LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2022

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS

Cheddar Cheddar cheese has many guises. Sometimes pedestrian, but when well-made it showcases the splendour of what a real cheddar tastes like. A key aspect in cheddar production is that the cheese goes through an extra step, whereby the curds are “cheddared” into small pieces. concentrated flavour. A classic cheddar will have a crumbly paste, and a wide range of tastes, such as hazelnut, barnyard, toffee, buttercream, herbs and forest floor. A wonderful example of a great cheddar is the Lindsay Bandaged Goat Cheddar from Lenberg Farms in Lindsay, Ont. It is traditionally wrapped in cheesecloth, helping to age and preserve the earthy, nutty flavours that are coaxed out of the rich goat’s milk. More to try: Jensen 5 Year Old Cheddar from Simcoe, Ont.; Collier’s Welsh Cheddar, U.K. These smaller curds render a denser cheese and more

PAIR WITH ORCHARD FRUIT AND SPICE-FORWARD SPIRITS

› Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum LCBO 80127, $32.95 This amber rum offers a medley of baking spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg with warming hints of

› Calvados Boulard Pays d’Auge LCBO 296228, $53.45 Cheese and crispy apples have long been great friends, and pairing a cheddar with Calvados (apple brandy from Normandy in France) makes the pairing even more inspired. Calvados has apple aromas ranging from fresh and bright to warm and baked, plus a hint of vanilla from barrel maturation. Cheddar can have a very persistent and flavourful paste in the mouth, but the heat from a serving of straight

new depth and complexity. After seasonal outdoor activities, add spiced rum to hot toddies

toasty oak, toffee and vanilla coming from barrel-ageing. These warm notes mimic the nutty and spicy aromas of a well-made cheddar, giving it

and serve with chunks of cheddar speared on picks.

BE SELECTIVE WHEN PURCHASING CHEESE FOR GIFT-GIVING THINK ABOUT CHOOSING HARD CHEESES LIKE CHEDDARS OR FIRMWASHED RIND CHEESE; THEY CAN WITHSTAND BEING OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR LONGER AND CAN ENDURE THE WARMTH OF A CAR RIDE OR SITTING IN A GIFT BASKET. KEEP SOFT CHEESES LIKE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE CREAMS FOR HOME ENJOYMENT.

apple brandy complements cheddar’s big personality.

ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SPARSHOTT

84 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2022