Published: Friday, September 8, 2017
Wine enthusiasts like you and I often have go-to varietals, countries, and flavour profiles we tend to gravitate towards. For many of us, we know what we like and can identify some ‘safe zones’ when it comes to selecting a wine. Though many of us also love to support our local businesses, labourers and wineries, we also like to dabble in wines made from well-known varietals from across Canada and around the world. Well, what if I told you that you could enjoy wines made from varietals typically associated with far off places like Italy and South Africa and still buy local?
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in trying, then you’re in luck. The winemakers and sommeliers behind Grand Banker Wine Cellars have the expertise to track down premium grapes from across Canada and the globe, but the key is they craft and cellar the wine right here in Atlantic Canada. Familiar grape varietals like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc showcase the diversity of their white wine portfolio. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes are also sourced to create a masterful red blend to satisfy a broad range of red wine lovers. Through innovation and passion they have made our region a ‘melting pot’ for the wine world and introduced options generally thought of as being from beyond our borders.
Speaking of pots, what better way to experience one of the Grand Banker wines than to pair it with another internationally-inspired, locally influenced offering? From the expert chef’s kitchen at the Cambridge Suites Hotel in Sydney, NS, the delightful East Coast Hot-Pot combines an impressive combination of salmon, mussels, haddock, shrimp AND scallops with their well-seasoned coconut curry sauce to deliver a flavour explosion. The Grand Banker Pinot Grigio effortlessly pairs with this dish by providing a stone fruit complement with its peach and apricot flavours. Slightly off-dry in composition, it marries well with the natural sweetness of the coconut while the splash of acidity keeps the dish and wine in harmony by balancing the curry and ginger spices.
Not only is this wine great with the delicious dish served at the Cambridge Suites Hotel, its 3L size and eco-friendly container make it and its Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz Cabernet companions ideal for group gatherings or even a weekend away. This long weekend gives you an extra day to prepare for the back to school regime and enjoy these last few days of summer. So, raise a toast to Labour Day weekend in Canada with a glass of Grand Banker wine—to balancing work and play, to championing innovation and to supporting local… Cheers!