LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2022

Change up this dip by substituting a different aged cheese for the cheddar— Gruyère or aged gouda, perhaps. Then again, the flavour harmonies in this rich, pungent dip are so great you may not want to tinker with them at all—so change the dippers instead. Slices of warm baguette or firm crackers are great for the holiday season, but radishes and asparagus would be fresher, lighter springtime alternatives. In the fall, swap in crisp raw fennel, slices of apple or heritage carrots cut into sticks for your Thanksgiving celebrations. Crunchy sweet potato chips are another option, while casual hockey night get-togethers call for—what else?—nacho chips. 1. WARM ONION CHEDDAR DIP P. 230 The luxe, creamy texture of this irresistible dip is a gooey mouthful that calls for some serious refreshment. Brut bubbles are the answer—a dry sparkling wine with vigorous acidity and enough flavour intensity of its own to stand up to the trio of onion, garlic and nippy cheese. Niagara produces some delicious traditional-method sparkling Riesling—none more appealing than Tawse Spark VQA (VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 370361, $21.95). Made with organic grapes from the Limestone Ridge Vineyard, it offers a deep layer of minerality beneath yeasty brioche aromas and vibrant apple, coconut and candied lemon flavours. ADD SOME SPARK

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