6 6 SPRING 2020 FOOD & DRINKBare facts: organic
Organic wine—no matter where in the world it
was certified (the U.S. and the EU have separate
certification systems, for example)—comes from
grapes grown without synthetic fertilizers or
conventional pesticides. It is generally made in a
winery that is also certified organic, and uses very
minimal additives. Organic wine often comes from
warm, dry regions that experience less pressure
from vineyard diseases and pests: here are a few
that are manic for organic.California
Farming organically for more than 30 years,
Bonterra Organic Vineyards, in the Mendocino
region, makes a creamy, full-bodied
Chardonnay (VINTAGES 342436, $19.95) and
a Cabernet Sauvignon (LCBO 342428, $21.95)
bursting with herbs and dark berries.Chile
Cono Sur, in Chile’s Mediterranean-
climate Colchagua Valley, produces a
crisp, melon and apple-zinged Chardonnay
(LCBO 230565, $13.95). Lush, tropical-
fruited Novas Gran Reserva Sauvignon
Blanc (LCBO 553800, $15.95) comes from
Emiliana in Chile’s San Antonio Valley.Argentina
From the arid Cuyo region, Zaphy wines
from Trapiche include a spicy, cherry-licked
Cabernet Sauvignon (LCBO 11934, $11.95) and
a fresh, citrus and mango-tinged Chardonnay
(LCBO 11935, $11.95). Domaine Jean Bousquet
in Mendoza makes a deeply pigmented
plummy Malbec (LCBO 160952, $14.95) and
a Cabernet Sauvignon (LCBO 218875, $14.95)
with pepper and spice notes.King of spring salads
Vibrant organic white wines complement
this spring-vegetable asparagus salad, but
the mushrooms and prosciutto (eliminate
the latter for a vegetarian dish) make it
meaty enough to enjoy with organic reds.
ASPARAGUS AND
KING MUSHROOM SALAD WITH
CRISP PROSCIUTTO
recipe at lcbo.com/fdspring20