LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2019

WHAT ’ S NEW

A BALANCED BREW Von Bugle Munich Lager LCBO 618355, 473 mL, $3.15 Von Bugle is an offshoot brewery of Toronto-based Steam Whistle Brewing, and its signature beer is a classic Munich-style lager. Made using traditional German long-ageing brewing methods and just four ingredients—water, malt, hops and yeast—it sports a rich amber colour and a smooth taste that balances gentle bitterness and malty sweetness. EMERALD ISLE GIN Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin LCBO 635508, $54.95

DOWN UNDER WONDER Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 167189, $21.95 This recent addition to the Vintages Essentials portfolio is a big, bold Shiraz crafted from very old Barossa Valley vines. As you’d expect from such a venerable provenance, the wine has generous flavours of black fruit and Christmas-pudding spice followed by firm tannins and notes of chocolate—a perfect pour with roast or grilled red meat.

Raise a unique toast this St. Patrick’s Day with a brand-new gin from Ire- land. Traditional botani- cals — juniper, angelica and orris—combine with unique flavourings such as Irish meadowsweet and gunpowder tea from Chi- na to create a bright, bold spirit. It’s ideal as a base for a spring cocktail or served with ice, tonic and a pink grapefruit wedge.

22  FOOD & DRI NK SPRING 2019