LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2021

Vineyard ciders Situated in Ontario’s bountiful fruit belts, winemakers were naturally among the first to make craft ciders because they’re experts at working with fresh fruit juice. A handful of wineries grow their own apples, but most buy a custom blend of juice from Ontario growers and ferment it in their facilities.

Tawse Cider LCBO 569350, 473 mL, $3.25 This semi-dry sipper, made at Tawse’s spec- tacular winery at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, show­ cases dessert apple and zingy lemon. Shiny Apple Rosé LCBO 515098, 473 mL, $3.85 Made at Small Talk Vineyards in Niagara-­ on-the-Lake, Ont., Shiny Rosé blends Pinot Noir with cider. Berry and plum aro- mas with light tannins make this cider a Pinot lover’s dream. Ardiel Cider House Victoria Pear Cider LCBO 648410, 473 mL, $3.45 Founded by a fourth-­ generation apple farm- er, Georgian Hills Vine- yards makes cider and wine in Ontario’s Blue Mountains. This ele­ gant, blush-hued perry has refined aromas of strawberry, geranium and Bosc pear.

Whether sweet or dry, sparkling cider is the ultimate foil for buttery popcorn.

Cracked Pepper & Honey Butter Popcorn Find the recipe at lcbo.com/fdautumn21

Cider School Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute hosts a week-long intensive or 15-week online course in Cider and Perry Production. Developed by the grandfather of cidermaking, Peter Mitchell, this course is the first stop for many of the country’s professional cidermakers.

1 14

AUTUMN 2021 FOOD & DRINK