Cornucopia has come and gone for another year but not before coinciding with one of the earliest opening ski seasons in Whistler's history. Should I ski or should I taste was a question many asked themselves each morning and walking through the snow most of Saturday and Sunday I could understand why some chose the ski lift over the lift you can get from wine. I worked out of the recently refurbished Westin for the weekend and was more than impressed with the $10 million update and warm friendly service encountered throughout the building.
My biggest discovery this weekend turned out to be a cookbook, Mangia with Quattro $29.95 (Whitecap Books), featuring Whistler ambassador and restaurateur Antonio Corsi and son Patrick. Antonio Corsi needs little introduction to Whistler residents and visitors who have long enjoyed his unique brand of genuine hospitality and family style cooking, but did you know all the inspiration for the uncomplicated, delicious food that is the menu foundation at Quattro (Whistler), Q4 (Kitsilano) and Gusto di Quattro (North Vancouver) is now revealed in this warm, friendly cookbook.
Great family photos dot the book, including several of the youthful Corsi in Italy and Germany where he honed his hospitality skills working as a professional waiter. But the heart of the book is countless family recipes and the details of how to prepare them. According to Corsi, "The most important things in life are sharing simple meals with friends, cooking with fresh ingredients, drinking joyously, and living with abbondanza (Italian for abundance and a passion for life)." As Corsi says, " abbondanza is the most important ingredient in every recipe."
The book includes favourite Corsi recipes from all of the restaurants, as well as the simple and satisfying dishes they enjoy preparing and eating at home, including 15 menus where each course is paired with wine.
What I love about the book is that it isn't over designed for your coffee table. The soft covered, paperback is made for the kitchen and the sooner it has a bit of spaghetti sauce spilled on it the better. If you are fan of the famous "spaghetti Quattro" and you have always wanted to make it at home now is your chance. The book will be in wide distribution by the weekend but you can always wander over to the restaurant and get a signed copy from Antonio.
The early snow and the book have inspired me to release a list of spaghetti reds suitable for many recipes in the book or to use for some early holiday entertaining. Enjoy.
Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina $14
Smooth, round, easy-sipping style with smoky, peppery, earthy, licorice, spicy flavours. Good solid, forward style to drink now. Solid value.
Emiliana Adobe Syrah Reserva Orgánico 2007, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Chile $14
This wine has been impressive from its first release and the latest is no exception. The palate is slippery with a lush dense weight and New World syrah finish. Great value and organically grown grapes.
Menguante Garnacha Old Vines 2007, Cariñena, Aragon, Spain $15
What do you get when you mix 80 year-old, organically farmed garnacha grapes with not a lot of new wood? A juicy, little red wine, full of mineral and bright fruit flavours. Food friendly.
Boutari Naoussa 2006, Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece $16
An ancient indigenous grape the xynomavro is rich, smooth and elegant. Look for strawberry, earthy, smoky, dried herb and tobacco flavours. Try with grilled chicken.
Emiliana Novas Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2006, Valle de Casablanca, Chile $17
Look for smoky, meaty Rhone notes over cool, spicy plummy fruit. The palate is a mix of red fruits with coffee, chocolate and savoury berries. Seriously delicious style here.
Peter Lehmann Layers Red 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia BC $18
A blend of grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan and tempranillo and no oak. Smoky, spicy, savoury, black olive, liquorice, black cherry, floral aromas and flavours. Lamb chops would be perfect here.
La Posta Bonarda 2007, Guaymallén, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina $19
Bonarda has found a second home in Argentina. Look for fresh grapey/red fruit flavours and white chocolate. A fragrant ripe red that would be perfect with chicken or veal dishes.
Altesino Rosso Toscano 2007, Tuscany, Italy BC $22
Hmmm, no wood, better fruit, smooth supple tannins and a vibrant earthy woodsy finish packed with fruit. It is hard not to like this red that is further supercharged by the excellent 2007 vintage. (AG-ST)
Vina Albali Gran Reserva 2001, Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain BC $23
All you want in an old Spanish red, the fruit is soft and round with sweet undertones and touch of balsamic. The finish supple and long with earthy undertones. Roast lamb is the answer.
Liberty School Syrah 2007, Central Coast, California, United States $24
Beautiful floral notes with rich dark berry fruit flavours and a twist of game and pepper in the background. There is a dash of viognier to cleave open the syrah, stabilize the colour and lift the aromatics.
Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache Barossa 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia $25
Simply marvellous from the first sip. Big and rich on the palate yet elegant with peppery, liquorice, raspberry, clove flavours and a smoky, savoury spicy finish. Turkey anyone.
Chateau de Serame Minervois 2006, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France $26
Warm with peppery, floral, black cherry, plum, cedar, garrigue, licorice, herbal, chocolate flavours. Good intensity for a young wine that will benefit from a year or two in bottle.
Yalumba Barossa Patchwork Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia $26
The flavours are an appealing mix of milk chocolate, blackberry, plum, vanilla, and spicy tobacco. Fine fruit with good finesse.
Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Port Unfiltered 2004, Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Portugal $27
The Crasto LBV is a blend of old vines containing 25 to 30 different local varieties averaging 60 years old. The grapes are handpicked and are foot trodden in traditional stone lagares. Light the fire.
Anthony Gismondi is a globetrotting wine writer who makes his home in West Vancouver, British Columbia. For more of his thoughts on wine log onto www.gismondionwine.com.
