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GETAWAY by Margaret Swaine Columnist and Author www.margaretswaine.com
IT’S BEEN FUN - ZOOM ONLINE TASTINGS The pandemic has encouraged many businesses to get very
creative in how they promote and sell their wares. The drink industry is no exception and I have been the fortunate recipient of their innovations. I’ve had Zoom powered tastings where wines have been sent to me in miniature bottles, food grade plastic pouches, or even full bottles and more often accompanied with food pairings. I’ve enjoyed spirits sent along with all the ingredients to make several cocktails. As summer heated up, I’ve found multiple types of hard sodas in my delivery box. It’s been fun. Here are my recommendations on what to drink based on my home office tastings.
Cuban Smoky
Gin
The aperitivo spritz (a mix of sparkling wine and red hued bitter aperitif such as Italy’s Campari) before dinner is all the rage in Europe. In Canada we can now make a native version using Amalfi Aperitivo created by Davide and Bruno Codispoti of Vaughn. Flavoured with hibiscus, chamomile, rose hips, lemon peel, quinine and more it’s got lots of character. Mix it with a value priced sparkler such as Toro Bravo Secco from Spain ($11.95) or the lovely Fiol Prosecco, which scored 92 points at this year’s New York international wine competition and is a bargain $13.95 (Limited Time Offer until August 15 at the LCBO). If you want to keep it simple Amalfi Spritz is available in 355mL bottles (four pack for $12.95). I’m a big fan of the cocktail “dark and stormy” made with ginger beer topped with rum. Havana Club’s new Cuban Smoky (LTO $42.50 at the LCBO) made with rum aged in former Islay whisky casks, has rich, sweet caramel rum flavours enhanced by a smokiness that’s perfect for this cocktail. Use a good quality ginger beer brand such as fever-tree in the mix. If you want to really up the experience, Appleton Estates Black River Cask 15-year-old ($79.95) is a smooth sipper that’s spicy, fruity and zesty. If you’re budgeting, their standard mixer rum, Kingston 62 Gold ($28.25) re-named in honour of the year of Jamaican independence is bold flavoured and lively.
A number of lovely new Canadian whiskies have emerged recently. Canada’s whisky blending rules allow for a 9.09% addition of wine or other spirits aged at least two years in wood. This can lead to such exceptional creations as Forty Creek Foxheart whisky ($44.95) infused with 12 year old Caribbean rum. It’s named after master blender Bill Ashburn’s other passion, the home of his world champion wire fox terriers. On the palate 16
