Saturday Night - Honey, pass me the Salmon!

Saturday night and it was Mick's turn to host. I asked for an old favourite - Spicy Shrimp with Mint dipping sauce.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/108272

This recipe works very well with a Sauvignon Blanc/Fume Blanc. The reason I asked Mick for Spicy Shrimp is I had a bottle of Robert Mondavi 2002 Fume Blanc that really need to be drunk, as the colour on it was a tad dark.

I don't know if the picture shows it that well but the wine was closer to an orange/amber colour than the pale greenish yellow it should be. I asked Mick to make sure that he had a backup bottle to go in case the 2002 Fume was past its prime... and it was a good thing I did. The best way I can describe it the taste of the Fume Blanc is rancid apples. I wasn't overly broken hearted about the 2002 Fume Blanc being bad as I have been drinking the Fume Blanc since its 1999 vintage and the 2002 was the only disappointing year (1999-2005). That is probably why it sat for so long on the rack instead of being drunk years ago.

Tip - Reds usually benefit from aging, most white wines don't - the exception to this rule is some French Chardonnays and most dessert wines.

Mick had a bottle of Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc ready to go as the backup. This is a nice Fume Blanc as it is a tad softer on the acidity than the Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc. It paired very well with the shrimp.

I'd give you the LCBO information on this wine but they are only currently carrying the Cab. and the Merlot and not the Fume Blanc. They did carry the Fume Blanc at one point and the price is around $20. Prime Wines in NY does carry this on a regular basis and should have stock.

For the main course Mick did a Honey Bourbon Grilled Salmon, Roasted sweet potatoes, and steamed Broccoli in a light lemon sauce. His choice of wine to pair was the Columbia Crest 2004 Merlot. The Salmon and the sweet potatoes both had a sweetness to them that threw the pairing a bit, the pairing was still good but not great. The Broccoli in the lemon sauce rocked with the Merlot.

The Merlot was interesting as it started strong, had a really good mid-range but a poor finish. It has good fruit and a very nice smokey taste to it. It is a shame that the finish on it wasn't better or this would be an absolute to die for Merlot. For the $20 price point it is a great Merlot

LCBO Information -

COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES MERLOT 2004

VINTAGES 263418

750 mL bottle

Price: $ 19.95

13.5% Alcohol

Sugar Content : D

Made in: Washington, United States

By: Chat Ste Michelle

Release Date: Sep 1, 2007

TASTING NOTE: Bursting with blueberry and currant fruit, this zips across the palate with a racy texture and refined tannins. Lingers enticingly with a hint of mocha on the finish. Drink now through 2009. Best Value. Score - 90. (Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, May 31, 2007)

I'm surprise at the 90 rating on this wine, I'd give it a solid 85 point rating. Regardless this is stil a good wine.

For dessert it was time for a Caramel Crunch cake and some 1995 Stone Church Vidal Icewine. This wine was very good, it was almost as good as the legendary Henry of Pelham 1995 Late Harvest Vidal. It was sweeter and the acidity wasn't as good as the Henry of Pelham but it certainly had that wonderful aroma and rich depth to it. It paired nicely with the Caramel Crunch cake.

Check out the 'flavour' crystals on the cork

Amy had a better picture with her camera of the crystals than this one, if she sends it to me I will post it as the shot she had was stunning in its clarity... I bow to you Amy, you are the camera master.

All in all it was a great meal with good friends... in other words, I'm fortunate to say, a 'typical Saturday night'.

Cheers!

Mark