…A chat with veteran Ontario winemaker Derek Barnett
By Shirley Roy – Savvy Sommelier
Derek Barnett driving tractor at Karlo Estates in Prince Edward County. Photo Credit: Sherry Karlo
Over his 30 years of experience as a winemaker, Derek Barnett has spent a lot of time both inside a winery amongst the barrels and tanks as well as outside in acres of vineyards. As one of Ontario’s highly acclaimed winemakers, Derek is the winemaker for Karlo Estates in Prince Edward County and operates his own virtual winery, Meldville Wines in Niagara.
While working in the vineyard one day, I chatted with Derek to get a snapshot of some of the important things that happen during the growing season. Here’s his inside scoop about what happens over the summer!
“The work actually starts before the snow has completely melted. We’ll do a lot of pruning of the vines in March & April to prepare for the upcoming growing season. It’s always wonderful to get back into the vineyard after the winter sleep…I see it as a new beginning and like to imagine what wonderful wines will be made from this vintage.
“Sometime in May, depending on how warm the Spring weather is, we will usually see the buds appearing on the vines – what we call ‘bud break’. Once the buds are out, the vineyard crew will start the work to thin out the buds if necessary, to ensure there’s no overcrowding on the vines and allow for proper airflow. Those new buds will flower within a couple weeks and usually the flowers last until mid-June, when the tiny baby grapes start to appear.
“We also spend a lot of time in the spring managing the emerging weeds, just like in flower and vegetable gardens. Weeds can take away important nutrients & moisture from the vines so there’s constant work to keep them under control.
Working in a vineyard will definitely keep you in shape!
“By June, the vineyard crew walks up and down the rows again with cutters, this time to remove the small shoots or suckers that have grown on grapevine trunks in the spring. These shoots suck energy, water and nutrients away from developing fruit. This process, called ‘suckering’, is doneby hand and requires constant bending down & getting up.
“By July, the grapes are growing and so are new leafy canes. Those canes need to be constantly tucked into the wire trellis to make the vines stand up rather than flop down and cover the fruit. The grape bunches need sunlight to grow. We always hope for a little rain, though, as the vast majority of Ontario vineyards do not have elaborate irrigation systems. Vines do benefit from dry conditions though, as it forces the roots to go deeper in search of moisture and minerals.
Excitement builds in late Summer as the grapes ripen.
“In August, we do ongoing trimming, or ‘hedging’. We don’t want really tall vines, so at a certain point this month we cut them at the top and trim them, so the vine directs more energy into growing the fruit rather than growing leaves. The vineyard team does a lot of leaf pulling to expose the grape bunches, which allows for airflow through the vines and discourages fungus and mildew growing on the leaves and grapes. More & more vineyards are turning to organic & sustainable growing practices to control weeds & prevent rot on the grapes.
“By mid to late August, red grape varieties go through véraison – the ripening process of grape bunches changing from green (looks like green peas) to red or purple in color. Véraison always signals that harvest is not far away – usually 45 to 48 days!
“In September, winemakers like myself start walking in the vineyard almost daily to check sugar and acid levels in the grapes. We need to keep an eye on the sugar and acid levels in the grapes as achieving a balance in those is important when making harvest decisions, but of course Mother Nature plays a role in everything, including the timing of the harvest.
“Harvest can start anywhere between the end of August to mid-September in Ontario and it continues until all of the grapes are collected. Depending on the weather, this could be anywhere between mid to late November.”
While many of us likely imagine a Summer in the vineyard experience to be sitting down among the vines while sipping on a glass of delicious wine, Derek and many, many others are working in the vineyard all season to ensure top notch grapes are growing so we can have top notch wines!
So the next time you’re able to visit one of the many beautiful vineyards in Canada’s wine regions, think of Derek and all the other hardworking winemakers & vineyard workers while you’re sipping on their great wine. All of us on the Savvy Team raise a glass to them and look forward to discovering the latest bottles and sharing them with you in our wine club, online tasting events & Savvy Care Packages!
A lot of fingerprints go into making a great bottle of wine.
Marquette is one of the most popular hybrid grape varieties developed by the University of Minnesota’s cold-climate research centre. It produces lovely, full-bodied red wines that thrive in our chilly climes, making it a common sight in the Ottawa Valley, Nova Scotia, and elsewhere. This Marquette was grown in the former 33 Vines vineyard, and is 100% Prince Edward County fruit.
Estate grown, aged for 10 months in mostly French oak, there’s a load of fruit here: blackberries, figs, and plum, with mint, tobacco and the light gameyness that Marquette is known for.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Typical of Marquettes, this has lots of dark cherries, dried fruit, tobacco, and coffee on the nose and palate. It’s rich, with high tannins and acid both. It’s a very satisfying, full-bodied wine that will please a crowd!
The tannins are light and the acidity tart. It has a satisfying sour cherry finish.
Suggested Food Pairing: The wine-maker recommends serving this with any traditional Italian fare, such as pasta with tomato sauce.
Cellaring: Ready to drink now, this can be laid down for up to 3 years.
If you would like to order this bottle of wine, call your friends at Savvy Company at 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or email us at cheers@savvycompany.ca. We’ll deliver with a smile!
Made from Semillion (60%), Sauvignon Blanc (34%) aand Gewurztraminer (6%), you’ll find this a complex, rich, and spicy treat, courtesy of Karlo Estates.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: There are flavours of apricot and banana with a whiff of white flowers. It’s dry with lots of food-friendly acidity.
If you would like to order this bottle of wine, call your friends at Savvy Company at 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or email us at cheers@savvycompany.ca. We’ll deliver with a smile!
A cool shopping experience awaits at Outstanding in their Fields Taste & Buy . It’s our 6th annual event were you’ll discover hard-to-find wines, craft beers & ciders from all across Ontario & Quebec. Here is a peek of what will be open for you to sip & sample.
Got your Tickets?
Our Taste & Buy events always sell out. AND we know that everyone has a full calendar at this time of the year, so we are are hosting Outstanding in their Fields– in 2 places.
Mark our words, it will be our BIGGEST Taste & Buy event – EVER! Guaranteed to get you geared up for holiday parties AND a head start on shopping for gifts.
Have a look who is coming to Ottawa from Lake Erie North Shore, Prince Edward County, Niagara, Ottawa Valley & Quebec too!
4 DEGREES BREWING CO.
True North of 7 $2.75
True South of 7 $2.75
Frost & Wood 55 $3.00
Old Slys ’69 $3.00
CARTWRIGHT SPRINGS BREWERY
SMASH $3.99 (473 ml can)
Pakenham Bitter $3.99 (473 ml can)
Kinburn Honey Lager $3.99 (473 ml can)
Chocolate Stout $3.99 (473 ml can)
BROKEN STONE WINERY
2017 Rosie Poésie $19.95
2016 Chardonnay Barrel Reserve $22.95
2016 Cabernet Franc $19.95
2016 Exuberance Sparkling Riesling $24.95
CASA-DEA ESTATES WINERY
2016 Dea’s Cuvée Sparkling $20.95
2016 Melon de Bourgogne $20.95
2012 Pinot Noir $19.95 (regular $21.95)
2012 Desidario $22.95
2014 Cabernet Franc Reserve $26.95
CREEKSIDE ESTATE WINERY
2016 Marianne Hill Riesling $22.00
2016 Iconoclast Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc $23.00 (AWARD ALERT!!! Won Best of Show White Wine at last week’s Royal Winter Fair)
2016 Pinot Noir Rose $23.00
2015 Shiraz Cabernet $19.95
2015 Laura’s Red $22.00
2015 Iconoclast Syrah $25.00
FARMGATE CIDER
Mid Season Dry (500ml) $10
Mid Season Off Dry (500ml) $10
Wild Apple (500ml) $10
Blush (500ml) $10
FERME GUY RIVEST
Crème de Fraises $18.00
Perles de Fraises $15.00
HUFF ESTATES WINERY
2011 Cuvee Janine (Rosé) Sparkling $30.00
2016 Riesling Off Dry $20.00
2016 Pinot Gris $22.00
2016 Rosé Price $19.00
2015 South Bay Merlot $35.00
KARLO ESTATES
2016 Lake on the Mountain Riesling $19.00
2016 Gewürztraminer $22.00
2016 Estate Grown Chardonnay $35.00
2016 Patio Reserve Rosé $18.00
2016 Marquette $20.00
2016 Estate Grown Pinot Noir $65.00
2016 VanAlstine White $45.00
2016 VanAlstine Red $39.00
KEINT–HE WINERY & VINEYARDS
2015 Voyageur Gewurztraminer $20.00
2014 Portage Chardonnay $25.00
2013 Frost Road Chardonnay $30.00
2014 Portage Pinot Noir $30.00
2013 Queenston Road Pinot Noir $30.00
KIN VINEYARDS
2016 Understory Vidal Blanc – $19.95
2016 Civil Grit Chardonnay – $22.95
2016 KIN Chardonnay – $29.95
2016 KIN Pinot Noir – $29.95
LEGENDS ESTATES WINERY
2013 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve $16.95
2013 Chardonnay Reserve $18.95
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $21.95
2012 Merlot Reserve $21.95
2012 Petit Verdot Reserve $22.95
2012 Shiraz Reserve $23.95
LONDON BORN WINE CO.
2015 Aure Blanc De Noirs Sec $22.95 (a unique Sparkling White Gamay)
2016 Viognier $15.95
2016 Pinot Blanc $16.95
2015 Marechal Foch $27.95
2012 Aure Reserve Cabernet Franc $35.00
MELDVILLE WINES
2016 Chardonnay $20.20
2016 Sauvignon Blanc $20.20
2016 Canadian Oak Chardonnay $27.20
2016 Pinot Noir $27.20
2016 Syrah $27.20
2015 Cabernet Franc $27.20
ROSEWOOD ESTATES WINERY
2016 Süssreserve Riesling $15.95
2015 Origin Riesling $15.95
2016 Locked & Loaded White $16.95
2015 Locked & Loaded Red $19.95
SOUTHBROOK VINEYARDS
2013 Poetica Chardonnay $49.95
2016 Estate Cabernet Rosé $29.95
2016 Triomphe Organic Cabernet Franc $24.95
2013 Poetica Red $69.95
2014 Organic Vidal Icewine $49.95 (375 ml bottle)
SPRUCEWOOD SHORES ESTATE WINERY
2016 Sparkling Riesling $20.15
2016 Rosé $16.15
2016 Unoaked Chardonnay $14.95
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon $18.15
2015 Meritage Hawk’s Flight Reserve $25.15
THE GOOD EARTH FOOD & WINE CO.
2016 Pinot Grigio $17.95
2015 Chardonnay $24.95
2015 Gamay Noir $21.95
2015 Pinot Noir $24.95
TWO SISTERS VINEYARDS
2016 Sauvignon Blanc $34.00
2013 Eleventh Post $42.00
2013 Cabernet Franc $49.00
VIENI ESTATES WINES
Momenti Sparkling $13.95
2013 Classic Brut $19.95
2012 Bruce Trail Red Sparkling $12.95 (Reg $15.95)
2016 Pinot Grigio $14.95
2014 Red Trillium Ripasso $16.95
2013 Aglianico Reserve $24.95
2014 Sparkling Vidal Icewine $49.95
Maple Brandy $59.95
VIGNOBLE CARONE WINE
2015 BIN 33 Red $17.00
2014 VERITÀ Red $18.00
WESTCOTT VINEYARDS
2016 Violette Sparkling Brut $25.95
2013 Brilliant Sparkling $32.95
2016 Estate Chardonnay $25.95
2013 Estate Pinot Noir $30.00
2015 Estate Pinot Noir $30.00
Can’t come to the event? You can still order…
Order online & we’ll ship anywhere in Ontario. Call the Savvy Team on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or cheers@savvycompany.ca for the complete list of wines, craft beers & ciders you can order. We’ll even help you make your shopping list!
FREE delivery applies to orders received by midnight on Sunday November 26.
Corks will be popping at this all-Canadian Taste & Buy as we celebrate winemakers who have worked incredibly hard to put our country on the world wine map. Meet these Canadian wine rockstars, taste their wines that are WOWing the world…then order your favs to enjoy at home.
It’s THE event you have been waiting for…
The #1 question we get asked: Can you buy from BC, NS & Quebec wineries as well those in Ontario? YES you can! Oh Canada! Celebrate Red & White Taste & Buy event is all about ordering wines from BC, NS, Quebec and Ontario…then have them delivered directly to your home or office to enjoy all summer long.
What goes best with Canadian wines? Canadian artisan cheese of course! Cheesemakers & our Cheese Sommelier will be serving samples of award-winning cheeses that you can buy onsite too.
Create your own combo of Canadian wines to have delivered to your home after the event. You won’t find any of the featured wines at the LCBO – the wines will be delivered straight from the winery anywhere in Canada directly to you. AND…there’s FREE shippingon 6 or more bottles of your top picks.
Bring a picnic basket & fill it up with artisan cheeses & gourmet treats too.
You’ll enjoy red carpet treatment with advance access from 5 to 7pm to spend more time sipping & meeting the makers. Stay as long as you like for the main event.
DATE: Thursday June 22 – next week! VENUE: Horticulture Building @ Lansdowne Complex in Ottawa
TIMES: V.I.T. Reception – 5 to 7pm ($25 upgrade pass per person is required) Main Event – 7 to 9pm
ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY: $80 + bring a friend FREE OR Group of 4 people for $150 IDEA: Take the bus. OC Transpo is FREE – simply show a printout of your ticket.
Wear Red & White…Win $50
Be a proud Canadian – come to this Taste & Buy event dressed head to toe in red & white and we’ll automatically give you $50 off your ticket to our next Savvy Event.
Unable to make it, but want to order?
Don’t sweat it! The Savvy Team will help you stock up on featured wines showcased at this event. Call 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or email us & we’ll send you the complete list of wines & online order form. You too can get FREE shipping – your order needs to be received by midnight on Sunday June 25.
WIN TICKETS! Go on the Savvy Scavenger Hunt…
Find this video on our Facebook or Instagram pages, then…LIKE it & POST the name of your favorite Canadian wine. On Monday, we’ll pick 2 lucky people to receive a pair of tickets & V.I.T. Passes to join us at Oh Canada! Celebrate Red & White. It’s easy to win! On your mark…Get Set…GO!!!
Psst…it’s Father’s Day weekend!
Yikes…totally forgot? Our #1 Father’s Day gift is a subscription to our Savvy Hip Hops beer-o-month club.
Click here to subscribe your Dad for 4 or 6 months & his fridge will auto-magically be filled with the best craft beers from a different Ontario brewery each month – bottles, growlers & cans not available at LCBO or The Beer Store. 100% guaranteed to make your Dad smile from beer to beer!
We’re hiring…
We have cool summer job opportunities for a high school or university students to work with the Savvy Team at Savvy HQ in Ottawa. We’re looking for creative & savvy students who are keen to learn about Canadian wine, artisan cheese, craft beer & cider.
Interested?Contact us on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or send your resume to cheers@savvycompany.ca
What’s in your wine? Many wine drinkers aren’t aware that wines commonly have additives like gelatin, eggs, or milk products added to them to adjust the flavours or help clarify the wine. Most of those additives come out of the wine again before bottling, but some people are still uncomfortable with the idea.
This month in Savvy Selections, we feature award-winning wines from Prince Edward County’s Karlo Estates. Karlo produces a selection of delicious, food-friendly whites, rosés and reds, and they’re also the only “plant-based” winery in the world. We give you the vegan backstory on the following pages.
Get ready to uncork & enjoy your Savvy Selections…
In your Savvy Selections you will find 3 of our Sommelier’s favourite Karlo Estates wines.
2015 Niagara Peninsula Riesling – Crisp and refreshing! 2015 Patio Reserve Rosé – Proving how flavourful rosé can be. 2013 Triumvirate – Food-friendly, with bracing acidity and wow! flavours.
Wines with style
Karlo takes full advantage of Prince Edward County’s unique terroir to make wines that are distinct and elegant. Our Savvy Sommeliers know you’ll love them as much as we do. Call on us at anytime you would like additional bottles of your favourite Karlo Estates wines – or other wineries we have featured in Savvy Selections.
Your Canadian Wine Hotline is 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or send me an email to debbie@savvycompany.ca
Meet Sherry, Derek & the Karlo Team at Terroir – Wine Celebration in Picton on Saturday May 13 where all of Prince Edward County will be under one roof. This all day event will be filled with delicious discoveries. See you there!
When Sherry Martin Karlo (in photo) was in university, she noticed two things: she was broke, and she was putting on the dreaded ‘freshman fifteen’. “I started eating mostly vegetables and realized I was losing weight,” Sherry said. “Then I went to a slaughterhouse seminar at the Toronto Veg Food Fest and that convinced me to stick to a plant-based diet.”
New opportunities
At that same time, Sherry and her soon-to-be husband Richard Karlo founded Karlo Estates in Prince Edward County in 2005. They built the winery from scratch.
Richard had a passion for making wine and developed his talent and skills through twenty years of very successful home wine making, winning a spectacular number of awards along the way. “When I talked to Richard about diet from an environmental standpoint,” Sherry said, “he realized that he was already making plant-based wines and that it was a growing movement. As a businessman, he realized it was an opportunity he could capture.”
I asked Sherry to explain what she meant by “plant-based” wines. After all, don’t all wines come from grapes? “I like to use a coffee-press analogy,” she starts to explain. “Just like a coffee-press, a vat of wine has a lot of bits of grape and skin and pulp floating around in it. Winemakers add heavier ingredients, like egg whites or milk products or gelatin, which cling to the grape bits and weight them down so they’re easier to remove.”
“At Karlo, we take a different approach. We use time and gravity to settle out the grape bits. If we have to intervene to help the process along, we use bentonite clay as a binding agent rather than animal products. We try to avoid the need to adjust the acids or tannins, but if we do, we use potato or pumpkin proteins. It makes it harder to make the wines but people tell us it gives the wine a cleaner profile.”
Bridges and turnings
An engineer by trade, Richard led an important side project: building an immense dry-stone bridge over a creek on the property. In addition to being the largest bridge of its kind in North America, the keystone provides Karlo Estates with its iconic logo. Sadly, and with very little warning, Richard was taken by cancer at the end of November, 2014. The wine community mourned this giant of the industry, who had always lent a helping hand to others. Many – including the Savvy Team – reached out to help.
Moving forward
Sherry was able to bring famed winemaker Derek Barnett (right in photo) onboard. Derek had won acclaim at Southbrook Winery and Lailey Vineyards. “It is a complete pleasure to work with Derek,” Sherry said. “My late husband Richard left huge shoes to fill, and Derek is doing a great job. He’s a big teddy bear and he’s so talented and so nice.
Sherry explained, “2013 was a great vintage. What’s interesting about those wines is that Richard started them but Derek shepherded them into the bottle. 2015 on the other hand was Derek’s first vintage. He joined me at harvest, so they’re his beginning to end.” Sherry said they’re committed to developing great Prince Edward County wines from their own 14 acres of vineyards, but they’re not afraid to bring in Niagara fruit. “We source from Vineland and Niagara so we can get grapes that don’t grow well here, or to do styles that require a different terroir,” she said.
Taste of the County
Sherry is proud that The County offers flavours that are unique in the world of wine. “The County is more nuanced and elegant than other Ontario regions. We have more acidity – it’s a bit more keynote. Our wines are really food friendly because you have the acidity to cut through the fats and the creams. They’re more contemplative.”
We know you’ll agree when you taste these beautiful wines from Karlo Estates!
~ SAVVY SOMMELIER TASTING NOTES ~
For your Savvy Selection this month, we’ve chosen three wines that demonstrate the powerful elegance of Karlo wines. We are confident that you’ll love the stunning flavours of these wines, along with some delicious recipes that will perfectly match food and drink.
2015 Riesling, $22
Did you know that Ontario produces some of the best Riesling in the world? Or that Riesling is a fantastic, food-friendly wine that shines in summer?
Sommelier Tasting Notes: Bright straw with a gold hue, this is a wonderful example of dry Ontario Riesling. There are aromas of light petrol (the classic Riesling flavour!), lime, and tart green apple. High acidity. Dry, but with a drop of residual sugar. Tart and puckering with great minerality and just a hint of peach. The finish is bracing with flavours of limes and green apples.
Suggested Food Pairings: The bright acidity and hint of sweetness on the finish will work well with spicy and fatty foods. Try it with a Thai Red Curry (recipe below).
Cellaring: Drink at 8ºC within two years.
2015 Patio Reserve Rosé, $18
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: I mainly drink rosé in the summer. I find the big flavours of a good, dry rosé very satisfying while being refreshed from the well-chilled wine. Karlo’s Patio Reserve is made from Frontenac Noir grapes blended with a little Vidal. Frontenac was developed to thrive in our cold climate and it offers fruity, satisfying flavours.
This wine tastes of cherry, strawberry, peach, and mint. It’s mostly dry, with a hint of sweetness to balance the bright acidity. Best comparison? Strawberries and rhubarb! There’s a long, tart strawberry finish. Yum!
Suggested Food Pairings: Off-dry wines pair beautifully with spicy food, and this is no exception. Try spicy paella made with a mix of fresh and preserved vegetables (recipe below).
Cellaring: Ready to drink now, this could be cellared for up to 2 years. Serve between 8-10ºC.
2013 Triumvirate, $28
Named for the Roman practice of three rulers working together, Triumvirate is blended from Cabernet Sauvignon 62.5%, Cabernet Franc 25%, and Merlot 12.5%.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: Opaque cherry in colour, there area are big, fruity aromas of blackberries, leather, smoke, black cherries, and mint. On the palate, there’s more of a tart cherry presence, with the smoke and mint and a hint of alcohol. Good, chewy tannins and medium-plus acidity, this has a long tannic and tart cherry finish. This wine is meant to go with good food!
Suggested Food Pairings: The mouth-watering acidity and fresh fruit notes make us think Italian. And what better time than spring to try a new way of serving pasta? Serve this bright wine alongside pasta with ramps, fiddleheads, and sausage (recipe below).
Cellaring: Drinking well now, this can cellar 3-5 years. Serve at 14-16ºC.
~RECIPES TO ENJOY WITH YOUR SAVVY SELECTIONS~
Since we’re having plant-based wine, let’s try some flavourful veg dishes for a warm spring or hot summer’s day or make it a Meatless Monday!
200g firm tofu, cubed
4-5 tbsp soy sauce
Juice 3 limes
2 red chillies – minced
1 zucchini – chopped into 1” pieces
1 small eggplant – chopped into 1” pieces
2 tbsp vegetable oil
400ml can reduced-fat coconut milk
½ red pepper – deseeded and chopped into chunks
140g mushrooms, – halved
140g sugar snap pea
20g pack basil leaves – chopped
1 tsp brown sugar
Cooked jasmine rice to serve
Paste
Make a fresh spice paste or use your favourite bottled or dry curry spice!
3 red chillies
1 lemongrass, roughly chopped
3 shallots, roughly chopped
½ red pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped
Zest 1 lime
Stalks from 20g pack coriander
Thumb-size piece ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp ground coriander
Method
Whiz the paste ingredients in a food processor. Marinate the tofu in 2 tbsp soy sauce, juice 1 lime and the chopped chilli.
Heat half the oil in a large pan. Add 3-4 tbsp paste and fry for 2 mins. Stir in the coconut milk with 100ml water, the zucchini, eggplant, and pepper and cook for 10 mins until almost tender.
Drain the tofu, pat dry, then fry in the remaining oil in a small pan until golden.
Add the mushrooms, sugar snaps and most of the basil to the curry, then season with the sugar, remaining lime juice and soy sauce. Cook for 4 mins until the mushrooms are tender, then add the tofu and heat through. Scatter with sliced chilli and basil and serve with jasmine rice.
2 ½ cups Vegetable Stock
½ teaspoon Saffron Threads
1 ½ Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 large Red Onion – sliced
1 Yellow Bell Pepper – sliced
1 Red Bell Pepper – sliced
1 cup Brown Mushrooms – sliced
3 cloves garlic – minced
1 cup Bomba Rice (or use another short-grain rice)
2 Roma Tomatoes – chopped
1 ½ teaspoons Smoked Paprika
Salt/Pepper
1 cup Green Peas
1 can Artichoke Hearts – drained and chopped
½ cup Parsley – chopped
Method
Combine the stock and saffron threads in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and maintain a simmer. Meanwhile, heat paella pan on the stove with 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil.
Add Onion to Paella Pan and sauté for 2 minutes. Add sliced red and yellow pepper and continue to sautée till softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes or until it has softened slightly. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
Increase heat to medium-high. Add Bomba rice, tomato and smoked paprika and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until well mixed through. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add one-third of the saffron infused stock and stir until just combined. Let simmer uncovered for 5 minutes or until liquid is almost absorbed.
Add the next third of the stock and cook for 5 minutes uncovered or until almost absorbed. Add remaining third of stock and cook for 5-10 minutes uncovered.
Sprinkle surface of paella with peas and artichoke hearts. Cover entire pan in tin foil and leave to cook on a low heat for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, turn heat off but leave the paella pan covered with tin foil for another 10 minutes.
Remove tin foil after 10 minutes and garnish with parsley.
TIP: If you want to veg-ify this recipe, substitute some of the excellent commercial veggie sausages that are widely available from companies such as Field Roast or Tofurky.
Ramps (aka Wild Garlic) and fiddleheads are available at farmers’ markets each spring.
Ingredients
Ramps, 1 large bunch (4-6 stalks)
Olive oil, 1 teaspoon
Fiddleheads (optional)
Veggie Sausage, about 6-8 oz
Pasta, 12 oz, fresh, or 8 oz dried
Chili flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. If making dry pasta (8-12 min cook time), add pasta to the pot before beginning to cook the ramps. If using fresh pasta (1-2 min cook time), begin making pasta after the “sauce” part is done.
Cut up the ramp bulbs (white section) into small pieces and separate it from the leaves. Coarsely chop the leaves into 1-2 inch sections. Saute the ramps bulbs in olive oil over medium heat until they soften, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the sausage and break apart the meat with a spatula. Add the ramp greens and the optional fiddleheads. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Once pasta is done cooking, add the cooked pasta and some pasta water (maybe start with ¼ cup?) to the ramps/sausage mixture and stir it all together. If you want it spicy, optionally add red pepper flakes. Since my sausage was spicy I didn’t add any.
County in the Capitalis happening again on Thursday April 20, 2017. It is another sellout event. This year there is even MOREneat bevvies to try…and buy. 150+ wines, craft beers, ciders & spirits too. And of course there will be artisan cheese & treats too!
Below is the list of bevvies that will be available for you to sip & sample. These gems are not at the LCBO, so this evening is designed to try as many as you like…then order those you want to enjoy at home. Just like ordering from Amazon or your favorite online shop, you can have bottles delivered to your home or office.
County in the Capital is so popular that every year we host the event in a bigger space…yet we always sell out! It’s a special occasion to have all of Prince Edward County under 1 roof AND to have them all in Ottawa.
Look what bevvies will be available to Taste & Buy:
To top it all off, these cool creations will also be featured:
Cheesemakers…
5th Town Artisan Cheese
La Fromagerie Folie Bergeres
Gourmet Artisans…
Abeego
County Posters
Emerson Pringle Carpentry
Prince Edward County Hot Sauce Company
Travel & Tourism…
Prince Edward County Tourism
Mark our words, County in the Capitalis ALWAYSa fun night out…and you will get lots of tips on places to visit when you head down to The County. Here’s our top 101 to do in PEC tips to get you started!
They’re ba-a-a-a-a-ck! On Thursday April 20th, the 6th annual County in the Capital will be THE event in Ottawa to meet the makers of wines, spirits, craft beers & ciders all made in Prince Edward County. And there will be artisan cheese as well as gourmet artisan goodies.
Oh…so many bevvies to Try & Buy
There will be something for everyone – sparkling, white, rose, red & dessert wines along with refreshing craft ciders, beers & artisan spirits too. All of the bevvies at this event are ones that you probably haven’t tried before. You definitely won’t find them at your local LCBO, grocery stores or The Beer Store. This is one of the neat things about our Taste & Buy events…you get to sample the newest bevvies & meet the cool people who make them.
Mark my word, there will be over 100 different drinks to try and buy. To help you prep your power shopping, we will email you the entire list of featured products AND at the event, our team of Savvy Sommeliers will be on hand to give you tips & help you find new County favorites.
Shopping never tasted this good!
This night is all about stocking up on your new found favorites. When you order ANY combination of 6, 12 or more bottles from ANY of the showcased wineries, breweries, cideries or distilleries, shipping is absolutely FREE. Your parcel will be hand delivered by courier to your home or office soon after the event. It is that easy to always have The County at your fingertips.
The Savvy Team is ready to help you stock up on your County favorites. Simply call 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) to place your order. FREE shipping applies to orders received by April 23rd.
On your mark…get set…Power Shop! Our 5th annual Outstanding in their Fields Taste & Buy event is happening next week. Don’t miss it! It is a perfect way to get your holiday groove on & stock up on wine, craft beer & ciders…after all, the holiday parties are kicking into high gear!
AND there will be artisan cheeses & one-of-a-kind gourmet goodies to buy as gifts or to have on hand for the holidays (try saying that fast!!).
Special PROMO
Buy a $70 ticket + bring a friend FREE
To make your holiday shopping easy, we will give you FREE shipping when you order 6, 12 or more bottles of ANY combo of your favorites bevvies & Santa will hand deliver (aka by courier) to your home or office – absolutely FREE – in time for the holidays!
Event Deets
DATE: Thursday December 1st VENUE: Horticulture Building @ Lansdowne, Ottawa VERY IMPORTANT TASTER (V.I.T.) RECEPTION: 5 to 7pm – special passes required MAIN TASTING EVENT: 7 to 9pm
We’ll roll out the red carpet
Upgrade your ticket with a Very Important Taster Pass (V.I.T.) for only an additional $25. Includes advance access from 5 to 7pm without line ups to have more one-on-one time & meet the makers…then stay on as long as you like for the main event. Limited to 150 passes.
NEW! Cheesemakers are coming too
Wait til you see the Savvy Cheese Bar ladened with hard-to-come-by artisan cheeses from Ontario & Quebec.
Nibble & sample while cheesemakers & our Cheese Sommelier Vanessa Simmons share ‘how to’ make a festive cheese board. Best part…you can buy your new cheese favorites right on the spot.
Tell us what you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve…cookies or a dram of something stronger, perhaps? Send us an email to cheers@savvycompany.ca & we’ll enter you into the draw for 4 free tickets to Outstanding in their Fields.
The countdown to the holidays is on. Dash through the snow & get a jingle-a-ling on at this OUTSTANDING Taste & Buy event.
Mark my words, this is our BIGGEST event EVER!
– Debbie and the Savvy Team
It is our 5th annual Outstanding in their Fields Taste & Buy & we don’t want you to miss it. Quick…buy your half price ticket today & join us for this fun evening tasting & trying hard-to-find wines, craft beers & ciders made across Ontario….the cool part is that you get to meet the dynamic people who make these delicious bevvies.
TODAY ONLY!
Tickets $35 per person
Tick Tock…ends @ midnight
There’ll be something for everyone – sparkling, white & red wines, dessert wines, ciders made with apples & pears along with really cool craft brews too…and special prices & deals too.
Everything at this event is OUTSTANDING…you won’t find any of the featured bevvies at the LCBO.
To top it all off…cheesemakers from Quebec & Ontario will be serving & selling their delicious artisan cheeses. And locally made woodworking, festive cookies, handmade preserves & neat gourmet treats – all ready-to-buy as gifts or to serve when you have people drop by during the holidays.
Event Deets
DATE: Thursday, December 1st VENUE: Horticulture Building @ Lansdowne, Ottawa VERY IMPORTANT TASTER (V.I.T.) RECEPTION: 5 to 7pm – special passes required MAIN TASTING EVENT: 7 to 9pm
Upgrade your ticket with a Very Important Taster Pass (V.I.T.) for only an additional $25. The V.I.T. Pass includes advance access from 5 to 7pm without line ups so that you have more one-on-one time to meet the makers…then stay on as long as you like for the main event. Only 150 V.I.T. passes
FREE Shipping
To make your holiday shopping easy, we will give you FREE shipping when you order 6, 12 or more bottles of ANY combo of your favorites bevvies & Santa will hand deliver (aka by courier) to your home or office – absolutely FREE – in time for the holidays!
Can’t make it?
You can still order & take advantage of the FREE shipping & special event prices. Email the Savvy Team or call us on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) to arrange a special order or to be provided the special web site link for online ordering (we’re getting it ready now!).
Tell us what goodie is always in your stocking. At my house, Santa always leaves a mandarin in the toe of our stocking. What is your tradition? Send an email to cheers@savvycompany.ca & we’ll enter you into the draw for 4 free tickets to Outstanding in their Fields.
This will be an OUTSTANDING holiday shopping event – don’t miss it!
Derek Barnett driving tractor at Karlo Estates in Prince Edward County. Photo Credit: Sherry Karlo
Look who is coming:
TIP: Be a V.I.T!
Psst…it’s Father’s Day weekend!
Karlo takes full advantage of Prince Edward County’s unique terroir to make wines that are distinct and elegant. Our Savvy Sommeliers know you’ll love them as much as we do. Call on us at anytime you would like additional bottles of your favourite Karlo Estates wines – or other wineries we have featured in Savvy Selections.
At that same time, Sherry and her soon-to-be husband Richard Karlo founded Karlo Estates in Prince Edward County in 2005. They built the winery from scratch.
Moving forward
2015 Riesling, $22 
2015 Patio Reserve Rosé, $18
2013 Triumvirate, $28
There will be something for everyone – sparkling, white, rose, red & dessert wines along with refreshing craft ciders, beers & artisan spirits too. All of the bevvies at this event are ones that you probably haven’t tried before. You definitely won’t find them at your local LCBO, grocery stores or The Beer Store. This is one of the neat things about our 
Unable to join us? You can still order…
Sip & Stock Up!
NEW! Cheesemakers are coming too
Mark my words, this is our BIGGEST event EVER!
