Wine Maven – March April 2012

Single malt, always appropriate

Tony Le (Lux), Julie Ward (Saverio Schiralli Agencies), Jamie MacKenzie (Morrison Bowmore Distillers)

Tony Le, exec chef at Lux, created a special menu to be enjoyed with Ridge Zin and Auchentoshan single malt; roasted beet deviled eggs, duck with jalapeño hash, and a grilled angus striploin, whichJamie MacKenzie, Morrison Bowmore Distiller’s North American general manager, said was at least as good as Scottish beef. The single malts, including Auchentoshan 12 were a welcome tipple during the only cold week of the winter.

Save the date

Slow Food Edmonton’s Indulgence, a Canadian epic of food and wine, Monday June 11, 6:30-9:00pm at the Delta Edmonton South. It’s a magic night: farmers and producers from the region collaborate with our best chefs to create delicious local dishes paired with Canadian estate wines. Funds raised support the Junior League’s food and children endeavours. Tickets go on sale May 1, $60/person, through the Junior League of Edmonton. Visit indulgenceedmonton.ca or slowfoodedmonton.ca for the latest details.

Tasting wine with winemakers

Piero Incisa (Bodegas Chacra) Juanita Roos, (Crestwood Wines) and Jacques Lurton (The Islander)

Trialto had a portfolio tasting in Calgary with several producers on hand including Piero Incisa. His quest to make thrilling ”wines of consequence” at the end of the world has resulted in Bodega Chacra; the Pinot Noir, a deliciously accessible 2010 Brada and the spellbinding 2009 Treinta y Dos. We loved Jacques Lurton’s expressive and distinctive Semillon and Cabernet Franc from Kangaroo Island, Australia. More gems from the Trialto tasting included Isabelle Meunier’s hand-crafted Evening Land Oregon Pinot — worth seeking out, at Calgary’s Metrovino only for now. We tasted Telmo Rodriguez’ evocative wines from Toro, Ribera del Duero, and, again, in Rioja at family estate Remelluri; and the high altitude Malbecs of the extremely organized Laura Catena (emergency medical doctor, and director of Bodegas Catena and Luca).

Wine from brazil?

Nelson Gomes, (Fine Wine Imports), Oscar Lopez (Pampa), Michael Green, (Wineboy Importers)

Yes, Brazil. The wine region is not in the tropics, but at the same latitude as Mendoza. Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse serves several wines from the Salton and Miolo wineries. Looking for the full churrasco experience? Start with Miolo Millesime sparkling. Millesime’s hand-picked blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has a fine bubble with creamy notes of bread dough, strawberry and ripe apples. Elegantly delicious. Carry on with a crisp and lively Salton Sauvignon Blanc with salad. Then enjoy Salton Talento, a well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend — fragrant aromas of berry and cedar are followed by juicy black fruit flavours with chewy tannins, perfect to have with Pampa’s roasted beef ribs.