LCBO Food & Drink Winter 2018

1 RETHINKING ABV Popular “fruit-bomb” big red wines can be as high as 15% alcohol by vol- ume (ABV). A new crop of complex, flavourful reds with slightly less alco- hol are emerging, among them South American wines like Trivento Fair Trade Malbec ( LCBO 160994, $11.95), with tons of black fruit and a touch of spice, at just 12.5%. Jackson-Triggs Merlot ( LCBO 383711, $10.95) has full- bodied fruit and rings in at 12%.   Though many white wines (includ- ing the cool-climate whites Ontario is known for) are naturally a touch lighter in alcohol, look for off-dry German Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs such as 11.5% Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc IGP Val de Loire ( LCBO 471318, $13.00), calorie-reduced whites like Skinnygrape Chardonnay ( LCBO 283812, $11.95) with just 7.5% ABV, or Italian bubblies such as Mosca- tos (typically under 10%) or 6.5% Viticolitori Acquesi Brachetto D’Acqui Sparkling ( LCBO 375667, $13.60).

58  FOOD & DRI NK WINTER 2018