LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2017

ENTERTAINING WITH SPARKLE

ANYONE LUCKY ENOUGH to have been invited to dinner by one of the great Champagne houses will leave the table in the sure knowledge that serving nothing but bubbly with a meal is not only possible, but also a wonderful idea. It’s an extravagant undertaking, so getting the matches right is important, especially when the dishes are boldly imaginative.    Champagne has an interesting relationship with spicy food. It’s a brilliant wine with Canton- ese and mildly spiced Southeast Asian dishes, but it comes undone if the chili heat is turned up too high. Luckily, this menu keeps everything at a level of spiciness that is very well suited to the king of bubblies, while the variety of dishes lets us experience a range of different Champagne styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.    Visit lcbo.com/sparkle for a playlist of jazzy takes on seasonal songs, curated by music colum­ nist Ann Lough.

RECIPES BY LUCY WAVERMAN PAIRINGS BY JAMES CHATTO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB FIOCCA

CHAMPAGNE LENDS ENCHANTMENT TO ANY OCCASION. THIS LAVISH DINNER, IDEAL FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE, PAIRS A DIFFERENT CHAMPAGNE (AS WELL AS A MORE BUDGET- FRIENDLY SPARKLING WINE OPTION) WITH EACH COURSE.

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