Splicing the

Mainbrace

Volume 14, Number 2, June 2009

Editors’ Notes

Bad times globally, not so great here in Atlantic Canada. Many licensees report declining sales (or static sales when there should be a seasonal up-tick). Some project a poorer season for tourism based on economic problems around the world and on health concerns such as H1N1 influenza. Others suggest that there will be more visitors from other parts of Canada even if there are fewer from the U.S. and overseas. In short, there is disagreement about just what we can expect in the industry, although no one seems to be brimming with confidence.

The happy inspiration comes from Lily Bollinger, who is famously quoted about Champagne, “I drink Champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty.” She might have said the same thing about all beverage alcohol products. Overall demand is not about to drop dramatically.

What has happened and will continue to happen is that demand shifts from one supplier to another and among different price ranges. Reports suggest that some customers who used to drink with licensees are now drinking at home more. Some restaurants are finding that they are selling less wine. In other parts of the world and with other products, a downturn accelerates the phenomenon of the “disappearing middle” when lower priced and higher priced goods prosper, but middle priced products get hit. If this works for beverage alcohol in Atlantic Canada we can expect the demand for higher priced wines to hold up well, and to see a number of new products priced under $15 (or is it $13, or $11) building volume.

We are not at all sure what all of this portends for the near future. But we are quite sure that it is a propitious time for a glass or two of something sparkling and cool. Cheers!

In this issue:

Editors’ Notes

Savour in New Brunswick

Prince Edward Island Wine Show

New, Coming Soon

NSLC at Port Hawkesbury

Diabetes Association Food & Wine

Wine Fest West

Drinks for the Season

Savour in Prince Edward Island

International Trade Shows

Marc Paimpec au Subject des Vins

Coming Events

Recipes for Early Summer

Savour in New Brunswick

The New Brunswick Savour Show was held at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton in late April. Mainbrace poured a number of wines, one beer, and a notable cocktail.

First the wines which included:

- Louis Roche La Sabatière AOC Bergerac, this blend of Merlot and Cabernet has aromas of blackcurrant, soft tannins and a long finish).

- Bichot Reserve Rouge (Soft and easy drinking wine from Burgundy. Good as a sipping wine or with simple food.)

- J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon (The aromas are of blackberry and plum with a hint of blueberry, and, on the palate, some chocolate and toasted oak.)

- J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay (Aromas of exotic fruits complemented by a buttery toasted oak bouquet with hints of cinnamon, clove, and flavours of pear and apple.)

- Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling (Fine, fruity Riesling bouquet, well-balanced palate with hints of exotic fruit.)

We also poured Warsteiner Premium Verum beer (Warsteiner is a pilsner style beer with a smooth, rich, full-bodied taste wrapped in a thick creamy head with the typical hops on the finish.), and Tio Pepe Fino Sherry (Its mild taste of fruit and almonds charms your mouth, leaving a crisp, fresh, clean aftertaste.) as the “dry” component in a deliciously different dry martini – shaken or stirred!

Prince Edward Island Wine Show

The annual PEI Show was held on May 29 and 30 in Charlottetown at the Show Grounds. As usual, the Show featured an interesting range of wines, including the following that were poured by Mainbrace:

- Sandalford Element Cabernet (Medium-bodied wine filled with ripe blackcurrant flavours, soft silky tannins and finishing with notes of vanilla.)

- Sandalford Element Chardonnay (Lovely medium-bodied wine with barely ripe flavours ensuring a hint of herbaceousness and good acid balance.)

- Bleasdale Sparkling Shiraz (Sweet berry fruit flavours and traditional sparkling wine making methods have combined to produce a wine of great colour and depth of flavour.)

- Bleasdale Malbec (Primary fruit flavours of plums, red berries and spices make the wine delightful drinking. Velvety smooth tannins ensure a soft, lush finish making for ideal early consumption.)

- Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling (Fine, fruity Riesling bouquet, well-balanced palate with hints of exotic fruit.)

-Casaleiro Syrah Reserva (The aroma is fruit filled; the palate reflects a classic Syrah with plums and spice and a subtle backbone of tannins. Top scoring Portuguese red at the 2008 Port of Wines Festival in Nova Scotia.)

New, Coming Soon

Mainbrace is proud to announce that we now represent Bichot wines in Atlantic Canada. Albert Bichot is one of the legendary houses of Burgundy which has been in the trade for two centuries. Bichot owns several estates across Burgundy, from Domaine Long-Depaquit in Chablis to Chateau de Dracy at the southern tip of the Côte de Beaune. The different estates always retained their separate identity. Current Bichot listings in Atlantic Canada include Bichot Reserve Rouge in New Brunswick and in Prince Edward Island, Bichot Châteauneuf-du-Pape in New Brunswick and Chablis Arcimboldo in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The NSLC has just listed Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Syrah 2007 (an elegant wine, with a wonderful violet red colour, aromas of black pepper and of jams made from red fruits and blueberries. Its acidity is balanced, and on the mid-palate, it feels juicy and well structured, with a good volume and a rich body. It is an elegant wine from start to finish.). Soon to appear is Sandalford Margaret River Cabernet-Merlot (Ripe berry and dark currant fruit flavours, silky tannins and plenty of backbone.), and Domaine de Vaufuget Vouvray.(Candied lime with green apple notes, orange peel and honey flavours and a faint touch of sweetness on the finish. A perennial Loire favorite that pairs well with shellfish.)

Coming soon to Bishop’s Cellar in Halifax are a variety of craft beers from Belgium:

ANBL has placed orders for Warsteiner Dunkel (Beautiful clear dark amber/brown color, aroma of sweet dark roasted malts and maybe a little coffee, smooth and delicious.), and for König Ludwig Weissbier (An unfiltered Bavarian wheat beer that pours a hazy gold with plenty of thick creamy white head. The aroma is fresh and clear, with scents of citrus and wheat malt. Taste is very smooth with hints of sweetness and bananas, with slightly tart finish.)

NSLC at Port Hawkesbury

The regional NSLC show at the Straits was held in the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre in late April.

Mainbrace treated visitors to König Ludwig Weissbier, Fougères Beaujolais (Bright, rich red in colour. Strawberries on the nose with a fruity, smooth, well-rounded body. A soft, easy drinking style that can be enjoyed by itself or with food.), Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza (Full and intense in the mouth with pleasant texture, nice body, and rich flavours. Aging in barrel has resulted in soft and silky tannins that make this wine a pleasure to experience.), Bleasdale Langhorn Crossing Red (A smooth easy drinking red with vibrant red berry aromas that complement the spicy notes that are apparent on the palate.  The wine is complex with an elegant toastiness that integrates well with the juicy forest fruit characters). and

Langhorn Crossing White (A crisp, fresh dry white wine displaying attractive fruit salad aromas and tropical fruit flavours.  Best drunk young while the lively citrus and tropical fruit prevail.)

Diabetes Association Food & Wine

The annual CDA Wine & Food Fair was held in Fredericton in early April. Mainbrace offerings included:

Lavit Rosado Brut (An attractive pale strawberry colour, bright and transparent. Abundant bubbles, fine and constant that form a thin crown. Fruity aromas of youthful raspberry, currant and grenadine.)

Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling (Fine, fruity Riesling bouquet, well-balanced palate with hints of exotic fruit. This straight forward Qualitatswein is very crisp and refreshing.)

Côte de Ventoux (This is a great value Grenache-based Rhone blend  with lots of fruit, and a nice balance. It has flavours of currant, cherry, and raisin, and aromas of black pepper, menthol, and licorice.)

Canaletto Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo (Intense purple in colour this is the quintessential Italian red, capturing the intense aromas and rich, robust characteristics typical of the region. Intensely spicy, cherryish flavours.)

Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (This wine has all of the intensity, structure and varietal flavour that is expected of a Margaret River Cabernet.  Very good colour with a classic Cabernet nose of faint cedar and blackcurrant. The fruit is perfectly ripe with blackcurrant, mint, cassis, and cedary oak characters.  It has a supple, smooth texture and the pleasantly firm tannins suggest a few years cellaring.)

Wine lovers at the Fair elected Côte de Ventoux as best red wine in show and Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet as 3^rd best wine in show. Ars Vitis Riesling was voted 2^nd best white wine in show. And Mainbrace’s Marc Paimpec was voted best pourer/representative at the show. Congratulations Marc! Well done to our wonderful suppliers!

Wine Fest West

The annual Wine Fest West was held in late May in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland & Labrador.

Mainbrace poured Tio Pepe Fino Sherry (This dry fino sherry is aged in casks for six years. A pale golden straw coloured sherry with aromas of dried apple, nut, lemon-lime, and floral notes. Its mild taste of fruit and almonds charms your mouth, leaving a crisp, fresh, clean aftertaste.), Canaletto Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Intense purple in colour this is the quintessential Italian red, capturing the intense aromas and rich, robust characteristics typical of the region. Intensely spicy, cherryish flavours.), J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay (Aromas of exotic fruits complemented by a buttery toasted oak bouquet with hints of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla. Pear and apple flavours abound, balanced with butterscotch and vanilla nuances. The wine is a complex, well-rounded, luscious mouthful that offers a soft and lingering finish.), J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon ( A deep ruby colour with rich purple hues. The aromas are of blackberry and plum with a hint of blueberry, and some chocolate and toasted oak overtones. On the palate, expect berries, chocolate and smoky toasted oak. The flavours are rich and full, with a soft, supple texture and a lingering, black licorice-infused finish.), and Gravitas Reserve Chardonnay (This is a powerful, complex Chardonnay with great fruit concentration and a very impressive length.  Ripe citrus and peach fruit are balanced by a rich, creamy palate and a subtle oak flavour that adds complexity.).

The usual good time was had by all.

Drinks for the season

Dunkel Float

Pour well-chilled Warsteiner Dunkel over vanilla ice cream in a tall glass. A great new take on the ice cream soda.

Strawberry Fizz

Add two strawberries cut into quarters to a flute glass. Top up with Brut Zero Cava, or Bouvet Ladubay Brut, or Lavit Rosado Brut. Heaven, I’m in heaven . . .

Wheat Kir

Drop 10 – 30 ml (to taste) of Supercassis Crème de Cassis (The superb fruity taste and bright colour derive from the black currant berries cultivated and gathered on the sunny slopes of Burgundy. A rich complex black currant aroma and a good balance between the fruit and its sweetness). into a beer glass, top up with chilled König Ludwig Weissbier.

Savour in Prince Edward Island

The PEI Savour show took place in Charlottetown at the Confederation Centre towards the end of May.

Visitors to the show enjoyed tasting:

- Canaletto Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Intense purple in colour this is the quintessential Italian red, capturing the intense aromas and rich, robust characteristics typical of the region. Intensely spicy, cherryish flavours.)

- Canaletto Pinot Grigio (Crisp, aromatic and wonderfully complex. Light green in colour, it has a fruity bouquet and is surprisingly full-bodied on the palate, with a floral fruit character. An excellent structure with a strong backbone of refreshing acidity, with a well balanced finish.)

- Segura Viudas Lavit Rosado Brut (Attractive pale strawberry  colour, bright and transparent. Abundant bubbles, fine and constant that form a thin crown. Fruity aromas of youthful raspberry, currant and grenadine. In the mouth it is fresh with a good presence of fruits. It is light and has a sweet touch that spreads in the palate.)

- Dom Teodosio São João Batista Reserva (Brilliant  ruby tawny colour, with complex aromas of mature dark berry fruits, black cherries and damsons with hints of liqourice and smoke. Dry and full bodied with a rich christmas cake complexity, fresh acidity, mellow tannins and a long warm finish.)

- Dom Teodosio São João Batista de Santarém (This dark ruby red wine is full bodied, fruity, smooth, well balanced and has a long, pleasant finish.)

International Trade Shows

The first six months each year are the time of the wine trade show in Europe.

VinItaly in Verona brings together 4300 wineries from 30 countries in the largest exhibit area of all the major shows (91,000 square meters). VinItaly started in 1967 with only 100 Italian wineries showing their products.

ProWein in Düsseldorf has an international group of exhibitors (3100 from 45 countries) with an emphasis on German producers but with large contingents from Italy, France, Spain, and Austria.

The London International Wine & Spirits Fair includes wineries from all over the world. The three day show features 1300 exhibitors and upwards of 28,000 wines. The wines are

from France (2400), Spain (1040), Australia (1000), Chile (930), Italy (880), and the US (700) among many others.

VinExpo in Bordeaux has been held every second year since 1981 when it began with 524, largely French, exhibitors. This year it features 2400 exhibitors, about half French in 43,000 square meters of exhibit space. The main exhibit hall is over one kilometer long.

Marc Paimpec au Subject des Vins

Quel dur métier!!!

Finalement je vais faire un tour au pays qui m’as vu naître il y a quelques années. Comme vous pouvez vous en douter il y aura des dégustations de vins. Ce sera un complément au cours de sommelier que j’ai pris. Pouvoir parler avec les vignerons de leur passion et comprendre les défis qu’ils ont à relever pour faire ce liquide fantastique. Pour les quelques jours à ma disposition nous avons établi un itinéraire assez simple. Nous sommes conscients d’avoir à faire des choix. Nous allons donc survolé trois régions avant d’arriver à VinExpo à Bordeaux. D’abords nous allons voir la vallée de la Loire avec les Muscadet, Vouvray, Pouilly-Fumé et les autres. Puis nous allons en Charente-Maritime pour les pineaux des Charente, les armagnacs comme ceux de Lecompte et autres liqueurs merveilleuses. Puis nous allons entrer dans le Champs-Élysées du vin; le Bordelais. Dans cette appellation nous visiterons certains Châteaux que nous représentons ici en Atlantique. Le défi sera de ne pas se laisser envahir par le désir d’avoir ces produits disponibles au Maritimes. Comme vous vous en douter peut-être, il y a une énorme différence entre ce que nous voudrions proposer a nos clients et ce que nous parvenons a négocier auprès des monopoles des divers provinces. La frustration fait parti de ce métier que j’aime.

Mais je vais gouter à bien des merveilles comme les vins de la Cave de Charlemagne (AOC Fronsac) ou des Haut-Médoc, Pauillac et compagnie. Vinexpo est une vitrine pour des vins du monde qui rassemble en un seul lieu plus de 2400 exposants. En mettant en moyenne 8-10 vins chaque vous pouvez voir l’immensité de savoir qui est présenté. En face de vous sont les œnologues, vignerons, négociants et passionnés du vin. Il faut décider de ce que l’on va voir et boire. Les questions sur les méthodes de vinifications, caractéristiques de produits ainsi que disponibilité outremer vont fuser de partout. Non seulement avoir ces propres questions mais aussi apprendre des « vieux » par leurs questions.

Je me promet d’en profiter au maximum. Et je vous ferais un compte-rendu au prochain Splicing, après tout j’aime mon travail!!!!

Coming Events

Festivin in Caraquet (May 30 to June 6, 2009) with Grand Tastings on June 5 and 6. Come and taste Bichot Reserve Rouge (Soft and easy drinking wine from Burgundy. Good as a sipping wine or with simple food.), Bichot Châteauneuf du Pape (Deep red colour, aromas of aromatic herbs, spices and ripe black fruit. Full bodied with delicate tannins.), Château La Sabatière (AOC Bergerac, this blend of Merlot and Cabernet has aromas of blackcurrant, soft tannins and a long finish.), Côtes de Ventoux, Château de la Rivière (AOC Fronsac, mostly Merlot, with a deep almost black colour. Very ripe fruit aromas with a hint of coffee, rich and lond with dense, elegant tannins.), and Château de la Rivière Les Sources (AOC Fronsac, ruby red with purple highlights. Fruity bouquet of cherry and raspberry with hints of violets. Lovely silky tannins.)

Rhys Harnish at the Shore Club in Hubbards, Nova Scotia presents a Wine and Art Gala in support of cancer research on July 13. Food and wine will be featured with Mainbrace pouring Ars Vitis Riesling, Langhorne Crossing Red, Langhorne Crossing White, and Cave de Tain Queen of Syrah (Racy and elegant wine from the Northern Rhône, full of strawberry and redcurrant fruit and spicy notes). Paintings donated by the Aspotogan Arts group will be auctioned by John Dunsworth (of “Trailer Park Boys” fame). Come and support a good cause.

On Saturday, August 8, the annual Seaport Beer Fest will be held outside Pier 21 in Halifax. Mainbrace will be there to pour Warsteiner Premium Verum beer and König Ludwig Weissbier. Visit us for a sample of refreshment in a glass.

This fall the North Shore Bavarian Society of Tatamagouche once again organizes the largest Oktoberfest east of Ontario. Join in the fun with Warsteiner Premium Verum beer and König Ludwig Weisbier, pretzels on a stick, and lots of polka music.

In October and November, the annual major wine fairs of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador will

be held. First comes the annual Port of Wines Festival in Halifax (October 2-3), then the Wine Fest East in St. John’s October 15-17) , and finally World Wine and Food Expo in Moncton (November 6-7). There will be more information on these in the next issue of Slicing the Mainbrace (due out in early September). And there will be news as it breaks at www.mainbrace.ca

The Italian Wine Fair sponsored by the Government of Italy will be held in Halifax on the 6^th of November. Time and location will be posted to www.mainbrace.ca as soon as they are announced.

Recipes for early summer

Mushroom Risotto

300 gm fresh porcini mushrooms (or any other favourite)

25 ml olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

350 gm arborio rice

300 ml dry white wine

1 l hot chicken or vegetable stock

25 gm butter

chopped parsley, salt and pepper, grated Parmesan cheese

Soften onion and garlic in oil in a heavy pan. Add chopped mushrooms and cook until lightly browned. Add the rice and stir to coat with oil. Add the wine and simmer until it is absorbed. Then begin adding the hot stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring after each addition until it is absorbed by the rice. Just before serving, stir in salt and pepper to taste, butter, cheese, and parsley. Serve with Bichot Châteauneuf du Pape, Moselland Bernkastler Küfurstlay Riesling, or Gravitas Unoaked Chardonnay

.

Saffron and Spring Vegetables

(Here is a new take on traditional Atlantic Canadian Hodge-Podge)

500 ml baby carrots (about 3 bunches) tops removed, scrubbed

250 ml peas 25 ml olive oil

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced

5 ml saffron threads

250 ml fresh morel mushrooms, thinly sliced

5 ml chopped fresh thyme

150 ml dry white wine

150 ml vegetable broth

300 ml whipping cream

250 gm asparagus, trimmed, cut into 3 cm pieces

800 ml baby spinach leaves

Preheat oven to 175°C. Cook carrots and peas in a large pot of boiling salted water 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool and then to a separate bowl. Heat oil in saucepan. Add onion; sauté 1 minute. Add shallots; sauté 1 minute. Add leek and sauté until vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes longer (do not brown). Stir in saffron. Add peas, carrots, mushrooms, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Add wine and simmer until almost dry, about 3 minutes. Add broth and simmer 4 minutes. Add cream and bring to simmer. Stir in asparagus, and spinach. Transfer to a buttered baking dish and bake until edges are bubbling and the top begins to brown, about 30 minutes.

Serve with well chilled Canaletto Pinot Grigio or Painter Bridge Chardonnay

The role of Mainbrace is to market the beverage alcohol products that we represent to final consumers, to licensees, to private wine stores, and to the Provincial Government agencies of Atlantic Canada.. We aim to enhance responsible enjoyment for consumers, to facilitate profitable sales for licensees and private wine stores, and to assist agencies in fulfilling their mandates.

Mainbrace Int’l Ltd est une agence qui s’efforce de fournir une diversité de produits de vins, de bières et de spiritueux. Nous représentons une vaste gamme de vignobles, auprès des monopoles provinciaux. Nous voulons faire apprécier nos produits d’une manière responsable auprès de nos clients. Notre volonté est d’aider les agences et succursales à s’acquitté de leurs tâches. Nous pourvoyons une formation pour les licenciés et leurs employés afin de présenter de manières adéquates nos produits.

For further information, contact:

Ann Trecartin or John Chamard, Certified Sommelier

Mainbrace International Limited

P.O. Box 27177

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4M8

Canada

Phone 1-902-422-6193

Fax 1-902-423-4367

e-mail mainbrace@mainbrace.ca

Julia Laite

Mainbrace International Limited
21 Monroe Street
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
Canada  A1C 1X9
Phone and fax: +1 (709) 579-0610
e-mail: julielaite@yahoo.ca

Marc Paimpec, Certified Sommelier

Mainbrace International Limited

20 Cliff Street,

Lakeville, Westmorland County,

New Brunswick E1H 1C8

Canada

Phone 1-506-227-0187

e-mail paimpec@gmail.com

For further information: www.mainbrace.ca