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Wild B.C.
Spot Prawn season officially got underway Thurs-day, but there will be plenty to celebrate over the next month as chefs around the province embrace a major player from the sustainable fishery as recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation/ Seachoice program as a "Best Choice," the Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise program as "Green" and the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch as a "Best Choice."
It hasn't taken long for Spot Prawns to become globally recognized as a local delicacy. Famous for its subtle, sweet flavour and firm texture, it turns rosé pink in colour when it's quickly sautéed, revealing its namesake white spots on its tail.
Today, we thought it might be fun to review some wines suited to our native prawn, and kick off the Spot Prawn season all in one. Who knows, maybe the sun will come out and we can officially get the warm weather season underway.
The original Spot Prawn Festival began in Vancouver five years ago. The sixth season kicks off today, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the False Creek Fisherman's Wharf in Vancouver (just west of Granville Island) where you can buy the daily catch for $12 a pound from 1 p.m. onward. The festival is an initiative of the Chefs' Table Society and has grown from modest beginnings with a couple of hundred people sampling fresh caught prawns to crowds exceeding 1,000 sea-food lovers.
In the coming weeks, the celebrations will continue at Cowichan Bay Harbour, Vancouver Island, Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13. There will be a stop in Kelowna on Saturday, June 2 at The Cove Resort, and finally on the Sunshine Coast, Saturday, June 16, at Willing-don Beach in Powell River. For more information check out www.spotprawnfestival.com.
While you are trying to pair your favourite whites and rosés with local spot prawns, keep in mind that the spicier the dish the more residual sugar or sweeter the wine can be. My preference is for simple pre-pared dishes with minimal spicing paired with dry, refreshing light wines, but you can go in almost any direction.
We begin with Moillard Viognier Huges le Juste 2010. Moillard is doing a fine job of over-delivering here for the price. Expect a lighter floral, light lychee, spicy nose with bits of citrus and pear. The attack is dry and fresh with a lean/watery style with citrus, green apple, floral flavours. Good value and a friendly introduction to the French style of this variety. A perfect match in structure and flavour for an Asian spot prawn dish.
The Gazela Vinho Verde N/V from Northern Portugal is always refreshing. At nine per cent alcohol and under screw cap with a pinch of CO2, it is lively from front to back. The nose is a mix of citrus and green melon, guava and mineral notes. The wine is colour-less, but the attack super fresh, with more citrus water and fresh fruit flavours. Think summer salads and alfresco dining or steamed spot prawns. This one is good value even in British Columbia.
Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu make up the mix of grapes in the M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Blanc 2011 from the rugged Côtes du Roussillon in Southern France. You get a lot of floral, honey, quince, baked pear and lemon oil notes for $15. The attack is soft, fruity and juicy with lime rind, honey, ginger, spicy, orange and baked pear flavours. Ready to drink now with most summer fare, it is the perfect weight and flavour for spot prawns.
There is an inherent sweetness in spot prawns that would work well with the Château Ste. Michelle Riesling 2010 from the nearby Columbia Valley in Washington. The nose is an enticing mix of honey, orange and baked green apple. The pal-ate is round and elegant with baked green apple, lime, grape-fruit, honey, floral flavours. Lively and vibrant, this is the best rendition yet. Good value and ready to sip all summer.
I drank several bottles of Casa Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc 2010 last week in Florida. The Chilean white is a little different from most of its brethren with a subtle seven per cent Sémillon in the blend. Look for delicious gooseberry, grassy, floral, hay, melon and grapefruit aromas to precede a fresh, juicy, round, textured palate awash in grapefruit, honey, asparagus, melon and passion fruit flavours. A stylish affair finally under screw cap, and looking like a winner all summer. (Note: You can only buy this at Everything Wine and a handful of private wine shops.)
We finish up with the Mission Hill Five Vineyards Rosé 2011, a blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir that has become as steady as it gets among local pinks. This year's edition is light pink with a watery edge. The attack is fresh and lively with juicy, citrus, watermelon, strawberry aromas and flavours with some pretty floral notes in the background. Ten grams of residual sugar make it both gulp-able and equally at home with spicy spot prawn dishes.
ANTHONY GISMONDI
IN THE CELLAR
wine spotting
Moillard Viognier Huges le Juste 2010, Vin de Pays d'Oc, France
Price: $13
UPC: 003180421087181
Score: 86/100
Remarks: Good value and a friendly introduction to the French style of this variety.
Gazela Vinho Verde N/V, Vinhos Verde, Northern Portugal
Price: $11
UPC: 5601012045505
Score: 86/100
Remarks: The wine is colourless but the attack fresh with citrus water and fresh fruit.
M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut 2011 Côtes du Roussillon Blanc, France
Price: $15
UPC: 03391182411034
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Drink now with warm weather fare.
Château Ste. Michelle Riesling 2010, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Price: $16
UPC: 088586621840
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Good value, and ready to drink.
Casa Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Chile
Price: $21, Everything Wine only
UPC: N/A
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Fresh gooseberry, grapefruit, honey and passion fruit flavours.
Mission Hill Rosé Five Vineyards 2011, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Price: $15
UPC: 00776545995872
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Juicy, citrus, watermelon, strawberry flavours.
