Meatloaf and Mer lot: Comfort foods of autumn
In my last column I made a mistake. Jesse’s Tap and Grill is located at 583 Robinson Rd, Ennismore (not Omemee). My apology to owners Jason and Niki Julian.
I went back to Jesse’s again this week to try the home-cooked meal special, which is offered every Monday night for approximately $15.99 (can change) and is available for takeout.
This week I sampled Jesse’s meatloaf with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. I was shocked by the portion size and the delicious home cooked taste! This special is definitely worth the drive to Ennismore! Every Monday it is a different dish.
Meatloaf, in general, is the ideal food to serve as winter approaches. Different styles of meat loaf work harmoniously with various wines.
Eggplant Parmesan Meatloaf is comprised of a thick slice of meatloaf topped with breadcrumb coated eggplant, smothered in melted mozzarella and zesty and spicy tomato sauce. This is an Italian inspired comfort food. Due to the tangy and spicy tomato sauce, this Italian-like dish demands a red wine with decent acidity and perhaps sweetness to match.
Gamay and Pinot Noir are light, fruity red table wines that will complement this meatloaf with not so spicy tomato sauce. However, if you prefer lots of heat and spice, choose a sweet wine to match, such as Lambrusco.
Chiarli Castelvetro Lambrusco Sparkling, (CSPC 604), $9.95, is ideal for heat and spice,. This bubbly is low in alcohol (8 percent) and therefore perfect for weekday sipping. Its sweetness offsets the heat and spice bringing a sense of balance to the palate between bites.
Korean meatloaf with Korean barbecue glaze has notes of sweetness that also need a sweet wine. Chiarli Castelvetro Lambrusco sparkling wine works with this style of Asian meatloaf as well.
Indian meatloaf with its curry flavour also requires a wine with sweetness to offset the curry spice and heat. Again, this Lambrusco is a good match.
Chinese pork meat loaf also tastes great with this same bubbly.
Meatless meatloaf with mushroom gravy can be made with eggplant, walnuts, tofu, mushrooms and plenty of herbs. The mushroom gravy demands a red with earthy notes. Spanish Rioja reds often have that earthy character to complement mushrooms.
Bacon wrapped meatloaf stuffed with aged cheddar most certainly requires a big and luscious red wine to match. Try 19 Crimes Cabernet Sauvignon (461525), $18.95, South Australia. The wine’ s full body makes it suitable for beef and the fattiness of bacon, while its dark berry fruit on the nose and palate complement the Cheddar’s sharpness.
If you stuff the bacon-wrapped meatloaf with mozzarella instead of Cheddar, choose a wine with smooth texture, such as Merlot. Try Ghost Pines Merlot, (CSPC 454876), $19.95, California. I love this wine with its dark berry, chocolate and mocha aromas and flav ours. Its smooth texture and long finish complement the silky texture of mozzarella.