LCBO Food & Drink Winter 2018

6 A cheat sheet

C

Sometimes you need to parse the shelves or a wine list with a quick but savvy eye. Voilà! A shortcut guide to trendy regions and wine styles, and fresh rules-of-thumb for tast- ing without fear. COLOUR AND COUNTRY: When in doubt choose whites (like Albariño) from Spain, rosés from France and reds from the U.S. (California for bolder vari- etals and blends, Oregon for Pinot Noir)—a highly simplified matrix that rarely disappoints. STELLAR WHITES: Name- check white wines from Portugal’s Douro region and look out for Aligoté, a staple grape in white Burgundy blends now in the varietal spotlight. GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN COOL: We all know Ger- man Riesling and Austrian Grüner Veltliner are a food- pairer’s friends: watch for Austrian Riesling as the Next Big Thing. EGG IS THE NEWOAK: The use of big, egg-shaped concrete ageing-vats rivals barrels and stainless tanks— labels and websites often “eggs-claim” it. REGIONAL SHORTCUT: The Loire Valley in central France is a current wine- world darling for whites like Chenin Blanc and light reds and rosés featuring Gamay. CATCH PHRASE: Vin de soif is a French (and sommelier) catchphrase for a light, quaf- fable wine that’s great with or without food.

D

B

A

F E

A Ageing and barrel maturation information. B Serving and food-pairing suggestions. C Indication of the region or terroir where the wine was made. D Notes on the winery’s philosophy or practices. 7 READING THE LABEL

G

The pretty front label has everything you need to know—and now there’s often a wealth of new information on the back, too.

E Importer or distributor, which might share your taste in other wines. F Detailed information about the grape varietals. G Contact information, from an e-mail or URL to a QR code.