THE NEXT ROUND The latest additions to our bar cart meet the newest soft stuff.
ESC UDO ROJO RE SE RVA CABERN ET SAUV IGNO N
J AC KSON-T R IG G S L IG HT PINOT G R IG I O
This wine’s journey begins at the foot of Chile’s Andes Mountains where grapes are hand-picked in the Maipo Valley. It’s matured in oak and is silky and refined on the palate, revealing notes of blackcurrant, cherry and fresh spice. $17.95, lcbo.com
From one of Canada’s most renowned winemakers comes a pinot grigio that’s full of flavour with less of the alcohol at only eight per cent ABV. Bursting with lime, apple and pear balanced with soft floral aromas, it’s a picnic in February. $10.95, lcbo.com
T H E FORAGE R BOTAN I CAL WHISKY
M AISON SE L BY NIAGARA VODK A
From Ontario’s own Forty Creek Distillery comes a new take on Canadian whisky. Reminiscent of gin, the Forager is infused with wild-sourced Canadian botanicals like juniper berries, spruce tips, mugwort and sweet fern for a flavour that’s complex, but lighter than usual. $34.95, lcbo.com
The partnership of Oliver & Bonacini and Dillon’s is the Oprah and Gayle of spirits collaborations. Their creation is made from Niagara grapes with the addition of peach and pear. This vodka is a celebration of local, quality ingredients with elevated fruity notes. $55, store.dillons.ca
DAYDREAM SPA RK LIN G WATER
STAT IO N CAS CA RA S PAR K L ING IC ED T EA
Each Daydream flavour – blackberry chai, peach ginger, and cucumber lime – comes in a bright, pastel can and serves as a bubbly afternoon pick-me-up. They’re full of hemp extracts and adaptogens said to help with clarity, stress reduction, focus and memory. $33.99 for a 6-pack sampler, drinkdaydream.com
We know Station for their cold brew coffee but now they’ve hit us with three variations of a sparkling cascara (a.k.a. coffee cherry) iced tea. Previously discarded by farmers, cascara (the skin of the coffee bean) is loaded with antioxidants and contains a sweet, floral flavour. $48 for 12, stationcoldbrew.com
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G RAN PAT R ÓN SM O KY Investment pieces shouldn’t just be consigned to the wardrobe. Gran Patrón Smoky begins with the highest-quality Weber blue agave, roasting the piñas in small, underground stone pits for a week. The result is a super-smooth spirit – with peppery, citrus notes – that lends itself well to cocktails. $277.15, lcbo.com
PA RTA K E B R EWIN G His Crohn’s diagnosis meant that Ted Fleming had to give up alcohol, so he founded Partake Brewing to hold onto his beloved beer. They’ve created a comprehensive lineup of non-alcoholic craft brews that non-drinkers, designated drivers and the rest of us can enjoy. Partake brews an IPA, a pale, a stout, a red ale and a blonde. $2, lcbo.com
