LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2021

WINES FOR THE WEATHER

When it’s called Pinot Grigio, as in bottlings from its adopted Northern Italian homeland, this wine is dry, light and highly quaffable and pairable. But when it is made with more unctuous and tropical fruit character, it will be labelled Pinot Gris, a wine style that stands up to pairing with heartier fare. Pinot Grigio/Gris Lighter style A citrus-infused dry California white, Longshot Pinot Grigio ( LCBO 633354, $16.00) has an aroma of fresh spring blossoms, a juicy melon flavour and a tinge of almond. A VINTAGES best-seller, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ( VINTAGES 106450, $19.95), from this style’s Northern Italian cradle, refreshes with the tastes of fresh apple and citrus, and a crisp, palate-cleansing finish. PAIR WITH: Yellow Pepper & Almond Soup, recipe at lcbo.com/fdspring21 Richer style Flowers and herbs, lemon and melon give Ontario Cave Spring Pinot Gris VQA ( LCBO 522979, $15.95) a range of lively flavours and aromas to complement its soft mouth feel and bright finish. Pierre Sparr Pinot Gris Calcaire AOC ( VINTAGES 19482, $18.95) bursts from the bottle with apricot and nut aromas on the nose, with citrus, honey and a tinge of peppery spice. It has a rich mouth-coating texture that’s typical of the slightly sweeter Alsatian style. PAIR WITH: Roasted Root Vegetable Tartine, recipe at lcbo.com/fdspring21

The grape known in California as Zinfandel makes opulently full-bodied black-fruit and berry wines. It’s also grown in the hot Southern Italian region of Puglia, where the wines labelled as Primitivo tend to be fruitier and zestier but are as great with meat dishes as their American cousins. Primitivo/Zinfandel

Lighter style From 15- to 30-year-old vines in Southern Italy, Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT ( LCBO 253856, $11.95) has a dark red, almost purple-­ tinged colour with bold plum and prune flavours and soft, full tannins. Redolent of dark dried fruits, unctuous and smooth, Doppio Passo Botter Primitivo Salento IGT ( LCBO 255190, $10.50) from Pug- lia is off-dry but as lively as the “double-pass” Italian football style for which it’s named. PAIR WITH: Sautéed Steak with Spanish Tomatoes, recipe at lcbo.com/fdspring21

Richer style Almost four decades of Sonoma family winemaking expertise go into Cline Zinfandel ( LCBO 489278, $17.00), packed with blackberry, chocolate and spice that lingers on the long finish. PAIR WITH: Chunky Lamb Chili, recipe at lcbo.com/fdspring21

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SPRING 2021 FOOD & DRINK