LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2022

NO MATTER THE OCCASION

As you count down to midnight, have some CHEERS TO NEWYEAR’S

bubbles standing by, chilled to perfection. Champagne is the old standard but consider other great value options from around the world too.

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 158550, $109.95 Champagne is always a fitting answer to what to bring over the holidays: try the world’s top-selling rosé bubbly, made with Pinot Noir grapes.

Villa Sandi Prosecco Il Fresco

DOC, Treviso LCBO 394387, $16.95

This Italian Prosecco has delicate bubbles with hints of spice, floral and fruity notes. It’s lovely on its own or with charcuterie.

Hendrick’s Lunar Gin

LCBO 16094, $59.20 Its name makes this limited edition gin a fitting party pick. It has a richer profile than the standard Hendrick’s. Savour its robust fruit-forward notes. Chum Churum Apple LCBO 545251, 360 mL, $10.05 Here’s a Korean aromatic apple flavoured soju that’s lovely and smooth with a hint of botanicals— ready for toasting the New Year. Tsingtao LCBO 293787, 6 pk, $11.50 Looking for a pour to balance sweet or spicy dishes? This Chinese beer has a bitter finish and a lightness to bring harmony.

Ushering in the Year of the Rabbit

If you’re attending a Lunar New Year soirée, keep red and gold in mind when shopping for host gifts. Together, they symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Think red wine or bottles packaged in celebratory colours.

Tozai Snow Maiden Junmai Nigori Sake

LCBO 485987, 720 mL, $22.75 Pour this to toast Gantan-sai (Shinto New Year) with a hearty “Akeome!” (Happy New Year). Have someone else pour for you, as per the local etiquette.

SHIRLEY LUM Food historian, Toronto

To an Asian New Year banquet, bring special seasonal candies wrapped in red and gold, she suggests, or “a gift of fresh fruit, such as big shiny apples, considered very exotic, or oranges, a symbol of good luck.” (Bring three, never four, which is unlucky!)

ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SPARSHOTT

222 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2022