Beer
Beau’s Farm Table Marzen
The round, malty core of Beau’s Oktoberfest lager is balanced with enough organic Perle hops to ensure that refreshment, the hallmark of a versatile food beer, is paramount. Grab your stein to wash down ribs and cornbread.
600 ml/$4.55. LCBO 436899
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
This is a concentrated, aromatic Belgian quad loaded with dried fruit, baking spice, molasses and funk. It tastes like liquified Christmas cake, a total treat coupled with rich spiced duck terrine or silky banana pudding. For a tasty local brett barrel-aged quadrupel, grab a bottle of Bellwoods Lambda (500 ml/$12, at Bellwoods Bottle Shop, 124 Ossington,
416-535-4586).
750 ml/$9.95. LCBO 385435
Goose Island Sofie
With a soft creaminess that champagne lovers will appreciate, this light and lovely Belgian-farmhouse-style ale is wine barrel-aged with loads of orange peel. Sofie works with almost anything – in this case, festive cheese boards and juicy rosemary-dusted turkey breast – and comes in a generously sized bottle to stretch across the duration of a feast.
765 ml/$9.95. LCBO 331298
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
Light, bright and lemony-fresh (courtesy of the Japanese Sorachi Ace hop), this bottle-conditioned saison from Brooklyn Brewery pairs with most of the feast and really shines with the guanciale-laced romanesco.
750 ml/$10. LCBO 322537
Erdinger Dunkel Weissbier
Flavourful and refreshing, dark lagers like this velvety German dunkel go well with spiced, braised, roasted and even barbecued meat, and all sorts of chocolate. For a local variation, try Mill Street Brewery’s Black Watch Scotch Ale (part of the Mill Street Winter Sampler, 6×362 mL,
LCBO 426742).
500 ml/$3.30. LCBO 201723
Wine
Champagne Pol Roger
Is any proper feast complete without bubbly? Not likely. Champagne is probably the best no-fail wine pairing for all food, whether it’s rich or delicate. A gorgeously balanced non-vintage champagne, Pol Roger’s fine, persistent bubbles and sophistication translate to every element of the meal – and there’s no better drink to present to an honoured guest. As Oscar Wilde so poignantly observed, “Pleasure without champagne is purely artificial.” Indeed. Pour out another glass of joy, please.
750 ml/$64.10. LCBO 217158
Flat Rock Pinot Noir
This Niagara Pinot Noir is chock full of bright cherry and raspberry notes, with a touch of background smoke and an elegant spiced aspect complementary to most of the spread, from smoked turkey breast, ribs and terrine to spicy pumpkin and salt beef soup. Serve slightly chilled.
750 ml/$19.95. Vintages 1545
Gonzâlez Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso
This medium oloroso, like most sherry, is so versatile it verges on magical. Its round, layered palate of nuts, toffee, pepper, orange peel, raisins and salted caramel make it a stellar stellar wine for the winter table . It stands up to starters like cheese and spicy soup, embraces rich mains like pork ribs and even complements the caramelized banana
dessert.
750 ml/$15.95. Vintages 35204
Thirty Bench Riesling 2013
This local riesling is delectable solo and even better when its ripe orchard fruit, preserved lemon and spice are poured over a table heaped with sticky pork ribs and foie-stuffed spiced duck. There’s more then enough acidity to cleanse an overwhelmed palate between mouthfuls.
750 ml/$18.95. Vintages 24133
De Neuville Bertiniíre Chinon 2013
Savoury and lightish, this Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley is flexible, affordable and most importantly, drinkable. Enjoy with smoked turkey and all the trimmings.
750 ml/$15.95. Vintages 428037