LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2023

DRINKS TAKE FLIGHT

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THE WINE FLIGHT Ontario Sparkling Wine Crispy Potato Bites

1. HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE BRUT VQA ( LCBO 217521, $32.95 ) has bright citrus and nutty, yeasty notes. Ontario’s cool climate, sunny growing season and limestone soil provide all the right elements to make many styles of world class sparkling wine, and this one is made in the traditional method (the same process used to make Champagne in France). PAIR WITH Crispy Potato Bites with Herbed Sour Cream & Mushrooms (page 114): For our bite-sized potato snacks, mini spuds are halved then scored in a crosshatch pattern before pan-roasting. This unique approach allows them to absorb more butter for maximum crispness and flavour. They provide an earthy, savoury base for many toppings, including garlicky mushrooms in a herby, tangy cream sauce.

2. PELEE ISLAND LOLA SECCO SPARKLING VQA This off-dry, bright sparkling wine (LCBO 14884, $15.45) has floral and fruit notes of pineapple and peach. PAIR WITH Crispy Potato Bites with Leeks & Shrimp : To complement off-dry bubbly, top potato bites with sautéed leeks and a lightly cooked shrimp salad. The sweetness of the shellfish topping flatters the fruity flavours of the local sparkler.

3. 13 TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ VQA This bubbly rosé (VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 147504, $29.95) has a wallop of red fruit, mousse-like texture and light toasty notes. PAIR WITH Crispy Potato Bites with Scrambled Egg & Bacon : Switch up the potato bites’ topping to a spoonful of soft scrambled egg and a small strip of crispy bacon for an unexpected but brilliant taste explosion with rosé.

102 FOOD & DRINK SPRING 2023