Natalie MacLean didn’t start out with a love of wine. Meals with her husband, who enjoyed having a bottle of wine with dinner, are where MacLean first discovered wine. “I always say that I didn’t start drinking until I met my husband,” said MacLean. “And now that I am writing about wine for a living, I don’t have a reason to stop.” Editor of a free wine newsletter at www.nataliemaclean.com, MacLean took her love of wine and turned it into a career. Starting off by writing about wine on the Internet, she was picked up by a local food magazine […]
Seafood & Wine
Food & Wine 4
Why did the chicken flee screaming across the road? It might’ve been escaping the dinner-party host trying to fry him and serve him with, yawn, a bottle of chardonnay. Matching vino and vittles for your next bash doesn’t have to be a “Wine for Dummies” affair relying on tried-and-tired combos (steak with Merlot, fish and Pinot Grigio). But combining tidbits that are supposedly wine-averse — Indian take-out, chips, breakfast — might mean you’ll uncork some interesting bottles. “In Europe, wine culture is quite developed, so it’s common and easy to simply pair white with fish or things like that,” says […]
An early taste of summer
We’ve all noticed the days getting longer and warmer. Very slowly. Instead of waiting for Mother Nature to give us a taste of summer, why don’t we treat ourselves to a generous dose of sunshine right now? Let’s pair southern warmth with the Canadian spring equinox and enjoy some fruity wines, exotic cheeses and great company. How can friends refuse an offer of good food and good wine? They won’t, which takes us to step one, food. Allow me to propose a sunny entree of almond-crusted maple salmon fillet and follow it up with an exotic cheese platter. The theme […]
Patagonian Pinot Noir with Butterfish Tiradito
Patagonia produces some of Argentina’s best Pinot Noirs, wines which are rich in strawberry and cherry flavors, accompanied by touches of vanilla, tobacco and walnut. In spite of its delicacy, Patagonian Pinot Noir is surprisingly well structured, and may benefit from a brief passage through French oak, which gives it texture and silkiness. When it comes to pairing Pinot Noir with the food on your dinner table, the mind lingers on a delicious butterfish tiradito (a traditional Peruvian dish, similar to ceviche) with a crunchy Nikkei tartare. This dish pays tribute to traditional Peruvian cuisine, so full of seductive flavors […]
Alternative barbecuing with cheese
There’s no better way to combine food with friends and family than a summer barbecue. The simple recipe is: good weather, good company and good food. Barbecues often have a reputation for being basic, no-frills cooking—but, in truth, they provide ample scope for culinary invention. Even traditional favourites like the cheeseburger or hot dog can be reinvigorated or given an innovative spin by adding fresh, summer ingredients and combining with a well-matched Canadian cheese. And a homemade sauce or dressing not only provides a healthy alternative to standard ketchup or mayo, it can also help bring out the flavours of […]
Bubbly & Bruschetta with Soft Eggs and Lobster
For all that she’s done, the mother in your household or in your life deserves a bit of luxury on Sunday morning. A brunch featuring Bruschetta with Eggs and Lobster should fit the bill nicely. It’s a celebratory riff on scrambled eggs on toast, with rich cream cheese, regal lobster, and, if you have it handy, a drizzle of truffle oil on top. (Lobsterphobes could substitute another seafood preference — smoked salmon, shrimp, crab or white fish — or opt for none at all, given that the cream cheese is decadent in itself. ) The Wine: Sumac Ridge Tribute Sparkling […]
