Jambalaya

From the ashes of the 17th century European wars rose the new country of Holland, which would become a hugely successful and important trading nation. Not surprising, as they were the descendents of the Friesians who commanded the wine trade in the time of Charlemagne. In a very short space of time they built a fleet of trading ships, established colonies in the East & West Indies, commanded the sea traffic to the Orient by colonizing the Cape of Good Hope, and for a time, owned Long Island.

The Dutch quickly took command of the wine and spirit trade, their sons married into the wine families of France and Spain thereby affording greater and preferential access to the wine. As a nation, they recommenced trade with the Ottoman Empire and regained access to the wines from Cyprus and Greece. They were instrumental in eliminating the yearly wine convoys from France as they found it to too restrictive. As a nation of traders they exported practically all that they imported, ruthlessly defending their position as the largest sea-trading nation of that time.

The Dutch were highly involved in the production of distilled spirits and are credited with the introduction of gin. Troops would take a take a drink of gin before battle and found it had a calming effect, hence the expression “Dutch courage.”

Jambalaya—a French version of paella—can be enjoyed with this French varietal: Trumpour’s Mill 2008, Cabernet Franc ($17.75). The wine is bright ruby to the eye, with ripe blackberries and a hint of Werther’s caramel on the nose. The palate is a combination of red currants, cranberry and raspberry finishing with freshly ground black peppercorns. The smooth yet well-structured tannins provide enough body to compliment the robust flavours of this dish.

Trumpour’s Mill is a second-label wine available at The Grange of Prince Edward, located at 990 Closson Rd, or at the LCBO. Owner Caroline Granger is donating 50 cents from every bottle of Trumpour’s Mill wine sold in LCBOs and $1 from each bottle sold in restaurants to local Military Family Resource Centres.