Welcome to Second Ferment! Wine pairs well with life ... and food, travel, people, work and play. Grab a glass and join me as I explore the wine scene in Ottawa, Canada, and beyond. Love hearing from my readers, so please leave a comment. Cheers! - Bethany

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Quaff this: Reif Estate 2010 'The Fool' Gamay Nouveau

We've got one stocking hung by the chimney with care, but don't you worry. We'll have the halls bedecked by the end of the week. And I've got the wine to go with it.

I picked up a bottle of The Fool along with its French cousin during Beaujolais Nouveau week, thinking a Canadian version would definitely be worth trying. And HOW. This is a perfect Christmas wine. Aromas of spiked fruitcake, cranberries and maraschino cherries. On the palate, it's bright, cheery and easy-drinking. Match it with turkey, pork, rustic veggie dishes, all sorts of appetizers (those M&M pastry thingies come to mind.) We had it tonight with Hubby's tourtiere; the fruitiness and light acidity brilliantly brought out the cloves and allspice in the dish.

This is also your party wine, a great sipper for lounging about with friends, hovering near the buffet and mingling with the office crowd. Stock up now - I checked the LCBO site, and only 31 bottles are left at the Rideau and King Edward Store. (M&D - they have ONE LEFT at the Brookdale store! Run, don't walk!)

On a side note, the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau held a Christmas market this weekend, featuring several vignobles and cider makers. Had a sample of Le Hameau Baillie 2009, from Le Vignoble du Clos Baillie, in Aylmer. Red blend of sabrevoix, frontenac, St-croix and marechal foch (our sturdy, winter-resistant northern varietals); deep, rich and rustic, it would be a great match with true franco-canadien cipaille, a mixture of game meats done up in a thick stew and topped with a layer of flaky pastry. (Mouth is watering ... must go now ...) Look for a review of that and a few other places when I do the rounds of the local wineries next summer.

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