LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2017

WINE  BIG TIME

toast

FOR A SPECIAL-OCCASION

There are times when only a flute or coupe of bubbly will do. When allocating just a small toasting glass per person, expect as many as 24 pours from a magnum.

PRESENT time

HEART OF GLASS Use a metallic (or, on dark glass, chalk-white) marker to write a festive message right on the bottle. BEST BEFORE “If there is something you want to cellar for quite some time, like birth-year wines, buy it in large format,” says Sheila Flaherty, brand manager at importer Halpern Wine. INSIDE THE BOX Given the weight of large-format bottles, wooden box- es make perfect gift vessels. Search amazon.ca or eBay, or inquire at your local LCBO. ACCESSORIZE Accompany a big bottle of red wine with a gift decanter for the recipient or host, to make pouring easier. Gift magnums of white or bubbly with a vintage trophy cup or a roomy but sturdy decorative bowl or vase, for chilling.

our picks

FREIXENET CORDON NEGRO BRUT CAVA LCBO 180588, 1.5 L, $25.95

VEUVE CLICQUOT BRUT CHAMPAGNE LCBO 572586, 1.5 L, $156.90

Spain’s most famous cava is made in the same traditional method used for Champagne. Its lively and almost foamy bubbles are redolent of citrus flavours like grapefruit, and it has the creamy, yeasty mouth feel expected from high- quality bubbles. Its acidity works nicely with fried bites like arancini, shrimp or calamari.

When only Champagne will do, a magnum of Veuve, with its trademark golden label, signals festivity. Smelling as toasty and vibrant as a freshly baked morning pastry, it has flavours that are robust enough to pair with fresh oys- ters or caviar, salty nuts and snacks or a divine dessert buffet.

114  FOOD & DRI NK AUTUMN 2017