Monday 7 December 2009

ONE OF FRANCE’S BEST WITH FESTIVE SEAFOOD

Wc07Dec09

david ellis

IF you're amongst the increasing numbers of Australians opting for seafood this Christmas Day, and you want a classic bubbly from the heartland of France's Champagne region to celebrate with it, give thought to a bottle of Champagne Taittinger's Prelude Grands Crus NV.

Although it carries a $130 price tag, this is the real thing with which to reward yourself (if just once a year,) being made with equal parts of Chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs and Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims.

Intensive fresh citrus fruit flavours coupled with suggestions of white peaches in syrup make this a perfect match with the majority of seafoods, in particular hot or cold lobster, mixed seafood platters, with the hors d'oeuvres pre the main course on Christmas Day – or to ring-in the New Year.

ONE FOR LUNCH: A novel idea from South Australia's Angove Family Wines should appeal to the cooks amongst us: it's a free packet of San Remo Linguini or Risoni pasta and a recipe card from celebrated Adelaide chef Adam Swanson with every bottle of Angove's Brightlands 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and 2007 Brightlands Cabernet Merlot, that are themselves great value buying at $13.95 each.

Owner of restaurants Esca and Zucca in Adelaide's Holdfast Shores precinct, Adam's recipes are for Cockles and Fennel Linguini to match the tropical overtones and racy lemon/lime flavours of the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, and a Spiced Veal Osso Bucco with Herbed Risoni to enjoy with the black fruit flavours of the Cabernet Merlot.

The free San Remo pasta packs and Adam's recipe cards are available – while stocks last, which will hopefully be until sometime into January – when you buy either of the Brightlands wines through most liquor outlets.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com )


PHOTO CAPTIONS:

[] THE 'real thing' to celebrate Christmas or New Year


[] JUST the drop with Veal Osso Bucco and Herbed Risoni


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