:: The Zen Gourmand ::

The Zen Gourmand’s Cooking Class & Wine Tasting this past Saturday was a tremendous success and great fun. Thanks to all who attended. Your attendance, participation, contribution and support made for a wonderful evening.
We started our with introductions, light snacks and drinks followed by an overview of the evenings program.
The first item on the program was a tasting of “20 BEES LATE HARVEST VIDAL VQA“. Participants were handed out a tasting notes form allowing each to assess, judge and rate and comment on each of the 3 wines to be tasted this evening.
This tasting was followed by the evenings “cooking class” during which the Zen Gourmand demonstrated the preparation of a delicious Italian pear crostata, the recipe for which can be downloaded in 2 versions.
Click here for the metric measures version.
Click here for the imperial measures version.
While the crostata was baking in the oven, we proceeded to the 2nd tasting of the evening. The wine selected for this tasting was the 2001 “POMINO VIN SANTO” from the FRESCOBALDI estates in Tuscany. This very lovely dessert wine, somewhat reminiscent of fine ports, was enjoyed by all and ultimately declared the favorite of the 3 wines tasted.
With the crostata finished and ready to sample, the 3rd wine of the evening made its appearance to be tasted alongside a slice of crostata. The wine selected for this tasting was a fine 2001 “TOKAJI ASZU 4 PUTTONYOS” (DISZNOKO estates). It was generally felt that the Vin Santo would have made a better companion for the Pear Crostata.

VINTAGES 661249 | 500 mL bottle

Price: $ 33.95
Wine, Fortified Wine, Dessert/Fruit/Miscellaneous Wine
15.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 21

Made in: Tuscany, Italy
By: Marchesi De Frescobaldi

LCBO 18499 | 375 mL bottle

Price: $ 19.05
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine
12.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 17
This is a VQA wine

Made in: Ontario, Canada
By: NIAGARA VINTNERS INC.

Tasting Note – LCBO
“Medium deep yellow gold colour; aromas and flavours of apricot and white peache, with pineapple/citrus notes; sweet, medium bodied, rich, yet well balanced by acidity on the finish; good length.”

Tasting Note – WINECURRENT (Vic Harradine)
“A stunning wine. It was picked at 34 Brix, a hair under the regulation for ice wine. This helps explain the generous 12.8% alcohol. The aromatic nose is honeyed and beguiling. This medium to full-bodied dazzler offers caramel, toffee, raisins with desiccated nectarine and peach. Great balance and a lengthy luxurious finish make this tasting a special experience. The price to quality ratio is tipped heavily in your favour. Sip on its own, well chilled, with your best friend.”

Serving Suggestion
Fruit cake or flan and trifle.

VINTAGES 27177 | 500 mL bottle

Price: $ 34.95
Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine
12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 15

Made in: Hungary, Hungary
By: Compagnie Medocaine Des Grands Crus

Tasting Note – UNKN
“A lovely dark golden colour. Attractive honeyed spice on the nose and palate, along with ripe stone fruits.”

Tasting Note – WINEWRITING
“2001 (potentially very good; cool and rainy, lots of botrytis Tokaji Aszú 4 Puttonyos (8.5 TA, 110 RS) – quite complex honey melon and spice, more mushroom v exotic fat fruit; citrus peel intensity vS creamy raisins, quite developed and oxidised with acidity more in the background, forward and drinking nicely now.”