Six comfort food pairings for winter

At a time of year when Quebec cuisine turns heartier and welcoming guests often means gathering around comforting dishes, Crozes-Hermitage wines offer the perfect fit. They bring freshness, elegance and depth, shaped by the aromatic expression of Syrah. For the festive season, Jessica Harnois and Mariève Isabel have devised a menu entirely crafted from Quebec-sourced ingredients – from maple-glazed salmon and root vegetables to farmhouse cheeses, game and poultry – each dish designed to harmonise with six wines available at SAQ stores.

6 pairings of Crozes-Hermitage Syrah with local Quebec produce

Game pie & E. Guigal – 2021 Crozes-Hermitage
SAQ Code 739243

This classic wine infolds in a warm style marked by black fruit notes, a smoky touch and a texture that has already softened beautifully. It makes a wonderful companion for game pie – whether prepared with venison or a combination of meats – served with home-made fruit ketchup. The spices in the pie and the richness of the game echo the well-judged freshness in the wine. It also makes a great match for ox cheek braised in Quebec beer, served with pureed celeriac – the wine lends structure to the tenderness and mouth-coating flavours of the food without overpowering it.

Cold cuts & Les Vins de la Vienne – 2023 Crozes-Hermitage
SAQ Code 10678229

Energetic and crisp in style, this wine captures the aromatic purity of young Syrah. It paves the way for an irresistible pairing with a platter of Quebec cold cuts – Charlevoix coppa, artisanal dry-cured sausages and finely flavoured terrines – accompanied by a selection of farmhouse cheeses. The wine’s vibrancy and lift provide a welcome counterpoint to the saltiness, fleshiness and fattiness of the cold cuts. It is equally compelling alongside more refined vegetarian fare such as roasted squash with Quebec ricotta, seasoned with a drizzle of honey and sage oil. The interplay of sweetness and spice highlights the delicacy of the wine.

Smoked trout & Cave de Tain – 2023 Nobles Rives
SAQ Code 14622636

This precise, clean and mouth-filling Crozes-Hermitage showcases the winery’s time-honoured expertise. It makes a subtle yet convincing partner for smoked trout or Quebec Arctic char, served with a warm potato and fresh herb salad. The smokiness of the fish and delicate texture of the dish mesh perfectly with the wine’s light peppery notes. Paired with roast turkey supreme and cranberry reduction sauce, the wine displays a freshness that balances the fruit and lends vibrancy to this traditional festive-season classic.

Duck breast & Maison Les Alexandrins – 2022 Crozes-Hermitage
SAQ Code 12661826

With its pure fruit and supple tannins, this wine is exceptionally versatile at the table. It sits beautifully alongside a plate of macaroni with Quebec cheeses such as 1608, Alfred le Fermier and Hercule, where the richness of the cheese calls for a wine that can instil tension and lightness. It is equally harmonious with Brome Lake duck breast served with a red wine reduction sauce and pureed parsnip. In this pairing, flavours unfold with control and balance, guided by the wine’s confident aromatic finesse.

A platter of cheeses & Ferraton Père & Fils – 2023 Calendes
SAQ Code 13387195

Harmonious and lightly spiced, this Crozes-Hermitage lends itself just as naturally to main courses as to bringing a meal to a graceful close. It forms a natural partnership with a selection of full-flavoured Quebec cheeses such as Bleu d’Elizabeth, Riopelle, Tomme de Grosse-Île and Mi-Carème, its structure and spice notes creating an elegant pairing. It also shows beautifully in a more bistro-styled way with hanger steak served with a pepper sauce and homemade fries.

Grilled cheese & Domaine Belle – 2023 Les Pierrelles
SAQ Code 863795

The festive season is also about enjoying good food throughout the week and with its ripe fruit and mouth-coating texture, this wine makes the perfect foil for a festive lunch. Grilled mature cheddar with caramelised onions, for instance, offers a simple, flavourful and effective pairing. Come evening, this wine is equally at ease with venison tataki lightly glazed with maple and seasoned with black pepper. Here, Syrah emphasises the sweetness of the dish while accentuating the gamey characters.