Cabbagetown bistro JAM Café recently launched a series of food-wine events that is quickly gaining attention across the city. I had the opportunity to attend one of the events, where the focus was on Prince Edward County wines and Acadian Sturgeon.
The tiny Mediterranean-style bistro hosted an intimate tasting event where guests had the chance to better acquaint themselves with two of the best wine producers from the Prince Edward Country region, Hinterland Wine Company and Norm Hardie Winery.
About Norm Hardie Winery
With the bulk of their production focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (70%), Norm’s wines have quickly gained critical acclaim for producing terroir focused wines. Norm is the only winemaker that I am aware of that is producing wines using both PEC and Niagara grapes in addition to ‘100% county’ wines. When you have the opportunity, try the burgundian-style Chardonnays and elegant Pinot Noirs.
www.normanhardie.com
About Hinterland Wine Company
Another winery from Hillier, four kilometers north of Norm Hardie. Vines were planted in 2003. After a limited production of Pinot in 2007, owners Vicki Samaras and Jonas Newman decided to move their entire production to sparkling due to the proper amount of acidity and ripeness the soil and climate in Hillier provide. Hinterland’s wines are often hard to come by and as of now can only be ordered online. Their Rose Sparkling 2007 was an instant hit and albeit is sold out, you can still find the wine by the glass at restaurants like George and Canoe (hurry).
www.hinterlandwine.com
About Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar
A five year old company from New Brunswick that produces sturgeon products using sustainable farming practices. Acadian Sturgeon products are available at the Summerhill Market and Healthy Butcher stores.
www.acadian-sturgeon.com
Guests were treated to seven canapés with wines accompanying each bite size courses. We started with Norm’s wines, a glass of Chardonnay 2008 (blended with PEC and Niagara grapes) served with a Parmigiano Reggiano Croquette (cold béchamel stuffed with parm) sitting on top of a tomato fondue. The crispness and acid in the wine was balanced appropriately with the croquette but overall this was a rather boring dish. Next a bland and undercooked spoonful of shrimp and corn paella served with the County Chardonnay 2008. The county chard has evolved so quickly since I first tasted it in late 2009. Oaky and Toasty but more integrated with lots of caramel and minerality stealing the show. There’s even a little popcorn action on the nose.
After an insightful presentation by owners of Hinterland Wine Company, Vicky Samaras and Jonas Newman (winemaker), we were presented to the highlight of the night, a glass of soldout Rose Sparkling 2007. One of my wines for 30 days of local wine this year, a delicious display of strawberry, minerality and cherry. The wine is currently sold out as mentioned above, and expect to see the 2008 release sometime in 2011. The bubbly was served with sturgeon caviar and chive crème fraiche stuffed inside a poached potato. A great pairing with the caviar offering plenty of richness, but the potato was noticeably undercooked.
Sturgeon carpaccio followed with one of the last still wines from Hinterland, the Riesling 2008. Some grapefruit elements, chalkiness in the wine that went well with the carpaccio. After the Riesling, we were treated to the first public pouring of the Ancestral 2010. The first of its style produced in Canada, made with Gamay fruit from a neighborhood winery (Grange of PEC) using the ancestral method. It’s a sweeter style sparkling that reminded me of Moscato D’Asti. Very ripe, great acidity, really delicious. It went flawlessly well with smoked sturgeon and confit pork. We closed off with sturgeon served fish&chips style – tempura sturgeon with a Yukon potato chip and aioli. The creaminess, fat and salt from the fish and aioli matching with the fresh prosecco style Whitecap 2009 – Hinterland’s entry level sparkling wine.
The event was priced at $35, which was incredible value, based on the caliber of wines that were poured at the event.
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For upcoming events at Jam Café, please visit their site,
JAM Café
195 Carlton Street
Toronto, Ontario
www.jamcafe.net
