LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2022

CHEERS FROM THE GROUP

A full case of “house wine” is a warming gift that so many will appreciate. Elevated everyday wines celebrate bon vivants who might open a weeknight bottle to pair with takeout pad Thai or pizza. A mixed case of favourite reds, whites, rosés and bubbly ensures that entertainers have wines on hand for every occasion. Each gifter in your group could hand pick bottles and include personal tasting notes and advice!

THE ART OF THE GROUP WINE GIFT Think outside the cardboard wine box: corporate gift stylist Corinna vanGerwen has bright ideas for wrapping a multi-bottle gift.

Try incorporating initials or creating a logo from easy templates—or even include faces in the design with stickeryou.com. VanGerwen likes creativebag.com,

Case-wine gifts can be packaged in vintage-looking or personalized wooden crates (check Etsy.com or craft stores like Michaels), wine storage cubes or wine racks. If it suits the recipient or couple, “a sturdy gardening or office supply caddy could even hold a case of wine,” she says. For next-level personalization, tag each bottle with an occasion to open, a treasured pairing recipe or personal tasting notes. “You can create custom cards, labels or neck- tags with services like canva.com, minted.com or vistaprint.ca,” says vanGerwen. and attractive tool chest or a

or amazon.ca for individual- bottle bag and box options.

Tuck in a beautiful and informative wine guidebook, or a gift certificate for a wine tasting, private-chef experience, wine appreciation or cooking class—or have the case itself home-delivered, and wrap the add-on as the star of the gifting table!

› Peller Estates Family Series Chardonnay VQA and Cabernet Merlot VQA LCBO 582825, $11.95 and 58628, $12.95 These two wines make a mixed case for matching with almost anything: a bright, citrus-crisp white brings hints of oak and smoke to seafood and light plates; a red that blends Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon offers herbal and black-fruit notes that pair with many meat and grilled vegetable dishes. Pairs to Remember

› Romeo Prosecco and Juliet Prosecco Rosé LCBO 21434, $14.95 and VINTAGES 20979, $14.95 Pair these two bubblies up in a romantic mixed case that prepares the recipients for many toasting occasions: classic Prosecco for bubbly Mimosa and Bellini brunches, and blush bottles of new Prosecco Rosé for rosé spritzes and aperitivo hours.

The LCBO’s Wines by the Case program (lcbo.com/winesbythecase) showcases great-value “house wines” (from Ontario and around the world) that ring in under $100 for 12 bottles! ↓

116 FOOD & DRINK SUMMER 2022