Wine Talk

Winter 2012

 

Thursday February 16

Spinach, Ricotta & Roasted Tomato Lasagna
Chopped Salad with Marinated Fennel, Oranges, Parmesan & Creamy Herb Dressing
Sundried Tomato, Basil, Sultana & Pine Nut Bruschetta
'True Loaf' Garlic Baguette
Tiramisu

Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Noir VQA                 
British Colombia
LCBO 145128
$16.45

February is a perfect month for comforting dinners, one-pot meals, and pastas. To pair with an Italian-style dinner, an earthy Pinot Noir is a sure way to go. From the West Coast, Mission Hill offers up a beautiful Pinot that is nicely balanced in tannins, acidity and fruitiness. It is light enough to pair with most vegetarian dishes, as well as roast chicken or pork.

Thursday February 9

Marinated Breast of Chicken with Creamy Roasted Garlic Sauce
Artichoke, Olive & Mint Potato Salad
Baby Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, Parsley & Pickled Red Onions with Feta Vinaigrette
'True Loaf' Rustic Sourdough
Lemon Meringue in a Cup

PONDVIEW Riesling 2010
Ontario
LCBO 271148
$16

Here is another great example of how amazing our Ontario Rieslings are, and how each one is unique in flavour. This Riesling is XD, but you would never know that just from tasting it because of the juicy fruit flavours. Right away, you will smell the apple and citrus, which carries through the taste of the wine. There is also spice and a familiar ginger note that brings out the citrus in the wine. This may be a new favourite of mine, and I highly recommend giving it a try. It will hold up to the roasted garlic sauce that tops this week’s roasted chicken, and it would also translate well to other lighter meals of fish or vegetarian fair.

Thursday February 2

Ontario Berkshire Pork Braised with Beau's Beer & Apples
Southern Style Sweet Potato Polenta
Glazed Carrots, Green Beans & Fennel
'True Loaf' Thursday Rye Bread
Bananas Foster Brown Sugar Pound Cake

Beau’s Bog Water
Canada, Beau’s All Natural Brewing
LCBO 250761
600ml $4.35

Waupoos Premium Cider
Prince Edward County
LCBO 612804
4x341ml $13.35

The great thing about this Thursday’s dinner are the options that it could be paired with in terms of beverages. We’re using Beau’s beer to finish the sauce for the Berkshire pork, which makes glass of their Bog Water brew an obvious match. Also, to balance the bitterness of the beer, we’re going to cook the tender pork with chunks of local apple. For those of you who prefer a cider to pair with this meal, I will continue to recommend Waupoos as the best cider they offer at the LCBO. The choice is yours, beer or cider, bon appétit!

Thursday January 26

Korean BBQ - Skirt Steak with Kimchi
Rice Noodle Salad with Cucumber & Green Onions
Grilled Eggplant& Organic Mushrooms
Lettuce, Basil, Sprouts & Dipping Sauce
Coconut Rice Pudding with Mandarin Oranges & Mango

Chamisul Fresh Soju
South Korea
LCBO 173385 / 360ml bottle
$6.40

A friend of mine worked as an English teacher in Korea, bringing home with him a great recipe for Bibimbap and a drink to go along with that. He introduced me to Sojo, a neutral tasting and slightly sweet alcohol that can be replaced for Vodka or Gin in any of your favourite cocktail recipes. The most common way to enjoy the beverage is to serve it ice cold, mixed with juice and topped with sparkling soda or seltzer. In my experience, a little sparkling apple cider or pear juice topped with soda, are both delightful combinations. This semi-sweet and refreshing drink will be perfect with the Korean BBQ and the spicy Kimchi.

Thursday January 5

 

Whole Roasted Chicken with Cranberry Relish
Butterbeans with Leeks & Carrots
Cauliflower & Fennel with Almonds & Lemon Zest
Kamut Sourdough Baguette
Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Coulis

Amity Vineyards Pinot Noir 
USA 
LCBO 124594 
$24.95

This a versatile, light bodied Pinot Noir that will be wonderful served alongside roast chicken or any other poultry for that matter. There are cranberry flavours in the wine that will emulate the relish we’re serving with the whole roasted chicken, and you will also detect cherry and strawberry on the palate. The nice thing about this red from Amity Vineyards is that little bit of spice and earthiness, that will complement the subtle richness in the butter beans. Happy New Year!

Fall 2011

Thursday December 8

Berkshire Pork, Apple & Root Vegetable Stew
Fall Vegetable Slaw with Cider Vinaigrette
Sweet & White Potato Mash
'True Loaf' Rye Sourdough Bread
Pumpkin Pie

Coyote's Run Unoaked Chardonnay VQA
Ontario
LCBO 26740
$14.95

This is a great home-grown Ontario wine to keep on hand for the holidays, especially if your guests are visiting from out of town. This Chardonnay from Coyote's Run is a good representation of how versatile our Ontario white wines are. It is also easy to pair with holiday meals like pork, turkey or pot pies. The wine is full of peach, floral and citrus flavours, sure to please any holiday crowd.

Thursday December 1

Herb Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Risotto
Sauté of Winter Vegetables
'True Loaf' Sourdough
Maple Apple Pie

Grooner Gruner Veltliner
Austria
LCBO 168625
$13.30

Gruner Veltliner is a grape variety hailing from Austria, one that is a cross between old-world vines and new world. Luckily we will be able to find more and more bottles of this intriguing wine at the LCBO, and all at a reasonable price. A Gruner Veltliner is a dry wine, and if you're someone who enjoys white wine to be buttery or oaky, then this white is not for you. This white is packed with flavour of apple and citrus, finishing with some spice. The bright acidity of this wine will make a good companion to roast chicken with velvety pumpkin risotto. Try out any Gruner Veltliner this week and enjoy something totally new and unique!