One minute I was surrounded by wines from sunny France and Spain. The next, I was driving through what looked suspiciously like January in my Calgary neighbourhood... on June 30. Join me for a Canada Day toast to cool-climate vineyards and a delicious coast-to-coast menu celebrating the best flavours our country has to offer.

Gougères and Crémant are a classic French apéritif pairing. The light, cheesy choux pastries are perfectly balanced by Crémant's bright acidity and fine bubbles, which cut through the richness and keep each bite fresh, elegant, and moreish.

Our Christmas Eve table always travels a little. This year, Scandinavian gravlax met Canadian maple and Japanese yuzu sake. A pescatarian tradition gently reinvented. Paired with Champagne, the salmon’s silky richness, citrus lift, and delicate bubbles made for a quiet winter celebration.