LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2018

The Educated Guest There’s as much of an art to being a delightful guest as there is to being a hospitable host. With these tips, increase your odds of being invited back.

Decide how much you want to spend on the wine you bring. Here are some suggestions that are guaranteed to please.

➤ Always bring at least one bottle of wine to a dinner party (and don’t be insulted if it isn’t served; it’s for the host). At a barbecue, bring a grill-friendly red wine such as Chianti Classico or Shiraz. If you know there will be oysters, bring a crisp dry white such as Cha- blis or Muscadet. Pizza calls for a lively red like Ontario Gamay or Cabernet Franc. Off- dry Riesling works well with Asian food. If you don’t know your hosts or what is be- ing served, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are always safe bets. WHAT TO BRING ➤ ➤

TREAT RED Masi Costasera Amarone Classico ( LCBO 317057, $43.05)

TREAT WHITE Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay VQA ( VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 89037, $22.20)

MID-RANGE RED Catena Malbec ( VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 478727, $19.95)

MID-RANGE WHITE Left Field Nelson Sauvignon Blanc ( LCBO 487496, $19.15)

BARGAIN RED Nederburg The Winemaster’s Cabernet Sauvignon ( LCBO 111526, $13.30)

Arriving with cut flowers creates a task for your host. A potted plant, flowers in a vase or flowers delivered ahead of the party work nicely.

BARGAINWHITE Viña Chocalan Chardonnay Reserva ( LCBO 487280, $13.80)

POTTED PLANT BY VINCE NOGUCHI