Nordjus: an amazing blog

They say the cheapest way to travel is by reading. So when you want to have a different experience, see a different perspective or just disappear for a while, may I suggest Nordjus: http://www.nordljus.co.uk/. While I don't think I have to explain why this site is so amazing, once you go you'll understand, I can't help but gush over Keiko Oikawa's photography, sense of finesse and refinement and ability to evoke magical gastronomic adventures via her blog. To be visited frequently...

Fancy Beaujolais

It’s wrong to be prejudice and even more so when it comes to wine. Beaujolais gets a bad rap because of a few mediocre products in the mainstream, just like Chianti gets its bad image from fiascos (click here). So when the city’s fanciest restaurant decides to offer a tasting menu with Beaujolais, it’s probably because a shift in opinion is due.

Les Importations Rézin and Toqué propose a five-course meal, paired with six wines from some of Beaujolais’ best producers: Lapierre (Morgon) and Pacalet (Moulin à vent). Book your seats early, at $140 – this meal is sure to be a spectacular and fulfilling.

Where: Toqué Restaurant, 900, Place Jean-Paul Riopelle

Call: 514.499.2084

When: May 27^th 2008, 6:30pm

Reserve directly at the restaurant.

For more information: www.restaurant-toque.com

Two Special Cocktail Hours: Wine & Tapas for a Cure

The Renoir Restaurant in the Sofitel Montreal, Les Vins Philippe Dandurand and Food With A Point are collaborating to support Team In Training marathoner Patrick Pressoir in his fundraising efforts benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.

On Tuesday May 20^th and Wednesday May 21^st 2008 between 4pm-7pm , you are invited to enjoy an afternoon on the terrace of the Renoir Restaurant at the Sofitel Montreal. There, for $30 per person , cash or cheque, you will enjoy a flight of three specially selected wines represented by Les Vins Philippe Dandurand, paired with three generous tapas by Renoir Executive Chef Deff Haupt. Your entire $30 payment goes directly to Team In Training, every single penny.

In order to contribute to this fundraising effort and indulge in fabulous food and wine, simply present the completed invitation (available in my Take Away Section: FWAP_TNT_Invitation.pdf) when arriving at the terrace. All those who wish to participate must fill in an invitation, as it will also serve to contact you in order to send you a tax receipt. So once again:

• Food & Wine to raise funds For Leukemia Research
• $30, paid in cash or by cheque
• Payable to La Société de leucémie et lymphome du Canada 
• Tues. May 20^th & Wed. May 21^st 2008, from 4pm – 7pm
• Contact Elias Chakhtoura at Restaurant Renoir – 514.788.3002  - for your reservation
• Restaurant Renoir, 1155 Sherbrooke St. West (in the Sofitel Montreal) , metro Peel

Seasonal Produce Reference

The public markets of Montreal have just made available one of the most useful documents I have seen in a while. Once you access their site, go to the “At Your Service” section and click on “Seasonal Produce”. This will allow you to download a 2-pagers with the seasonality of many fruits and vegetables. Genius. Now you can flow with the seasons and ensure to get your produce at its best and not risk purchasing out of season and not so tasty items.

http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/  

Fiascos

While doing some research before a recent Chianti tasting I attended, I came across a rather interesting random fact.

Chianti is one of the more famous Italian wines and regions (located in Tuscany). There is so much history surrounding the area, the regulations, the wines and the winemakers that one, no five posts, probably wouldn’t cut it. As a sidebar however, SuperTuscans (click here) are essentially rebel Chiantis. There was a period of time when Chianti wines were identified by being bottled in slim-necked, fat bottomed bottles with the telltale straw surrounding the base. These bottles are actually called fiascos – appropriate for a wine that has seen its fair share of these in the occurrence sense… Fiasco is actually the Italian word for flask.

The first mention of this type of bottle dates back to the 1300’s and the production of them continues today. The Comissionaria Industria Fiaschi (manufacturers association) was established in city of Empoli and to this day maintains strict control over the use of the trademark packaging. With the arrival of Super Tuscans, who not only use Bordeaux-blends in their wines but Bordeaux-style bottles for their wines, the fiasco is now only authorized for officially designated DOC Chiantis.