Champagne for New Year's: The Last Word

In earlier blog posts, we offered quite a few suggestions for your New Year's Eve sparkling wine. Our staff, however, always seems to come back to Champagne. And our newest Champagne is the Aubry Brut NV.

This Aubry Brut is 55% from the 2010 vintage, and 45% reserve wine, with 55% of the reserve coming from a solera containing all vintages from 1998 to 2009. The blend is 45% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 5% of the ancient varieties Arbanne, Petit Meslier, and Fromenteau. We take you from there to the Wine Advocate review: "If that sounds like a recipe for delivering complexity, you’re right and won’t be disappointed! Bittersweet perfume suggestive of gentian and iris mingles with intimations of fresh lime and sea breeze that in turn manifest themselves on a seductively silken palate in both juicy, vivacious exuberance and mouthwatering saliva-inducement. A scallop-like sweetly saline and mineral amalgam takes hold in a vibrant finish that leaves me caught between the urge to linger and the urge to take the next sip. This exceptional value by appellation standards is almost sure to prove worth following for several years, even if, sadly, few wine enthusiasts are likely to put that prediction to the test. 92 points."

How about a 90 point rating from Wine Spectator? "A firm Champagne, with notes of green apple, white cherry, smoky mineral and candied lemon zest. Vivacious, showing hints of toast and wax on the finish. Disgorged April 2011. Drink now through 2015."

From the IWC 91 point review: " Bright straw. Pungent aromas of Meyer lemon, pear and fig, with a gingery accent adding lift. Sappy, penetrating citrus fruit and floral flavors are given a refreshingly bitter character by notes of pear skin and peach pit, with a waxy note coming up on the back half. A smoky nuance lingers on the finish, which shows very good clarity and length."

Finally, from champagneguide.net: "Philippe Aubry works with his brother Pierre and brother-in-law Noël Poret and has been trying to give expression to Champagne's indigenous varieties such as Arbanne and Petit Meslier, as well as Pinot Gris (the local name is Fromenteau) and Pinot Blanc.

One of the most original estates in Champagne, Aubry Fils is located in the village of Jouy-lès-Reims, in the western sector of the Montagne de Reims. Of the estate’s 15 hectares of vines, 12 lie in Jouy and the nearby villages of Pargny-lès-Reims, Villedommange and Coulommes-la-Montagne, all of which are classified as premier cru; the other three hectares are located elsewhere and are sold off to the négoce."

For many people, only a true Champagne will do for New Year's. The Aubry Brut NV Champagne is available for only $34.99 in the Bottle Club® at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

Cooking With Joe Canal's, Part 2

When we research our partner web sites, we often come across recipes that sound so great that we just want to share. You don't need a personalized toque to cook something spectacular, and the wine pairing is usually a part of the recipe, which takes so much thinking out of the process.

In looking over sparkling wine suggestions for New Year's Eve, I found a recipe on the Domaine Carneros web site that I'll make at home soon.

Seared Chicken with Figs, Spinach and Mushrooms Topped with a Fig Coulis

4 Chicken Breast Halves - boneless
½ lbs. Button Mushrooms - halved
½ lbs. Baby Spinach - cleaned
½ lbs. Fingerling Potatoes - may sub Yukon Golds
2 cups Fresh Figs
5 Tbls Grapeseed Oil - or Olive Oil
2 Tbls Butter
½ Tbls Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbls Water
Salt And Pepper - to taste

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the potatoes in a one-quart saucepan, cover with water, add 2 tablespoons of salt and simmer until cooked through, but not falling apart. Remove the water and cool to room temperature. Carefully remove the skin of the potatoes and cut into ¾" dice. Set aside.

Cut off the stem end of the figs, cut into quarters, and set ½ cup aside for the coulis.

Trim chicken breast of excess fat and season both sides with salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan, sear the chicken with its skin down in 4 ½ tbls of oil, heat on high for about 10 minutes or until well browned. Turn and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken breast from the pan and place it on a baking sheet with the skin side up, then finish in a 450 degree oven for ten minutes. Remove and let rest in a warm place.

Sauté mushrooms in hot oil with 1 tbls of salt until golden brown. Add the potatoes, the remaining figs and the butter, cook for five minutes. Add the baby spinach and stir together. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Place the mixture in the center of a plate, top with chicken breast and fig coulis.

FIG COULIS

Place the ½ cup of figs into a blender. Add water, balsamic vinegar, 1 ½ tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of black pepper. Blend until smooth. Add ½ tbls of the grapeseed oil and blend until incorporated.

Serve on a warm plate.

Bon Appétit!

Suggested Wine: Pinot Noir

Serves:
4 guests

I do keep going back to the St. Francis Winery web site for their outstanding recipes. After all, it's hard to argue with the Open Table Best Restaurant in the US. Although I baked the chicken (wasn't exactly grilling weather), I made this last night:

Zinfandel Risotto with Grilled Chicken Breast

Grilled Chicken
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
3 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless

Preparation:

Mix together the oil, garlic, and rosemary. Marinate the breasts in the oil mixture for one hour. Season generously with salt and pepper. Grill the breast about 4 minutes on each side over a medium high flame or to desired doneness. Do not dry out the breast. Remove from flame and let cool. Thinly slice the breast widthwise.

Risotto

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
½ small yellow onion, minced
2 cups Arborio rice
1 cup Reserve Zichichi Zinfandel
¼ cup dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in 1 cup hot water for 15 minutes
2 quarts chicken stock, hot
1 cup frozen peas, blanched
4 strips bacon, cooked, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Sliced, grilled chicken breast

Preparation:

In a heavy bottomed 4-quart saucepot, heat the butter over a medium high flame. Add the onions and cook a few minutes, but do not brown the onions. Add the rice and heat a few minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring, until the wine has evaporated. Drain the water from the mushrooms into the rice. Chop the mushrooms and add them to the rice. Cook until the mushroom water has evaporated. Start adding the hot stock, about ½ cup at a time, stirring, until the stock has evaporated, then add another ½ cup. Keep stirring and adding stock until the rice is tender, about 20-25 minutes. The rice should be creamy, not dry or runny. You may not need to add all the stock (Ed. note: I did). Add the peas, bacon, butter and Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the sliced chicken breast and serve with a little grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Suggested Wine: Zinfandel

Serves:
6 guests

Sparkling Wine or Champagne? Part 2

With so many different champagnes and sparkling wines on the shelves in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge, our staff wanted to help with some definitions and suggestions. Particularly if you don't often purchase or enjoy sparkling wine, making the right choice can be challenging. Don't miss the first installment, http://www.jcanalsbottleblog.com/2013/12/sparkling-wine-or-champagne-part-1.html, because that's where we lay some groundwork, and introduce a few bottles of sparkling wine.

We'll start with a Champagne. Taittinger Brut La Française, like those we suggested yesterday, is a non-vintage champagne. That simply means that grapes harvested in more than one year are included in the wine. Taittinger Brut La Française is composed of Chardonnay (40%) and Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (60%) from over 35 different crus and various harvests, and matured to perfection. This high proportion of Chardonnay, unique among the fine non-vintage Champagnes, and a minimum aging of three years in the cellar where it reaches full aromatic maturity, make Taittinger Brut La Française a delicately balanced Champagne known for its consistent quality acclaimed worldwide.

Wine Spectator scored the Taittinger Brut La Française at 91 points, saying, "Hints of marzipan and lightly charred toast add richness without overwhelming the flavors of poached pear, lemon curd and black currant in this lively version, showing a creamy, detailed texture." A beautiful Champagne, and only $39.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Yesterday, we offered a couple of different choices in a Prosecco. We'll add one more today: the Mionetto Prosecco Brut.

It's much fuller and creamier than some other Prosecco's. This sparkler will please the Champagne drinker both during appetizers and while toasting the New Year. This is from the review in Wine Enthusiast: "Here is a Brut Prosecco with an immediate and fresh delivery of citrus, white stone, dried herbs and a subtle touch of white pepper. The aromas are what you should expect from an informal, easy-drinking sparkling wine and the bubbles are tonic and firm." At $11.99 in the Bottle Club®, Mionetto Brut can be enjoyed anytime, not just on special occasions.

Staying in Europe, our next recommended sparkling wine is a Cava, from Spain. Most Cava is produced in the Catalonia region (Northeastern Spain), typically with indigenous grapes like the macabeu, parellada, and xarel-lo. Cava is produced in the traditional method, or "méthode traditionnelle", meaning that they are made like champagne. The wine is fermented, blended, bottled, and then the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle.

A staff Cava pick is the Juve y Camps Reserva de la Familia Brut 2008.

Pale gold in color, this Cava has aromas of mature white peach, toasted bread and green tea with hints of lemon citrus and apricots. Equally rich and broad on the palate, these flavors continue to unfold on the palate. Its fresh profile makes it a perfect match for paté, seafood, tapas, paellas, grilled poultry or cured meats. 

From the Wine Advocate review: "A blend of classic Cava varieties blended with 10% Chardonnay, the 2008 Reserva de la Familia Brut Nature Gran Reserva has a tight, reticent nose with earthy minerally tones. The palate is nicely balanced on the citric entry that broadens across the palate to a pleasant, controlled, creamy finish with sufficient citric tension to urge another sip. Drink now. 89 points." This is regularly $15.99, but it's currently available in the Bottle Club® for $13.99.

A number of Champagne producers own property, and make sparkling wine, in California. In fact, Taittinger partnered with Kobrand to create the Domaine Carneros estate. They received their organic certification in 2008, and bottle Pinot Noir along with their sparkling wines.  

Vintage dated each year, the Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvée represents the best of Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made into a classic sparkling wine. The appellation is 100% Carneros. The Brut was aged in the bottle for three years before release.  It will continue to develop further depth and complexity as it ages. This exceptionally fragrant wine shows aromas of crème brulée, honeycomb, melon, citrus zest, and golden hay before flavors of pear and golden apple. The cuvée features an elegant, round structure and a tantalizingly long finish.

This also scored 90 points from Wine Spectator: "A festive bubbly, with pretty floral cherry and lemon notes that lead to round, supple flavors of pear, raspberry and spicy vanilla."

Regularly priced at $27.49, the Domaine Carneros Brut is currently only $21.99 in the Bottle Club®, which represents a 20% savings!  

The vast majority of sparkling wine and champagne in the world is made in the Brut style. Brut refers to the dryness or level of sugar of the wine. The sugar content of a Brut-style sparkling wine is 0-15 grams per liter.

The U.S. failed to sign the 1930's labeling agreement limiting use of the word “champagne” to wines from the Champagne region of France, so some American wineries feel free to call their wines champagne. Generally, however, those that do so call their wines "California Champagne".

From the Domaine Carneros web site: "Although our wines are made in the classic manner, "méthode champenoise", Domaine Carneros exhibits pride of place, choosing to use the name of our own great region rather than replicating someone else's  name." 

Whether you're looking for a sparkler for New Year's Eve, for every day, or for something in-between, we think our suggestions are something you, your friends and your family will enjoy. Please leave us feedback in the Comments section! 

Fresh Drink Recipes

We're still in the party season, so we'd like to help boost your "bar appeal" by offering a few additional drink suggestions from our partners.

The Twisted Ginger
by Kate Bennett, Domaine Carneros

Ingredients:

4 oz. of Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage Sparkling Wine
1 oz. of Ginger Beer 
1 sugar cube (raw sugar preferred)
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
(Lemon Twist for garnish)

• Place a single sugar cube in base of the sparkling wine flute (minimum 6 oz. capacity).
• Pour chilled Domaine Carneros Sparkling Wine into the sparkling wine flute.
• Pour lemon juice into the sparkling wine.
• Float Ginger Beer on top of the Sparkling Wine/lemon mixture.
• Place tightly twisted lemon twist across the top of the flute, as a garnish.

Since we've been seeing recipes for the Moscow Mule everywhere, we checked with Tito's Vodka for their take on this cocktail classic:

Tito’s Kickin’ Mule

• 1 1/2 oz. Tito’s vodka
• 1/2oz. Freshly squeezed lime
• 3oz. Ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish
  
  Serve in a mug or Collins glass

These Fireball Whisky recipes allow us to combine two of our favorites!

Hot Cherry

1 part Fireball Whisky
1 part Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Shake the ingredients, pour over ice into a rocks glass.
Garnish with a lemon slice

Because, Fireball, here's another:

The Man-Mosa
3 oz Brut Champagne
1.5 oz Fireball Whisky
Orange Juice

Pour the chilled champagne into a flute glass (6 oz capacity), add Fireball, top off with OJ. Because guys just can't order a Mimosa. 

Please drink responsibly!

Sparkling Wine or Champagne? Part 1

When I worked at the Lawrenceville store, the Champagne/Sparkling Wine  question was ever-present. Since so many people will be shopping for the bubbly over the next few days, I thought this would be a good time to offer some guidance and definitions.

Champagne is a sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne region of northeastern France. Champagne will include any or all of these three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, and will include a secondary fermentation (to create the carbonation). "Méthode champenoise" is the term used to describe the champagne-making process. You'll see that phrase on many domestic sparkling wines (like Gruet, Domaine Ste. Michelle and Schramsberg), which indicates that those are made like champagne, but aren't made in Champagne.

An under-the-radar, highly recommended Champagne is the Duc de Romet. It's properly Brut, and scored 91 points from Wine Spectator. From their review: "A fine, creamy mousse defines this elegant version, underscored by a chalky note of minerality and offering subtle notes of patisserie apple, blanched almond, fresh ginger and a hint of crystallized honey." And at only $25.99 in the Bottle Club®, it's our lowest-priced Champagne.

Any number of other sparkling wines are produced in France, but are not champagnes. Two examples are the Varichon & Clerc Brut Blanc de Blancs and Jean-Charles Boisset's JCB Cremant de Bourgogne. Blanc de Blancs, or "white from white", is a sparkling wine made exclusively from white grapes. A Cremant ("creamy") sparkling wine must be hand-harvested, and aged for at least one year. And since they're both priced under $20, they may be attractive alternatives to champagne.

We offer several types of Italian sparkling wine: Prosecco, Moscato d'Asti, and Asti (also known as Spumante or Asti Spumante).

Prosecco is traditionally made in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia regions. It's typically made from the grape known both as Glera or Prosecco. Most often, Prosecco is produced with the secondary fermentation occurring in stainless steel tanks, making the wine less expensive to produce than champagne.

One staff favorite is the Merum Prosecco. It's a "Vino Spumante", which means that it had the full secondary fermentation, making it more sparkling than many others.

This has excellent bubbles that stay around longer than most Proseccos. It has a creamy flavor with soft fruit and nuttiness. Enjoy on its own as an aperitif or in a Bellini or Mimosa. Merum is priced at only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®, making it an outstanding value.

Another Prosecco that's a staff favorite is Zonin.

Zonin Prosecco is another fantastic value sparkling wine!  It's a clean, easy-going bubbly offering apple and pear flavors with a touch of almond on the soft finish.  This is a bright, fun sparkler to enjoy before or during any meal! And from the review in Wine Enthusiast: "An enjoyable bubbly with good creamy froth, white peach, mineral and hard candy tones that are nicely balanced and spread throughout. It has a thick consistency and a snappy, crisp close". Consider Zonin Prosecco for your midnight toast on New Year's Eve, priced at $9.99 in the Bottle Club®.

If you prefer a domestic sparkling wine, we have a great suggestion for you. I have a couple of bottles of this in my wine 'fridge, because it's at that perfect intersection of price, value and quality: Gruet Brut.

French-born Gilbert Gruet learned to make wine in the Champagne region of France and then moved himself and his family to New Mexico. There, they set up production of one of the best tasting, best value sparkling wines in the country. Vineyards at an elevation of 4300ft. get hot in the day and very cool at night, producing great fruit with crisp acidity. You can see the "Méthode champenoise" designation on the label, and it definitely feels like a champagne.

Gruet Brut is a crisp and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated apple and citrus flavor. Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!  

The price? Only $12.99  in the Bottle Club®.
 
With so many Champagnes and other sparkling wines on our shelves, choosing can be difficult, especially if you don't often indulge. We hope these notes, drawn from our staff, the wineries and professional journals, will offer you some guidance. As always, don't hesitate to ask for assistance from our staff. Part 2 will be published tomorrow, with more outstanding selections for your consideration.

Wine, For The Wynn(s)

Wines from Australia can show a depth and range that compare favorably to what's being produced anywhere. Wynns "Black Label" Cabernet Sauvignon proves that. The 2010 vintage ranked as #85 in the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100, with 91 points, and also earned 90 points from Wine Advocate. 

First produced in 1954, and widely known as ‘Black Label’, Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has established a reputation for displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. A wine of style and stature, and a perennial favorite in auction circles, the ‘Black Label’ is one of Australia’s most collectable wines and Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. This is regularly priced at $38.99, but it's $32.99 in the Bottle Club®.   

Like Bordeaux or Rutherford in Napa, the Coonawarra terroir is vital to Wynns. And they take a really long view of things: Once the Earth’s tectonic plates had settled and its ancient oceans had receded, Coonawarra was left with that most precious of resources, a fresh water aquifer flowing beneath its limestone bedrock. This, combined with Coonawarra’s cool maritime climate provide the perfect conditions for Cabernet’s long growing season - a fact not lost on a Scotsman named John Riddoch, who planted the region’s first vineyards in 1891, before Samuel Wynn and son David continued his legacy from 1951. 

Coonawarra is on a fertile ridge that formed part of the limestone coast, a prehistoric coastline that was created over the course of twelve ice ages. Each ice age led to a retreating ocean, which in turn led to the creation of a limestone bedrock; a somewhat fortuitous foundation, whose free-draining qualities allow the vines to thrive all year round. A fact reflected in the subtle, chalky tannins of Wynns Coonawarra Estate ‘Black Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon.

Gift Giving Wrap-Up

We're down to the last two shopping days, so we thought that a quick summary of gift ideas would be a welcome time-saver.

1. Gift Cards. These handy stocking-stuffers are available in any denomination that you choose. Simply ask a cashier for a gift card, and you'll be finished in no time.

2. Gift Sets. Whether you're giving a gift set of beer, wine or spirits, we still have many options for you. Ask a store associate where they're located, if you need that assistance. And as a bonus, many gift sets are priced the same as the item is outside of the gift set.

3. Gift baskets. Our stores have a limited number, and they're only available while supplies last.

4. Food items. As we detailed in the BottleBlog last week, both stores have an amazing selection of cheese, meat, and related products.

5. Outstanding values. At both stores, our associates can help you find the best values, including some highly-rated wines at exceptional prices.

6. The newest products. Please scroll though this blog to find recent postings on our new products. Our associates can help you find these items in the stores.

7. Fun products. Our stores also have items like these candy canes, filled with 50ML spirits bottles.

From our family to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season.

Mulled Wine

Mulled wines are generally modeled after the spiced wines of the Renaissance era. They usually include cinnamon, cloves, and assorted spices. Warm mulled wines are to winter as sangria is to summer. On a winter’s evening, it is the perfect pairing for spiced ham, or for dessert: pumpkin pie, spice cookies or cake.

In 16th century England, Ipocras wine, both white and red, was a drink of the highest nobility. At a time when both sugar and spices were rare and precious, Ipocras was reserved for the use of royalty at the most precious ceremonial occasions. Indeed, Ipocras was the libation presented by the Lord Mayor of London to Queen Elizabeth I at her coronation. Ipocras (the name derives from Hippocrates) is very sweet and is generously flavored with several of the spices popular in old England. These include ginger, cinnamon, and clove, and they leave a wonderfully warm and lingering aftertaste. Fortunately, we live in a time where the makings of Ipocras are not so dear, and it may now be partaken of by the lesser nobility as well as you and me. (information courtesy pjmedia.com)

Today, Joe Canal's offers you choices in Mulled wine, whether you choose a ready-made product, or whether you prefer the DIY version.

You might try Mulled Spice Wine, from Tomasello Winery here in New Jersey.

Tomasello Mulled Spice Wine (NV) is made from a moderately sweet Native American grape, flavored with traditional mulling spices. Often served warm with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick, this wine has been called the perfect "après-ski" wine. A popular style of wine in the outdoor street markets and ski slopes of Europe, our Mulled Spice Wine is great for the holidays or any other cold winter night when you’d rather stay in. This is available for only $8.99 in both Lawrencevile and Woodbridge.

At our Woodbridge store only, we also carry Chaddsford Winery's (in SE PA) Spiced Apple Wine.

Apple, cinnamon & spice, just like Ma's apple pie. Heat it up in winter for a soothing hot mulled wine. And it's only $7.99 in the Bottle Club®.

For all of you DIYers, Lawrenceville carried the spices for mulling, at only $2.49. They're usually at one of the cash registers, so ask if you don't see the small display. A basic table wine is just fine here, so look for a red wine on display at the cash registers.

Or you could try this recipe, for up to 6 servings, from About.com:

Ingredients:
One bottle (750 ML) of red wine (suggestions: inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or Merlot)
One peeled and sliced orange (keep peel to add zest to taste into cooking pot)
1/4 cup of brandy (E&J or Christian Bros)
8-10 cloves
1/3 cup honey or sugar*
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp fresh or 2 tsp ground ginger (allspice can be substituted)

To prepare:
To make the perfect cup of mulled wine, combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure that the honey or sugar has completely dissolved. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to serve. Ladle the mulled wine into mugs (leave seasonings behind) and enjoy! * The 1/3 cup of honey or sugar does make a sweeter-styled mulled wine, feel free to cut honey/sugar down to taste. 

After several discussions of cold-weather cocktails, mulled wine will feel like a comfort food.

Hot Drinks for Cold Days

With all the cold, snowy weather we've had, it's easy to forget that we really haven't quite reached winter yet. To help get through more of that lousy weather, Joe Canal's is featuring a couple of drinks that pair perfectly with the cold, snowy days ahead.

The Captain Morgan® Black Toddy

Ingredients
25 oz (about one 750Ml bottle) Captain Morgan® Black Spiced Rum
17.5 oz fresh lemon juice (about a dozen lemons)
9 oz honey
24 pieces of clove
2 oz orange rind

In a large pot, combine Captain Morgan® Black Spiced Rum, lemon juice and hot water.Slowly add the honey, stirring to combine.
Pierce the orange rind with the cloves and float the studded rinds in the mixture.
Ladle the toddy into coffee mugs to serve.

That one was perfect for a crowd. If you have a quiet night at home, try the next one:

Kentucky Mulled Cider

Ingredients
1-1/4 parts Maker's Mark® Bourbon
Hot apple cider
1 thinly sliced lemon with rind
1 dash of allspice
1 tall cinnamon stick

Add Maker's Mark® Bourbon to a footed mug. Fill mug with hot apple cider and the dash of allspice. Garnish with a tall cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

And since coffee remains a popular base, try this:

Bushmills Irish Coffee

 

Ingredients
1.5 oz  Bushmills Irish Whiskey

1.5 oz hot coffee

1-2 tsp sugar
Slightly whipped double cream

Pour coffee into a warmed glass mug, add sugar to taste and stir to dissolve. Add Bushmills, then top with whipped cream, poured gently over the back of a spoon. Enjoy.

The Cheese Does NOT Stand Alone!

We all know how well wine pairs with cheese, but beer and spirits do as well. Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge stock an extensive assortment of cheese, meats, and related items, to help brighten your days. If you're looking for a stocking stuffer, or a shopping stress-reliever, you've got some great choices at Joe Canal's. And with prices starting below $5.00, these are budget-friendly options.

Our meats and cheeses come from Di Bruno Bros, a Philadelphia tradition since 1939. We carry about a dozen different cheese items, plus crackers, olive oils and mustards. Here are just some of the tasty selections in our coolers:

Asiago

This splendid and functional hard cheese gets its name from the small pine tree filled village of Asiago in northern Italy. Today, Asiago is produced with pasteurized cow's milk in the neighboring village of Veneto which has brought forth several different versions, the most popular being Asiago d' Allevo. This house aged Asiago can be seen as a delicious cross between provolone and cheddar. With a rind that ranges in color from a dark-wheat to a deep-black, DiBruno's aged Asiago has a one-of-a-kind sharp, creamy flavor that only comes with proper aging (about 1 year in house) and continuous taste testing by our family. This Asiago is most popular as a table cheese served with fresh fruit. Try it melted over dried figs! Aged Asiago also grates well over casseroles, gourmet pizzas, and minestrone soup.

Pair with Corsican wines, Cotes de Provence wines, or an India Pale Ale.

Cheddar with Irish Whiskey

The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and is considered a vegetarian cheese since its curds and whey are separated with vegetable rennet. This variety is Irish Whiskey, producing a nice tangy flavor and a mosaic pattern throughout the cheese. We enjoy this cheese in Irish fashion with some Rashers & Potatoes, or simply with crackers and a glass of Jameson. Alternately, pair with a full-bodied red wine, or a Belgian ale.

Gorgonzola Dolce

Along with Stilton, Cabrales and Roquefort, Gorgonzola can comfortably claim to be one of the four most renowned and respected blue cheeses on the planet. This classic version is mild and nearly buttery in texture, with mushroom notes and prevalent blue funk. At home in numerous applications, it is perhaps best enjoyed on bread with a drizzle of truffle honey and fresh fruit, or melted over steak and caramelized onions.

Pair with sparkling wines, or even a Lambrusco. Beer lovers, try this with a Lambic or a Chocolate Stout!

Manchego

Manchego is by far Spain's most popular cheese, not only in terms of local consumption, but also in export numbers. It is deserving of its acclaim. Made from the milk of sheep that feed on acorns, wild grasses and herbs, the resulting flavor is of toasted almonds and olives. Despite its age of six months, it is relatively moist, thanks in part to its weekly olive oil baths. There are two classic pairings for Manchego, being Membrillo and Marcona Almonds, and you would be wise to pair it up with Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Navarra or Malbec. On the beer side, try this with a lager or a pale ale.

Prima Donna

Created in the early 20th century in an attempt to combine the best qualities of Parmigiano and Gruyere, Prima Donna resembles classic Dutch Gouda in many ways. Prima Donna is full of sweet, crunchy crystallized bits of protein and has a rich butterscotch flavor but is made with partially skimmed milk and has a butterfat content of about 38 percent. The paste is pale yellow to deep gold with a scattering of eyes and small white crystalline flecks. Aged for roughly 16 months, Prima Donna Maturo is best paired with red grapes or honey roasted pecans and bold fruity wines such as Cabernet and Pinot Noir. You could also enjoy this with a dark, malty beer.

Bacon & Horseradish Cheese Spread

Di Bruno Bros. Bacon & Horseradish Cheese Spread combines the salty goodness of bacon with the aromatic bite of horseradish, making it a strong competitor for staff favorite. Enjoyed with crackers and breadsticks, Bacon & Horseradish is a flavorful snack that can be enjoyed any time. While delicious on its own, Di Bruno Bros. Bacon & Horseradish Cheese Spread truly shines in a grilled cheese or smothered over a prime rib sandwich.

Port Wine Cheese Spread

 

Combining sharp Wisconsin Cheddar with sweet Port Wine, this classic is sure to be a hit at your next tailgate. Enjoy our Port Wine Cheese Spread with crostini or rye bread and a glass of Framboise. The home chef may want to try combining Di Bruno Bros. Port Wine Cheese Spread with walnuts to create a decadent stuffing for pork tenderloin.

Roasted Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread

This one was a big hit with the Lawrenceville staff. The Roasted Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread is zesty and full of flavor, without the fire of Abbruzze. This cheese spread is perfect with crostini and even better on a chicken cutlet. For the home chef, try melting Di Bruno Bros. Roasted Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread into your sauce for a burst of Italian flavor in homemade Mac & Cheese.

Olive Oil Crostini

 

Overall, we stock about five different Crostinis. The distinct flavor of extra virgin olive oil is fused into our crunchy, twice-baked Crostini,which make an ideal one-on-one snack, although they reach their maximum potential in group settings with any of the many handmade cheese spreads and artisan cheeses.

Salami Toscana

Inspired by the fennel that grows wild in the hills of Tuscany, Olli Salumeria’s Toscano Salame is inflected with Florence fennel resulting in a potent, licorice-like quality.

The photos and descriptions are courtesy of Di Bruno Bros, and represent serving suggestions. All cheeses are sliced by hand, resulting in slight size variations. Not all products are available in both stores. Subject to availability. 

There's Still Time, But Not Much!!

Our stores will be open until 7pm on Christmas Eve, and now you have only six more days to shop. We'll have regular hours (9am-10pm) today through Saturday, 12/21. On Sunday, 12/22, our stores will be open 9am-9pm, offering two extra hours of shopping time. Monday will be 9am-10pm, and Tuesday, 12/24 we'll have an early start, opening at 7am, but closing early, at 7pm.

What else is new? Here's how we can answer that question:

Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is a bold, confident Scotch whisky as luxurious and indulgent as its name suggests. A multi-layered blend, it offers a smooth balance of sweet fruits and creaminess that evolves into deeper honeyed tones before finishing in lingering waves of wood, fruit, and light,
sweet west coast (of Scotland)smoke. This is on sale at $69.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Best enjoyed with soda, this vibrant blend is perfect for celebration, landmark moments, or any spirited
occasion shared with friends and family.

Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 2011

This delightful Burgundy received 92 points from Wine Spectator. Their review: "Smooth and fleshy, with macerated cherry and currant flavors that show hints of sandalwood and licorice. Graceful and beautifully integrated, with a long aftertaste of spice. Best from 2016 through 2025. 250 cases made." With that kind of cellaring potential, this is a great gift for the wine lover, as long as you keep one for yourself. Available in very limited quantities for $55.99 in the Bottle Club®.

The crop is 100% destemmed and slightly crushed before to be transferred into stainless steel tank. The punching of the cap is done twice a day BY FOOT.   The wine is then aged in French oak barrels (70% new) for 12 months.

Ruby color with black cherry hue.  Delicate nose which increases in intensity as the wine is opens. The nose reveals a beautiful red fruit bouquet where the morello cherry dominates, completed by a touch of backcurrant and cherry pit.  The tannins are delicate and ripened, and the wine, even if young, is very promising.  

Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 2008

To say that every reviewer loved this wine is to state the obvious: WA: 95 points; WS:94 points; WE:93 points; IWC:91 points; JS:93 points; AG:95 points. From Wine Spectator: "Violet, black currant and cherry aromas and flavors define this supple, harmonious Brunello, which is elegant and intense, with dusty yet ripe tannins lending support. It all comes together on the lingering, spice- and mineral-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2017 through 2035. 2,500 cases made." You can find this elsewhere for around $95.00, but at Joe Canal's it's only $61.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Bodegas El Nido Clio 2011, 1.5L

This classic Spaniard is 70% old vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers an intense nose of ripe black fruit, showing finesse and elegance. The wine is rich with roasted berry and cassis aromas and flavors, with accents of anise and espresso. A powerful, decadent wine.And because it's the 1.5 liter bottle, this will age very well, but it is better to share something like this. There are very limited quantities of this available as well, and it's priced at $79.99.

If you're still struggling with the exactly perfect gift, you can always see one our our friendly cashiers to purchase a gift card in any denomination of your choosing.

No ugly sweater, and it will be the right size!

Snow is White, Wine is White

Although the cold, snowy weather we've had recently has trended many of us toward red wine, or maybe a single malt Scotch, an easy-drinking white wine is always a crowd-pleaser. One of our newest white wines is the Leitz Rheingau QbA Riesling.

The Leitz 2012 Rheingau Riesling is a delicate and sophisticated entry to the estate. This QbA is not produced in the sweet, syrupy style that many wines in this price range tend to be. Johannes Leitz knows that this wine always needs to be about balance, eschewing high sugar levels in favor of a wine like this that is a delicious aperitif, and extremely versatile at the table. Johannes takes great pride in the high quality of his entry level wines; “Drinking Riesling can be similar to playing music” he says. “If you give someone a low quality violin and try to teach them to play, they might not like what they hear and not want to play again.  If you give a novice something really good to begin, it excites them and whets the appetite for even more interesting and complex wines.”

Four different soil types where Riesling is commonly grown: From L, Grey Slate, Quartz and Quartzite, Red Slate witn Quartzite and Loess Quartzite Oder

That grabbed the attention of Brandon Bartfalvi, Senior Wine Manager at our Lawrenceville store.

Brandon then grabbed a bottle for himself. His review: "An off-dry Riesling offering crisp green apple and pear flavors that rest on a mineral-laden core with zippy acidity that keeps the sweetness in check. This leans more toward dry than sweet and offers a lot of personality for the price. I'm buying a case just to have around for the holidays! Going for sushi?? Take a couple bottles with you!"

Sophisticated enough for a gift or for a special occasion, this Leitz Riesling is priced like an everyday wine, at only $9.96  in the Bottle Club®. 

The Delivery Trucks Can't Unload

Fast enough, that is. Our loading docks have been scenes of frenetic activity for about two months, leading up to these last few days before Christmas. Check our earlier blog posts for additional gift ideas, as we're going to talk about new products now.

Aubry Brut NV Champagne is the latest true Champagne to arrive in our stores. Aubry received 92 points from WA, and 90 from IWC. Priced at only $34.99 in the Bottle Club®, it's among our lowest priced Champagnes. From the WA review: " The NV Brut Premier Cru is a gorgeous wine, and a great introduction to the house style. Lemon, white flowers, mint, crushed rocks are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass as this refined Champagne shows off its impeccable class and total pedigree. The Premier Cru is 45% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 5% Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau. The high percentage of red grapes is felt in the wine’s breadth, while the aromas and flavors remain fresh, vibrant and beautifully nuanced throughout. This is a fabulous entry-level offering. Disgorgement date: June 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016."

Each of our stores will get a small allocation of the 2010 Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay. This received 95 points from Antonio Galloni, of Vinous. His review: "Honeysuckle, tangerine, apricot, and crème brulee literally jump from the glass. A vivid, exotic wine, that is constantly changing in the glass. Stylistically, the 2010 is a little richer than Mount Eden fans are used to, but all the elements are in the right place. Th e 2010 verges on the edge of tropical aromas and flavors that are quite rare for young Mount Eden Chardonnays. Ideally, the 2010 is best left alone for a few years to allow some of the baby fat to drop off. I imagine it will always be a bit on the exotic side."

The view at Mount Eden

We also have received the 2010 Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir. Another Domaine Serene wine finished at #3 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2013, so they clearly know how to make great wine. And the Yamhill Cuvee did score 91 points from Wine Spectator. Priced at $39.99 in the Bottle Club®, it's sure to be a hit at the Christmas dinner, whether it's ham, goose, turkey or vegetarian.

From the Domaine Serene tasting notes: "Consistent from vintage to vintage as the “little sister” of the Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir, the Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir is a blend from each of our vineyard sites that results in a vibrant, food friendly Pinot Noir.  This wine has an aroma profile that consists of red fruit, minerality, sweet and complex spice, earth and a hint of French oak.  The palate offers youthful tannins and balanced acidity which lead to a smooth and graceful finish.  The Yamhill Cuvée  is approachable in its youth while maintaining the elegance and finesse of a Domaine Serene Pinot Noir." And this is what Wine Spectator had to say: "A lively, lithe and inviting red, offering an array of red fruit, floral and spice overtones that come together on the focused and deftly balanced finish. Drink now through 2018."

New products, and new vintages or items we've previously carried, will continue to arrive in our stores. Just ask one of our associates "what's new?" the next time you're in one of our stores. Just make sure you have time to hear about all of the new products.

Cooking with Joe Canal's

It's the time of year when home-made everything seems to be a first choice, even with our busy lives. We thought we'd share a few recipes with you that include ingredients that you can find at our stores.

Bourbon Chocolate Bread Pudding (from food52.com)
Serves 6

•     2 cups whole milk
•     4 eggs
•     1/3 cup bourbon
•     8 ounces 72% dark chocolate, chopped
•     4 cups day-old French bread cubes (packed)
•     1/2 cup turbinado sugar

-Preheat oven to 350.

-Whisk together milk, eggs, and bourbon. In a large bowl, combine the liquids with the chocolate, bread cubes, and sugar. Toss to coat and set aside to soak for about 45 minutes. Gently stir once or twice while soaking.

-Pour mixture into a 1.5 quart baking dish. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the custard has set and the top of the pudding is slightly crispy (be careful not to overcook). Serve warm or at warm temperature.

If you need Bourbon for this recipe only, ask at Customer Service for 375ML ("pint") or 200ML ("half-pint") bottles. We carry Knob Creek in the pint size at both stores, and Jim Beam and Woodford Reserve are available in Lawrenceville.

Pasta with Shrimp, Spinach and Lemon Garlic

Several Joe Canal's team members visited St. Francis Winery, in Sonoma County, earlier this year. They have an award-winning restaurant there, and were just voted Best Restaurant in the US by Open Table readers. This dish, which will pair beautifully with the St. Francis Sonoma Chardonnay, is best viewed at their web site: Pasta with Shrimp, Spinach, and Lemon-Garlic - Pasta - Categories - Recipes - Culinary - St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

If you enjoy cooking, you should definitely check their many other recipes.

 

Corn-Jalapeno Cakes with Smoked Salmon

From Chateau Ste. Michelle. Follow the link to the recipe and pair with their Sauvignon Blanc.

http://www.ste-michelle.com/wine-and-food/recipes/corn-jalapeno-cakes-with-smoked-salmon

 

Main Course Suggestions

Castello Banfi, a winery that this writer was fortunate to have visited last year, offers a number of recipes for all courses on their web site. Follow/copy and paste this link for main course suggestions from the heart of Tuscany:

http://www.castellobanfi.com/pdf_files/MainCourses.pdf

 

Beer Braised Shrimp with Louisiana Salsa and Rice

From Abita Beer, who learned this from Rachel Ray. Again, follow/copy and paste the link. You'll be happy that you did:

http://abita.com/brews/recipes/beer-braised-shrimp-with-louisiana-salsa-and-rice

 

With just this small sampling of recipes, we've illustrated how the wine, beer and spirits that are available at Joe Canal's can add sop much to your meals. And we've also shown that our partner wineries, brewers and distillers can provide crowd-pleasing recipes on their own web sites. So when you need a fresh meal idea, check the web site for your favorite brand; they just might have the answer for you.