LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2020

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NE REASON IS THE PLACE WHERE IT’S GROWN – TRENTINO, IN NORTH-EASTERN ITALY. There, the swift-flowing River Adige has carved

out a broad, deep valley that reaches far into the towering Dolomites. A farmer tending his vines in the spring can look up at steeper vineyards hugging the foothills, then higher up to the soaring cliffs and crags, and higher still to see skiers on snow-covered Alpine slopes. By day, vineyards bask in the Mediterranean sun; at night, the cool Alpine air pours down from the mountains. How do Pinot Grigio grapes cope with such dramatic changes in temperature? They grow thicker skins, which enhances their aromatics and preserves their precious acidity. By the time they are perfectly ripe and ready to be picked – a week or two later than grapes in the hot, flat plains of the neighbouring Veneto – they’ve achieved a marvelous balance of scented, fruity flavours and freshness. And there’s more. Those cool mountain breezes protect tightly clustered Pinot grapes from humidity while Trentino’s unique Dolomitic soil adds a sophisticated trace of minerality to the finished wine. No wonder it seems to sing in your glass! Another reason is Mezzacorona itself. In 1904, 13 local farmers, each with a few cherished acres, joined forces to send their wine out from the valley and into the world. They called themselves Mezzacorona. Today, 1,600 families make up our company, working small parcels of land, just as their forefathers did. And our grapes are still cherished – all farmed sustainably – all selected and picked by hand. The result – a Pinot Grigio of consistent quality that really stands out from the crowd. Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio has real personality – like ripe green apples with a hint of honeysuckle and a lingering minerality. Try it with your favourite fish recipes or pasta with clams and cherry tomatoes. And now our red wine is also available in Ontario. Mezzacorona Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir) is hand-harvested from small vineyards high in Trentino’s hills. The soil here is unique in the world – Dolomitic limestone, rich in calcium and magnesium – and the wines we grow are exceptionally bright, fresh and elegant. Full of red cherry aromas with hints of cranberry and brown spice, our Pinot Nero is the ideal light red for summer, perfect with anything from grilled salmon to charcuterie, lamb chops or ribs.