Seize The Day with Poutine & Gamay

Most of us have heard the expression, “Seize The Day,” translated from the Latin, Carpe Diem. Basically, it means to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future. 

Every day is a new day, meal-wise, especially. Poutine is a Canadian classic. French fries are doused with ooey, gooey gravy and then smothered with cheese curds that are supposed to soften up, melt and fill the crevasses between the fries . What we’ve got here is a Canadian cornucopia of textures and flavours all coming together to party on one’s palate before swallowing. Potatoes with their starch, cheese curds with proteins that are obliged to squeak when bitten into, and gravy with a seductive viscosity coming from animal juices, do their tasty thing. An overall pleasant mouthfeel with all these components creates the concept of flavor, even umami. A Canadian dish deserves to be paired with a Canadian wine such as Gamay. Native to France’s Beaujolais region, it has successfully made the trip over the Atlantic and is now a staple of red wine production in the Niagara Peninsula; specifically, the Short Hills Bench appellation, home to Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery. The warm location of south-facing slopes further ensure a full ripening of the Gamay grape. The day-to-night temperature shifts of up to 13 degrees Celsius contribute to the wine’s freshness and crispness. The medium body plus red berry and blueberry notes finish with a gentle spiciness on the palate. Chill for half an hour in the fridge and enjoy this delicious routine poutine pairing.        

2023 Henry of Pelham Estate The Smith & Smith Gamay, LCBO # 19903, $21.95