Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut VQA

LCBO 217521, $29.95

James Treadwell, sommelier and co-owner of his father’s restaurant, has put together an iconic list of Niagara and international wines. “Listening to him talk about them with customers is an education in itself,” says VandeGraaf. Together the sous and the sommelier came up with several great matches for this dish, including a sour beer and an amontillado sherry. Their final choice was Cuvée Catharine, that crisp, sophisticated Niagara bubbly made in the traditional method by Henry of Pelham. Contrast rather than complement is the key to this particular match, explains James Treadwell. “The wine’s bright flavours and vibrant acidity make it a wonderful counterpoint to the textures and strong flavours in the dish.”