LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2024

LESS IS MORE

NO-BUZZ BEERS AND CIDERS

In the No Wines In the last year or so, de-alcoholized sparkling and still wines have started to take centre stage. Since popping the cork and sharing a bottle is such a big part of holiday celebrations, we’re more than happy to celebrate that.

The first de-alcoholized wines that took off were mostly sparklers, partly because bubbles help make up for some of the texture and weight that can get lost in the pro cess of removing alcohol. Shining examples of this style include Nozeco Dealcoholized (LCBO 28152, $12.95), a perfectly dry, vegan-friendly, de-alcoholized Prosecco; and Nozeco Rosé Dealcoholized (LCBO 36461, $12.95), a similarly elegant fizz with pronounced stone-fruit notes. For more good news on the pink bubby front, check out Luna de Murviedro Dealcoholized Sparkling Rosé (LCBO 28153, $9.95), a slightly sweeter, pale pink sparkling rosé that’s rich in ripe strawberry flavour. Henkell Dealcoholized Sparkling Wine (LCBO 19251, $11.95, available early 2025) is a sweet white with delicate bubbles that makes a seriously great base for a spritz.

Anyone looking for a zero proof option that crosses into shandy territory is bound to enjoy Muskoka Brewery Veer Lager with Lime (LCBO 39482, 4 pk, $10.95). For those who love tart flavours, Bellwoods Jelly King Non-Alc Sour (LCBO 39451, 473 mL, $5) is nearly impossible to tell apart from their original full strength Jelly King, one of the brewery’s most popular beers. For a more conventional blonde, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc 0.0 (LCBO 39449, 6 pk, $12.95, available January 2025) is a delicious full bodied beer with spice and light citrus. Zero-proof stouts such as Guinness 0 (LCBO 33989, 4 pk, $12.95) are a popular choice in the “nonny” beer scene, because the weight and complexity of a dark ale’s flavour profile usually stands up nicely to the alcohol removal process. Best of all, that means it’s easy to make de-alcoholized versions of cherished stout cocktails like the classic Black Velvet (equal parts stout and sparkling wine). Fruit lovers will surely rejoice over the news that Pommies Anytime Cider (LCBO 39454, 355 mL, $2.80) is joining the party this season with its new sweet and bubbly Ontario-­ made apple cider.

STILL WINES

Pinot Grigio fans will be happy to learn about the fresh, crisp and bone-dry Not Guilty Dealcoholized Pinot Grigio (LCBO 38986, $10.95), a lunch wine if ever there was one. And, from Spain, there are two new options: Natureo Red (LCBO 38887, $10.95), a smooth blend of Grenache and Syrah with a little herbal complexity, and Natureo White (LCBO 38886, $10.95), a bright Muscat with restrained sweetness and a hint of cantaloupe.

DID YOU KNOW? No matter the tech used to produce de-alcoholized products, they generally contain some traces of alcohol. This is always less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), though, and the official amount is marked on the label.

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———————— HOLIDAY 2024