Bison Steak Tartare from Canada with a Madiran Rouge from France at Gaspar Brasserie Française in Montreal, Canada, the Largest City in America, where French is the Primary Language (April 2026)

 

 

Dinner at @Gaspar Brasserie Francaise in Montreal/ Canada. The steak tartare Bison was amazing as was the Madiran, with Annette Schiller.

 

We were en route from Washington DC to St. Lucia, to join Cornelia, Chris, Viatrix and Ernst for 2 1/2 weeks on their 7-month sailing trip in the Caribbean.  

 

What is Montreal? (US Travel)

 

First and foremost, Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the West, after Paris, and the largest city in North America where English is not the primary language. However, it's important to note that all residents can communicate in English, and there's no language barrier when exploring the city (or snooty faces like in Paris). 

 

The city is built on a large island on the Saint Lawrence River, fleuve Saint-Laurent, an island with Mont Royal at its center, after which the city is named. 

 

Montreal is the largest city in the province of Québec, with about 1.7 million residents. Its greater metropolitan area houses more than four million people. Historically, it was the important commercial center of Canada and the largest city in the country. Today, it's the second-largest city in Canada, both in size and importance, after Toronto, which has surpassed it in the past fifty years. 

 

Montreal is one of the important university cities in North America, with nearly two hundred thousand students studying there each semester across 11 academic institutions, deeply influencing its youthful character. 

 

The city was named by the famous French explorer Jacques Cartier, who sailed up the Saint Lawrence River in 1535 and named the mountain on the island Mount Royal. More than a hundred years later, the French began to settle on the island, and in 1642 Montreal became an official city. In the mid-17th century, Montreal became part of the British Crown, and English speakers also settled there, but generally, it retained its French character. With Canada's partial independence in 1867, Montreal became the most important and largest city in the country. The city became a sought-after destination for immigrants from the late 19th century and grew rapidly. In the 20th century, it welcomed immigrants from all over the world, making it very cosmopolitan.

 

Montreal is a developed city with a high quality of life. The separatism of the Quebecois affected the city's status both politically and reputationally. The peak of French nationalism events occurred during what is called the October Crisis in 1970 and the activities of the separatist socialist organization, the Front de libération du Québec. During the October Crisis, the group resorted to violence, which deeply damaged the city's reputation and led to the departure of major companies to Toronto. This shift moved Canada's leading city from Montreal to Toronto, and since then, the city seems to be lagging behind. Today, events of the Front are less prominent in the city, but occasionally the political tensions bubble to the surface. Every now and then, the city, along with all of Quebec, threatens to secede from Canada and gain independence.

 

Welcome to Gaspar Brasserie Française (menu-world.com) 

At Gaspar Brasserie Française, located in the vibrant heart of Montreal, culinary tradition and contemporary flair meet in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. This charming brasserie celebrates the richness of Quebecois cuisine with a menu featuring exquisite dishes like flavorful duck and savory onion soup. Guests rave about the attentive and energetic service, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every occasion, from casual brunch to special celebrations. Highlights include artfully presented seafood and decadent desserts, complemented by a selection of fine wines. At Gaspar, the passion for food and hospitality shines, making every meal a delightful culinary journey.

Buffalo (Bison) Steak Tartae (Tasty Eats - Chef Ronit Penso) 

4th of July weekend was dedicated mainly to BBQ, and it feels like it’s time for the very opposite of BBQ – Steak Tartare. 

Steak Tartare is a classic dish made of fresh chopped meat, seasonings and egg yolk, mixed and served raw. It is traditionally made with beef, yet, as it’s still 4th of July weekend, I’ve decided to use American Buffalo (actually Bison) meat, instead of beef. The result was even better than the original. Originally, the chopped meat was served with the condiments or Tartar sauce on the side (hence the name). Here, I’ve use a version in which the meat served already seasoned, as I think it is more flavorful this way. You can, of course, switch back to the original and serve all the seasonings on the side. 

Bison is raised mostly in free-range farms and is grass-fed, therefore has leaner meat compared to beef, that can dry fairly quickly when cooked. So steak Tartare is actually a great way to keep its unique texture and flavor. Try it and enjoy.

Madiran is in France’s South West (schiller-wine blog)

Madiran is one of the many wine regions in what is generally referred to as South West France, around the village of Madiran in the Gascony.

The two Appellations d'Origine Contrôlées (AOCs) of the 1300 hectares of vineyards are: Madiran for red wines and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec for white wines.

Pircture: Map of South West France

Madiran AOC was created in 1948. Only red wine can be produced under this appellation. The main grape variety is Tannat, which must account for 40-60% of the wine and can be supplemented by Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Fer. Madiran AOC is typically deep ruby red in color and high in tannin. It needs some aging before drinking it. As a student, I always found Madiran AOC an interesting alternative to Bordeaux wines, because of the price differential. Much less known are the dry and sweet white wine and sparkling wine that the area produces.

The wines of the Madiran region have a long history. In the 11th century the Benedictines founded the abbey of Madiran and improved the quality of the vines. The pilgrims of St Jacques de Compostelle passed through this region and spread word of the excellent Madiran wines.  

Arriving in Montreal

Dinner at Gaspar Brasserie Française

 Leaving Montreal

From Marigot Bay in St. Lucia to Saint-Pierre in Martinique - Amazing 2 1/2 Weeks on the Catamaran Sailboat "Wanderlust" in the Caribbean, with Chris, Cornelia, Viatrix and Ernst (April 2026)

See: From Marigot Bay in St. Lucia to Saint-Pierre in Martinique - Amazing 2 1/2 Weeks on the Catamaran Sailboat "Wanderlust" in the Caribbean, with Chris, Cornelia, Viatrix and Ernst (April 2026)

  

  

Chris, Cornalia, Viatrix and Ernst Tremann: We're a German/American family from Munich who decided to ditch the rat race and sail the Caribbean. Join us as we explore on our catamaran "Wanderlust!" 

 

Annette and I took up the invitation and joined them for 2 1/2 weeks, from Marigot Bay in St. Lucia to Saint-Pierre in Martinique. They were already beyond the mid of their trip and on their way back to the home port of Wanderlust, in the British Virgin Island. 

 

During our trip, I posted regularly on facebook about our wonderful experience. This posting on schiller-wine blog puts all the individual facebook postings in one place: From Marigot Bay in St. Lucia to Saint-Pierre in Martinique - Amazing 2 1/2 Weeks on the Catamaran Sailboat "Wanderlust" in the Caribbean, with Chris, Cornelia, Viatrix and Ernst (April 2026)  

I, Annette, so much enjoyed this boat tour. I always felt very much home in the water: I love the seas, bobbing waves, swimming, tropical weather, raw nature, and this boat tour provided all of this. Living on a sailboat makes you aware of how much humanity depends on nature, and how small we are in this universe. You cannot sail without wind, you cannot live without fresh water, you cannot see without light, you cannot cook without some source of energy. Being together with our daughter, son-in-law, and two grandkids age ten and eleven in this relatively confined space was such a joy and taught me once again that teamwork and respect for one another are the most important skills for living in harmony and to overcome daily challenges. I felt honored to be part of this close-nit, adorable family for a delicious moment.

 

Related Postings on schiller-wine:

 

From Marigot Bay in St. Lucia to Saint-Pierre in Martinique - Amazing 2 1/2 Weeks on the Catamaran Sailboat "Wanderlust" in the Caribbean, with Chris, Cornelia, Viatrix and Ernst (April 2026)  

Wines and Winemakers from the US and Canada at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and John O'Keefe, Chateau Grand Traverse, at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany

The 2nd International Riesling Symposium took place on May 26 and 27, 2014, at Schloss Rheinhartshausen in the Rheingau. Riesling experts from around the world - top winemakers, representatives from the trade and restaurant sector, and journalists – gathered to celebrate, discuss and taste the arguably most noble white grape in the world - Riesling.

I have already provided an overview about the 2nd International Riesling Symposium event: The 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany

This posting focuses on the US and Canada, more specifically, the wines from the US and Canada that were presented and the winemakers from the US and Canada that participated in the 2nd International Riesling Symposium.

Riesling in the World

There are about 47000 hectares planted with Riesling worldwide. Germany – with 22500 hectares – accounts for about half of the total. The second and third largest Riesling producer are the US (mainly Washington State and Finger Lakes Region) with 4800 hectares and Australia with 4100 hectares. But this is only about 1/10 of the total. Alsace follows with 3500 hectares. Alsace, Ukraine and Austria follow with 3500 hectares, 2700 hectares and 1900 hectares, respectively.

Overall, Riesling is really a niche wine, accounting for less than 1 percent of total wine production in the world - but a very special niche wine. In terms of quality wines, Riesling is usually included in the top three white wine varieties, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Riesling is highly terroir-expressive, meaning that the character of Riesling wines is clearly influenced by the wine’s place of origin

Canadian Winemakers at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium

Cave Spring Cellars, Niagara Peninsula
Tantalus Vineyards British Columbia (Okanagan Valley)

US American Winemakers at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium

Chateau Grand Traverse, Michigan
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes
Red Newt Cellars, Finger Lakes
Trefethen, Napa

Wines from the US and Canada at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium

Wines from the US and Canada were included in 2 of the 4 tastings: (1) Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? A Tasting at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany, Moderated by Stuart Pigott, and (2) Riesling and Aging Potential. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Caro Maurer, MW, Germany

Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? A Tasting at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany, Moderated by Stuart Pigott

Picture: Wilhelm Weil, Weingut Robert Weil, and Stuart Pigott Chairing the Tasting: Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany

Picture: Stuart Pigott and Annette Schiller, ombiasyPR and WineTours, at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany

New Style Dry Rieslings from North America

Picture: New Style Dry Rieslings from North America

Trefethen Family Vineyards, 2013, Dry Riesling

Stuart Pigott: Who says that Riesling does not well in Napa Valley and should not be grown there? Trefethen Family Vineyards was founded in 1968. The vineyard area totals 243 hectares. Annual production is 60000 cases, of which 3% only is Riesling.

Pictures: Christian G.E. Schiller, Winemaker Zeke Neeley, Trefethen Family Vineyards and the 2012 Trefethen Dry Riesling at the Grand Tasting of the 4th Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle

See also:
Oysters and Dry Riesling: Tasting the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition Award-winning Trefethen 2012 Dry Riesling with Kumamoto Oysters in Seattle, USA

Tantalus Vineyards, 2012, Riesling

Stuart Pigott: This wine is from Canada, from an area bordering Washington State. Many people would say that it was impossible to make wine there. Tantalus started to make wine in 2005. Production is 6000 cases. Very high acidity. This is a wine that is daring.

Chateau Grand Traverse, 2012, Lot 49 Riesling

Chateau Grand Traverse, 2012, Whole Cluster Riesling

Stuart Pigott: Edward O’Keefe founded Chateau Grand Traverse in 1974 with the aim of producing world class Riesling on the Old Mission Peninsula in Northern Michigan, USA, not a place that people would associate with world class Rieslings. A place where you need to be daring and John O’Keefe, who is responsible for these 2 wines, is daring. The wines have some very interesting aromas that you do not find elsewhere, anis, phenol. Riesling accounts for 70% of the production of Chateau Grand Traverse.

New Style Medium-dry Rieslings from North America

Picture: New Style Medium-dry Rieslings from North America

Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2012 Eroica Riesling

Stuart Pigott: A joint venture of Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington State and Weingut Dr. Ernst Loosen in the Mosel Valley, with grapes from Washington State. A very successful wine. Chateau Ste. Michelle makes almost 3 million cases of wine every year. For me the distinctive aroma is white peach.

Cave Spring, 2012 CSV Riesling

Stuart Pigott: Named after the limestone caves and mineral springs located in their eponymous vineyard, Cave Spring Cellars has been producing outstanding wine for nearly 30 years. Founded and operated by the Pennachetti family and veteran winemaker Angelo Pavan, the estate has been vital in the development of the wine industry in Niagara, most notably as pioneers of vitis vinefera with plantings dating back to the 1970s.

Growing on limestone. In the summer it is almost as warm as in Napa Valley. Extreme climatic situation. A very uncompromising style.

Lamoreaux Landing, 2012 Red Oak Vineyard Riesling

Stuart Pigott: The Finger Lakes region is receiving quite a bit of attention. Both wines (this and the next wine) are from the Seneca Lake, in the medium-dry style. The winery was founded in 1990. Total production is 14000 cases, with 30% accounting for by Riesling.

Red Newt Cellars, 2012, Sawmill Creek Vineyards Riesling North Block

Stuart Pigott: The winery was founded in 1998. Total production is 18000 cases. Riesling accounts for 75%. Red Newt Cellars does not own any vineyards and bus all fruit from growers. Both wines are high in acidity. For both winemakers, Cabernet Franc is the other important grape.

Riesling and Aging Potential. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Caro Maurer, MW, Germany

Picture: Wilhelm Weil and Caro Maurer, MW, at the Riesling and Aging Potential Tasting, 2nd International Riesling Symposium

Cave Spring Cellars Canada
2002 Riesling CSV

Caro Maurer: 2002 was a very dry vintage in Canada, the vines were planted in the 1970s, lots of apple notes, appears to be bone-dry but in fact has 19 gr/RS, a wonderful balance, a different style, not a German style, not an Austrian style, a Canadian style.

Picture: John O'Keefe, Chateau Grand Traverse, with Angelo Pavan and Thomas Pennachetti, Cave Spring Cellars,  at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany

Postings about the 2014 International Riesling Symposium on schiller-wine

This posting is part of a series about the 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany. Here is a list of the Postings already published and those still coming.

The 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany
A Tour through the Rheingau - Visit of 3 Prestigious, Historic Rheingau Wineries: Weingut Robert Weil, Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach and Schloss Johannisberg, Germany
Rieslings from the New World – More Traditional than Rieslings from the Old World? A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Stuart Pigott, Germany
The Grand Cru Couple from VDP.Grosse Lage – Riesling Grosses Gewächs and Riesling Spätlese. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Giuseppe Lauria, Germany
Riesling from Danube, Rhine, Nahe, and Moselle: the European Riesling Route - A Tasting at the 2014 International Riesling Symposium, Germany, Moderated by Cornelius and Fabian Lange
Riesling and Aging Potential. A Tasting at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, led by Caro Maurer, MW, Germany

Wines and Winemakers from Australia and New Zealand at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany
Austrian Wines and Winemakers at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium in Germany (Rheingau)
Wines and Winemakers from the US and Canada at the 2nd International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany
German Riesling Producers at the 2. International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany

schiller-wine: Related Postings

3 Wine Tours by ombiasy Coming up in 2014: Germany-North, Germany-South and Bordeaux

New Developments in German Wine - Annette Schiller at the German Wine Society in Philadelphia, USA 

The 2nd International Riesling Symposium in the Rheingau, Germany

1st International Riesling Symposium, Rheingau, Germany

Aging Potential of Riesling – A Wine Tasting at the 1st International Riesling Symposium in Germany Led by Jancis Robinson

The World of Riesling in Seattle - Fourth Riesling Rendezvous in Washington State, USA

Visiting Wilhelm Weil at his Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Germany

When Americans Drink German Wine - What They Choose

German Wine Basics: Sugar in the Grape - Alcohol and Sweetness in the Wine

Riesling, Pinot Noir and Indian Cuisine: A tête-à-tête Dinner with Winemaker Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at Rasika in Washington DC, USA

Top 10 Riesling Producers in the World – Snooth 2012

Steffen Christmann (Weingut A. Christmann) and Wilhelm Weil (Weingut Robert Weil) Presented the New Wine Classification of the VDP, Germany

Oysters and Dry Riesling: Tasting the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition Award-winning Trefethen 2012 Dry Riesling with Kumamoto Oysters in Seattle, USA

Bumping into Randall Grahm in San Francisco, Owner of famed Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz in California, USA

Visiting Winemaker Steven Sealock at Pacific Rim Winemakers in Washington State, USA

Pacific Rim Riesling #1 of Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buy List 2011 - Meeting Founder Randall Grahm and Winemakers Nicolas Quille and Steven Sealock 

German Winemakers in the World: Johann Schiller - the father of Canada's wine industry

Eiswein in Germany and Icewine in Canada