LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2017

WHAT ’ S NEW

FIRST GRILL MUST-HAVE Domaine le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages VINTAGES 224592, $14.95 Fire up the grill for spring’s first barbecue and reach for this great-value French red: it goes with juicy steaks, seared pork chops, gourmet burgers, grilled lamb… You get the idea. Full-bodied with smoky notes of cedar, the wine is rich with jammy red fruit, licorice and spice. Away from the grill, try it with aged cheese or roast duck.

CROWD- PLEASING WHITE Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio LCBO 483305, $12.95 California-based Pepperwood Grove sources grapes from the world’s best wine-growing areas to create its popular wines. This new release is a bright, zesty white that’s ideal with a spring supper of crab cakes, chicken pasta alfredo or baked brie. Look for aromas of dried fig and lemon zest followed by tangy apple flavours and tropical notes of guava.

SAY “CIAO” TO GIN Malfy Gin LCBO 484204, $34.95

In its chic bottle stoppered with real oak, this Italian gin will add style to any bar. Distilled with fresh lemons from Sicily and the Amalfi coast, along with juniper and five other botanicals, it’s heady with citrus aromas and flavours. Add pizzazz to gin cocktails (think an all-Italian Negroni or Martini), or simply pour over ice.

20  FOOD & DRI NK SPRING 2017