For farm-fresh harvest fare, wine and spirits expert Konrad Ejbich recommends an all-Canadian drink list, complete with artisanal wines and liqueur made from whisky and maple syrup. After all, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to raise a glass to good food and good fortune.
Pairing Nova 7
To begin, Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge has the palest coral colour, a wildly inviting bouquet of rosewater, ginger, pineapple and clove, and a tiny kiss of sweetness for balance in the finish. So immediately appealing is this spritz, some diners may be tempted to hang onto their glass throughout the meal. Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge, Nova Scotia, $25.
Pairing GreenLane estate
Ham is a white meat, with a sweet taste and a delicate texture. Match ham with a lighter wine that has ripe fruitiness and balancing acidity. For the white, choose GreenLane Estate Old Vines Riesling for its bold fruity flavours. There’s mouth-watering acidity and enough concentration to pair with the accompaniments. GreenLane Estate, Old Vines Riesling, Ontario, $30.
Pairing Burrowing Owl
Red wine lovers will appreciate the rich plum and berry flavours in Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir. The wine’s herbal finish clicks nicely with the chopped rosemary in the glaze and the sage leaves in the potatoes. Burrowing Owl, Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, B.C., $22.
Pairing Sortilege maple whisky liqueur
With dessert, serve something with that truly local je ne sais quoi: Sortilège Maple Whisky Liqueur. It’s an essence of Canadian whisky and Quebec maple syrup – our very own northern comfort. Delicious served on its own at fridge temperature or over ice, or splashed into coffee, dribbled over cake or whipped right into the cream. Sortilège Maple Whisky Liqueur,
Quebec, $25.