LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

GIFTING  GOING WITH CHOCOLATE

Perhaps the most beloved confection in the world, milk chocolate provides a perfect mix of cocoa, cream and sugar. Just the thing to satisfy a sweet tooth! MI LK CHOCOLATE When the creamy richness of milk chocolate is on themenu, drink options need to become uniformly sweeter, rounder and, in many cases, bolder. For example, Ontario’s own Inniskillin Vidal Icewine VQA ( VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 388306, 375 mL, $49.95) is a decadent nectar that matches the smooth silkiness of milk chocolate with an opulent, tropical fruit sweetness and balancing acidity, thus creating a combination that builds upon itself to intensify in flavour and decadence with every bite and sip.     An effect similar in nature but utterly different in practice is effected when milk chocolate truffles are paired with the Mill St. Brewing Company’s Vanilla Porter ( LCBO 367151, 440 mL, $3.15), a beer boasting obvious vanilla notes that mix and mingle with the chocolate to create a taste experience akin to a vanilla-chocolate crème brûlée.     Although more often associated with cigars and gentlemen’s clubs, Scotchwhisky and brandy can both createmarvellous experiences when sipped alongside milk chocolate. The Macallan Amber ( LCBO 334078, $99.95), for instance, boasts a gentle nature subtle enough to neither overwhelm nor outshine the chocolate, while also complementing its flavour with nuances of ginger and toffee. Marquis de Villard VSOP Brandy ( LCBO 14944, $25.35), on the other hand, has the ability to coax new flavours from the chocolate via its aroma alone, teasing out notes of rich cream and berry fruit, while on the palate it grows in body and depth as the sweetness of the chocolate interplays with its spicy, fruit- forward character.

102  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2015