CUBAN-STYLE HASH, A MERE PICADILLO

Picadillo is Spanish for hash. Essentially, this is a Cuban version of American melange, eaten on its own or used as a filling for empanadas. The addition of olives and raisins are evidence of the Spanish influence on this particular version from Judith Finlayson’s The Chile Pepper Bible. You will need a large skillet with a lid. 2 tbsp (30 mL) extra virgin olive

■ oil

1 onion, chopped

■

1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

■ 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

■ 1/2 habanero pepper, minced

■ 4 garlic cloves, minced

■

11/4 lbs (568 g) lean ground beef

■ 1 tsp (5 mL) dried Mexican

■ oregano

to track them down in top-end wine shops where the price is jacked courtesy of B.C.’s punitive liquor taxes and the ongoing government wholesale pricing schlimazel.

The Le Vieux Pin Équinoxe ■ ($79.99) is superb, a balance of power and elegance.

The Painted Rock Syrah 2014 ■ ($34.69) is all about floral, sagebrush, black pepper, curry and licorice notes.

The Quails’ Gate Syrah The ■ Boswell 2015 ($50), just released, is an enticing mix of floral notes,

1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cumin

■ One 2-inch (5 cm) cinnamon

■ stick

1/4 cup (60 mL) dry sherry

■ One 28-oz (796 mL) can of

■ tomatoes, with juice

1/2 cup (125 mL) dark raisins

■ 12 large pimento-stuffed green

■ olives, sliced

Salt and freshly ground black ■ pepper

2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped

■ Finely chopped fresh parsley

■

1. In a skillet on medium heat, warm oil. Add onion, red and green bell peppers, habanero pepper and garlic and stir well. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until vegetables are very soft, about 10 minutes.

2. Increase heat to mediumhigh. lavender, violets and white pepper.

The Clos du Soleil Grower’s ■ Series Syrah Middle Bench Vineyard 2014 ($20) is simply a bargain.

Laughing Stock Vineyards ■ Syrah +17/09 2015 ($35.99) is packed with blueberry and Bing cherry fruit flavours.

Jason Parkes Customs Crown ■ + Thieves Broken Barrel Syrah 2013 ($69.68) is a delicious wine and story.

Oliver Twist Estate Syrah ■ 2013 ($27.90) grabbed gold Add beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add oregano, cumin and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add sherry and cook, stirring, until almost all of the liquid is evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and juice, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in raisins, olives, and salt and black pepper to taste. Cook until olives are heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large deep serving platter. Sprinkle chopped eggs over top. Garnish with parsley.

Makes: 4 to 6 servings medal honours at the 2017 Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada.

We finish with three elegant, less ‘strong’ flavoured Syrah from Bartier Bros:

Syrah Cerqueira Vineyard 2015 ■ — all black cherries, pipe tobacco and savoury cocoa.

Hillside Syrah 2014, ($26) a ■ story of elegance and finesse.

The Stag’s Hollow Syrah 2015 ■ ($25.99), a juicy, fruity, stony red that is almost quaffable.

Syrah, we do it well.