A Tasty Match From The Strawberry Patch

Hurray, it’s strawberry season. Whether bought at a farm stand, picked at a favourite local patch or purchased at your neighborhood grocery store, everybody loves this first fruit of the summer season. Strawberries are the fifth most consumed fruit in North America after bananas, apples, oranges and grapes. The word strawberry is said to derive from the word “stray” or “strew” for its tendency to propagate promiscuously.

Strawberries have a sweet yet slightly tart flavor profile which presents an interesting challenge when it comes to wine pairing. The fruit's natural sweetness can overwhelm a wine that is too dry, while its acidity can clash with a wine that is overly sweet. Therefore, the ideal wine to pair with strawberries should strike a balance between sweetness and acidity, complementing the fruit's flavour not overpowering it.

A brut rosé sparkling wine would be our choice. We like to enjoy a juicy, ripe red strawberry solo in one hand and a flute of bubbles in the other. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, Henry of Pelham’s Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut has a pale salmon colour. The bouquet exhibits seductive aromas of red fruits and berries. Medium bodied, bright complex red fruit flavours will harmonize with the sweetness of the strawberries, while its effervescence and crisp acidity provide a refreshing contrast to the fruit's soft texture.

If you wish to add a delicious twist to your weekend Brunch, strawberry filled crepes with fresh whipped cream would make a wonderful beginning. And do include Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut.

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut LCBO #217505, $32.95