2011 Christmas Dinner Wine Suggestions

As Christmas approaches and we start to think about the menu for that fabulous turkey dinner, let us not forget a nice wine selection to enhance the feast. While the choices are mainly a matter of personal choice, there are some wines that typically pair well with turkey and the common accompaniments and side dishes.

I have chosen the following suggestions from the current offerings at the LCBO and/or wine retailers in Ontario.

1. Chardonnay - Most of your guests will prefer a white wine with their turkey. Probably your safest choice will be a dry, oaky Chardonnay. It will pair well with the bird and with the root vegetables.

White wine suggestion: Norman Hardie 2008 Country Chardonnay

2. Sauvignon Blanc - Also a good choice would be a Sauvignon Blanc. It is a little cleaner and lighter than the Chardonnay.

White wine suggestion: Colio 2009 CEV Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

3. Reisling - A good Reisling or Gerwurztraminer would be another good choice. These are a typically a little sweeter and a little more acidic but favoured by folks who don't drink lots of wine.

White wine suggestion: Fielding 2009 Reisling

4. Pinot Noir - Some of your guests will prefer red wine and the Pinot Noir is a perfect selection. It is light enough not to overpower, yet fruity enough to enhance and not be overwhelmed.

Red wine suggestion: Quail's Gate 2008 Pinot Noir

5. Sparkling wine - A common assumption is that Sparkling wine goes with anything. This may or may not be true, but I have yet to find a food that sparkling wine doesn't agree with. Remember this is the season of celebration and nothing says celebration like a Champagne, Cava or Sparkling wine. They can be served as an aperitif, with the meal and/or with the dessert course.

Sparkling wine suggestion: Peller Ice Cuvee Rose

6. Dessert - a dessert wine is typically sweeter to enhance the sweetness of the dessert. An ice wine is an excellent choice as it can be sipped with or even poured over sweets.

Dessert wine suggestion: Inniskillin Vidal Icewine

Happy Holidays

Katnook Estates 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

Once in a while I will open a bottle from my cellar that has reached its prime. After all wines are made to be enjoyed not collected, right? This wine you will want to decant at about the 10 year mark. Where do I start with this wonderful example of the winemakers art?

The wine was very complex on the nose as it was being decanted with a promised balance of fruit and some minerality. From the first sip, you will note the full body with excellent mouth-feel. Next fully matured black fruit extremely well balanced with hints of vanilla, allspice and/or cloves. Some wispy cedar notes follow. A delightfully long, pleasant finish.

Pairing: Prime rib, crown rib roast, rack of lamb

Recommendation: BUY

Monte Antico 2007 Toscana

A wonderful blend of Sangiovese, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. Full body, luscious fruits. Very well balanced. Excellent long finish.

Pairing: Pasta, roast beef, roast pork, game.

Recommendation: Buy

Kawin 2009 Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon

Proof once again that "Reserve" and "Private" don't mean anything to many wineries, no matter what language. I havent had a lot of luck with full bodied red wines from Chile. Perhaps I shouldn't generalize, but Damn! Not well balanced. Over-use of sulphites. No real redeeming qualities.

Pairing: n/a

Recommendation: Pass

Ogio 2010 Primitivo

A surprisingly decent offering to a Zinfandel lover considering the price. Med/full body. Good fruit featuring red cherries with just a hint of candied cherry. Good balance. Medium long finish

Pairing: Roast beef, steaks, pork roast.

Recommendation: Buy

La Linda 2009 Syrah

I was pleasantly surprised by this Argentinian Syrah. Full body. Excellent ripe fruit. A bit on the tart side but overall well balanced. Nice long finish.

Pairing: Beef, steak, venison, lamb

Recommendation: Buy

Lamadrid 2008 Reserva Malbec

Cool modern label. Sadly the product doesn't live up to the billing. Medium body. Ho-hum fruit. Ho-hum finish.

Pairing: pork, corned beef

Recommendation: OK

Senor Real Vinas Centenarias 2007 Tempranillo

I was very disappointed by this offering from Spain. Well known for its Tempranillo, this area should have done much better. Sadly overwhelming the fruit was a distinct taste of turpentine. This was the first "dumper" I have had in a while.

Pairing: n/a

Recommendation: PASS

E. Guigal 2007 Cotes Du Rhone

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this economically priced French wine. Full of fruit. Medium body. Excellent long finish.

Pairing: Beef

Recommendation: Buy

Trapiche 2008 Broquel Malbec

I was hoping for something a bit better but should have known by the price that there wasn't much here. Very pretty label. Medium bodied. Very acidic, but a decent finish. Might be ok if left in your cellar for a couple of years.

Pairing: Pasta, grilled meats

Recommendation: OK

Stag's Leap 2005 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon

WOW! Every once in a while you should treat yourself to a nice wine and this was my treat. A full-bodied Cab that explodes with fruit flavour. Black cherry, blackberry, plum but extremely well balanced with notes of earthiness. A beautiful long finish with hints of vanilla.

Pairing: Share it with a friend as an aperitif

Recommendation: BUY

Dan Aykroyd 2008 Merlot

A little disappointing considering the celebrity name (I was hoping for a whole lot more.) Medium body, some earthy notes. Not bursting with fruit as i had hoped. Ok finish

Pairing: Lamb, pot roasts

Recommendation: OK

Chilensis 2009 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

A nice inexpensive offering from Chile. Medium to full body. Some earthy and spicy notes (allspice and cloves) and ok black fruit (cassis.) Quite a long finish.

Pairing: Lamb, stews

Recommendation: Buy

Palatine Hills 2002 Meritage

A really decent wine from Niagara. Medium body with some earthiness. Hints of pepper and lots of black fruit, although leaning a little towards the acidic side. Generous finish.

Pairing: Roasts (Pork or beef)

Recommendation: Buy

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon (non-vintage)

Another of the non-vintage catch-all wines. Medium body, no depth, poor fruit, very acidic with notes of sawdust. Bitter aftertaste which tends to tinger. Close to a "dumper"

Pairing: n/a

Recommendation: PASS

Cline 2010 Zinfandel

I was hoping for a winner and its not bad for the price point. Medium body, black fruits with just a hint of spicy and/or cedar notes and a decent finish.

Pairing: BBQ

Recommendation: Buy

Cono Sur 2010 Merlot

A new offering from Chile. Medium body, OK fruit but leaning towards the acidic and not particularly well balanced. Long finish.

Pairing: Lamb, sausage, chili

Recommendation: OK

Baron Philippe De Rothschild 2010 Merlot

A somewhat disappointing offering from a well known winery. Medium body, bright red fruits, short finish.

Pairing: Pork roast, turkey

Recommendation: OK

Masi 2008 Ripasso

A very nice full body Italian. Nicely balanced. Red berries. Nice long finish.

Pairing: Pasta, roast or grilled beef

Recommendation: Buy

Pasta Con Ragu Di Vitello, Salsicce E Porcini (Pasta With Veal, Sausage and Porcini Ragu)

http://nancyscuisuine.blogspot.com/2011/10/pasta-con-ragu-di-vitello-salsicce-e.html

A perfect recipe to pair with the Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza. If you can find the 2007, even better, buy a case!

Campo Viejo 2008 Crianza Rioja

Campo Viejo is developing a good reputation for their Riojas. Medium bodied with good fruit mainly cherry, strawberry and plum with notes of smoke (toasted wood? vanilla?) The wine opened in a short time (15 minutes) and became very well balanced. A very nice long finish. It seems to be complex and adaptable enough to pair with a variety of foods.

Paiiring: Lamb, paella, pasta

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava (Non-vintage)

An interesting Spanish Cava (sparkling wine) that you might buy if for nothing else but the bottle. As a Cava it is decent, and drinkable though nothing remarkable. Not particularly tasty or memorable and the effervescence was mediocre. The bottle itself is cast in real metal accents which gives it a nice display presence on your side table or when serving. Careful when pouring , this bottle is HEAVY. At the price you can afford to have a bottle and be a little showy.

Pairing: anything

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Marcus James 2010 Malbec

Argentina seems to have become the dominant power in the world for Malbecs. After all, they produce decent wines at a very decent price. Sadly there are few that excel. This wine is another in that seemingly endless list. The Marcus James 2010 Malbec is very easy drinking, although it tends to be a little on the tart (acid) side. Medium body with a decent finish.

Pairing: Pork, turkey, duck

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Kim Crawford 2004 Cabernet Franc

For those of us that really like a good Cab Franc, this one will not disappoint. Its a bit out of my price range for every day, but nice as a treat. Medium bodied with and excellent balance of black and red fruits. Lots of plum and a hint of something ... maybe chocolate? Lovely long finish.

Paiiring: Roast chicken, lasagna, cannelloni

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Alkoomi 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a wine that I have been saving for some time. I have been tempted to open it several times and finally gave into the temptation. I have always wanted to use the term "elegant" and now I can!

Wow! This is an excellent wine at 10 years. A full body Cabernet Sauvignon at the peak of its development. Incredible depth. Black fruits with amazing balance. Some notes of spice on the back end, but predominantly a taste of fully ripe big sweet wild blueberry and an incredibly long satisfying finish.

Trust me although this is a wine that will pair nicely with an elegant meal, you will want to sit and sip (listening to some nice music - maybe some Ella Fitzgerald.)

Pairing: Rack of lamb, prime rib, ossobuco (any elegant meal)

Not available at LCBO

Recommendation: BUY

Castillo de Monseran 2010 Garnacha

I dont seem to have much luck picking Spanish wines. This one was so-so. A medium body featured tart red fruit with very little balance. The best I could say for it was "meh".

Pairing: pork, turkey

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Penascal 2008 Tempranillo

Another disappointing Spanish Tempranillo. Medium/full body but with no depth. I found it unbalanced with an emphasis on the red unripe fruits (tart cherry).

Pairing: roast pork or turkey

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Pass

Candidato 2008 Tempranillo Garnacha

I was hoping for a little more from this wine, but for the price, I wasn't surprised. It isn't very memorable and it certainly didn't deliver what the label promised. Medium body, not much depth. Red fruit (mostly cherry and notes of strawberry) were not particularly well balanced.

Pairing: roast pork

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Montreal Smoked Beef,Swiss, and sweet onion marmalade on rye

Makes 2 sandwiches

Make the marmalade ahed so you can whip these babies out in just a few minutes. Leftover marmalade is great on pork chops or roast beef.

Onion Marmalade

1 tbsp each butter and vegetable oil
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup each red-wine vinegar and dry but fruity red wine, such as a Zinfandel or Grenache

Sandwiches
4 slices extra-sour rye or caraway rye bread
2 tbsp softened unsalted butter
4 thin slices Montreal smoked beef
4 ounces coarsely shredded Swiss cheese
2 tbsp whole grain mustard

Make marmalade: Melt butter with oil in a large heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper stirring well to combine.
reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened and browned, about 20 minutes. Add vinegar and wine. Cook, uncovered stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed and onions are soft and sticky, about 10 minutes. Let marmalade cool slightly.

Make sandwiches: Evenly spread one side of each bread slice with 1/2 tbsp butter. Spread unbuttered side of 2 slices with 1 1/2 tbsp marmalade each, then top with meat and cheese. Spread mustard on unbuttered side of remaining 2 bread slices and place each, buttered side up on meat and cheese-topped slices.
Heat a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes total.

Marmalade keeps up to 2 weeks, covered and chilled.

Omemee Photowalk Sunday October 9, 2011 (10am)

We will be holding a photowalk in Omemee on Sunday October 9 (10:00am). Its completely free. Bring whatever camera you have - Pro, Point&shoot, single use, even cellphone cameras. All ages welcome. There will probably be a couple of pros participating so you might even be able to pick up a few tips and tricks!

Starting at the parking lot at the end of George St, we will wander north to King St (highway 7); east along King to Colbourne St; north on Colbourne to the Trans Canada Trail; then east on the trail to the field at the north end of Queen St; south through the field to Queen; and south again on Queen across King to Mary St; finally following Mary to Ruthland and back to the park.

Even at a very slow pace, we will only take about an hour.

Photos from the walk can be posted in a Flickr group for the event. Omemee Photowalk 2011 . This is an open group so all participants will be able to post and share, but you will need a free Flickr account if you are one of the 6 people on the planet that doesn't already have one.

Bodega Muga 2005 Reserva Rioja

For those who haven't tried nice Spanish wines like Tempranillo or Rioja, here's one to cut your teeth on. Muga 2005 Reserva Rioja is an absolutely delicious red wine at a wonderfully decent price.

On opening and decanting, you will be presented with a beautiful deep dark purple that you could stare into for hours. However, for all the expectation of bursting flavours, you will be a bit surprised by the lack of anything but moderate hints on the nose even after it has opened up. Not that I would ever do such a thing, but if you cheat and sip before its ready, you will … errrr … “might” be pleasantly surprised at the light tart fruit taste that promises to please.

Surprisingly, the wine opens up quite quickly (a little over 15 minutes as measured by my impatient foot tapping). But it’s well worth the wait. Oh my, it’s a lovely first sip. Luscious black fruits (black cherry, black raspberry and some plum for the tartness) plus soft earthy notes and just to add confusion and delight, a hint of milk chocolate wraps around the back of the tongue.

This is a terrifically balanced blend of mainly Tempranillo (70%) with some Garnacha (20%) and the rest Graciano and Mazeula, A nice medium body with lovely soft tannins and a finish that seems to last forever (well, 10-15 seconds, but that’s an eternity in wines.)

The wine is crafted the same way year after year, first in wood, then oak barrels giving it a hint of oak without overpowering.

The Muga Reserva is year after year a consistent winner among Riojas, always scoring a 90+ among the wine reviewers. The 2005 vintage drinks well now but could even wait another 2 to 10 years if you have the patience of a Saint. Try a bottle and you will understand why. Actually make sure you buy at least two.

Available at LCBO

Pairing: Pasta (tomato sauce), red meats (steaks, roasts) wild game (venison), and especially lamb (shanks, leg)

Recommendation: BUY

Terra D'aligi 2007 Tatone Montepulciano D'abruzzo

An ok offering from Italy really designed to compliment a herbal earthy meal. Med-full body. The ripe red fruit was overshadowed a bit by the earthy and herbal notes. Decent long finish. Available at LCBO

Pairing: any tomato/pasta dish. Spaghetti, lasagna, or even pizza. Beef stew

Recommendation: Buy

Finca Flichman 2010 Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon

Yet another inexpensive red wine from Finca Flichman in Argentina (this is getting repetitive) An OK Cabernet Sauvignon again at an extraordinarily low price. Medium body, and a long finish. Notes of red fruit and some herbs. This one isnt going to win any awards, but its easy on the pocketbook. Available at LCBO

Pairing: Grilled steak, beef stew, roast chicken

Recommendation: Buy

Finca Flichman 2010 Misterio Malbec

Another inexpensive red wine from Argentina (is there no end to them?) This one is from Finca Flichman. A decent Malbec at an extraordinarily low price. Light-medium body, and a decent finish. Notes of red bing cherries. Decent finish. Available at LCBO

Pairing: Chili, hamburgers, a light beef stew, meat pies

Recommendation: Buy

Trapiche 2010 Astica Merlot Malbec

A rather disappointing blend from Argentina although you shouldn't be surprised when you see the price. Light - Medium body with predominantly red berry notes. Shortish finish. Available at LCBO.

Pairing: Sloppy Joes, Chili, Stew, Shepherds Pie

Recommendation: Ok

Rose Hill 2009 Private Edition Chardonnay

A very decent albeit rather pale unoaked offering from a relatively new winery. Nicely balanced although I found it leaning towards the sweet side rather than the tart. Nice body and a generous finish. Available at the LCBO

Pairing: Chicken or fatty fish (monkfish, salmon)

Recommendation: Buy

Joke of the Day (props to Bruce Head)

Cowboy Bob appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.

"Have you ever done anything of particular merit?" St. Peter asked.

"Well, I can think of one thing," the cowboy offered. "On a trip to the Black Hills out in South Dakota, I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most tattooed biker and smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground. I yelled, 'Now, back off or I'll kick the crap out of all of you!'

St. Peter was impressed. "When did this happen?"

"A couple of minutes ago."

Stags Leap 2006 Merlot

A very nice offering from a respected Napa winery. Ripe plums, fully ripe black fruit with just a hint of earthiness. Full-bodied with a generously long finish. Try it with wild game - boar, venison or duck. This is a decent one to have in your cellar. Drinkable now, but could stand to lay for another 3 or 4 years.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Conquista 2010 Malbec

Another very inexpensive Malbec from Argentina. Light/Medium bodied. Decent black & red fruits. Long but odd burnt aftertaste (may be partially the sulfites). Light enough to pair with roast chicken or a fatty fish like salmon. Would make a decent pre-dinner sipping wine if allowed enough time to breathe to soften the tannins.

Available at the LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Trivento 2010 Syrah

My first disappointment from Argentina. One would expects nice juicy red/black fruits, but this wine is a bit dull. Inexpensive. Light to medium body and a decent finish. Best paired with salmon.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Pass

Passion 2009 Malbec

Passable inexpensive offering from Argentina. Medium bodied, longish finish. Sadly the label design is probably nicer than the wine itself. Try this wine with roast chicken.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: ok

Masi 2003 Campofiorin

A nice full bodied red wine that is well suited to hearty Italian fare (doesn't that sound pretty?) Decent fruit with earthy notes. Soft tannins. Nice long finish.

Not available at LCBO
Recommendation: Buy

Argento 2010 Malbec

I don't know how they do it, but Argentina is creating some excellent wines at very reasonable prices. This is another great value. Lots of black fruit. Medium body. Long finish. Try this wine with a beef roast or steak.

Available at LCBO
Recommendation: Buy

Fuzion 2009 Reserva Malbec

Another excellent value (cheap as sin) offering from an Argentinian winery. Fruit forward, medium body. Lots of ripe black fruit - plums, blackberry. Soft tannins. Remarkably long finish. Very drinkable.

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Fuzion 2010 Shiraz/Malbec

A very inexpensive Argentinian red blend that has a decent medium body and exhibits good fruit. It offers enough red cherry to make it a good candidate to pair with wild game (venison, boar, etc) or even a simple pasta and tomato sauce. You will also notice some plum notes but not much complexity.

The wine exhibits a decently lingering finish. Although a tad harsh at this stage, the tannins are not unpalatable. Although completely drinkable now, you will probably want to cellar this wine for another 2-5 years.

Available at LCBO.

Recommendation: Buy

The Humble Apron

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few.

It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

-ANONYMOUS

My wine review Recommendation Scale explained

BUY = you should really buy this wine in quantity
Buy = good value. Buy a bottle of this wine
OK = You can buy this wine if you dont see anything else thats decent
Pass = walk away from this wine
PASS = Run away from this wine

L.A. Cetto 2008 Petite Sirah

I was really looking forward to this wine, especially after tasting their 08 Zinfandel, but this one was very disappointing. Ok fruit, but a definite unpalatable nose and taste ... notes of paint thinner. Long finish and the unpleasant taste lasts the whole time. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: PASS

Don Mendoza 2008 Reserva Merlot

Disappointing Merlot from Argentina. Old World style. Lacking in fruit. Medium body. Medium finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Fuzion Alta 2009 Reserva Malbec

Surprisingly decent Malbec. Lots of fruit, medium body. Drinks like a Merlot. Nice longish finish. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Coyote's Run 2003 Old Vines Chardonnay

Decent attempt at a Chardonnay for a new Niagara winery. Lots of oak doesnt really produce the buttery flavours that I wanted and/or expected. Citrus notes and a long finish. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

L.A. Cetto 2008 Zinfandel

This is one of those great finds. A $10 wine that drinks as well or better than the low-end (read $20+) Zinfandels from Napa. Although it doesn't have the body or the 'heat' of a great Zin, this one bursts with fruit. Medium body and fully opens within 10 minutes. Lovely soft tannins and a respectably long finish. Honestly, it shocked the heck outta me. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: BUY ... a case.

Mexico has wines? Who knew?