Food & Wine — Holidays

  By Iris Rowlee Jamaica: Sorrel Punch, Goat Curry with Gungo Peas & Rice and Caribbean Style Ham While there isn’t much in the way of traditional wine making to speak of on the beautiful island nation of Jamaica, there is a strong passion for local spirits and a unique style, or sub category of aromatised, fortified “tonic wines”. Although a remnant of colonial England’s fascination with “health” tonics, tonic wines have become an intertwined, unique part of Jamaica's national culinary and cultural identity. Holiday cakes are seasoned with it, holiday drinks are spiked with it, dancehall stars sing their...

A twist on the classic Italian holiday dessert with a Californian flair. The use of California almonds and dried apricots compliment the Sauternes perfectly. Delicate, fluffy, sweet flavors melt together with the liquid gold. Further enhancing the nutty and ripe stone fruit character in the wine. If you are looking for something to spice up your dessert line-up this winter, look no further as this is our winner. Yield One large PanattoneIngredientsFor starter: 1 cup (120 g) All-Purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon instant yeast 1/2 cup (113 g) cool water For Dough: 2 cups (241g) All-Purpose flour 1/4 cup fine ground almond...

Some of the world's greatest wines are sweet. No, we are not referencing wines that have been altered with levels of sugar or halted fermentation to achieve sweetness. We are  talking about Sauternes, a golden colored, sweet French wine from the Bordeaux region. Drive about 25 miles southeast towards the Graves appellation, there are two neighboring sub-regions, Barsac and Sautneres.  These two regions are along side the Garonne and the Ciron tributary. The two rivers provide an unique microclimate along with the morning fogs and warm afternoons. The water of the Ciron is cooler than the Garonne, thus in the...