LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2018

WINE  SUMMER SAMPLING

FEELING RICH? If you love buttery, smooth and rich whites…

If you drink Pinot Grigio, try these The popular and quaffable Italian signa- ture wine is light-bodied and typically neutral-tasting, priming its devotees for other approachable grape varietals. “Explore other Italian whites, meant to be enjoyed young and fresh,” suggests Stansfield, who name-checks a couple of varietals to look for: Vermentino (ver-men-TEEN-oh) and Garganega (gar-gan-EGG-a), which can also be la- belled Soave (SWA-vay) when it’s from that region.    For next-level complexity and rich- ness, pour Masi Modello Delle Venezie Bianco IGT ( LCBO 564674, $12.95), a blend of Pinot Grigio and other local grapes from the Friuli area of northern Italy. Or seek out Pinot Gris : it’s made with the same grape as your current fave, but when it goes by its French name, that usually indicates a wine made in a softer, oak-influenced style. Ontario wineries including Angels Gate ( LCBO 331215, $14.95) and Cave Spring ( LCBO 522979, $16.95) make elegant VQA examples of this style.

You likely prefer oaked wines, typically including Chardonnay. A fresh alternative is South Afri- can Chenin Blanc. The country’s most-planted white grape is often oaked there for a light creaminess and toastiness to balance its lively fruitiness. Try the aromatic, com- plex Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc blend called The Wolftrap ( LCBO 292532, $14.30).

If you favour “CRUSHABLE” WHITES, try this

Smelling like blossoms and tropi- cal fruit, with a silky mouth feel to rival oaked Chardonnay’s buttery quality, Viognier (vee-on-YAY) is a varietal that on its own can satisfy fans of decadent whites. Laroche Viognier de la Chevaliere ( LCBO 377622, $13.30) is aromatic and full of body and exotic fruit.

lean-er) from Austria,” he says, as it has a similar “green note” to Sauvy’s grassy, gooseberry signa- ture. Start with a dry one, like the zesty, citrus- forward Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner 13 ( LCBO 375022, $13.20), then experiment with others that can be fuller bodied.

Stansfield calls light-and-bright sippers “crush- able whites,” which are easy-drinking with food or without (though even a small salty or succulent snack, like nuts or crisps, makes almost any wine taste better). “An easy jump from Sauvignon Blanc would be to Grüner Veltliner (GROO-ner FELT-

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