SHADES OF
Autumn BY THE WINE GUY
I
t’s that time of year again! The kids are back in school, the cabin is closed and it’s dark too soon … but don’t give up just yet! While it is probably still too early to resort to the enveloping embrace of an Aussie shiraz or mouth-staining red from South America, there are plenty of middleweight wines to offer comfort as the nights draw in. In autumn, red wines made from grapes such as Grenache and Pinot Noir
Carrot & Ginger Soup Ingredients 3 tbsp. olive oil 1/2 yellow onion, diced 1/4 cup fresh ginger, minced 4 cups garden carrots, chopped 4 cups vegetable broth 1 orange, zested nutmeg salt and pepper to taste parsley
Preparation 1. Sauté onions and ginger in olive oil until soft. 2. Add carrots and vegetable broth. Simmer for 40 min. or until carrots are soft. 3. Add the orange zest and stir well. 4. Working in small batches and using a food processor or blender, process soup until smooth. 5. Return to pot or serving bowl and add nutmeg, salt, pepper and parsley.
can offer the perfect bridge between fruitier summer reds and the heavier, supercharged styles suited for chilly November evenings. A delicious, goodvalue example is the 2010 Côtes du Rhône Réserve from the Perrin family. It is spicy without being overpowering, and demonstrates the almost supernatural ability of French winemakers to produce layered, complex wines with poise and elegance. It makes a great partner for those last few BBQs on chilly September
evenings; baba ganoush or even garlic ribs pairs well with the Côtes du Rhône Réserve. But autumn isn’t just about reds. A weighty, well-oaked white such as the 2011 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay is a good example. It is luscious and rich, ideal for everything from grilled fish to roast chicken. I recommend trying this fullbodied wine with one of my favourites: carrot and ginger soup. If it’s the agricultural flavour of autumn you’re after, you don’t need to look very far for the perfect food-friendly glassful. Anyone who hasn’t recently experienced the refreshing, earthy delights of wellmade cider has a surprise in store. Living Sky Winery is based in Purdue, Saskatchewan and its rhubarb and cherry ciders not only pack a punch but have a rich fruitiness and balanced acidity — as good a match for pork as you’ll ever find.