LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2018

Pudding Wines Two can’t-miss selections. For chocolate or caramel desserts turn to Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port ( LCBO 620641, 500 mL, $38.45)—it’s spectac­ ular value. For fruity desserts, especially sweets featuring apples or peaches, Henry of Pelham Special Select Late Harvest Vidal VQA ( LCBO 395228, 375 mL, $19.95) is your solution. HOWMANY BOTTLES TO BUY? A bottle of wine contains 750 mL of liquid. That’s 26 fluid oz. So you can get six generous four-oz glasses from a bottle. A 750-mL bottle of spirit will give you 26 one-oz pours. Remember, you can return unopened bottles to the LCBO!

SUREFIRE SUGGESTIONS

Treats There should always be a surprise at a dinner party— perhaps an original aperitif or an unexpected cocktail. Or maybe just rather a special wine, brought out with a discreet flourish to accompany something particularly delicious on the menu. One red that fits the bill is Castello di Neive Barbaresco DOCG ( LCBO 160143, $28.30), a dry, full-bodied Nebbiolo that’s great with red meat. A white treat, perfect for seafood, is bone-dry minerally Albert Bichot Chablis AOC ( LCBO 458851, $23.10).

Anyone for a Nightcap?

Beers to Have on Hand You’re planning on serving wine but a guest may surprise you by asking for beer. Keep a couple of good-quality, characterful beers that will satisfy ale aficionados and lager lovers alike. Innis & Gunn Original ( LCBO 334037, 500 mL, $3.05) is a Scotch ale aged in whisky barrels, giving it toffee and malted vanilla notes. Hop City Barking Squirrel Lager ( LCBO 267773, 473 mL, $3.20) is a refreshing amber lager with toasty malts and easygoing hops.

Most of the guests have gone home but the evening isn’t quite over. Time to haul out one of these little beauties. Top-quality tequila is the trendiest nightcap of all these days—and it doesn’t have to be aged. Casamigos Tequila Blanco ( LCBO 386789, $59.75) is super smooth with floral and grapefruit aromatics. What’s not to love about Highland Park 18 Year Old ( LCBO 500231, $195.80), one of the greatest single malts of all time? Rich, heather- honeyed, fruity, it evolves on the palate as seconds turn into minutes. A work of art.

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