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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Thursday, December 12 2024

Christmas Gifts from Allison

By: Allison Spurrell
Cheesy and Otherwise

The holiday season is fast approaching.

Every year, the time between October and December seems shorter and shorter.

When I was younger, I always tried to finish all my Christmas shopping by August. It’s not because I was so organized. It’s just because the thought of shopping in December, when we were so busy in the stores, made me almost weep. I am not a dedicated shopper.

The older I get, the less my friends or family need. Consumables seem to be the one thing that is fun to give and get at this point in our lives. Treats you can share with your group over the holiday, a special bottle of wine that might be over the usual budget, or just something yummy that is an indulgence that seems fitting for the holiday season.

Of course, we will have a lot of lovely people in our stores buying cheese as presents, which of course I approve of. Sometimes, that works well, but sometimes, it is harder to pull off. We are all so busy these days, and getting to the store close to the big day and hiding your purchases in the fridge, if you are in the same household, can be a challenge. I suggest putting the cheese in a sealed container to contain any cheesy smells and choosing harder cheeses that will last until presents are given and well after.

If that all sounds like too much of a chore, why not get things that are a little less perishable? I love to get some pantry items that will hold for a little while. How great to put a few treats away in case you have an unexpected guest or just don’t have as much time as expected to get ready for entertaining. This seems like a great thing to do for someone else, too. A bottle of Port and a little tub of Candied pecans or walnuts, a bottle of Sherry and some Marcona Almonds? How perfect for a frosty winter evening.

Another thoughtful idea might be a bottle of Champagne and some fitting snacks. There is no time that isn’t a good time for Champagne, but especially at this time of the year, the reasons for opening a bottle seem obvious. What if you treated a partner or sibling to some bubbly and a few savoury snacks to go with it? Something that could be opened anytime in the next few weeks. One of my favourites is a little cheese biscuit or cracker with sparkling wine before dinner. Perfect, and not too much work!

I love Roka cheese biscuits. They are a Dutch cheese pastry, light and flaky and just rich enough to be the perfect foil for a glass of bubbles. In the picture above, I also had two types of delicious French biscuits. One is made with sheep cheese and espelette pepper, and the other little round biscuits are made in Normandie with Normandie butter and Mimolette cheese. Either would hit just the right note for a pre-dinner nibble.

In the same picture, I also have one of my favourite cheeses, and I love it with Champagne. Toma Piemontese is a semi-firm cheese from the north of Italy with a fruity, rich taste. I introduced it to some people at a tasting recently, and in the end, many of them picked this as their favourite match with some lovely Champagnes.

So, whether you brave the shoppers and buy some cheese at the last minute or shop ahead for some less perishable items, consumables are always a fun gift. Nobody has to find room for them in their house, and you can be sure they will enjoy sharing them at some point over the holidays.

Written By: Allison Spurrell
Allison Spurrell
Allison Spurrell

Allison Spurrell stocks the larders of the city’s finest restaurants and your fridge alike, through les amis du FROMAGE, cheese shops in the Kitslano and Strathcona neighbourhoods in Vancouver which she runs with Joe Chaput. Their shelves are filled with 400 cheeses, including local, raw milk French, Italian and other specialties. They also sell foie gras, pâtés, crackers, biscuits, varietal olive oils, vinegars and other specialty food items and their kitchen in Strathcona prepares popular frozen taken away meals. Les amis du FROMAGE has received Vancouver Magazine's Restaurant Award as a top food supplier to Vancouver’s best restaurants and hotels. Allison is a proud member of Confrerie les Chevalier du Taste Fromage de France. To buy cheese visit: les amis du FROMAGE in Kitslano - 1752 West 2nd Ave | Tel (604) 732-4218 or Strathcona - 843 East Hastings St | Tel 604-253-4218 | www.buycheese.com.