbsp (15 mL) whole-wheat flour 3 Tbsp (45 […]
Lather some love on your BBQ meats
Just because the summer’s over doesn’t mean that barbecue season has to be too. In fact, you can barbecue well through the fall and even in to the winter months if you’re ok with a few snowflakes accompanying the meal. And no matter what type of meat you’re grilling, barbecue sauce is simply a must, either as a marinade before cooking or on the side for dipping with the meal. And while store-bought sauces will often suffice, it won’t hold a candle to a homemade creation.While most store-bought barbecue sauces are made from a handful of the same ingredients, […]
Best Value Wines at the LCBO for November
There are so many well-priced wines among the regular list stock at the LCBO as well as from Ontario wineries themselves. Here are just a few of my favourites this month: 2007 Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Gewurtztraminer Non-Estate, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada: A delightful and spicy white with classic aromas of lychee, rose petal and Asian pear. 2911400004 12% MD 750 mL $22.00 Score: 88/100. 2007 Creekside Estate Winery Butler’s Grant Riesling, V.Q.A., Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada: Bursting with lovely apricot and peach notes,fragrant and pretty with a starfruit-infused finish. Makes a terrific aperitif as well as a companion to many […]
Patagonian Pinot Noir with Butterfish Tiradito
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 […]
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 […]
Dining and a Relaxing Weekend in the Wine Country of Kelowna
By Michael Fagin Hillsides blazed with red fall color as we drove from Seattle through the Okanagan Valley of Eastern Washington and into British Columbia. After enjoying the six hour drive through magnificent scenery in the Cascades and along the Columbia River, we arrived at the Sandman Hotel in Kelowna. We quickly settled into our large suite, whose very comfortable chairs and outside patio with a view of the hillside were just what we needed. After relaxing, which was very easy, we went downstairs to the Chop Steakhouse & Bar. We had thought that there would just be meat on […]
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 […]
