LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2018

WINE  WINTER WHITES

IF YOU’RE SERVING appetizers …

Some lesser-known varietals are earning new fans—such as Aligoté, a long-time Burgundian staple. Niagara’s Château des Charmes pro- duces a lovely Aligoté VQA ( LCBO 296848, $15.95), an apple- and pear-scented wine with pleasing flintiness and mouth-watering citrus.    In Spain, the Verdejo grape thrives in the hot Rueda region. Marqués de Riscal Rueda ( LCBO 36822, $13.45) is a gloriously crisp white with juicy notes of pineapple and peach and just a touch of warm spice.    A food-friendly blend, Grange of Prince Edward Almanac White VQA ( LCBO 516575, $16.95) has the scent of wildflowers and the zesty taste of yellow apple. It’s a “field blend” of grapes that thrive in the region’s mineral-rich soil. One-bite snacks tend to have creamy, fatty and salty elements: think of anything from a rich, cheesy dip or crostini to crispy, fried arancini or shrimp. Wines that are bright and refreshing make great counterpoints, especially those with a light to medium body and the broad flavour-matching potential of refreshing tree-fruit and citrus notes. The quality known as minerality, which sometimes has a wet-stones smell or an almost steely- seeming flavour or finish, makes a fine comple- ment to appetite-sating first bites. …CHOOSE crisp, refreshing WHITES

ONE TO WATCH Aligoté, a grape varietal common in Burgundy, and Verdejo, a Spanish staple, are ready for their close-ups.

crudités WITH WARM LEMONY CHEESE DIP recipe at foodanddrink.ca

194  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2018