LCBO Food & Drink Travel 2025

SPAIN

Barcelona This ultra-cool beach city in Spain’s Catalonia region offers almost anything you could want, from one of Europe’s most exciting food and drink scenes to wild Art Nouveau architecture. On top of it all, there’s no shortage of beaches for taking a quick dip in the Mediterranean.

DRINK LIKE A LOCAL

A TASTE OF CATALONIA

Forget all the other fizz, in Barcelona the right move is cava. This ubiquitous spar kling wine was born in 1870s Catalonia and is made accord ing to the méthode traditionnelle (the way Champagne is made) with grapes indigenous to Spain. Cava is exceptionally food-friendly and perfect for sipping with patatas bravas (fried potatoes), gambas al ajillo (gar lic shrimp) and all the other tapas on order at bars in trendy neighbourhoods like the Gothic Quarter and El Born .

Codorníu Brut Clasico LCBO 215814, $16.50

This sparkling wine from Spain is crisp and dry with robust bubbles and a touch of citrus, all of which make it a very good choice to drink with almost anything.

ART TOUR Hiking up to Park Güell and then heading down to La Sagrada Família (above) is a great way to get to know two of famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s greatest hits. Once you know his style, you can play “Spot the Gaudí” as you make your way to sites like the Fundació Joan Miró and the Museu Picasso de Barcelona , as well as the many other galleries featuring contemporary artists.

Castell Blanc Brut Cava LCBO 36977, $13.95

The Catalan winery that pro duces this is over 100 years old and well-known for fresh fizzy wine that’s perfect for spritzes or enjoying well-chilled by the glass.

TO DO

Sevilla The largest city in Andalucía, Sevilla is the gateway to the Sherry Triangle, where most of Spain’s fortified wine is made. The city is beloved by all who know it, thanks to its flamenco, its perfectly cooked seafood and its impossibly charming old-school sherry bars that pour right from the cask.

A TASTE OF THE SHERRY TRIANGLE Tio Pepe Extra Dry Fino Sherry LCBO 231829, $19.95

The term bone-dry was practically invented for this unique fortified wine that can only be made in the Sherry Triangle in the south of

Spain. Practically born to be served with Spanish ham. Emilio Lustau Los Arcos Amontillado Dry Sherry VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 375097, $17.95

Complex, nutty and perfectly dry, this is that rare fortified wine that goes just as well with a cheese and charcuterie board as it does with a rich chocolate dessert.

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———————— TRAVEL 2025