LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2021

Budget to splurge Quality sparkling wine is available at every price point and even the humblest, most affordable option brings something special to the table. From pizza night to a big promotion to that milestone anniversary, here are three bottles that are sure to suit every occasion.

VALUE CAVA Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava ( LCBO 216960, $15.80) impresses with a delicate, persistent mousse and a fresh bread and toasted-almond nose. Dry and crisp, the green apple, biscuit and orange zest flavours lead to a muscular, creamy finish. BUDGET BRUT A blend of hand-picked grapes (mostly Chardonnay, with some Pinot Noir), Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut VQA ( LCBO 217521, $32.95) is a homegrown sparkler expertly made in the Traditional style. The wine’s vibrant, lacy mousse underpins an almond croissant nose, with generous ripe melon and white flower notes. CHAMPAGNE SPLURGE Lustrous pink with copper highlights, Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne ( LCBO 19661, $93.25) has a frangi- pane nose that suggests thick cream, smoked berries and bursting ripe cher- ries. Pomegranate and wild strawberry flavours are carried by a zesty mousse to a languorous finish. To decant or not to decant: It might seem counterintuitive, but more and more spar- kling wine producers encourage decanting their bubbles. Younger vintages especially ben- efit, as decanting allows complexity to emerge.

Bucket list: Like a picture in a beautiful frame, a great bottle of bubbles shows best when artfully displayed in an elegant stainless-steel bucket.

Shop the issue at lcbo.com/fdholiday21

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HOLIDAY 2021 FOOD & DRINK