LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2020

Hidden Bench winery Locust Lane Rosé VQA VINTAGES 68833, $24.95 This is a highly sought-after wine that doesn’t stay on the shelves for too long. The Locust Lane Rosé is an example of the elegant style of winemaking at Hidden Bench, showing a delicate nose of citrus and ripe berries. A great rosé to kick off summer. kew vineyards old vine chardonnay 2016 VINTAGES 438374, $19.95 (June 27 release) A standout in Kew’s portfolio, this oak-aged Chardonnay is made from vines dating back to 1975. The palate brings tart apple notes with a buttery under- tone. Pairs very well with a charcuterie and cheese board. Bench favourites These two wineries produce small-lot wines—and have stun- ning vineyard views.

World-class tasting rooms There’s no better way to under- stand the wines of a region than through the tasting rooms of its wineries. Hidden BenchWinery This winery hides at the heart of the Beamsville Bench, surrounded by rolling hills and photo-ready surroundings. Premium estate wines are produced in small batches with minimal intervention, to truly highlight the expression of vintage and terroir. hiddenbench.com, Beamsville Big headWines At one of NOTL’s newest tasting rooms, you’ll find a father-son team turning heads with their unique approach to winemaking in the region. Following the appassimento method, where grapes are dried using tobacco kilns to concentrate the flavour profile, wines at Big Head have pronounced personality and structure. bigheadwines.ca, Niagara-on-the-Lake visitors to wine country may not know about this hidden gem in Beamsville. The family-­ run winery operates out of a 160-year-old house with serene views of the estate’s vineyards, home to some of Niagara’s oldest plantings of Riesling vines. Bubbles is the name of the game. Kew produces no fewer than five sparkling wines, each with a distinct profile. kewvineyards.com, Beamsville KEW Vineyards Even the most seasoned

Head to the Bench Niagara’s Beamsville Bench is home to over a dozen boutique wineries all a short distance from each other. Use the Wine Country Ontario mobile app to learn about each winery’s specialty and to navigate from one tasting room to another. Bring your camera; wineries on the bench have some of the best lookout points in the region.

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FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2020