SHORTAGES ARE LOOMING, SO BUY YOUR HOLIDAY WINES NOW
The holiday party season is in full swing, leaving more decisions about which wines to buy whether you are entertaining at home or heading out to celebrate with friends.
Be forewarned: start early. The Liquor Distribution Branch is still working to recover from months of delivery challenges related to the move of its central distribution centre to Delta and this is the busiest retail sales time of the year. This may spell trouble for the most interesting products brought in for the holidays, as they may be stuck in the system with deliveries focused on the biggest sellers, many of which just happen to be listed on the government side of the decidedly tilted playing field.
The LDB says it is shouldering the transition via its Vancouver Distribution Centre, and adding dozens of temporary holiday workers to meet demand.
While hardly news to private sector wine shops and restaurants barely hanging on, it means more unfulfilled, a.k.a. short shipments, to come, and empty retail shelves with stock sitting in a warehouse wasting away.
That said, we can only deal with what we can buy now, but you can bet there will be shortages of your favourites later in December, hence the get started pitch.
The good news is, drinking at home has its advantages, beginning with a cost cut of at least 50 per cent. But while drinking twice as much for the same price is attractive, we suggest spending 20 or 30 per cent more and drinking better while still saving money. Here are our suggestions:
We begin with Champagne because, well, it’s Champagne. Three affordable labels to look for are the Piper-Heidsieck Brut ($57.99), Champagne Gardet Brut Tradition ($49.99) and Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru ($52.99). Champagne is an unexpected treat for your guests and if the gathering is small enough its an electric affordable luxury.
If you are leaning toward local sparklers, consider these equally compelling selections: Fitz Brut Sparkling 2015 ($32.99), Noble Corcelettes Malbec Micro Lot Series 2016, Canada, $31.90
A delicious mix of black cherry and blackcurrants reminiscent of an old vine Sonoma Zinfandel is the perfect sausage slayer. Ridge The One Sparkling 2015 ($47.90), or for a little colour, Blue Mountain Brut Rosé R.D. Méthode Traditionelle 2015 ($32.90).
White wine choices have finally moved beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc — not that you
SAUSAGE DRESSING SQUARES
Better known for her sweet treats, Anna Olson is a pretty solid all-around cook.
Her new book, Set for the Holidays with Anna Olson, is full of starters, snacks and dinner-sized entrées as warm as grandma’s hugs. I like this finger-friendly appy, perfect when guests are expected and you’d rather be socializing than cooking. Make it ahead of time.
1 tbsp (15 mL) extra virgin olive ■ oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
■ 1 stalk celery, finely diced
■
1 lb (454 g) uncooked sausages,
■ such as bratwurst
2 large eggs
■
1 cup (130 g) dry breadcrumbs
■ ½ cup (70 g) dried cranberries
■ ⅓ cup (50 g) coarsely chopped
■ shelled pistachios
¼ cup (60 mL) maple syrup
■ 2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped Italian
■ parsley
1 ½ tsp (7.5 mL) celery salt
■ 12 strips bacon
■
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease and line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch should run from the popular picks — but a change-up of Italian whites or Spanish Albarinos, or Rhone-style white blends would all be fine substitutes. So is any well made Riesling.
Our suggestions begin with two seafood slayers: CVNE Monopole Rioja Blanco 2016, Rioja, Spain ($17), or Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna 2017, Sardinia, Italy ($18.99). The Rhone blend not to miss is the M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Blanc 2017, Côtes du Roussillon, France ($16.99). The Protea Chenin Blanc 2017, Western Cape, South Africa ($14.49) is another entertaining white that will work with a lot of appetizers. Possible white wine matches include crab, prawns, chicken, pork or vegetarian dishes.
Reds remain the crowd favourite but there are some muststocks like Cabernet Sauvignon. Our picks: Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Paso Robles, California ($23.99), Catena Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2015, Mendoza, Argentina ($21.99).
Pinot Noir will be in demand and you will need a pair: Morandé (20 cm) square pan with parchment. Heat a small sauté pan over medium heat and add the oil, followed by the onions and celery. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the vegetables to cool.
2. Meanwhile, cut open the sausage casings (or buy sausage meat without the casings) and place the meat in a large mixing bowl. Discard the casings. Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, cranberries, pistachios, maple syrup, parsley and celery salt and mix well to combine — your hands will make fast work of this task, but you can also use a spoon. Add the cooled onions and celery and mix in well. Spoon into the prepared pan, pressing down to level the mix.
3. Arrange the bacon slices over the sausage, covering it completely. I like to make a bacon weave to top the sausage squares. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the bacon has browned and the meat registers 165°F (74°C). Let cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature. Makes: 36 bites. Pionero Pinot Noir Reserva 2017, Valle de Casablanca ($12.99) or Murphy- Goode Pinot Noir 2016, California ($20.49). Finally, some boisterous Shiraz/Syrah picks include Riebeek Cellars Shiraz 2016, South Africa ($12.99), or De Bortoli Woodfired Heathcote Shiraz 2016, Victoria, Australia ($18.99).
Don’t forget some red blends. Party labels we recommend include Tormaresca Trentangeli Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy ($19.49), Domaine Guisset 2016, Roussillon, France ($19.99) and Ortas La Domeliére Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Rhone Valley, France ($21.99).
We wrap up our selections with some port for the cold days by the fire or for the perfect post-dinner sip.
Both are wood-aged ports and more than ready to drink. First up is Warre’s Otima 10-Year- Old Port ($26.99) that spends an average of 10 years in old casks, or the equally tasty but different in style Fonseca Bin No 27 Finest Reserve Port ($24.99), created over a century ago for family consumption.
Now, it’s time to get shopping.