Belgian Beer

Six weeks ago, New Jersey craft beer drinkers were introduced to one of the most eclectic and exciting breweries in the United States – The Lost Abbey/Port Brewing. For those of you that aren’t aware, the same brewers package all of their “American style” beers under Port Brewing, while the “Belgian-styles” are packaged under The Lost Abbey. While the Port side of the brewery is equally as amazing, I’d like to shift focus to the Belgian-inspired side.

Over in Belgium beer isn’t just a commodity or beverage, it’s a culture. With dozens of different styles that range from dark fruit driven 11% ABV quads, to funky and woody sours, to light and champagne-like saisons, there is literally something there for every beer drinker. You won’t (normally) find the hop bombs you’ll find over here in the States, but will you find painstakingly handcrafted brews that can be enjoyed by beer novices or the most experienced craft fanatic. There is absolutely nothing better than pairing a Belgian stout (Allagash Black is a great domestic interpretation) with dark chocolate or black forest cake. Well, maybe there is, like pairing a spritzy saison (i.e. the classic Saison Dupont) with mussels and spicy sausage.

Aside from some of our top selling Belgians or Belgian-inspired beers like the Chimays, Allagashs, Ommegangs, and Lindemans, there is a whole world of fantastic beer that unfortunately goes unnoticed far too often. The price tags may turn some folks off (like a $20 Gueuze) but these beers are well worth the money spent and will offer flavors and aromas never experienced before. Here are some hidden gems you will find at either of our locations, starting with the domestic side:

Jolly Pumpkin La Roja – This is easily one of my favorite beers of all time. Brewed in the Flanders tradition, this amber-bodied brew will offer aromas and flavors of earth, oak, and sour cherries and apples with that unmistakable Jolly Pumpkin yeast strain. Given the acidity, it shares many traits with an earthy Barbera d’Alba and can be paired with anything from buttery cheeses to traditional pork chops.

Weyerbacher Tiny – Tiny is not tiny. An 11% imperial stout brewed with an Abbey yeast strain, this beer showcases the traditional stout flavors of chocolate and vanilla with the Belgian yeast completely eliminating any harshness from the alcohol. It is often hard to find extremely complex beers that are perfect balanced, and Tiny pulls it off while pulling no punches.To be honest, for the price, you simply can’t beat this beer. An absolutely perfect dessert beer.

And on the Belgian side,

Boon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait- Brewed with a crazy amount of cherries (this vintage is 40%), this beer is a must-try for any Kriek lover. Not overly sweet like the Lindeman’s line or too sour like some Cantillons, the amount of cherries added balances everything out and offers a truly one of a kind experience. Act quick, though, there’s not much of this to go around.

De Proef Reinart- Want to convert a white-wine or champagne drinker to the wonderful world of beer? Look no further. This spritzy, light-bodied Belgian pale ale is a sure shot pleaser. The flavors of green apple and flowers are offset by the funky lemon and biscuit flavors deriving from the brettanomyces yeast. Swap this with the next white wine you pair with dinner and you’ll be amazed at the different (and dare I say better) experience.

Joe Canal's Presents Beringer Red Moscato

Joe Canal's is pleased to announce the arrival of Beringer California Collection Red Moscato!

Beringer’s California Collection boasts some of the best-selling wines in the country. Fruit-forward and smooth, these wines offer dependable taste for casual drinkers. Beringer’s California Collection is named for the ripe fruit flavors that characterize the wines as well as the bountiful and sunny state in which they originate.

This innovative blend is the perfect harmony of Moscato, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. It brings together the vivid aromas and flavors of the Moscato grape with the classic red berry characteristics of Zinfandel and ripe black cherry flavors of Petite Sirah.

Try it today for only $6.00 in our BottleClub!

A Decorative Flair

While it's true that a drink will get the job done with only its base ingredients, there's something to be said for a fantastic garnish. Whether it's a perfect onion sitting at the bottom of a Gibson, a jalapeno stuffed olive spicing up a martini, or a stalk of celery standing tall in a Bloody Mary, sometimes the garnish really makes the drink.

Drink garnishes complement or contrast flavors. They should either hint at what's in the drink (like mint and lime in a mojito), or bring out flavor in the drink (like salt in a tart margarita).

Garnishes can be simple, like a twist of lemon or lime rind, or complex, like a little "mini meal" of fruit or even savory foods like shellfish. When stocking your home bar, here's some standard garnishes you may like to have on hand to spruce up your cocktails.

Olives: What's a martini without an olive or three? (Never an even number of olives, it's bad luck!)

Limes: Possibly the most versatile garnish. You can use these to garnish basically anything that includes cranberry juice, tonic water, or club soda/seltzer.

Lemon: Go well with cola-based cocktails.

Cherry: Great in fruity drinks like Apple Martinis, also served in Manhattans.

Exotic fruits like kiwi or starfruit can make for an interesting presentation. Swirling chocolate sauce in a martini glass before adding the ingredients for a White Chocolate Martini adds flair. You could even drop raspberries or blueberries into an ice cube tray and fill with water for decorative and interesting ice cubes. Coffee beans float beautifully in creamy drinks!

Rimming the glass of a margarita with salt is a requisite, but don't limit yourself to just that... the rim of a glass is a canvas waiting to be painted! Try cocoa powder, sparkling decorative sugars, finely shaved coconut, or other flavored sugars.

Garnishes are limited only by your imagination!

Mardi Gras Match-up

This Tuesday was Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season of Mardi Gras. Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. If you're still celebrating, if you're still enjoying some leftover crawfish jambalaya, or if you're just in the mood for some great Cajun foods, you might be wondering what beverages would work well!

Cajun food is traditionally spicy. I've had the pleasure of attending Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest in Augusta, NJ many times. It's a weekend full of zydeco music and great food, including freshly boiled crawfish that are purchased in large, overflowing styrofoam take-out containers. Like tiny lobsters, you crack and eat the tail and claws, and then suck out the spicy, salty juices and fat from the crawfish's head. It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun, and very delicious. At the end, you're left with a full tummy and lips that burn for hours afterwards.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with such spicy foods, you want to stay away from high-alcohol wines with big tannins. Tannins accentuate spicy food and will make for a mouthful of fire. To combat the heat of Creole cooking, a white wine would be your best bet. German Rieslings, with their lower alcohol content and sweet touch are known to pair very well with Cajun food, as are Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer or Gruner Veltliner. And without a doubt, any off-dry Champagne or sparkling wine would match excellently.

If you just have to have a red, go with those with very low tannin levels, such as a Beaujolais, South African Pinotage, or a Spanish Red.

Of course, one great way to soothe the flames would be to enjoy your Cajun food with a nice, refreshing beer. IPAs, Pilsners and Bocks would all make a good match, but if you want to go authentic, we carry a selection of brews from Abita Brewery. Founded in 1986, the Abita Brewing Company is nestled in the piney woods 30 miles north of New Orleans.

What's Going on this Weekend @ JC's?

Here's what's going on this weekend in LAWRENCEVILLE!

FREE BEER TASTING!!
TONIGHT!! Thursday, February 23rd, 6:00pm - 8:00 pm
Saranac

"As one of the few remaining great American regional breweries, the Matt Brewing Company has prospered at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York for over a century. Under the leadership of the third (Nick) and fourth (Fred) generations of the Matt Family, the Brewery has earned the reputation as one of the most respected specialty brewers in the country, producing a variety of distinctive, flavorful beers." - Saranac

Join us and sample some brews from our friends at Saranac!

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WEEKEND WINE TASTINGS!!
Friday, February 24th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday, February 25th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm


Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling
An “every day Riesling” that is easy to match with a variety of foods.
Regular Price: $10.49 / BottleClub Price: $8.99

Elvio Tintero Rosso
Melodiously sweet tannins are interwoven with lush, opulent ripe berries and dark chocolate, resolving into a finish of operatic length.
Regular Price: $13.99 / BottleClub Price: $9.96

First Drop Mother's Milk Shiraz
Though the wine is super big with tons of extraction it is surprisingly well balanced. Notes of anise, pepper and blackberry.
Regular Price: $16.99 / BottleClub Price: $14.79

Tollot-Beaut Corton-Bressandes
Supple, succulent and balanced, this red is laced with cherry, currant and mineral notes. The fruit, oak and structure are already well-integrated, with oak spice lingering on the finish.
Regular Price: $74.99 / BottleClub Price: $61.94

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Here's what's going on this weekend in WOODBRIDGE!
FREE BEER TASTING!!
TONIGHT!! Thursday, February 23rd, 5:00pm - 7:00 pm
Dogfish Head

"Off-centered ales for off-centered people. That's what we do here at Dogfish Head! Whether it's odd ingredients, super-strong extreme beers, or crazy, made-up styles, you can be sure that a beer from Dogfish will challenge your perceptions of what beer is supposed to be!" -Dogfish Head

Join us and sample some brews from our friends at DFH!

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WEEKEND WINE TASTINGS!!
Friday, February 24th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday, February 25th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm


Bauer Dornfelder
This semi-sweet red is great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken.
Regular Price: $9.99

Rapido Red
Fresh and lively on the palate with ripe berry fruit balanced by tangy acidity and soft ripe tannins leading to a warm, spicy finish.
Regular Price: $8.99 / BottleClub Price: $7.66

The Seeker Pinot Noir
With delicate flavors of red fruit and spice, this delicious selection lets Pinot Noir's signature smooth texture and food-friendliness shine.
Regular Price: $14.99 / BottleClub Price: $12.99

Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Firm, tight and compact, with a trim mix of dried currant, berry and red and black licorice.
Regular Price: $71.99

Argentine Wine Explosion

We've got a nice selection of Argentinean wines in our stores, but did you know that just a decade ago, Argentina was virtually unknown as a wine making country?

From 2007 to 2010 alone, sales of Argentinean wine increased about 88%! Among countries exporting wine to the United States, Argentina ranks fifth. And it's not just the amount of juice that's rising, according to Nielsen scan data reported by Wine Business Monthly in the fall of 2010, Argentinean wine saw a 38% dollar rise in sales for the year ending April 2010.

Most of the Argentinean wine coming into the United States is malbec, known for its dark berry fruit, great structure, and soft texture. Malbec, a grape that originated in France, started becoming well-known in the mid-to-late 2000s. By 2009 it achieved a growth rate in sales of 50% in one year.

While wine is also grown in the provinces of, San Juan, La Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Río Negro and Southern Buenos Aires, the Mendoza province is the most lucrative, producing more than 60% of the Argentine wine. Due to the high altitude and low humidity of the main wine producing regions, Argentine vineyards rarely face the problems of insects, fungi, molds and other grape diseases that affect vineyards in other countries. This allows cultivating with little or no pesticides, enabling even organic wines to be easily produced.

If you want to try a great Argentinean wine at a reasonable price, pick up a bottle of Achaval Ferrer Malbec, rated 91 points by Jay Miller of Wine Advocate.

"This prestige Argentine producer puts their best foot forward with this classic Malbec. It has a punchy nose with mushroom, blueberry, mint, blackberry and leather. It is full-bodied and juicy with plenty of black and blue fruits, vanilla, anise and mocha. Let this guy shine on its own after dinner." Debbie Miller Nelson - Wine Manager, Woodbridge

Try it for only $16.99 in our BottleClub!

Joe Canal's Presents Bodegas Volver Tempranillo 2009!

The grapes for this wine come from a 72-acre vineyard called "Finca Los Juncares," which was planted in 1957. Only after very careful vineyard selections, the best vines of Tempranillo grapes are hand-harvested in small boxes to prevent bruising. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel, and the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 14 months and then bottled unfiltered.

This single vineyard-designated wine has plenty of red cherries, blueberries, mulberries and red raisins, depicting grapes pushed to full ripeness without going beyond the boundary into excessive overripeness. The oak character is relatively elegant with toasty, coffee hints only, and the balanced wine shows some lingering length as well.

90 Points from Robert Parker!!
"The 2009 Volver is also 100% Tempranillo sourced from 50+-year-old vines and aged for 14 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it showcases aromas of pain grille, earth notes, spice box, and fragrant blue and black fruits. Supple-textured, super-ripe and concentrated, on the palate it is mouth-filling, savory, and structured enough to evolve for 2-3 years. It can be enjoyed now and over the next 8-10 years. It is a great value that over-delivers in a big way." -Robert Parker

Try this new vintage for only $13.49 in our BottleClub!

Presidential Cocktails

Happy President's Day! Today we honor our Presidents, current and past, with some of their favorite drink recipes. While Truman drank his bourbon and FDR drank his scotch or brandy straight, a few of our presidents preferred their spirits shaken or stirred. Mix one up tonight in honor of our country's great leaders!

Herbert Hoover: Gibson
-2 ounces gin
-1/4 - 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
Shake ingredients in a shaker with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with cocktail onions

Gerald Ford: Gin and Tonic
-2 ounces Gin
-3 ounces Tonic Water
Pour the gin and the tonic water into a lowball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Richard Nixon: Rum and Coke
-4 ounces white rum
-8 ounce Coca-Cola
Pour ingredients into an Old-Fashioned glass with ice and serve

Lyndon Johnson Scotch and Soda
-2 ounces Scotch
-Club Soda
Pour the Scotch in a highball filled with ice, and top with club soda.

A Very Special Tasting at Joe Canal's Lawrenceville

This weekend in Lawrenceville we'll be tasting through some very special wines for you, and welcoming our friend from Bodegas Ondarre, Bodegas Olarra and Calle Mayor, winemaking consultant Candido Latorre! Candido was the mastermind behind Calle Mayor wines, from packaging to the wine itself. He'll be here from 2:00pm - 4:00pm on Friday, February 17th and we'll continue to taste his fantastic wines through 6:00pm, and again on Saturday, February 18th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm.

Here are the wines we'll be tasting in Lawrenceville:

Calle Mayor White
Light straw color, citrus and white pear notes. Very crisp and fresh with grassy, pear notes. This is a great wine to pair with roasted or baked fish and of course green salads.
Regular Price: $9.99 / BottleClub Price: $7.66

Calle Mayor Red
An elegant Spanish blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Regular Price: $9.99 / BottleClub Price: $7.66

Bodegas Ondarre
Black cherry, licorice, smoke, tobacco and tar notes mingle in this firm, lively red.
Regular Price: $14.99 / BottleClub Price: $11.66

Cerro Anon Gran Reserva
A super spicy nose of dried cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Full-bodied and powerful with round and lush flavors and some woody hints.
Regular Price: $28.99 / BottleClub Price: $19.96

To find out what we'll be pouring in Woodbridge this weekend, visit the Wine Tasting page at jcanals.com! For Thursday beer tasting information, visit the Beer Tasting page!

Have a great weekend!

Spring Beer Feature

Today Beer Purchaser Tom Broderick talks about the incoming Spring beers!

A lot of craft beer drinkers, me included, tend to fall into the mindset that spring beer is merely a buffer between the beloved winter and summer beers and doesn’t have too much to offer. Fortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the more flavorful and unique offerings are released this time of the year. Spring offerings can range from light and sweet (Sam Adams’ new Alpine Lager) to malty and smoky (Weyerbacher’s Fireside Ale).

There is also the connection between springtime and the Bock style – which were originally brewed to be drunk during spring beer festivals in Germany. The term “bock” is very general, though. Under the classification of bocks lie doppelbocks, maibocks/helles bocks, and eisbocks. Maibocks/Helles bocks are typically around 7% alcohol and showcase flavors of earthy hops and malty caramel sweetness. Eisbocks are rare in our market but are perfect to sip on a cool spring day. Eisbocks are made by partially freezing a doppelbock, enhancing the alcohol content to around 10% and creating flavors of dark fruits and baking chocolate. Spring is a perfect time to re-visit some old, forgotten favorites like Rogue Dead Guy (maibock/helles bock), Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock (eisbock), or Ayinger Celebrator (doppelbock).
Spring beer should be embraced like its Fall, Winter, and Summer counterparts. Re-visit some old German favorites or seek out one of the new and innovative domestic brews – you can’t go wrong either way.

Some highlights:

Great Divide Nomad – Their new Czech Pilsner is an absolute gem. Bright and crisp, this competes with Victory Prima Pils for the top pilsner on the market, in my opinion.

Abita Mardi Gras Bock – Abita’s maibock is lighter and easy drinking, perfect for anyone who is unfamiliar with the bock/maibock style and wants to try something new.

Dogfish Head Namaste – Dogfish Head’s Namaste isn’t necessarily a spring seasonal, but it seems perfect to sip on a warmer spring day. Brewed with coriander, oranges, and lemongrass, there’s no need to add an orange wedge – especially since that should never be done.

Stone Old Guardian – Again, not a spring seasonal, but Stone offers this barleywine up every February and it never fails to please. Buy two bottles – crack one now and cellar the other for the colder winter months ahead.

Joe Canal's Presents Three Olives Loopy and Supercola!

Joe Canal's is excited to announce the arrival of two new Three Olives Vodka flavors!!

Joe Canal's has expanded our lineup of Three Olives Vodka flavors with the addition of two great new flavors: Loopy and Super Cola!

"The ultimate expression of a luxury vodka brand is the classic martini, garnished with three olives. Thus, in 1998, America's fastest growing super-premium vodka brand was born - Three Olives® Vodka.

The story continues in 2001, when we launched Three Olives® Cherry and Three Olives® Grape, creating a cult-like following of fans around the country, which propelled Three Olives® Vodka to a whole new level. Today, we have 20 bold and intense flavors, resulting in endless cocktail creations. And while other vodkas are all about their serious sides and exclusivity, we guarantee to deliver an experience that helps you and your friends celebrate the best, most fun and exciting times of your lives."

Three Olives Supercola is a "stunningly delicious cola flavored vodka." Try one of these great recipes:

CHERRY COLA KISS
1 part Three Olives® Supercola Vodka
1 part Three Olives® Cherry Vodka
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherry

SUPERPOWER
1 part Three Olives® Supercola Vodka
2 parts lemon lime soda
Splash of lime
Serve in a tall glass over ice.

THE HERO
1 part Three Olives® Supercola Vodka
1 part Three Olives® Cake Vodka
Serve chilled as a shot or on the rocks.

You've got to taste Three Olives Loopy to believe it. If you're a fan of Fruit Loops cereal, you'll love Loopy! Keep a bottle in the freezer to shoot straight, or try one of these!

B.O.C.
1 Part Three Olive Loopy Vodka
2 Parts Milk
Serve as a shot or over

POPPED
1 Part Three Olives® Loopy Vodka
Splash of Lime
Serve as a chilled shot or on the rocks

LOOPY SOUR
1 Part Three Olives® Loopy Vodka
1 Part Cranberry Juice
Splash of Lime Juice
Mix all ingredients together with ice

The Cosmo: A Very Trendy Little Cocktail

Thanks to the popular TV show, Sex and the City the Cosmopolitan has become a staple drink for women. A relative of the classic New England cocktail the Cape Codder, this drink is simple to make, pretty to look at, and easy to drink. The history of the Cosmo, like a lot of cocktails, is fuzzy, but it's said to be created in the early 1970s.

A few years ago, I dabbled in a bit of bartending and took a class at a local bartending school. While much of what I learned has faded from memory, the ingredients in a Cosmopolitan have stuck with me years later because of the clever mnemonic that serves as the title to this blog. The Cosmo is a Very (vodka) Trendy (triple sec) Little (lime) Cocktail (cranberry).

Cosmopolitan
-1 oz. vodka
-1/2 oz. triple sec
-1/2 oz. lime
-1/2 oz. cranberry juice

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice in a shaker and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge, or a twist.

Unlike the classics, where the ingredients are all but legally binding, this popular cocktail is open to expression. Once you get the hang of the basics Cosmo recipe, you can play around with cranberry juice substitutes. Try different fruit juices or liqueurs such as Midori or peach schnapps! For a Blue Cosmo, use white cranberry juice and substitute blue curacao for the triple sec!

A Guide to BYOB

Buying wine at a restaurant can be ridiculously expensive. You could end up paying 3 times more than you would here at Joe Canal's at a nice restaurant. There's a way past that, however: BYOB. There are quite a few BYOB restaurants in our area that make delicious food and have lovely ambiance. Why not scope out a local BYOB restaurant, and stop here on the way! One of our knowledgeable Wine Managers will be happy to help you choose the perfect bottle for your dinner, but here is a general list to guide you, based on the cuisine you'll be eating.

Chinese
Dominant flavors in Chinese food include ginger, garlic, sesame, soy sauce, chiles, and oyster, all of which fall into either the sweet or the salty taste group. This means that your best matches are going to be sweetish, spicy or fruity white wines. If you're going for reds, choose low-tannin, unoaked reds, because salty foods make a wine's tannins taste more bitter. Light, crisp roses or sparkling wines would also be a very good match, as their texture can either cut through any heaviness in a dish or underline the delicacy of more fragile ones, such as wontons or steamed dumplings.

Japanese
Overall flavors of Japanese cuisine are bitter and vinegary, with elements such as wasabi, vinegar, soy sauce, and onions. Therefore, you should avoid acidic wines and go for chilled, off-dry, fruity white wines and any sparkling wines with dishes like sushi or sashimi. For heavier dishes like tempura, choose fuller, fruitier styles like Champagne. Or, of course, you may opt for a bottle of traditional sake.

Thai Thai food has playful, contrasting tastes including lemongrass, citrus, chile, ginger, coriander and basil, and can often be difficult to match. Try a crisp, dry white like a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. A fruity, robust Shiraz will also work well with this spicy chile or beef dishes.

Mexican
Very hot and spicy foods need equally spicy wines with a touch of residual sugar to counteract the spice. Try fruity whites and acidic roses to temper the heat. Low-tannin reds that are fruity and spicy like a Merlot or a Pinot Noir will also work.

Indian
What matches well with the Indian staple, curry? Stay away from the oak and stick to full-bodied wines. Possible matches include Merlots, Zinfandels, and Syrahs, a rose with samosas and pakoras, or a Gewurztraminer with tandoori.

Italian
While we could get into the specific flavors of Italian foods and pair precisely with the dishes (Riesling with gnocci, for example), why not do like the Romans do and drink Italian wines with your Italian dinner? Chianti is a traditional Italian staple and you can't go wrong with a bottle on your table. Other Italian wines that would be fantastic to grace your table with would be Barolos, Barbarescos or Barberas.

New E-mail Format!

We've been working hard to streamline our newsletters and we're pleased to announce that the new format is being launched today!

Everything you've come to love about our informative newsletters is still there, they just look a little different. We've condensed them to be easier to read and navigate. Out BottleClub Specials and Highlights are still front-and-center, and all your coupons will be available to easily print on jcanals.com.

We'll also have information about our weekly tasting events, specialty tappings, and other special events we're holding on the left-hand side of your newsletters, with links that will take you to specific pages devoted to each event. Links to the BottleBlog, our Growler Menu, and the wines available to taste on demand in Woodbridge are there for you as well. This way, it'll be easy for you to read about what you love.

We hope you love the new format, and that you find it organized and easy to navigate!

Valentine Sparkles

What could be more romantic than settling down on Valentine's Day night with a nice cold bottle of bubbly and a plate of fresh strawberries? Why don't you pick some pink bubbles for your Valentine this year? Here are a few different pink sparklers that will be sure to delight your sweetheart.

Castello Banfi Rosa Regale 2009

Light ruby red. Lively pink mousse with a persistent perlage. Bouquet is intense, aromatic, varietal with hints of Bulgarian rose. Taste is soft and elegant with berry flavours and a touch of almond and nutmeg. A soft red sparkling wine, made from Brachetto. This extremely aromatic, complexand historical grape variety grows only in the area of Acqui Terme, in Southern Piedmont.The cold maceration of the grapes, followed by a soft pressing, allows the extraction of thetypical intense aromas from the skins and gives to the wine its characteristic light ruby red color. Very pleasant and extremely elegant. This wine matches perfectly with fresh strawberries, fruit cakes, fruit salads, pastriesand chocolates. An ideal aperitif as well.

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Allure Pink Moscato

Bright pink color indicates the wine will be very festive in nature. Apricot, peach, bergamot, and mint flavors give our Pink Moscato a fresh and lively demeanor. The combination of bubbles and off-dry balance enhance the refreshment enjoyed with each sip. This is a very easy wine to drink by itself. However, its cheery nature suggests it is welcome at celebrations and where gatherings might include a variety of dishes. It should be on the table ready to serve throughout the meal, including dessert.

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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose

The assemblage, which is formed around Pinot Noir, is both spontaneous and balanced, emphasising fruity liveliness. It is zestful, with great suppleness. The assemblage with red wine also gives it feminine, coppery shades. Lively, expressive, dominated by the scent of wild strawberries. Full-bodied, zestful, assertive fruitiness.

Joe Canal's Presents Glenmorangie Artein!

Glenmorangie Artein

Joe Canal's is excited to present Glenmorangie Artein!

Glenmorangie is proud to announce the release of Glenmorangie Artein, the third release in its award winning Private Edition range. Scots Gaelic for stone "Artein" is an intriguing 15 Years Old Glenmorangie, extra matured in "Super Tuscan" wine casks.

Stone has always been at the heart of the making of Glenmorangie single malt
Scotch whisky. Glenmorangie has its own unique hard water source - the Tarlogie Spring - which slowly filters through layers of limestone, adding rich minerals that eventually give Glenmorangie its complex fruity aromas. The Company has had a close affinity with stone since an ancient stone of symbolic significance was uncovered near the Glenmorangie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands - the Hilton of Cadboll Stone. Glenmorangie proudly adopted the intricate Pictish motif from this iconic monument as its brand emblem.

On nosing, Glenmorangie Artein recalls a sweet and heady bouquet of ripe red berries, honeysuckle and fresh mint. On the palate, sun soaked baked fruits such as ripe apricots, peaches and plums harmonise gracefully with hints of spearmint and cherries in milk chocolate. A whisky of great length, Glenmorangie Artein finishes with top notes of zesty, lemon sherbet and a flourish of creamy cappuccino.

Try this exciting new whisky for only $74.99!

Valentine's Day Inspiration

Next Tuesday is Valentine's Day, and our tasting table this weekend will feature sparkling wines to enjoy with your sweetheart. But why not take advantage of the ambiance of the day and whip up one of the following super-romantic, ultra-indulgent cocktails for your sweetheart?

Ultimate Chocolate Martini

- 1/2 oz Godiva chocolate liqueur
- 1/2 oz Godiva white chocolate liqueur
- 1/2 oz Stoli Vanil vodka
- 1/2 oz Bailey's Irish cream
- 1/2 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur

Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and serve. To enhance appearance, drizzle chocolate syrup into glass before pouring martini.

* * *The Valentine

- 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/3 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
- 1/3 oz Godiva chocolate liqueur
- 1/3 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur

Mix ingredients in a collins glass, stir, and serve.

* * *Godiva Chocolate Covered Banana

- 1/2 oz dark rum
- 2 oz Godiva® chocolate liqueur
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Blend in a bar blender until smooth. Pour into a highball glass and garnish with some of the remaining banana.

* * *White Blizzard Chocolate Martini

- 4 ounces of Absolut Vanil vodka
- 1 ounce of clear Creme de Cacao
- 2 ounce of White Chocolate liqueur
- 1 teaspoon of coconut flakes
- 2 freezing martini glasses

Add the vodka to a shaker half full of cracked ice. Shake vigorously for a full minute. Add the white chocolate liqueur, and Creme de Cacao. Swirl the shaker for another full minute, and then let it rest for a minute. Strain your martini into the freezing martini glasses. Each glass gets half of the coconut flakes. Stir each martini gently to start the blizzard!

What's in a name: Sonoma

The fog retreating from the mountains in Sonoma on a beautiful early October morning

Although Sonoma is one of Northern California wine country's most venerable regions, the exact origin of the name isn't clear. The Spanish and Mexican settlers who came to the area in the very early 1800s believed it was a word from the Coast Miwok and Pomo tribes in the area and meant "valley of the moon." (Jack London's 1913 novel The Valley of the Moon put that name on the map.) This translation was first recorded in an 1850. I can tell you firsthand, that when the full moon rises over the mountains, it is a sight to behold. I don't know that I've seen a more beautiful moonrise in my life.

Another theory, also linked to the two tribes, focuses on the grammar of the natice languages. Tso meant "earth" and noma meant "village." Together tsonoma says "earth village."

Other sources say Sonoma comes from the Patwin tribes west of the Sacramento River, and their Wintu word for "nose." Per California Place Names, "the name is doubtless derived from a Patwin word for 'nose', which Padre Arroyo gives as sonom."

One last theory is that Spaniards found an Indian chief with a rather large nose, and applied the nickname of Chief Nose to the village and the territory. Other scholars believes the name applied originally to a nose-shaped geographic feature.

Regardless of what the name may mean, Sonoma County, California is a wine region rich in history and natural beauty.