Pierre Sparr Wines: Alsace Value and Taste Pair Well

Maison Pierre Sparr By Melissa Pulvermacher We’re all on a constant search of high-value wines for a great price. I always say that your chance of getting a great quality wine for a large price tag is high, and although the odds are less consistent, it feels great to find a killer bottle of wine that doesn’t break the bank. Maison Pierre Sparr, founded in 1680 by Jean Sparr, is a winery and brand located in Alsace, France. Sparr owns 15 hectares of their own Domaine, while also sourcing grapes from 130 hectares of trusted farmer-owned vines, to produce their […]

read more …

Read More

BBQ Wines, Grill Tips and Cookbook, Thai Steak Recipe: Chef Rob Rainford

  In the video below, Food Network celebrity chef Rob Rainford shares his grilling tips, his favourite BBQ wines and his new cookbook Born to Grill. There’s also a delicious recipe for his barbecued Thai flank steak and Asian noodles below. Rob has always loved cooking, but his consistent theme has always been his love for the grill.     Rob Rainford is a Canadian chef with a world renowned reputation. Born in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica on November 30, 1966, Rob moved to Canada with his family when he was three. Rob enrolled in culinary school at George Brown […]

read more …

Read More

Grilled Fruit Salad, Bocconcini, Mint Recipe and Dessert Wine

Harvest in the Flavours This Season   Fresh fruit abounds this summer. So when I came across this light and refreshing recipe for Grilled Fruit Salad with Bocconcini and Mint, I knew I had to try it. Jam-packed with juicy fresh fruits and fresh Canadian Bocconcini cheese, your mouth will water just thinking about it.   A fruity recipe like this calls for a fruity wine. Rossignol Estate Iced Liberty Blossom is a sweet wine from Prince Edward Island that is made with three different kinds of apples. Another great match is Clos de Caveau Fruit Sauvage, a sweet, yet […]

read more …

Read More

Recipe: Berry, Canadian Mascarpone Cheese, Oat Crisp Salad

Wine, Cheese and Brunch make the Perfect Trio Running out of dinner party ideas? Change things up by inviting your friends over for brunch instead. It’s less stressful than planning a dinner and gives you a whole afternoon to chat and catch up. If you’re looking for something different to make, this recipe for Berry, Mascarpone, and Oat Crisp Salad is just the thing. With Canadian Mascarpone cheese, it’s deliciously refreshing and very simple to prepare. In fact, it’s bound to become a staple in your brunch rotation. And to complement the wonderfully creamy taste of the cheese, you want […]

read more …

Read More

Wine & Vegetable Pairing Tips

When it comes to the task of pairing vegetables with wine, an award-winning sommelier and wine writer is up to the challenge. “A lot of us are eating a lot more than meat these days, and even if you haven’t gone completely vegetarian, the move towards more healthy eating means there is a lot more greenery on our plates,” says Natalie MacLean. But she does agree the match between the plate and the glass becomes more challenging when it comes to seeking veggie-friendly wines. Full-bodied red wines should be avoided because they contain tannins, she explains. These are the natural […]

read more …

Read More

Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin and Spinach Salad Recipe with Southbrook Cabernet Franc Rose

Spice rubbed pork tenderloin and spinach salad with summer fruit and curry vinaigrette This spice mix is a blend of sweet and heat. A bright, vibrant rose with touch of sweet fruit freshness would be a terrific match for this main course salad. A delicious choice would be Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rose 2011, an organic wine from the Niagara Peninsula. Serves 4 Ingredients for the pork one 2¼  to 2½ lb pork tenderloin, trimmed ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp cumin seed ½ tsp fennel seed ½ tsp chili powder ¼ tsp black pepper 1 tsp […]

read more …

Read More

Recipe: Cedar Planked Salmon, Beet Quinoa Salad with Jackson Triggs Chardonnay

Cedar Planked Salmon With Beet & Quinoa Salad, Chardonnay Vinaigrette Salmon and Chardonnay are long-time comrades, and the use of chardonnay in this vinaigrette adds another dimension to the dish. Meet Chef Mackiddie at the i4c Kick-Off Party July 20th, featuring The Arkells at Jackson Triggs. Tickets on sale at www.coolchardonnay.org. Ingredients: 2 Cups Dry Quinoa 4 Cups Water 1 Tsp Salt 2 Medium Beets Cooked and Sliced 1 Tsp Chopped Thyme 1 Tbsp Chopped Parsley Method: Add Quinoa, Water & Salt into a saucepan, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until water is fully absorbed (about 15 minutes). […]

read more …

Read More

Shrimp, Watercress, Bacon and Walnut Salad Recipe Paired with Coopers Creek Chardonnay, New Zealand

Shrimp, Watercress, Bacon & Walnut Salad Recipe by Shari Goodman When autumn falls, you can still head to the farmers’ market to gather up the bounty from the summer’s sun and rain. A mix of crisp greens, fragrant herbs and a tangy vinaigrette can satisfy that craving for raw simplicity. To make a salad of complexity that’s hearty enough to eat as a main, you can add some grilled shrimp, a bit of bacon and goat’s cheese. And if you give the sliced potato and goat’s cheese some extra love in the deep fryer, it’s even better. Though many people […]

read more …

Read More

Stoneleigh Wines and some great summer reads

Sponsored Post With summer finally here, avid readers are finding time to unwind and enjoy a good book.  Whether in the backyard, at the beach, or on the dock, summer’s slower pace allows time to tackle that book club reading list.  And what better accompaniment to a compelling story than a cool, crisp white wine, or a complex red? Stoneleigh® Wines from Marlborough, New Zealand are the Official Wine Partner of Random House of Canada Limited.  Together, they have a range of book recommendations and accompanying wine suggestions. [table id=3 /]   [table id=5 /]   [table id=6 /]   […]

read more …

Read More