LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2018

WINE  SUMMER SAMPLING

If you drink rosé, you’ll like these Gone are the days when rosé was an overly sweet summer sip. Stansfield says, “Thankfully, the vast majority of the world of rosé is dry now,” including perennial coral- and salmon-coloured favourites from the South of France. “Everybody has discovered the wines of Provence, so the next move is to explore around the region: areas of Languedoc-Roussillon , or up into the Rhône , where you’re still getting wines made fromGrenache, Syrah and Cinsault,” as is typical in the south, he says. Juicy but dry Ogier Cotes du Ventoux Rose AOC ( LCBO 134916, $14.25) from the southern Rhône perfectly fits the bill. Rosados from Spain are great value, often made from the country’s prominent Tempranillo grape. Look for Spanish rosé made from Grenache, or Garnacha as it’s called there; it will likely have explo- sive berry flavour balanced with mouth- watering acidity.

Prosecco is summer’s most festive (and affordable) guest. “You’re go- ing to have the same luck with cava from Spain,” says Stansfield: try Cavas Hill 1887 Brut ( LCBO 370866, $14.25). If your tastes lean to Cham- pagne, consider a crémant from areas outside of the region where the famous bubbly is made, includ- ing Loire, Alsace and Burgundy. These wines are typically made us- ing the classic Champagne method, though the grapes used vary. Paul Delane Crémant de Bourgogne Reserve ( LCBO 214981, $20.45), for example, is made with Chardonnay and comes from the wine region adjacent to Champagne. If you like SPARKLING, try these

Lambrusco is an Italian red grape often made into a fruity sparkling wine. “If you’re a fan of both Prosecco and rosé, you’ll want to seek out Lambrusco di Sorbara ,” says Stansfield. “The Sorbara grape variety is actually pink, so it produces something like a rosé sparkling wine.” Try Giocabazzi 1 Lambrusco di Sorbara ( VINTAGES 548198, $15.95) with bites including parmigiano cheese or balsamico vinegar—both also from around Modena, like the grapes. “What grows together, goes together,” as the saying goes! WANT TO HAVE IT ALL? If you love both pink and bubbly, meet your new BFF

128  FOOD & DRI NK SUMMER 2018