The Feast of the Seven Fishes, a tradition deeply rooted in Italian-American heritage, is an extravagant seafood banquet celebrated on Christmas Eve. This age-old custom brings families together to enjoy seven (or more) fish courses paired beautifully with select wines. Let&#39;s delve into this delightful culinary journey and explore some exquisite wine pairings for each course.

1. Antipasto Platter &ndash; Vermentino

We start our feast with an antipasto platter featuring marinated anchovies, octopus salad, and calamari rings. The ideal pairing here would be a bottle of Vermentino from Sardinia&#39;s renowned producer <a href="https://www.saratogawine.com/Pedres-Vermentino-Di-Gallura-Docg-Thilibas-2022-750ml.html?utm_source=winesearcher&amp;utm_medium=paidprodlisting&amp;utm_content=928250&amp;utm_campaign=prodfeeds&amp;v=20L">Cantina di Gallur</a>a. Known for its vibrant acidity and mineral-driven flavors of lime zest and green apple, it perfectly complements the briny taste of seafood appetizers.

2. Linguine alle Vongole - Soave Classico

Next up is linguine alle vongole; pasta tossed in white clam sauce garnished with parsley. To accompany this dish we suggest <a href="https://www.plummarket.com/store/2022-pieropan-soave-classico-veneto-022-0.html">Pieropan&rsquo;s Soave Classico</a> made from Garganega grapes grown in volcanic soils around Veneto region offering floral aromas coupled with notes of almond that blend harmoniously with clams&#39; delicate flavor profile.

3. Shrimp Scampi - Chardonnay

For the third course comes shrimp scampi saut&eacute;ed in garlic butter sauce served over spaghetti or risotto where a Californian Chardonnay like <a href="https://www.sokolin.com/2019-ramey-chardonnay-russian-river-valley?utm_source=Wine+Searcher+Feed&amp;utm_medium=Product+Feed&amp;utm_campaign=Products&amp;sku=100991-750-AI">Ramey Russian River Valley</a> Chardonnay works wonders due to its full-bodied character combined with crisp citrus flavors which cut through rich buttery sauces while enhancing shrimp&#39;s sweetness.

4. Fried Calamari - Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Fried calamari needs something light yet flavorful such as <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Desiderio-Bisol-and-Figli-Brut-Prosecco-di-Valdobbiadene-Crede-2021-w0013904x7">Bisol&rsquo;s Prosecco Superiore DOCG</a>. This sparkling wine from Veneto region is made using Glera grapes and offers a delightful balance of fruitiness, acidity, and effervescence that complements the crispness of fried calamari without overpowering it.

5. Baccal&agrave; - Verdicchio

Baccal&agrave; or salted cod stewed with tomatoes and olives calls for something like <a href="https://www.mwwinepark.com/products/13708294/umani-ronchi-casal-di-serra-verdicchio-2021">Umani Ronchi&rsquo;s Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore</a>. Made in Marche region from Verdicchio grape variety, this white wine has subtle notes of citrus fruits along with a hint of almond which pairs well with the robust flavors of baccala.

6. Grilled Swordfish - Etna Rosso

Grilled swordfish served alongside caponata requires a medium-bodied red such as <a href="https://www.stirlingfinewine.com/products/14037159/benanti-etna-rosso-2019">Benanti&#39;s Etna Rosso</a> made primarily from Nerello Mascalese grapes grown on volcanic soils around Mount Etna in Sicily. Its bright acidity combined with delicate tannins and earthy undertones make it an excellent match for grilled fish dishes.

7. Tiramisu &ndash; Vin Santo

No Italian feast would be complete without dessert; Tiramisu paired beautifully with <a href="https://www.saratogawine.com/Avignonesi-Vin-Santo-Di-Montepulciano-2010-375ml.html?utm_source=winesearcher&amp;utm_medium=paidprodlisting&amp;utm_content=924363&amp;utm_campaign=prodfeeds&amp;v=20L">Avignonesi&rsquo;s Vin Santo di Montepulciano</a> crafted predominantly from Trebbiano Toscano (or Procanico) grapes dried over straw mats before being aged in traditional oak barrels called caratelli. This sweet Tuscan wine exhibits rich honeyed flavors complementing tiramisu&#39;s creamy texture while balancing its sweetness perfectly.

The Feast of Seven Fishes not only celebrates the joyous holiday season but also showcases Italy&#39;s rich seafood cuisine enhanced by their diverse range of wines spanning across various regions each possessing unique terroir characteristics reflected within every bottle produced there.

Remember, these are just suggestions; feel free to experiment according to your personal preference because at the end what matters most is the joy of sharing good food and wine with loved ones during this festive season.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, a tradition deeply rooted in Italian-American heritage, is an extravagant seafood banquet celebrated on Christmas Eve. This age-old custom brings families together to enjoy seven (or more) fish courses paired beautifully with select wines. Let's delve into this delightful culinary journey and explore some exquisite wine pairings for each course.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Delectable Holiday Tradition Paired with Exquisite Wines

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Chiado a Portuguese restaurant in Toronto.

Wine List Review of Chiado, Toronto

Michaela Quinlan

Chiado

Chiado:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Chiado. This Toronto restaurant showcases &ldquo;Progressive Portuguese&rdquo; cuisine in a bold and modern style. Open for lunch and dinner, Chiado is the place for corporate events, private functions, and special events.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Chiado features a number of Old World and New World classics, along with a stellar list of Port. We have an exciting selection of wines specifically from Portugal for you today.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Let&rsquo;s begin with a red blend from the Dao region of Portugal with the 2017 Quinta de Pellada, Quints de Saes Reserva. This dry, medium to full-bodied red blend, made predominately of Touriga Nacional, showcases ripe cranberries, red cherries, with smoke, earth, and notes of vanilla on the finish from its time spent aging in oak. A perfect companion to savory dishes and lightly sauced proteins.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Heading to the Douro of Portugal, another red blend to consider would be the 2015 D. Graca Reserva. This full-bodied blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz features rich flavors and aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries, white pepper, sage, and smoke. This is your got-to pairing for richly sauced proteins and pasta.

RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: We have noted a few great reds, now it is time to feature a standout white wine from Northern Portugal. Consider the 2018 Alves de Sousa, Branco da Gaivosa. This Malvasia Fina blend is medium bodied, dry, and features aromas and flavors of lime zest, mandarin orange, ripe melon, with notes of vanilla on the creamy finish due to the brief time in oak. Pair this white wine with shellfish and seafood.

RT: These are some great calls. So you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: Another red wine to note for the table is the 2010 Camplargo Baga from Northern Portugal. The Baga grape is bold, full-bodied, and features ripe raspberries and ripe plums with notes of lilac, licorice, earth and sage. The age has softened the round tannins on the long finish. Another perfect pairing for richly sauced proteins and pasta.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. &nbsp;Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind...&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: The region of Vinho Verde in Portugal brings us the 2020 Esporao Bico Amarelo. This light, dry, white wine showcases bright acidity and minerality with notes of citrus, ripe, green apple, with notes of white flowers and saline on the finish. This white wine of excellent quality and value makes a wonderful companion to shellfish, seafood, and soft cheese.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: An excellent quality and value wine from Southern Portugal is the 2016 Cortes de Cima blend of Syrah, Aragones, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional, and Petit Verdot. This incredible red blend showcases aromas and flavors of ripe plum, fig, ripe blackberries, and cassis, with notes of vanilla and cinnamon on the finish. A smooth, full-bodied red wine to pair with richly sauced proteins.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;MQ: The 1975 Quinta do Noval &ldquo;Nacional&rdquo; Vintage Port of the Duoro Valley of Northern Portugal. Keep in mind that only 2% of port production ever reaches the quality to declare a vintage. Dating back to 1715, Noval has been known as an innovative producer of varying styles of port. This exceptional vintage exudes aromas and flavors of honey, figs, and raisins with vanilla and prune on the finish. Enjoy each sip as you extend your visit to Chiado and special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Chiado&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.&nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Château Fage is a family-owned winery located in Graves de Vayres, Bordeaux, France. The winery has been producing high-quality wines since 1789, and has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Château Fage's wines are known for their elegance, balance, and complexity.

Laid-back chain serving familiar Thai dishes from mild to spicy, with gluten-free & vegan options.

Dante

Geronimo

La Mercerie

Bar Primi

Kirby’s Steakhouse

The Grill

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Thai Cottage Corpus Christi

Available Wines
Total Wines - 8

Robert Mondavi Private Selection

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

Josh Cellars

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Estates Riverstone Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Josh Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

J. Lohr

Los Osos Merlot, Paso Robles NV

California, USA

Meiomi

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Alois Lageder, Beta Delta Chardonnay Pinot Grigio, IGT NV

Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Italy

Kim Crawford

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Marlborough, New Zealand