LCBO Food & Drink Winter 2017

WHAT’S NEW BY JULIA AITKEN  •  PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB FIOCCA

A WORLD OF NEW PRODUCTS AT THE LCBO AND VINTAGES.

AVERSATILE MATCH

An eye-catching label on this rich, complex Spanish red heralds something equally memo- rable inside the bottle. Crafted in northeast Spain using Garnacha grapes from 40-year- old vines, the wine shows mineral and blue- berry notes followed by savoury flavours that go with almost anything. Try it with a char- cuterie platter, hearty pasta, roasted red meat or goat cheese. Honoro Vera Garnacha do Calatayud LCBO 440867, $12.80

BORN OF FIRE & ICE Reyka Small Batch Vodka LCBO 468512, $34.95

BIG BEAUTIFUL BLEND

Cupcake Black Forest Decadent Red LCBO 470088, $14.95

This unique vodka is available again in LCBO stores. Crafted on the volcanic island of Iceland from Arctic spring water filtered through 4,000-year-old lava rock, the super-smooth vodka is worth the wait. As Reyka says, serve over ice so the vodka remembers where it comes from.

The name says it all. This Californian red blend from Cupcake Vineyards is rich, dark and delicious. The marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Verdot and Petite Sirah produces deep flavours of blackberry and dark cherry with hints of spice and mocha and a chocolatey mouth feel. Pour with lasagna, barbecue or, yes, black forest cake.

FOOD & DRI NK WINTER 2017 11