4 Great Italian Reds – Vintages Release - November 12, 2011

Interactive Holiday Parties at The Chef Upstairs with Wine Pairing

There is no other venue in Toronto where you can climb into the kitchen and work side by side with one of our amazing chefs. It is a party, a cooking class and a wine and food pairing event that will leave you and your guests raving for days after and many of the wines that we use for pairing come right from this bi-weekly blog.

Our calendar is filling up quickly for the holiday season, so call us now before it’s too late. We are booking both lunches and dinners. http://www.thechefupstairs.com/holiday_party.html

Call us at 416.544.9221 or send an email to events@thechefupstairs.com

Vintages release for November 12, 2011

Another wonderful pre-holiday release. Try the Chenin Blanc from South Africa for sipping and stock up on the Italian reds for winter dinners and don’t forget to pick up the two sparkling wines listed below. They will be gone by New Years eve!

Red wines under $20

Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes Hermitage 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #127712; Rating – 90; $20.95

While this is $1 over the limit, it will be a wonderful wine in another year or two, so a grab a few, put them in the cellar and enjoy after 2012.

Delas Frères Saint Esprit Côtes Du Rhône 2009, Ac; Rhone, France
LCBO #729962; Rating – 89; $14.95

This wine has great depth for the price, but the tannin requires a year or two to soften. Very good length. Drink 2013 to 2016

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile
LCBO #684597; Rating – 89; $17.95

This is an ideal cab for cellaring. It will only get better with time. It’s full bodied, dense and balanced. Not a sipper, but will pair well with rack of lamb with a peppercorn sauce. Recipe to follow.

Villa Girardi Bure Alto Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009, Doc Veneto, Italy
LCBO #161844; Rating -89; $17.95

This is classic Ripasso with a nose of leather, dried herbs, sun dried tomato and earth. Very drinkable. Pair with strong tomato based Italian fare.

Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, Docg; Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #930966; Rating 89; $21.95

A very popular style from a very good 2006 vintage. Ready to drink now and over the next year. Pair with your favourite pasta and tomato sauce.

Manimurci Lacrima Christi Vesuvio Rosso 2009, Doc; Campania, Italy
LCBO #230557; Rating – 88; $14.95

John Szabo describes the smoky, savoury, earthy tones of this old world style wine. This is a classic wine to serve with hearty winter fare from Italy. Grilled meats with strong tomato flavouring will work well.

Sampietrana Vigna Delle Monache Riserva Salice Salentino 2006, Doc; Puglia, Italy
LCBO #247908; Rating – 88; $15.95

A full bodied blend that is quite tasty with very good length. Worth a try at this price. Pair with hearty Italian comfort food.

Château La Cheze 2005, Ac Premières Côtes De Bordeaux; Bordeaux, France
LCBO #244038; Rating – 88; $18.95

From the marvellous 2005 vintage this wine is mature and ready to drink now. It’s a good buy for mature style Bordeaux. Decant and wait an hour before drinking.

White Wines under $20

Lillet Blanc, Bordeaux, France
LCBO #322297; Rating – 92; $14.95

A wonderful fortified aperatif that is mellow and elegant with notes of orange. Mix with Gin to make a Vesper Martini.

The Winery Of Good Hope Vinum Chenin Blanc 2009, Western Cape, South Africa
LCBO #739995; Rating 89; $14.95

A well layered and flavourful example of South African Chenin Blanc. A nice citrus nose with excellent length. A very good buy at this price. Will pair well with lemon chicken or a light fish with lemon.

Sparkling and Fortified Wines

Domaine De Vaugondy Brut Vouvray, Ac, Methode Traditionnelle; Loire, France
LCBO #154567; Rating – 89; $17.95

Now is the time to stock up on your sparkling/champagne style wines for New Years. This is made from chenin blanc grapes, is very dry, with good focus and excellent length. A very good buy at this price.

Prevedello Asolo Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco 2010, Docg; Veneto, Italy
LCBO #262881; Rating – 88; $16.95

This is a wonderful light weight prosecco with aroma of cut apples and vanilla. Some people I know love this on the golf course, which tells you that it works anywhere. A great buy at the price. Save some for those upcoming holiday parties and start off the evening by pairing it with grilled shrimp.

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827 Sweet Sherry, Do Jerez; Jerez, Spain
LCBO #47944; Rating – 91; $17.95

This is one thick sweet wine and a great buy at this price. Drink it instead of dessert, over ice cream or with your Christmas fruit cake.

Vintages Release - August 20, 2011

It may be back to school time in two weeks, but we still have many weeks of summer weather ahead of us. So this weekend relax and enjoy your down time with some great produce from our local farmers markets and match it with some of these lovely value wines that the LCBO will release this weekend.

RECIPES AND COOKING TIPS - GRILLED SWEET CORN

Corn is in abundant supply right now and there is nothing better than crisp, fresh, sweet corn. Corn is best if eaten within 2 days from the time it is picked, so if you are buying it at the grocery store, it is probably 3 to 7 days old. I suggest that you buy it at your local Farmer’s market or find a convenient road side stand. My favourite place is on 6^th Line, just south of Derry Road between Mississauga and Milton. They plant ‘supersweet’ corn and quite often they will pick you a dozen while you wait …for $5/dozen it can’t be beat. To take full advantage of that fresh sweet flavour, cook it on your BBQ in the husk. I soak it in the sink for about 20 minutes, then place it on the hot grill, turning it every few minutes until the husks are nicely browned (about 15 to 20 minutes). You can then set it aside and continue cooking the rest of your meal, as the husks will trap the heat  at least 20 minutes. Be careful when husking as it can be very hot. I use gloves or husk under cold running water. Fine Cooking magazine has a great article on grilling corn and several wonderful recipes as well. Trust me, I have tried every method of cooking corn and this is by far the tastiest way to prepare this wonderful summer delicacy.

RED WINES

Quinta De Ventozelo Touriga Nacional 2007, Doc Douro; Douro, Portugal
LCBO #657452;  Rating – 90; 19.95

A wonderful medium-full bodied wine that shows a wonderful nose and excellent nose. Drink it now or it will get even better over the next 5 years.

Château L'argentier Vieilles Vignes De Carignan 2007, Vin De Pays Du Gard; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France
LCBO #250712;  Rating – 90;  $19.95

This wine is made from carignan vines that are 72 years old. The winemaker has done a wonderful job with this smooth wine that is dense in flavour with excellent length. I have this earmarked for a grilled boneless leg of lamb that is marinated with plenty of rosemary.

Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Wo Stellenbosch; Stellenbosch, South Africa
LCBO #107391;  Rating – 90; $19.95

South Africa produces some fine wines and this is a clear example. Drink now or let it rest for 5+ years. Excellent length and depth.

Mas Foraster Josep Foraster Criança 2006, Montblanc, Do Conca De Barbera; Spain
LCBO #218321;  Rating – 88;  $13.95

A blend of cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo. Well balanced with very good length and at a great price.

Villa Medoro Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2008, Doc; Abruzzo, Italy
LCBO #242321;  Rating – 88;  $15.95

This is a very appealing wine that may be compared to a new world cabernet. It has solid flavour and complexity beyond its price. Drink it now!

Château De Flaugergues Cuvée Sommelière 2007, La Méjanelle, Ac Coteaux Du Languedoc; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France
LCBO #65896;  Rating – 88;  $17.95

This is a very simple, drinkable red that is medium bodied with very good length.

Château De La Sauveuse Cuvée Carolle 2008, Ac Côtes De Provence; Provence, France
LCBO #250704;  Rating – 88;  $18.95

This is a very ‘earthy’ wine that will pair well with gamey meats. Pair with herb encrusted rack of lamb with a black peppercorn sauce.

Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2009, Côtes De Thongue Igp Languedoc; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France
LCBO #160150;  Rating – 87;  $12.95

For $13 this offers great character and finish. Will pair nicely with ribs, wings, burgers or sausages!

Frascole Chianti Rufina 2007, Docg;  Tuscany, Italy
LCBO #85167; Rating – 87;  $15.95

This is a basic Chianti with very good finish. Serve with Pasta Puttanesca.

WHITE WINES

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island; Marlborough, New Zealand
LCBO #160085;  Rating – 90;  $9.95

375ml bottle – A nice clean and polished wine with citrus, green herb and tropical fruit flavours. A perfect size for two on the patio.

Chalone Monterey County Chardonnay 2009, Monterey County; California, USA
LCBO #80226;  Rating – 90; $16.95

A classic rich California Chardonnay, with excellent length that is a great value wine at this price. Drink it now or even cellar for 2 to 3 years.  Pair with a rich seafood pasta or grilled Atlantic salmon.

René Muré Signature Gewurztraminer 2009, Ac Alsace; Alsace, France
LCBO #61218;  Rating – 90;  $17.95

This is a wonderful gewurz with good to excellent length. Will pair well with Asian foods or try with lamb curry.

Montes Limited Selection Leyda Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Leyda Valley; Leyda Valley, Chile
LCBO #32060;  Rating – 89;  $14.95

A very complex nose of green herb, lime and citrus with excellent length. Good value for the money.

La Ferme Du Mont La Truffière 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhône; Rhone, France
LCBO #234716;  Rating – 89;  $16.95

A classic southern Rhone wine that features subtle grapefruit and peach flavours. It is a mid-weight wine and has good to very good length. Serve with grilled shrimp or calamari.

Cave Talmard Mâcon Uchizy 2009, Ac; Burgundy, France
LCBO #733956;  Rating – 88; $15.95

A very nicely priced wine from the home of the world’s oldest Chardonnay.  Try it in comparison to the Chalone from Monterey County above.

Fall Cooking Classes at The Chef Upstairs

AUTUMN CLASSIC FARE
Oct. 5th & Nov. 23rd; Price - $75 plus HST; 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Book Now: 416-544-9221

Chef Greg Heller will introduce you to some delightful fall dishes and recipes:

Classic Roast Chicken - this is a very simple recipe that goes from counter to table in about 60 minutes. Why buy a sodium induced grocery store product?

Turkey roasting tricks and hints; You will never make a tasteless dry turkey again.

Polish Beet Borsch Soup from my mother's cook book. This is one of my favourite soups that is so good on a cool fall day.

Brussel sprouts that make you come back for seconds and thirds. I have two great recipes that will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner.



PASTRY BOOT CAMP
Oct. 12th & Nov. 3rd; Price - $75 plus HST; 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Book Now: 416-544-9221

In this cooking class you will learn to make that perfect pie crust that you’ve always dreamed about. We will teach you how to make both a butter crust and a traditional shortening crust and we will make three different pies with these crusts.

Butter Crust …Apple Streusel Pie

Shortening Crust …Sugar and Spice Pumpkin Pie with brandied ginger cream; Sweet potato pie



HEALTHY AMAZING DINNERS IN 30 MINUTES
Oct. 19th; Nov. 10th; Nov. 30th; Price - $75 plus HST; 6:30 - 9:00 pm;
Book Now: 416-544-9221

Calling on over 25 years of experience Chef Greg will teach you the tips and tricks you need to make 3 tasty, healthy and quick dinners. Why buy take-out or prepared foods when you can make better meals yourself?

Meal 1: Fresh greens with a simple vinaigrette; Acorn squash with rosemary and brown sugar and grilled chicken breasts with a mustard pan sauce.

Meal 2: Quick and healthy Caesar salad; angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes and grilled chicken or sweet Italian sausage. Garlic toast.

Meal 3: Pear, spinach and arugula salad with mango poppy seed dressing; warm citrus couscous; grilled salmon with citrus and dill



KILLER APPETIZERS
Oct. 25th & Nov. 16th; Price $75 plus HST; 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Book Now: 416-544-9221

Now you can woo your friends and family with amazing appetizers that they will love and then beg you for the recipes.

Prosciutto wrapped shrimp stuffed with herbed goat cheese and a maple rum glaze. I made this 4 times this summer and it was a home run each time.

Torched and sautéed shrimp. You live in an apartment and don't have a bbq or it's winter and your bbq is buried under snow. With this recipe your guests will swear that you've got a hidden bbq. A crowd favourite at The Chef Upstairs.

Simple Grilled Quail. You will learn how to debone these beautiful little birds, season and sautee them. Your guests will fight over the last one left on the plate!

Spiced Olive and Feta Spread on a Fresh Baguette. This is a simple dish, but easy to prepare ahead of time and delicious to boot! A great baguette is very improtant and we will talk about bread as well.

Goat Cheese in Grape Leaves. Another simple and tasty treat that will get your evening party off on the right foot.