Quaintrelle Weekender

You know what’s weird?

I wasn’t going to write about books today, because the last few Weekenders have been about reading and books.

I was going to censor myself because I assumed you would roll your eyes and say, “not this again, Erin!” and quietly quit me.

But, I’ve just finished what will probably be my top novel of the year. (Yes, I know I said that last month.) According to my Libby app, it took me 12 hours and 58 minutes to finish Buckeye. That wasn’t in one go, the time was dispersed over a week. Even more fascinating – the author, Patrick Ryan, took eight years to write the book and was 60 years old when he published it. While his is not an identical story to my other top novel of the year, The Correspondent, the authors have some curious similarities, in that it took Virginia Evans nearly a decade to publish her first novel.

I just got wind of a writing contest for a wine publication; the theme is on wine pairings, but not necessarily the staid wine-and-food scenario. I thought I would submit Monday’s post on wine and memory; I really liked it and just ran into someone yesterday who flattered my by saying she loved reading it. Anyway, the contest holders have ruled anything published before – even in a newsletter – is not eligible, so there goes that idea. If you haven’t read it yet, you can catch up here. I hope you like it.

So, yeah, I wasn’t going to write about books or writing today out of fear of becoming a one-trick pony, but I like this pony and I’m riding it all the way to the fair. (I’m not really sure what that means, but it’s a paraphrase of a line in a Cheryl Strayed book called Brave Enough, and I’ve been hankering to use it for a few years.)

Hello and welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender, my weekly postcard of what’s on my mind this week.

If you have yet to formally join, just click below to subscribe for free, and while you’re in the clicking mood, maybe you could tap that heart? It costs you nothing but means quite a bit to me. xoxo.

Q of the Week

“I’m having a spring dinner with lots of different preparations of artichokes. What is the best wine to pair?” – Cynthia, a reader via email

I actually wrote an entire blog about pairing wines with verdant spring vegetables a couple of years ago Cynthia, and you can read the whole thing here.

But artichokes specifically get their own mention because they’re just so notoriously challenging with wine. Artichokes contain cynarin, a naturally occurring compound that magnifies sweetness – and makes wines taste flabby and dull. Wines that will have the best chance are white wines that are bright, fresh, and crisp, with no discernible oak influence.

For raw or near-raw preparations such as an artichoke salad or antipasti, look to wines with a touch of green and a little salinity. Wines like Muscadet, Verdejo, or even a fino Sherry from Spain will work. If the artichokes are fried, like the famous Carciofi alla Giudia, the fried artichokes of Rome’s Jewish quarter, aim to balance the rich oil and batter. A silky Grüner Veltliner from Austria, or slick Jura from France both have the weight and flavour to compliment the dish; or, you could create an interesting contrast with a snappy brut sparkling wine to wipe up some of that fat.

This Week’s Big 3

Ithaka – This famous poem written by CP Cavafy in 1911 is a fantastic reminder to enjoy the journey.

Davine’s Dry Shampoo – Ok, this is staggeringly expensive. Like, just hand-over-your- credit-card-and-think-of-England expensive. But, it is freaking FANTASTIC. )As it should be for that arrogant price.)

I just got my hair cut (LOVE, by the way. Girlies, if you’re afraid of going under the scissors, let me tell you it’s the BEST thing I’ve done in years.) Anyway, I have super fine hair that’s prone to breakage. Years ago, I was using a very popular drug store brand on the daily. My hair dresser took one look at my hair and demanded I stop. All the alcohol (in the dry shampoo!) was causing my already-brittle hair even more breakage. To the point we stopped colouring it for an entire year so it could repair and grow again. Anyway, my hairdresser used this stuff to style my baby fine hair and it was miraculous. Davine’s is top notch, and a little goes a long way, and truly – SWEAR TO GAWD – it’s so good one spritz lasts a day or two.

Parker & Bailey Stain Remover – I don’t know how they do it, but they do it well. This stuff gets out blood, mascara, coffee… Fantastic.

Ardo’s Raba Salad

The Weekend Menu

Last Sunday’s Dinner: Butter Chicken with Jeera Pulao

Tonight’s Dinner: Short Rib Rigatoni with Ardo’s Raba Salad

The Weekend Cocktail: Gin-Gin Mule

The Weekend Wine: Radford Dale “Vinum” Chenin Blanc 2023, Stellenbosch, South Africa $20

PS –

A lil’ reminder of the wine, cocktail, and culinary events I have scheduled in May and June downtown Toronto.

I really want you to be there. Think about it.

• May 6 – Welcome Spring: Salsas and cocktails for brighter days $125 (VERY LIMITED SEATING)

• May 13 – Learn to Taste $89

• May 20 – Summer Preview: Patio Whites and Rosé $89

• May 27 – Chillable Reds $89

• June 3 – Wine, Women & Wealth with headline speaker Erica Alina, Personal Economics Reporter, The Globe and Mail, $125

• June 10 – Intro to Beer $89

• June 17 – Pizza Making and Wine Pairing $125 (VERY LIMITED SEATING)

• June 24 – BRAND NEW!! Speaker’s Series: Fireside Chat with Christopher Waters, wine columnist, Globe and Mail $125 (LIMITED SEATING)

Until next time –

xo – Erin

Thank you for reading Quaintrelle.

This newsletter is written by me, Erin Henderson, journalist-turned-sommelier-turned-entrepreneur. I literally drink and throw parties for a living, and on the weekends, I share some thoughts on stylish living.

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