Wine Talk

Spring 2012

 

Thursday May 17

Ontario Pork Loin with Citrus & Pistachio Crust
Cranberry Ginger Compote
Asparagus & Sweet Pea Risotto
Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
'True Loaf' Rye Baguette
Rhubarb Streusel Cake

Bouchard Pere & Fils Petit Chablis
Burgundy, France
LCBO 51466
$18.95

For a white wine, this one has some attitude and backbone. There are a few things to consider with this week’s menu that make pairing a wine a little bit of challenge. First, the wine needed to have layers of flavour to complement a pork dish. Secondly, the flavours had to be clean and crisp in order to pair with asparagus, a vegetable that often has a negative effect on the wines flavours. This white wine presents bold flavours with lots of pear, citrus and a hint of almond. It is also bright and clean tasting, with a nicely balanced acidity and spicy finish. This is a food-friendly wine that may be worth keeping in your cellar for those dinners that are a real challenge to pair.

Thursday May 3

Happy Anniversary!
Marinated & Grilled Flank Steak with Roasted Red Peppers
Beau's Beer & Caramelized Onion Dip
Warm Potato Salad with Organic with Shiitake Mushrooms & Ermite Cheese
Spring Slaw with Cucumbers, Carrots & Apples, Maple Cider Vinaigrette
Herbed Flatbread
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Flat Rock Riddled Sparkling 2008
Ontario
LCBO 187377
$29.95

We’re approaching our 1 year anniversary of our new Red Apron store, celebrating with a ‘client-favourite’ dinner menu. The menu will include grilled flank steak, a luscious potato salad, crunchy slaw and Beau’s Beer dip. To pair with your grilled flank steak, pick up a Pinot Noir or Merlot from the Napa region, or any favourite red that you may have in your own collection to enjoy with BBQ. In the spirit of celebration, I’ve recommended a sparkling white from Ontario, to pop the cork and sip before your meal. This sparkling wine is full of citrus and fruit flavour, and it will end with a hint of butter and toast. Cheers!

Thursday April 19

Persian Style Duck with Pomegranate & Walnut Sauce (Fesenjan)
Sweet Rice Polow with Saffron, Orange & Apricots
Oven Roasted Cauliflower
Flatbread with Cucumber & Yogurt Dip
Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Dried Fruit Compote

Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir
Australia
LCBO 458661                 
$11.95

As we settle in to the spring season, we make changes to our menus, cooking styles and flavour profiles. The Thursday menu is a perfect example of that progression into spring cooking. We’re switching our usual creamy and comforting risotto for a lighter rice polow, studded with fruit and citrus. For the duck, pomegranate juice replaces juniper berries. To pair with the sweet acidity from the pomegranate sauce, try this lovely Pinot Noir. It is light-bodied, full of berry flavours and finishes with a hint of spice for balance. Also, it has a decent earthiness to it that will complement the bright citrus and fruit flavours in both the rice and the duck. Happy Spring!

Thursday April 12

Ontario Berkshire Pork Braised with Lemongrass & Soy
Rice Noodles with Sesame and Green Onions
Sauté of Bok Choy, Snow
Peas & Sweet Peppers
Asian Style Pancakes
Coconut Rice Pudding with
Mandarin & Lychee

White House Riesling Pinot Grigio VQA
Ontario
LCBO 219022
$12.95

This week, we’re using Ontario Berkshire pork in an Asian inspired menu. The menu will use bold and fresh flavours like lemongrass, ginger and soy. For this style of cooking, a bright and crisp wine would be your best choice. Because our pork is coming to us from Ontario, I’ve found an Ontario wine to match. This blended white from ‘House Wine Co.’ is light on the palate with citrus and floral notes, while it finishes clean and crisp. 

 

Thursday April 5

Lamb Ragout with Fennel & Peas
Steamed New Potatoes with Herbed Butter
Cauliflower & Broccoli with Red Onions
'True Loaf' Olive Loaf
Orange Ginger Cupcakes with Cherry Buttercream

HARDY THE GAMBLE CHARDONNAY PINOT GRIS CHR.NO.2
Australia
LCBO 219147
$13.45

Our Easter menu is full of options to take home and enjoy over the long weekend. Instead of suggesting a wine that would only pair well with your lamb stew, I’ve found one that could easily be enjoyed with any of the dinners we’re offering in our retail store. The wine is from Australia, combing two grapes that have specific taste profiles on their own, but blend nicely for a well-balanced white wine. This wine has the acidity and citrus notes from the Pinot Gris, and it also offers hints of vanilla and a smooth finish that you would expect from a Chardonnay. Whether you take home the elegant Salmon en Croute, Lamb Stew or hearty Turkey Pot Pie, this wine will be a pleasant partner to any of them. Happy Easter!

Thursday March 29

Sweet Potato, Mushroom& Goat Cheese Lasagna
Salad Greens with Figs, Toasted Almonds & Maple Vinaigrette
Roasted Vegetable & Artichoke Tapenade
'True Loaf' Baguette
Maple Apple Tart

Folonari Pinot Grigio
Veneto, Italy
LCBO 229542
$12.45

Today, we’ll be cooking and layering at least a dozen delectable lasagnas. However, the flavours that we are layering between sheets of fresh pasta are not at all a classic Italian combination. Instead, we’re layering sweet potato, creamy ricotta and sautéed mushrooms. As for wine, I’ve chosen an Italian white wine that has plenty of brightness, acidity and a little spice. There are also flavours of apple, which will be a nice pair to the earthy sweet potato in the lasagna, and to the maple dressing in the salad.

Thursday March 22

Chicken Parmesan
Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce
Classic Caesar Salad
'True Loaf' Garlic Bread
Maple Mascarpone Budino

Bolla Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie
Veneto, Italy
LCBO 363622
$10.95

From Italy, this light and refreshing Pinot Grigio makes a perfect partner to Chicken Parmesan. The crispy and cheesy chicken breast needs a white wine with a crisp finish and clean flavour profile. This white wine has citrus notes and flavours of white peach. Reasonably priced, this wine would perfect to purchase a case of and have on hand for spring time entertaining. Buon Appetito!

Thursday March 15

Irish Guinness Beef Stew
Colcannon Potatoes with Caramelized Caraway Cabbage
Roasted Carrots, Leeks & Brussel Sprouts
Molasses & Raisin Soda Bread
Chocolate Stout Cake with Irish Cream Glaze

Harp Premium Lager
LCBO
6 x 330 ml bottle
$12.95

Magners Original Irish Cider
LCBO
$2.90

I have been lucky enough to travel to Ireland more than once, both times experiencing the food and culture with a long-time friend of mine, who also happened to have settled there. We traveled the entire country, staying in small harbour towns and sleeping in Bed & Breakfasts for two weeks. The food was delicious, hearty, and always served with beer. My favourite part of every meal was the soda bread, which was different at each B&B or pub. Most of it was a little sweet, dark brown and very tender, much like our version that you’ll try tonight. To drink with your traditional Irish dinner, I would recommend Harp, which is light and smooth. For those who do not enjoy beer, try out Magners Cider, which is slightly sweet and crisp. Slainte!

Thursday March 8

Roast Ontario Pork Loin with Grainy Mustard, Herb Gremolata & Honeycrisp Compote
Organic Rice & Lentil Pilaf with Caramelized Onions & Fennel
Roasted Carrots, Cauliflower & Broccoli
'True Loaf' Baguette
Decadent Maple Apple Coffee Cake

Spicebox Canadian Spiced Whisky
Quebec
LCBO 258954
750ml bottle $27.80

Here is a new Red Apron favourite twist on a classic cocktail, the Manhattan. I can’t take credit for this brilliant idea because it actually comes to us from another great local restaurant, Fraser Cafe. The Whisky is a beautiful amber colour, it almost looks like a dark maple syrup. There are flavours of vanilla and spices, reminiscent of baked pies or spice cake. To make your Manhattan, combine 1.5 ounces of Whisky, 0.5 ounces Sweet Vermouth, add a dash of Angostura bitters; shake to combine and pour into a glass over ice. The drink is truly outstanding, pleasing to the palate and fun to mix up. This would be a fun entertaining idea for a signature party drink to serve your guest at your next gathering.

Thursday March 1

Marinated & Grilled Flank Steak with Caramelized Onions, Red Peppers & Garlic Aioli
Creamy Whole Wheat Macaroni & Cheese
Winter Salad with Apples, Carrots & Spiced Pecans
'True Loaf'Square Buns
Black Forest Cake

Angels Gate Cabernet Merlot VQA
Ontario
LCBO 620096                 
$12.95

Tonight’s dinner is all about finding balance in a dish. Your dessert, for example, is an intense chocolate cake with Kirsch-soaked black cherries. The cherries are luscious and have just the right amount of sweetness to complement the chocolate. For dinner, the barbequed flank steak has a smokiness, which we paired with sweet caramelized onions and red peppers. The Angels Gate blended red wine is a balance of oak, leather and red fruit. It is medium bodied and offers up a long finish that is perfect to complement any red meat.

Thursday February 23

Ontario Duck Legs Braised with Juniper, Apples & White Wine
Organic Quinoa with Butternut, Spinach, Cranberries & Walnuts
Sauté of Zucchini with Roasted Cauliflower
'True Loaf' Sourdough
Apple Cherry Pie

De Bortoli Deen Vat 10 Pinot Noir
Australia
LCBO 61622
$15.05

Reasonably priced for a Pinot Noir, this red wine from Australia would be a good partner to your dinner this week. We’re slow-cooking duck legs in wine and juniper berries, which will add a hint of spice and cedar to the flavour profile of the dish. The quinoa served along with the meaty duck will also be earthy and nutty. This Pinot will delivery plenty of red fruit flavours, balanced with a little spice. It’s on the dry side, which will be nice with the rich duck.

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!