LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

DRINK  WINE

EXTRAVAGANT GESTURES BY JAMES CHATTO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB FIOCCA

VEUVE CLICQUOT DEMI‑SEC CHAMPAGNE LCBO 38307, $74.30 At this time of year, our thoughts turn naturally to Champagne—but less often, I suspect, to the demi-sec Champagne style. This is sweet bubbly— the way all Champagne was before 1846, when Perrier Jouet decided to export an unsweetened vintage to London and created a taste for dry that persists to this day. Veuve Clicquot’s demi-sec is a sophisticated blend of at least 50 individual wines, mostly from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It’s round and aromatic, with a scent of brioche and candied citrus peel, while a sly acidity prevents it from being too saccherine. Ironically, this is the one style of Champagne that actually goes well with wedding cake, but it’s too delicate for chocolate—unless you like strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. I think it really comes into its own at the end of dinner. Open a well-chilled bottle with a light, not-too-sweet dessert like strawberry shortcake or slender slices of almond tart—or simply with a dish of freshly baked madeleines—and you will refresh people’s palates and their conversation, adding new sparkle to the energy of the evening. SELF-INDULGENT TREAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO HELP SCRATCH THE ITCH—A MIXED BAG OF VINOUS TREASURES, EACH ONE A JEWEL WITHIN ITS PARTICULAR STYLE. CALL IT THE SPLURGE URGE— THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU WANT TO SPLASH OUT ON A GENEROUS GIFT OR A

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