2007 Late Harvest Riesling, Estate Bottled

Smoked Tomato Bruchetta
Quebec Double Cream Brie with Chives and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Recipe courtesy of Shane Straiko, Executive Chef of Eight Wine Bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Toronto

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 3 Roma tomatoes sliced in ½ lengthwise
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• 2 oz Château des Charmes Late Harvest Riesling, Estate Bottled
• 1 French baguette
• 3 oz Quebec Double Cream Brie, cubed (Example: Le Noble from Fromagerie Domaine Féodal)
• 1 tsp chives, finely chopped
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

Marinate Roma tomato halves in Château de Charmes Late Harvest Riesling for 10 minutes then drain. Mix together salt, pepper and sugar and sprinkle over tomatoes. Place tomatoes in hot smoker until slightly dried, remove and cool. Cut bread in 3” slices on the diagonal. Drizzle with olive oil and gently grill.

Assemble

Place a tomato half on a piece of grilled bread. Top with a cheese cube and broil until melted. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chives.

Too often our Late Harvest Riesling takes a back seat to the Icewines in our portfolio.

It is superb value and so easy to work with. Marinate your favourite seasonal (firm) berries, like strawberries and blackberries, for an hour or so. Spoon in a good amount of the berries into a pretty glass dish or even a big wine glass, top with a dollop of fresh local plain yogurt then drizzle with blueberry honey. By using the freshest  ingredients you can turn a very simple dessert into a decadent finale to any meal. Of course you can’t waste the left over marinade…reduce it on the stove then freeze it  in ice cube trays. When you need a topping for a plain cheesecake just pop a cube and thaw.

Ontario Wine Awards, 2010 – Gold

Ontario Wine Awards, 2009 – Gold

“Perhaps you want a lighter dessert for a hot summer evening: A pear or peach custard flan or even a kiwi lime pie all go fabulously with Canadian icewines, but less pricey and cloying are late harvest vidals or rieslings. One affordable winner is Château des Charmes Late Harvest 2007 Riesling with its honeyed mango and peach poise. Stunning! And, by the way, it can alternately pair perfectly with a mixed cheese platter for dessert. 90+ pts.”

– Gord Stimmell, Toronto Star, May, 2011

“Among Ontario’s best late-harvest varieties, this one is mid-weight, medium-sweet and smooth, with aromas of peach, pineapple and petrol character. Acidity offsets the sweetness and combines with a lower alcohol content (just 10.5 percent) for an air of delicacy. 91 pts.”

– David Lawrason, Toronto Life, February, 2011

“Fantastic value as a subtle Icewine understudy. Think apricots, marmalade and fresh lemons. Alone, over berries or with chocolate. 91pts. Exceptional, stylish and memorable.”

– Frank Baldock’s Wine Express, March, 2010

“Classic honey, ripe peach, pear and citrus aromas are toned by some mineral and petrol notes. It is medium-sweet, with rich flavours that are balanced beautifully by a seam of racy acidity. Very good to excellent length. Best 2010 to 2013. Very good quality and enjoyable to drink. 89 pts.”

– Steve Thurlow, Wine Access Buyer’s Guide, March, 2010

“This long-finishing dessert wine is a great match for a cheese plate. My note: Absolutely perfect for when you don’t want the concentrated sweetness of Icewine but still want that peach and peach preserve essence! This is a wine to come back to again and again. Pair with: Beemster, blue cheese. 90 pts.”

– Natalie MacLean, Natalie MacLean.com, February, 2010