SAVOUR A BREAD PUDDING
Warm up with a sausage strata
If you have been charged with organizing this year’s office party it’s never too early to get prepared. It’s particularly prudent given the current chaos ruling the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch and its wholesale operations and the uncertainty that any of your favourite wines will ever get out of warehouse jail and onto your local liquor store shelves in time for the holiday crush.
This week we offer up 10 diverse selections that cover off all the palates in the room, including the nerdiest of wine drinkers and we will save you money as well. The list will work for home shoppers too, it’s just that we have in mind larger parties and more bottles, thus the concentration on bargains to keep the costs down. Remember if you are going to buy by the case, consider going through a private wine shop or a B.C. winery and negotiate a discount. Best of all they will deliver your wine to the venue, saving you the aggravation of having to shop, store and deliver the wine yourself. Now what to buy:
■ You will need a Chardonnay and the Hardys William Hardy Chardonnay Limestone Coast 2016 ($17.99) redefines the modern Australia version. The fruit is a collection of mostly single vineyard Limestone Coast sites bringing bright, fresh grapefruit, green apple, pear melon fruit. Impressive effort here in a mini-Chablis style. Perfect for seafood appetizers or main course.
■ Fantastic value describes the Loosen Bros Dr L. Riesling 2015 ($14.95) from Germany. This juicy ripe, medium dry white is super versatile. You can serve this solo or alongside most any sushi rolls or sashimi dishes. Best of all, it’s only 8.5 per cent alcohol.
■ Sauvignon Blanc has always been one of the best value Veramonte labels. We can’t say enough about Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($13.49) for the price. The style is refreshing with juicy green apple/grapefruit flavours with ripe guava and mango. This is your chicken/seafood match.
■ The Bieler Père & Fils Sabine Rosé 2015 ($17) will wow rosé fans from its medium-deep pink hue, to its smoked stone, raspberry, Bing cherry and bone-dry, medium-bodied spicy finish. Provence rosé says you are in the loop; get out the salmon or prosciutto-wrapped melon.
■ Cabernet Sauvignon is the most asked-for red and one of the very best is the Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($22) from Chile. A fresher, more authentic cab with delicious, savoury, bay leaf notes and smoky cassis and red fruit. Best with grilled meats.
■ The party red of the year might be the Torres Sangre de Toro Garnacha 2015 ($13). Juicy round slippery fruity with a twist of dried herbs, it’s hard to stop drinking it. A charming party red perfect for grilled chicken or pork dishes.
■ Unpretentious, simple, round and inexpensive best describes the Kono Pinot Noir 2016, South Island, New Zealand ($14.99). Juicy, always a good thing with spicy, plummy fruit, it slips down effortlessly. Perfect with assorted pizzas and super value.
■ Graffigna Malbec 2015 ($12.49) has been around since 1870 and they know thing or two about higher altitude Malbec. Enticing savoury, earthy, resiny nose with rich, black cherry/plum flavours and black fruit in the finish. This one is a winner with grilled lamb, pork or beef or cheese.
■ No party is complete without a sparkling wine and the Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava ($13), with its persistent mousse and citrus, green apple, dry nutty flavours is as refreshing as it gets. Serve with anything.
■ And finally, the earth friendly M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Rouge 2014 ($15) is bio-dynamically grown in Roussillon. Fresh rich peppery, licorice, black raspberry jam and chocolate give this a big start but it finishes polished in an elegant style with smoky, meaty notes and plenty of acidity. One for the connoisseurs in attendance. Time to get shopping.