Perfect Pairings from Sommelier Lorie O’Sullivan

Working in the food industry is the best job in the world (full disclosure, I work in the food industry). But when I go out to eat and I want to relax and get away from my day-to-day obsessions, I love to put myself and the entire experience into the hands of the capable professionals that know the menu and wine list better than I do. If I don’t have a specific craving I like to glance at the menu and then ask the server what he or she recommends. The same goes for the wine list. After I have ordered my food I will ask the server or sommelier what wine they think goes best with my meal. You might think this is strange, given the reputation of chefs as controlling, picky, know-it-alls. Well I’m here to tell you that more often than not, when I’m not working and I want to relax with delicious food and wine I am happy to have somebody else take the lead. Somebody like Lorie O’Sullivan.

Lorie O’Sullivan is a sommelier at TOCA, the award-winning temple of all things delicious, at the Ritz Carlton hotel. She also brings her brilliance to the Platinum Club at the Air Canada Centre for most Leaf home games. If you want to be treated to Lorie’s expert wine knowledge from the comfort of your home check out her blog at www.lorieloveswine.com and follow Lorie on Twitter @lorieloveswine.

For the third year I have enlisted the help of Lorie to pair wine from the Vintages section of the LCBO with my annual Valentine’s Day menu. Lorie has regular tastings of the Vintages offerings so I feel 100% confident that her recommendations are sublime. Not only that. Lorie also orders the dinner herself so you can rest assured knowing that she is at home for Valentine’s Day savouring every morsel and every drop just like you.

Take a look at Lorie O’Sullivan’s wine recommendations. She has included tasting notes for each wine as well as LCBO pricing. Then bring the list to your local LCBO and find the exact bottle that she recommends or use the grape varietal as a guide and create your own perfect pairings.

Food. Wine. Love. It’s going to be a good year.

Start the evening with a little Bubbly:

Roederer Estate Brut Rosé, Anderson Valley, California $35.95 This salmon coloured sparkling wine is made from 100% estate fruit, 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Look for notes of apple and cranberry intertwined with hint of spice leading to a smooth, dry finish. The perfect Valentine’s Day wine!

OR

Riva Dei Frati Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy $18.95 If you are looking for a sparkling wine that is more fruit forward and lighter in style then look no further than this easy to drink Prosecco from Italy.

Lobster Bisque and Lobster Cake with Preserved Lemon Aioli:

2009 MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California $21.95 A very well balanced Chardonnay with hints of golden delicious apple, delicate spring flowers and a kiss of oak which will pair nicely with the lobster.

Arugula, Endive & Radiccio Salad with Fresh Herbs, Roquefort, Medjool Dates, Walnuts, Kumquats & Sherry Vinaigrette:

2010 Gran Lurton Corte Friulano, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 A blend of Sauvignon Vert (Friulano), Chardonnay, Torrontés, and Pinot Gris give you beautiful citrus notes such as lime on the nose leading to a mouthwatering, bone-dry finish.

New York Strip Loin with Olive Oil Crushed Potatoes, Wilted Spinach, Cremini Mushrooms, Cippolini Onions & Chimichuri Sauce:

2008 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $22.95 This is your perfect wine with steak as it is packed with juicy black fruits and nice chewy tannins on the finish.

Monkfish in Romesco Sauce with Olive Oil Crushed Potatoes, Olives, Capers & Wilted Escarole:

2008 Fontodi Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $29.95 The sour cherry and well balanced acidity and tannins will match nicely with the Romesco sauce in this dish. Make sure you decant this wine for at least one hour before dinner and it will be perfect.

With Dessert: 2007 Weinlaubenhof Kracher Cuvee Beerenauslese, Burgenland, Austria $18.65 This late harvest dessert wine from Austria is absolutely delicious and will pair beautifully with both of the desserts.