LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2017

TREND SPOTT ING

LCBO Vice-President of Product, Sales and Merchandising, Shari Mogk-Edwards, shares three picks for the cellar from the always- available VINTAGES ESSENTIALS collection. SHARI RECOMMENDS

BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

Before laying down bottles for future enjoyment, it’s important to know what your collection is up against. Here are the three enemies of wine. TEMPERATURE The ideal range for stor- ing wine is 45°F to 65°F (7°C to 18°C). Too hot and the wine will “cook” and age pre- maturely; too cold, like a garage in winter, and the wine could freeze, expand and push the cork out. You also want to avoid rapid tempera- ture swings.

VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 508614, $98.95 This bottle is one of our top-selling vintage Champagnes. With time, it will lose a little of its sparkle, be- come darker in colour, and develop stronger toasty flavours and com- plexity. Store up to five years.

HUMIDITY Wines with corks should be stored at 50 to 80 percent humidity. A dry cork could shrink and compro- mise the seal, which is why bottles are

LIGHT The majority of wine is sold in green or brown glass bottles to pro- tect the contents from damaging UV rays. Your storage area should also steer clear of natural light, be it a closet or dark corner of the basement. aged on their sides. Basements fluctuate between this range for much of the year, and a humidifier can help in dry winter months. A hydro-thermom- eter—available at most hardware stores—will help you keep tabs on temperature and humidity.

CASTELGIOCONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 650432, $50.95 Brunello is a classic wine for aging. Made from 100 percent Sangiovese, this Tuscan gem has the acidity and tannins to hold for five to 10 years. The flavours will evolve from fresh berries to dried fruits, nuts and spices.

CHÂTEAU PIPEAU VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 302018, $37.95 Bordeaux reds are time-honoured cellar wines. This Merlot-based example comes from St-Émilion grand cru, which is also home to the coveted Châteaux Cheval Blanc. It will soften as it ages and develop increased complexity.

Cool Runnin’

With their dry air and bright light, condos are a hostile environment for wine. There is an easy solution: wine fridges. An

FIT FOR THE CELLAR  Not all wines are built to last. The two key factors in longevity are acidity (from the juice) and tannins (from seeds, skins, stems and wood barrels). Here are five styles of wine that will age gracefully.

affordable option is this compact number from Danby ($429.99). The 38-bottle capacity will house a modest collection, and whites and reds can be kept at different ready-to-drink temperatures. A tempered glass door protects the bottles from harmful UV light, and at four cubic feet, it won’t take up too much real estate . Danby Dual Zone Wine Cooler, 38-Bottle, at Canadian Tire.

Dry Riesling from Australia’s Eden or Claire Valley

➤ Reserva and gran reserva Rioja from Spain

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➤ Barolo and Barbaresco from Italy’s Pied- mont region

Premier and grand cru whites from Burgundy

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Vintage port

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26  FOOD & DRI NK EARLY SUMMER 2017