Share A Glass

Chocolate Marquise - a perfect Valentine’s dessert

Christine — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:56:42 +0000

Wow, I can now appreciate how much time and dirty bowls you accumulate when making this mouth-watering dessert. I have two pairings for this wonderful dessert; Layer Cake Shiraz, and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout.

9 oz Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped
3 sheets of leaf gelatin
3 egg yolks
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons brandy (optional)
1 3/4 Cups whipping cream
unsweetened cocoa powder to dust
light cream, to serve

What you need:

A sugar thermometre
A non-stick loaf pan
Parchment paper

Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a small saucepan of steaming but not boiling water and melt gently (do not let the base of the bowl touch the water). Stir occasionally, until smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and let cool slightly.

Put the gelatin in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Let soak for 3 minutes until soft, then drain off the water. Heat the gelatin over very low heat, swirling the pan, until the gelatin dissolves.

Put the egg yolks in a large, heatproof bowl and beat with an electric mixer until pale and creamy.

Put the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and cook for 3 minutes or until the temperature of the water has reached 240 F — Check with a sugar thermometer. Gently pour the sugar syrup onto the egg yolks, beating with an electric mixer as you pour, until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Beat in the Brandy, if using. Add half the warm chocolate and stir well with a large metal spoon until well mixed. Gently stir in the remaining chocolate, followed by the warm gelatin.

Put the cream in a bowl and whisk until it starts to thicken. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold the cream into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared load pan, tapping the base gently on the counter so the mixture reaches the corners. Level the top with a knife. Cover and chill overnight in the refrigerator until set.

When ready to serve, gently lift the marquise out of the pan by pulling up on the parchment paper and transfer to a serving plate. Dust with cocoa powder, then cut into slices. Serve with a drizzle of cream.

It’s the little things that make you smile

Christine — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:21:15 +0000

On our last trip to Niagara, we had the privilege to visit Sue-Ann Staff winery. Sue Ann is an amazing winemaker who has international acclaim, but until recently, has not had a winery to call her own. We entered her home and had the opportunity to taste her portfolio in the comfort of her very own kitchen. How often does that happen? A modest collection of wines, but all were very tasty. I was partial to her Robert’s Block Riesling - exuding tropical notes on the nose and a refreshing minerality, followed up by citrus notes on the palate and a long and pleasurable finish.

Sue-Ann has really brought an up close and personal experience for anyone that pops by her winery. Private parties and even small weddings are booked on the estate and there is even a favourite Valentine tasting that includes chocolate dipped bacon paired with her Baco Noir. Check out the following recipe and make the drive to Niagara for her Baco…It is definitely worth the drive.

Chocolate-Covered Bacon
Original recipe by PartySugar
Ingredients

6-8 slices thick cut, best-quality bacon
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
4 ounces white chocolate, melted, optional for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven, until bacon is cooked to your liking. 15 minutes for soft bacon, 20 minutes for crispy bacon.

Let bacon cool on the parchment paper for 5 minutes then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Meanwhile set up a double boiler. Heat a large saucepan filled with water over high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to a simmer.

Set a heat-proof bowl over the simmering water. Add the chocolate chips and stir with a fork until smooth and completely melted.

Cover another baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using tongs, carefully dip the bacon into the melted chocolate turning to coat all sides in chocolate. Transfer to the clean sheet of waiting parchment paper. Repeat with remaining slices of bacon.

Drizzle with the white chocolate, if desired.

Refrigerate until chocolate is hard.

Once cool, enjoy with your Baco Noir!

California…Land of exemplary Wine

Christine — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:20:00 +0000

You can definitely tell that I am partial to California and its bounty of beautiful vines. It’s incredible, from hot and dry Paso Robles Cabs and Zins, to San Luis Obispo’s refined Chards and Sparkling Wines. I have said this before and I will continue saying it; the California Wine Fair has an amazing selection of wines for everyone’s palate and it is coming to town - April 4, 2011 at the Fairmont Royal York and April 6, 2011 at the Westin Ottawa.

My tastebuds are tingling and I can’t wait for my first taste. Maybe this year I will deviate from usual plan of attack and stick to one variety; I, actually, haven’t done a single varietal tasting at the California Wine Fair. Any thoughts? I welcome your suggestions by email at christine@shareaglass.com. Alternatively, I could tackle one AVA to provide you with more of an in depth tasting from one region.

The California Wine Fair is also a great opportunity for consumers and trade to speak with some of the winery’s principal’s; if you are a wine geek, it’s always great to get inside information about the next vintage. One of my favourite wineries is Nichols Winery and Cellars. They have a knack in producing Burgundian style Pinot’s in California, and luck would have it, Keith Nichols will be gracing us with his presence.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Sonoma in the City

Christine — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:34:54 +0000

Another fabulous tasting that I never miss is Sonoma in the City. I am really excited about tasting Dutcher Crossing’s portfolio of wines. I wonder if we will have the opportunity to try their 2008 Bernier-Sibary Vineyard Zinfandel. I’m also a huge fan of bubbly and Gloria Ferrer is always my first stop. There is a wine for every palate and the reason being, Sonoma is made up of 13 different areas that each have a special climate, soil, elevation (Terroir) that cater to a specific grape variety; Zinfandel’s are fabulous from Dry Creek and alternatively, Chardonnay is exceptional in Carneros…The $95 ticket price for the tasting is well worth it.

Below is the list of wineries that are participating and I’ve put a few links in for my favourites, as well as the dates and times for Ottawa and TO.

List of Participating Wineries:

Arrowood Winery
Buena Vista Carneros
Chalk Hill Winery
Chateau St. Jean
Clos du Bois
Davis Bynum
DeLoach Vineyards
Dutcher Crossing Winery
Ehret Family Winery
Ferrari-Carano Winery
Flowers Winery
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Gallo Family Vineyards
Gary Farrell Winery
Geyser Peak Winery
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Kendall-Jackson
Landmark Vineyards
MacMurray Ranch Wines
Matanzas Creek
Patz & Hall
Pedroncelli Winery
Ravenswood Winery
Rodney Strong Wine Estates
Schug Carneros Estate
Sebastiani (Foley Family Wines)
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Simi Winery
Sonoma Cutrer
Stonestreet
Thomas George Estates

Dates and Times:

Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa,ON
Media & Trade Seminar: 1:00 – 2:15 p.m (Ontario Room, 3rd Level)
Trade Tasting: 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. (Confederation II/III Ballroom, 4th Level)
Consumer Tasting: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m (Confederation II/III Ballroom, 4th Level)
Consumer Tickets: $95/ticket; Call VINTAGES 416.365.5767 or 1-800-266-4764 Monday to Saturday, 9am-6pm

Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Westin Harbour Castle, One Harbour Square, Toronto, ON
Media & Trade Seminar: 1:00 – 2:15 p.m (Mizzen Restaurant, Hotel Lobby)
Trade Tasting: 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. (Frontenac Ballroom, Conference Centre, Ground Level)
Consumer Tasting: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m (Frontenac Ballroom, Conference Centre, Ground Level)
Consumer Tickets: $95/ticket; Call VINTAGES 416.365.5767 or 1-800-266-4764 Monday to Saturday, 9am-6pm

An Affair to Remember

Christine — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:12:08 +0000

My husband and I are taking a long awaited break from the everyday and visiting Niagara’s Wine region, specifically Beamsville and Vineland. Taking inspiration from The Good Earth Food and Wine Company, we are packing a picnic lunch with our favourite cheeses, smoked meat, apricot brandy butter, figs and fruit, and hoping to lay our blanket down at one of the welcoming vineyards of Beamsville.

A Foreign Affair is one of the region’s newer wineries and have a particularly interesting story behind the name and the styles of wines within their portfolio. Roughly two decades ago, owners Len and Marisa Crispino shared a love affair with Venetian wines when they were living as expats in Veneto, Italy. They adopted their new love of Amarone style wines and brought it back to Niagara for all of us to enjoy. Let’s see, a picnic lunch with Amarone style wines…How romantic : )

Pretty in Pink 2009

Christine — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:15:42 +0000

Growing up in the 80’s, who wasn’t a fan of John Hughes film’s. Fortunately, his movies will be etched in my brain forever, and so will this wonderfully spry rose I recently tried at a portfolio tasting for Montes Wines from Chile. Montes Cherub Syrah 2009 is a beautiful, refreshing wine with a surprising pucker on the palate. Glorious on its own, though I had the opportunity to try it with a Coconut Tiger Shrimp with a Lime Peppercorn Sauce…Very satisfying.

It is available through the lCBO for $14.95 in the Vintages section. I have an event this coming weekend that screams out for this wine. I will be picking up a few.

Toronto Wine and Cheese Show 2010

Christine — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:45:06 +0000

I had a clear agenda when I set out this year to ensure I was in and out within 2 hours. The prospect was good, but when you start talking wine with everyone, 2 hours is never enough. My first stop was with Heidi at one of my favourite Niagara wineries, Fielding Estate Winery; very much a fan of their Gewurztraminer, I opted to sample their 2008 Riesling this time and it did not disappoint; moderate aroma’s of lime and orange, followed by a refreshing acidity that, I find, is very indicitive of Beamsville. We are, truly, fortunate to be so close to such a great grape growing area in the world and to learn first-hand the differences between the variety of terroir’s present in Niagara. The Fielding Estate 2008 Riesling can be found in the majority of LCBO’s that have a Craft Wine Section. A great addition to this year’s show, Wine Allign collected tasting information from each of the booths and provided 2 D scan’s to ensure attendees were able to put together a shopping list on their smartphone of their favorite wines of the show.

Moving away from Canada, I tasted a wine that was perfectly delectible; great as a dessert wine, but also a great accompiniment to a baked ham with citrus glaze. Muscat de Limnos from Greece was a great find, though, I have to admit I did have my sights on it the night before as I was perusing the exhibitor list. I was glad to hear from Steve Kriaris that this wine is available at the LCBO for $11.95.

Spotlight on Vina Montes

Christine — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:16:19 +0000

Chile has now become a force to be reckoned with in the wine world. It is wonderful to be able to taste quality wines for extremely reasonable prices here in Canada. Vina Montes is a producer of beautiful wines that are accessible to us at a variety of price ranges. They produce ultra premium wines that can, literally, knock your socks off. Owner and world renowned wine maker, Aurelio Montes, does it all, and everything he touches turns purple. He is such a talented winemaker that, although his roots are in Chile, his vines reach to Argentina and as far as Napa — Producing an ultra premium wine that rivals the best Napa Wines. Montes Wines was, actually, the catalyst in bringing ultra premium wines out to the world and they continue to improve their wines vintage after vintage. I found a great vertical tasting on Wine Spectator to highlight Montes Alpha M that I have pasted below for everyone to enjoy.

By the way, I will have the rare opportunity to taste a variety of wines from Vina Montes, as well as, meet Aurelio Montes. Stay tuned for my follow up.

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California Wine Fair 2010

Christine — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:30:22 +0000

Do you know that Far Niente on Wellington Street in Toronto has one of the most comprehensive California Cab selections? They do have a diverse list outside of California, but their California section is extraordinary. We had the opportunity to try some great wine and food pairings at the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo that highlighted the wines of California and the fabulous contemporary cuisine of Far Niente. We are, frequently, mesmorized by the California Cabernet Sauvignon’s that Napa Valley boasts, and tend to forget about the other 11 appelations of California wine that are creating great wines as well. I have had the pleasure of attending the last three California Wine Fair’s at the Royal York that taste an astounding 400 wines from the Golden State. This is the perfect venue for anyone who is interested in learning more about California Wine. Fortunately, this event is in the next few weeks, so, it will be top of mind for most of you. The tickets are $65 and takes place on Monday, April 19 from 7:00 to 9:30. There are tickets still available, so hop to it.

I have a great video that I will be posting shortly that highlights the wine and food pairing at the California Cafe at the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo.

Toronto Wine & Cheese Show 2010

Christine — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:28:43 +0000

Looks like this year is going to be another great year for the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show. Everyone can look forward to getting a little technologically savvy with your wine shopping this year; Wine Allign has set up a 2 D barcode system, so if you taste something you like, you are able to scan a barcode present at the booth and save it to your smartphone; don’t forget to download the software before you leave home or you will be using your trusty pencil.

A few highlights this year include the abundance of seminars that the show has to offer; I am definitely excited about “The Tastes of Italy Served Sunny California Style” - should be a unique twist, and Chef David Adjay’s presentations will certainly be a treat. I found a great bio on David that you should check out.

Can’t wait to see you all there…The Show is running at the International Centre from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, March 21.