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