Article: Ottawa Business Journal A Perfect Valentine's Day Dinner


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More about The Savvy Grapes... The Savvy Grapes in the News Meet The Savvy Team Published Articles Contact The Savvy Grapes BE SAVVY Send us your email to be included on the invitee list for *The Savvy Grapes* upcoming food & wine events. Cheers! NEWS... The Ottawa business community recognized *The Savvy Grapes* with the Silver Award for 'The Professional Services of the Year' MORE...	A Perfect Valentine's Day Dinner Ottawa Business Journal - Executive Dining Guide February 6, 2006 READ THE ONLINE VERSION So, you have found the perfect Valentine’s Day card that ‘says it all’. You are on your way to pick up a special gourmet meal just for two, and you have remembered to buy new candles for your special evening with the love of your life. All that is left is to select a bottle of wine to make the evening perfect. At the wine store, you are faced with shelves of bottles, colourful labels and foreign words. With your menu at hand, here are a few tips to help you make your selection: Plan to start your evening with a glass of sparkling wine – Not only does a bit of bubbly set the mood for the evening, the refreshing wine readies your palette for your gourmet meal. Choosing a wine for each course: Start by…Focusing on the country of origin of the food - Wine has been created for centuries to accompany regional food. For example, Italian wine goes well with Italian cuisine, French wines with French cuisine, etc. Pairing the country of origin for both the food and wine is a natural fit. Next…Pair the wine with the sauce – Like choosing an eye catching tie or a vibrant scarf to transform your suit or dress, select a wine that accentuates the flavours of the marinade or sauce rather than choosing a wine to pair with the meat. Then…Balance the ‘weight’ of the food and wine – Choose a wine to complement the weight of the cuisine. A delicate meal of scallops with lemon butter sauce will go best with a light bodied wine with citrus aromas and tastes. A hearty stew yearns for a substantial full bodied red wine. Nothing says “I love you” like a dessert wine. Select a Canadian icewine or a late harvest wine, a port or a sherry as a perfect finish to your Valentine’s dinner. “Cheers!” Debbie Trenholm is an Accredited Sommelier who hosts fun and informative winemaker’s dinners, Sommelier led dinners and wine tastings for private and corporate clients and the general public. To receive invitations to *The Savvy Grapes* upcoming events, contact her at debbie@thesavvygrapes.com ------------ If you would like to re-publish this article or would like *The Savvy Grapes* to write in your publication, contact Debbie directly. Cheers!	WORKING THE HARVEST IN ITALY Interested in Debbie's experience working at a winery in Tuscany? Read her article... HAVING A PARTY? Trying to figure out which wines to serve? The Savvy Grapes will help you! Send us your menu & we will select wines to complement each course. The best part...there is no charge. Cheers! *The Savvy Grapes, Inc.* Accredited Sommeliers Contact us on: (613) 851-1785 or email Copyright © 2004 *The Savvy Grapes Inc.* All rights reserved. OUR PRIVACY POLICY: The Savvy Grapes will not sell or distribute your contact info.

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