First we started with a roasted squash soup topped with charred scallops and a maple balsamic drizzle. We paired it with an Argentinian Torrontes. Perhaps a bit too aromatic for the soup, but when pairing what you have for wine, sometimes you need to make concessions.
The second course (pictured below) was a piece of grilled salmon on an arugula pesto topped with a homemade tomato salsa. This time we had the perfect wine to pair. My cousin rummaged around his cupboard and pulled out a bottle of 2005 L'Ecole 41 Semillon. This wine is of my favourite whites that we carry in the store. If you've never tried Semillon before, especially one that's aged a bit, this example from Washington state is definitely true to style. Aged sur lees, this wine had beautfiful body, a nice balance of oak and great honey and apricot flavours. This big, bold wine was perfect with the grilled salmon and cooling arugula pesto. Not a bad impromptu pairing!
While we were only two courses in we all were already getting a bit full, fortunately between each course we had to set up our makeshift photo studio and take a shot of each course, allowing a bit more time for our food to digest.
I'm going to cut things off here, as I'm already getting full again just writing about this meal, but I'll be back soon to finish off the rest of the dinner. For any of you interested in having someone cater a holiday dinner or simply prepare some unforgettable appies, drop my cousin an email to novacatering@yahoo.com. He'd be more than happy to accomodate. Until next time ...
Matt
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