Italians do it better – simple and delicious shrimp
By Stacey Metulynsky, Groovy Grapes Sommelier

This is a totally easy and amazingly delicious recipe that I got from a friend – gamberetti all’olio e limone, or shrimp with olive oil and lemon. This is one of my favourites for entertaining, because you can make it earlier in the day and let it steep on the countertop until you’re ready to serve it.

What you need:
1 stalk of celery
1 carrot, peeled
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 ½ lbs raw shrimp in shell
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper and coarse sea salt, to taste

What you do:
• In a large saucepan, add about 3 quarts of water to the celery, carrot, and vinegar. Salt well then bring to a boil.
• Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes then add the shrimp (with shells on) and bring back to a boil.
• Once the shrimp are pink and cooked through (cooking time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp), drain the shrimp, shell and devein. Try to do this as soon as the shrimp are cool enough to handle – you still want them to be warm for the next step.
• Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow dish. Add the warm shrimp, toss well, and leave it to steep at room temperature for at least an hour before serving.
• Make sure to serve with lots of crusty bread – you won’t want to waste a single drop!

What wine to serve:
This recipe is has simple flavours, so you want a wine that won’t overpower them. Here are a couple of ideas:

Masi Soave Classico
LCBO 266221 | $11.95 | Veneto, Italy
A simple, light bodied wine that is the perfect palate-cleanser to accompany this dish and easy to find in most liquor stores. It has light lemony aromas and flavours that compliment the flavours in the dish nicely.

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino Bianco 2003
VINTAGES 65086 | $16.95 | Tuscany, Italy
This medium bodied wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc with tropical fruit and a hint of spiciness on the nose and fresh citrus acidity on the palate.

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Pomino Benefizio 2002
VINTAGES 332247 | $29.95 | Tuscany, Italy
This is the big brother to the wine listed above - a stunning, complex Tuscan Chardonnay, with intense aromas that begin with nutty oak and vanilla, and lead to tropical and citrus fruit flavours. This wine has the fruity tartness to balance the lemon in the dish, but enough toasty, rich body to stand up to the olive oil. If you like a full bodied white wine, try this one.

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Do you love Italian wine and food as much as we do?
Then come celebrate with us at La Vendemmia – Ottawa’s celebration of Italian Wine & Food, in the heart of Little Italy, Preston Street September 14-18 2005. Visit www.prestonstreet.com/lavendemmia for information about wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and more. Watch out for our series of wine tastings at Old Ottawa South Community Centre this fall.

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Previous Articles:

Warm up the Winter with Wines of Italy