Come In Out Of The Rain

On days like this, you need a really good reason to stop in at Joe Canal's. We're prepared to give you several.

You need an easy-drinking red wine to warm you up tonight. Our newest everyday red is the Nicodemi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Terrana. This wine exhibits impressive, surprisingly delicious and authentic characteristics. With bright fruitiness, good structure, well-rounded character, it can go with any meal, from pizza to pasta to a juicy steak. And at $8.76 in the Bottle Club®, it over-delivers for a weeknight wine.

Cold, raw evenings also suggest Scotch whisky to some people. We've blogged previously about the Lost Distillery, the company that is re-creating some of the long-gone brands from Scotland. The latest line extension is Gerston.

The story of Gerston whisky is a tale of two distilleries, known as Gerston One and Gerston Two. Gerston One was a family-owned farm- house scale distillery, with a typically small output, making high quality spirit that was in demand both at home and further afield. It was enjoyed by the great and good of London society and had customers as far apart as Brazil and India. It existed for over eighty years, and remained in the Swanson family for nearly all of that time.

Gerston Two was an industrial scale distillery with a capacity of 80,000 gallons of spirit per year. The owners hoped to emulate the success of the whisky from Gerston One by building a new distillery, which had a capacity almost ten times the size of Gerston One. When it was opened in 1886 it was arguably the most innovative and modern distillery in Scotland, and certainly the largest distillery in Caithness. Its design utilized a natural fall in the land, which allowed gravity to govern the process and the movement of liquids. Production at Gerston Two lasted for little over two decades – they were unable to replicate the success and, importantly, quality of spirit previously associated with the Gerston name.

We currently have the Gerston Deluxe in stock, and Gerston Vintage will likely be added when it is finally available. Here are the tasting notes on the Deluxe, which comes in at 46% ABV.

Aroma: Light malt loaf to start, with sultanas and a trace of allspice. After a while a very slight steamy/smoky note, and hints of hard toffee. The smoky/maritime note increases over time, but becomes dirty (exhaust fumes) when water is added.

Taste: Smooth texture, sweet taste with smoke in the finish and a mineral twist. Water softens the texture; less sweet but still smoky, and a lingering smokiness in the aftertaste. Available for $56.49.

One quick reminder for each store. Look for samples of Margaritas in Lawrenceville this Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. In Woodbridge, we'll be sampling Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps on Saturday, from 1-3pm.

Your Daily Bordeaux

For some oenophiles, only a Bordeaux will do. For the rest of us, a Bordeaux can be a somewhat mysterious wine. After all, French wine doesn't usually have a varietal breakdown on the label. Statistics show that well over 90% of all wines purchased in the US are opened and enjoyed within a few days of purchase, so it would seem that the best of all worlds would have a desirable, non-mysterious and easy-drinking Bordeaux priced so that it can be enjoyed  any day of the week. May we suggest Les Charmes de Magnol Médoc 2011?


Les Charmes de Magnol is a special selection made by the Barton & Guestier winemaking team in the prestigious Médoc appellation. The Medoc parcels offer the perfect soil to the two famous Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine is vinified with strict controls for quality. After the alcoholic fermentation in vats at high temperature (30-32°C) with daily pumping over and three weeks maceration, the malolactic fermentation takes place in vats. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 6 months.

Tasting notes: Deep purple red color. Intense and complex on the nose, developing ripe fruits, plums and spicy notes. With air, flattering tobacco and coffee hints appear. On the palate, the wine offers a velvety tannic structure with very ripe fruit aromas. The finish is long and elegant. This will pair nicely with wild mushroom risotto, pasta dishes, grilled duck, or strong cheese.

Priced at only $11.96 in the Bottle Club®, we think Les Charmes de Magnol is an all-around winner of a wine. 

Mixology Monday

David Rudd, Woodbridge Manager and resident mixologist, offers a margarita recipe that will improve your Cinco de Mayo parties.

The Grand Raspberry Peach Margarita

This is a luxurious twist on the classic margarita: try mixing two measures of Camarena tequila with one measure each of Grand Marnier™ Raspberry Peach, fresh lime and simple syrup, shaken with ice and served up in a chilled martini glass for an elegant and fruity celebration this Cinco de Mayo.

With Cinco de Mayo coming up next week, we thought we'd add to David's recipe. May we suggest:

The Camarena Red Splash

1.5 oz. Camarena Silver Tequila
3 oz. Lemon lime soda
Splash of cranberry juice
ice

Combine Camarena Silver Tequila with lemon lime soda in a rocks glass filled with ice. Add a splash of cranberry juice. Garnish with lemon or orange peel.

The next cocktail take a little Cinco de Mayo, and adds summertime.

The Herradura Brisa

1.5 oz. Herradura Silver
2 oz. Fresh Lemonade
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice

Combine ingredients in shaker, shake vigorously and strain into rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a squeeze of lime.

How about one more, but a little different? For the last cocktail, we're using Patrón XO Cafe. You'll find it on the shelves with the coffee and cream liqueurs, rather than with the tequilas.

Patrón XO Cafe Mini Stout

2 oz Patrón XO Cafe
1 oz Maloney's Irish cream

Pour Patrón XO Cafe into a glass. Top off with Irish cream. You can even add a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy.

Grab Bag Friday

At the end of a long work week, it's nice to have a bunch of different items to review. Without further ado, let's hit the Grab Bag!

Events

Both stores are hosting after-hours events (7:30pm-9:30pm) on Sunday.  In Lawrenceville, we're hosting Ladies' Night Out. For a modest registration fee, you can sample up to 20 wines, cheese from Di Bruno Bros, enjoy shopping with expert assistance, and see demos from It Works!, Thirty-One Gifts, and other vendors. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Womanspace. Click here for more details, or RSVP directly via email to Store Manager Toni Carver.

In Woodbridge, we're hosting the Ladies' Night Wine Tasting & Art Show. There will also be 20 wines to sample, along with Di Bruno Bros cheese. We have arranged for local artists to exhibit, and offer for sale, their work. And because the proceeds benefit Angel PAWS of Colonia, you can have a great time while supporting a worthy cause. Click here for more details, or RSVP directly via email to Wine Manager Debbie Miller Nelson.

Tonight's specialty tapping in Woodbridge is Clown Shoes Beer Co. Tramp Stamp Belgian IPA. 6:00pm.

Both stores will also host their regular weekend wine tastings. In Lawrenceville, the Friday hours are 4:00pm-6:00pm, and it's 2:00pm-4:00pm on Saturday.  For Woodbridge, the Friday hours are also 4:00pm-6:00pm, while the Saturday hours are 1:00pm-3:00pm.

Here are a few calendar items of note, for planning you schedule through Memorial Day weekend.

In Lawrenceville:
Saturday, May 3, 10:00am-2:00pm, Free Margarita samples
Friday, May 23, 4:00pm-6:00pm, free tasting of Michter's Whiskey
Saturday, May 24, 1:00pm-3:00pm, Free Hot Dogs (while supplies last), plus a visit from the Bud Light Lime-a-Rita car

In Woodbridge:
Saturday, May 24, 1:00pm-3:00pm, Free Soft Pretzels (while supplies last)

Looking just a bit further out, both stores will offer engraving for purchases of Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select, Woodford Reserve, Woodford Reserve Double Oak, and Herradura Tequila. The engraving will be available on June 8; Lawrenceville 2-5, and Woodbridge 4-7.

Ripped From The Headlines

Powdered Alcohol gets government approval. The news story. The company web site.
Or maybe it doesn't. An updated news story.

What's New

We received a small supply of the 2010 Quintessa. According to Winemaker Charles Thomas, this is "A beautiful deep ruby color reveals bright black cherry, cola and warm spice aromas mingled with white chocolate, delicate floral layers and a crème brulée vanilla note from the sweet oak. Generous forward fruit and a supple, silky texture enrobe the palate with cola and nutmeg notes filling out deeply layered black fruit flavors. The finish is rich, dense and refined, lifted by ample lingering fruit." Wine Spectator rated it at 92 points, saying, " Pure, rich and supple, with a mix of mocha, dark berry, cedar and black licorice notes, all coming together on the finish. The tannins keep the reverberating flavors in check. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. Drink now through 2026."

The 2010 Quintessa carries a retail price of $179.99, but is available in the Bottle Club ® for $144.99.

Both stores also have a limited quantity of the Chateau La Tour Figeac St. Emilion 2010. This Bordeaux scored 92 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate, 92-94 from Wine Enthusiast, and 91 from Tanzer. From Wine Spectator: "A solid, fleshy style, with ganache and tobacco up front, followed by ample layers of plum sauce, steeped fig and dark currant preserves. A ganache edge lingers nicely through the finish, with a tarry echo as well. There's power to this, but ultimately the wine has purity at its core. Best from 2015 through 2030."

This is priced at $44.99 in the Bottle Club®. 

Have a great weekend, everyone. Please feel free to leave comments or questions. See you next week.

The New Review

It's time for us to take an extended look at some of the new items that either have just arrived, or will be on our shelves within the next couple of days.

Chloe Pinot Grigio

The Chloe Chardonnay has been a big success, so we've added their Pinot Grigio. This wine has alluring aromatics that lead into a fruit-forward palate with crisp, racy acid and a generous mouthfeel.

Chloe Pinot Grigio displays flavors of ripe, juicy white peach, melon and apple with beautiful honeysuckle and subtle Meyer lemon. It is bright, classic, and has a refreshing and pure panache.

This Pinot Grigio comes from the northern Italian region of Valdadige, and is priced at only $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Dow's Vintage Port, 2007

A must-have is you're serious about dessert wines, and it's only available in limited quantities. High-quality vintage Ports aren't the norm; Dow’s Vintage Ports are only produced in years of exceptional quality and represent only a very small part of the total company’s production in that year. On average only two or three times every ten years are the weather conditions sufficiently good to allow for the making of Dow’s Vintage Port.

Dow’s Ports avoid an over-rich style and requires a very high degree of skill in wine making and great experience in selecting the finest wines of each year and each vineyard. These wines are aged in seasoned oak casks for some 18 months and are bottled without any filtration or fining whatsoever.

Dow Vintage Ports can be enjoyed when vibrant and young or they can be allowed to age for many years in bottle into a soft and delicate wine of velvet-like elegance.

This wine scored a perfect 100 from Wine Spectator, rating as #14 of the WS Top 100 in 2010. Their review: "Amazing aromas of lilac, violet, crushed blueberry and mineral that turn to black pepper and spices follow through to a full-bodied, medium-sweet palate, with a long, chewy finish. Evolves to tar and asphalt. Really held back, yet powerful grip slaps you—and makes you happy. This is mind-blowing in texture. The greatest Dow ever made. Best after 2022." The other reviewers liked this as well: 96 points from Wine Enthusiast, 95 from Tanzer, and 94 from Wine Advocate.

This collectable wine is priced at $148.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Lunetta Prosecco

Lunetta, (“Little Moon” in Italian) celebrates life’s small pleasures. Lunetta Prosecco is produced by Cavit, internationally recognized as northern Italy’s largest and most reliable source of quality varietal wines, at Cavit’s state-of-the-art sparkling wine facility just outside the regional capital of Trento. It is the largest facility in Italy dedicated exclusively to producing world-class sparkling wines.

It is fragrant, with enticing aromas of apple and peach. On the palate, refreshing, dry and harmonious, with crisp fruit flavors and a clean finish. Like any excellent sparkling wine, it's delightful as an aperitif or enjoyed with antipasti, hors d'oeuvres, sushi, shellfish and seafood.Only $10.49 in the Bottle Club®.

Stone Saison

In spring 2011, Stone bought the farm, literally, taking over 19 acres of fertile Southern California soil where they now grow pristine fruits, vegetables, herbs and more for the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens restaurants. A taste of Stone's homespun farm-to-tableism is provided in this farmhouse ale stoked with lemon zest, plus lemon thyme and lavender straight from Stone Farms. This spring-to-summer saison is citric and herbal on the palate with a dry, peppery finish. Thanks to the infusion of fresh West Coast ingredients, this isn’t your everyday saison. It’s 100% Stone. Celebrate the sunny season with an authentic taste of our farm and, with it, Stone's commitment to quality.



Please note that we're getting new items almost every weekday, and we also get great discounted items on a regular basis. Please check in with one of our team members for assistance.

Here's What's Happening

It seems like there's always something going on at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. From celebrity appearances to wine and spirits tastings, specialty Growler tappings to special events, plus free food and other give-aways, you're sure to find something interesting at our stores. As if our state-leading low prices and excellent service wasn't already reason enough to bring you in.

This coming Sunday, April 27, both stores are hosting after-hours events that you really should know more about.

In Lawrenceville, it's Ladies' Night Out.  Running from 7:30 to 9:30pm, Ladies' Night Out features wine tastings, free food, and much more. The advance registration is $8, and $10 at the door, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Womanspace.

Ladies' Night Out in Lawrenceville, 2013

There will be 20 wines available for tasting, with wine experts on hand to guide you through the selections. You can sample Di Bruno Bros cheese, and see demos from Mary Kay, Thirty-One Gifts and other vendors. You'll also be able to shop anywhere in the store in a more relaxed environment.

To RSVP, please call the store at 609-520-0008, or email Store Manager Toni Carver. Click here to visit our web site for additional details.

In Woodbridge, it's the Ladies' Night Wine Tasting and Art Show. There will also be 20 wines to sample, as well as exhibits from local artists that you can also purchase. You can sample cheese from Di Bruno Bros and enjoy music by WDHA. Cocktails will also be available for purchase. Advance registration is $15 ($20 at the door), with all proceeds being donated to Angel PAWS of Colonia.

Take advantage of the opportunity to shop on a Sunday night. With Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day and graduations coming soon, you can have a fun night and get important shopping out of the way at the same time.

To RSVP for the Ladies' Night Wine Tasting and Art Show, please call the store at 732-726-0077, or email Wine Manager Debbie Miller Nelson. Click here to visit our web site for additional details.  

Whether you attend Ladies' Night Out in Lawrenceville, or the Ladies' Night Wine Tasting and Art Show in Woodbridge, you'll have a fun and memorable evening.

Ladies' Night Out in Lawrenceville, 2013

There are other events coming up in the next few weeks that we'd like to bring to your attention, since they're new to our calendar.

There will be Cinco de Mayo margarita samples in Lawrenceville on Saturday, May 3, from 10am to 2pm.

Lawrenceville will host a tasting of Michter's whiskey on May 23. Michter's is one of the oldest whiskey brands on the market, having been established circa 1750. Michter's is now distilled in Kentucky, where the climate and water are perfect for whiskey. Joe Canal's carries Michter's Small Batch, Sour Mash, and Straight Rye.

For Memorial Day weekend, both stores will have food give-aways, on Saturday, May 24, from 1-3pm, while supplies last. You can grab hot dogs in Lawrenceville, and soft pretzels in Woodbridge.

Except for May 23 in Lawrenceville, we will have our regular Friday/Saturday wine tastings in each store.

No purchase is necessary to sample the items listed above. 21 and over, with proper ID, for all events and tastings.

Helping Summer Arrive

In mythology, a Banshee is a spirit, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the underworld. Forget mythology; In California, a Banshee is a great new wine.

Banshee Wines was founded by three friends from the Midwest and East Coast who shared a passion for wine and a lifelong dream of owning their own winery. Their  fascination with wine started early in life. While their peers were drinking Milwaukee's Best, they had an affinity towards collecting European wines and hosting dorm room wine tastings. Post-college, each pursued a career in the wine industry, ranging from importing wines, to winemaking, to distribution and sales. When their paths ultimately converged in San Francisco, they shared many meals, bottles of wine, concerts, and laughs with one another. In 2009 they pooled their money together to make the first vintage of Banshee Wines Pinot Noir, which sold out in three short months. By the end of the year, Banshee Wines was their full-time pursuit.

The Banshee guys are passionate about creating benchmark wines from California’s iconic vineyards as well as crafting soulful blends that don't break the bank. When they’re not making wine you can find them preparing grand multi-course meals, sabering Champagne bottles, seeking out the nearest swimming hole, or dancing on tabletops. Classic guy activities.

Pinot Noir in the vineyard

2013 was a great year for making rosé and we suspect 2014 will be an even better year for drinking it.  The vintage offered Pinot Noir possessing nuanced layers of fruit and great tension, enabling Banshee to make the kind of lively, pale, fragrant and vivacious rosé that we all love.  It is an absolute knockout successor to the previous vintage (which is still tasting wonderful one year later).

The 2013 certainly benefited from Banshee's expanded vineyard sourcing.  It contains elements of 10 different Sonoma Coast vineyards including all of their single vineyard sources.  The wine was created using about 50% saignée and 50% direct to press methods. 90% of the wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel while the remainder was aged in neutral white wine barrels giving us a nice textural component.

Tasting Notes

Once again this is a wine of flirtatious hints.  The flavors are all early spring freshness as opposed to mid-summer lushness.  White flowers and apricot blossom aromas lead into kumquat, wild mountain strawberry, stone fruit and mint flavors all riding atop a pringly spine of acidity.  Open bottles disappear quickly. Only $17.96 in the Bottle Club®.

May Days

The first week of May has two classic holidays competing for your attention: The Kentucky Derby (always the first Saturday in May) and Cinco de Mayo. We'll help you properly prepare for those very festive occasions.

The Kentucky Derby

Before we get to the featured cocktails, two words about Kentucky cuisine: Hot Brown. Being from around here, I'd never heard of the Hot Brown until our visit to the Buffalo Trace distillery last year. There, our lunch was a Hot Brown. It's a now-classic sandwich (with many derivatives) invented at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby. So if you're feeling like you need a little something extra Southern for your Derby party, try this recipe from the Brown Hotel:

Ingredients (this makes 2 sandwiches)
-1 1/2 tablespoons salted butter
-1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-1 1/2 cups heavy cream 
-1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, plus extra for garnish
-Pinch of ground nutmeg
-Salt and pepper
-14 oz. sliced roasted turkey breast, slice thick
-4 slices of Texas toast (crusts trimmed)
-4 slices of bacon
-2 Roma tomatoes, sliced in half
-Paprika
-Parsley

In a two-quart saucepan, melt butter and slowly whisk in flour until combined to form a thick paste or roux. Continue to cook roux for 2 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Whisk heavy cream into the roux and cook over medium heat until the cream begins to simmer, about 2-3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and slowly whisk in Pecorino-Romano cheese until the Mornay sauce is smooth. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.

For each Hot Brown, place one slice of toast in an oven safe dish and cover with 7 oz. turkey. Take the two halves of Roma tomato and two toast points and set them alongside the base of turkey and toast. Pour half of the sauce over the dish, completely covering it. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until cheese begins to brown and bubble. Remove and cross two pieces of crispy bacon on top. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley and serve immediately.

The cocktail associated with the Kentucky Derby is, of course, the Mint Julep. And since Woodford Reserve is the Official Bourbon of the Derby (fewer than a dozen of the 2014 edition Derby bottles of Woodford Reserve remain, total, for both stores), we'll make our Mint Julep with Woodford.

-2 cups sugar
-2 cups water
-Sprigs of fresh mint
-Crushed ice
-Woodford Reserve Bourbon
-Silver Julep Cups (Collins glass is an alternative)

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Woodford Reserve. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Cinco de Mayo

While you can find all of the Corona, Modello and Dos Equis that you might want at Joe Canal's, why not celebrate with a Margarita as well. This recipe is per drink; increase the quantities for a punch bowl.

Ingredients
1 oz. Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
2 oz. Freshly squeezed lime juice
½ oz. Triple Sec
½ Cup ice (or more)
Salt
Lime wedge

How to Prepare
Rub the rim of a chilled margarita glass with the lime and dip into salt to coat it. In a cocktail shaker, combine Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila and orange liquor lime juice and ice. Shake vigorously and strain drink into the garnished glass filled with ice.

With these two special dates, the first weekend of May is sure to be very busy at Joe canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. We suggest you shop early for the best service and selection.

Grab Bag, Good Friday Edition

It's the Good Friday Grab Bag. Both stores are open normal hours today.

Easter Sunday Store Hours

Both our Lawrenceville and Woodbridge locations will be open from 10am to 4pm on Easter Sunday.

Tastings and Tappings

Neither store has a scheduled wine tasting this weekend. The regular schedule will resume next weekend.

Tonight, at 6pm, the Woodbridge store will tap Clown Shoes Clementine White Ale.

Events

Lawrenceville will host Ladies' Night Out on Sunday, April 27, 7:30pm - 9:30pm. The details are here, and you can RSVP via email to Store Manager Toni Carver.

At Woodbridge, it's the Ladies' Night Wine Tasting & Art Show, also on Sunday, April 27, 7:30pm - 9:30pm. Details are here, and you can RSVP via email to Wine Manager Debbie Miller Nelson.

Please note that both events are after regular store hours, and you'll be able to shop throughout the stores.

The Father's Day bottle engraving will arrive on Sunday, June 8, from 2-5 in Lawrenceville, and 4-7 in Woodbridge. Eligible for engraving are purchases of Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select, Woodford Reserve, Woodford Reserve Double Oak, and Herradura Tequila.

Joe Canal's Fest will be held in Woodbridge on June 15, and in Lawrenceville on June 22. Details will be released soon.

New Products

Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rioja Reserva 2005 is now in stock. With an impressive 92 point rating from Wine Advocate,  Hacienda Lopez de Haro is a great choice for any day, because it's an outstanding wine that carries a Bottle Club® price of only $11.96. 

Hacienda López de Haro Reserva is a round, gentle and complex wine, made with Tempranillo and Graciano varieties, and with a classic aging of 20 months in French and American oak barrels. A medium depth wine featuring an attractive ruby red color, which denotes a long aging in barrel and bottle. Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rioja Reserva presents a complex aroma, highlighting red fruit, perfectly combined with spicy notes and a slight char, which is provided by its long aging in French and American oak barrels. Fruity sensations and the complex character provided by its good aging dominate on the palate, with vanilla and spicy notes given by the French and American oak. 

Grey Goose Le Melon is the latest addition to the flavored vodka category. It has a strong bouquet of freshly cut melon, subtle notes of melon rind, and hints of banana and pears. It's very bright on the palate, with strong overtones of juicy melon leading into lighter notes of white citrus and almond. This might be your next summer vodka. Only $29.99 in the Bottle Club®.

We already carry a number of Captain Morgan products, with the Captain's Spiced Rum being a strong category leader. We've just added Captain Morgan White Rum to both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. 

The pristine waters of the Caribbean inspired the creation of Captain Morgan White Rum. A white rum that is five times distilled and made with fine cane molasses, Captain Morgan White Rum is as smooth as the Captain himself. The 1.75L size is on sale in the Bottle Club® for only $25.94.

If you're a connoisseur of fine whiskey, then the next new product is for you.

We now have an extremely limited supply of Crown Royal XR (Extra Rare).  Taste the rarest in the Crown Royal Extra Rare Whisky Series, handcrafted with a unique blend that includes the final batch of whiskies from the renowned LaSalle distillery (that distillery operated from 1924 to 1993). Located on the island of Montreal, the LaSalle distillery produced whiskies with a unique richness, attributed to the fine water surrounding the island. The resulting whiskies were full-bodied and exceptionally smooth. This 750ML bottle is priced at $159.99.

Ripped From The Headlines

For brewers and distillers, it's common practice to provide leftover grain to farmers as cattle feed. The FDA is proposing changes. Read about it here.

The Wall Street Journal - Europe discusses Barolo as a great wine that is still reasonably priced. Read the article here, then seek out a Barolo from our wine team.

From the Joe Canal's family to yours, our best wishes for a Happy Easter.

A Six-Pack of New

Every vendor of ours was rushing to make deliveries in time for Easter. If it's Thursday, then they just made it. And while we're on the subject of Easter, our stores will be open from 9am to 4pm on Sunday. Here are six of the newest products to grace our shelves.

Great Divide 20th Anniversary Ale

This Belgian-style Ale is a golden example of Great Divide's traditional bold character, but with a little something special to commemorate this milestone. Fermented with Viognier grape juice, 20th Anniversary is both delicate and assertive. Big without being brutish, cunning without being cloying, this is a grown-up beer for a big-time celebration. 8.2% ABV.

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is another revered incarnation of their legendary imperial stout. They toned down the hops a bit to allow cocoa nibs to contribute some pleasing bitterness, while vanilla notes from the oak combine with the cocoa to create an aroma and flavor akin to a gourmet chocolate bar. A dash of cayenne keeps things lively, adding just a bit of heat to the finish. Another great Yeti? Hell yes. 9.5% ABV.  Both Anniversary and Yeti are available in 22oz Bombers.

Now the "Six-Pack" reference in the title of this post refers to the total number of new products that we'll discuss; it's not completely about the beer today. For our beer lovers, please watch our social media on Monday's, as that's when we'll highlight most of the anticipated deliveries.

Stickybeak Cabernet Sauvignon

From the winery notes: "They say curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. There are so many sides to Napa Cabernet, although we lean toward the least trodden path - true Cabernet aromatics of violets, blackcurrant, perfumed spice and leafy notes with a seamless palate that is not overdone. Well, it almost got the better of us, but finding both a Napa valley floor and hillside vineyard to express this seamless balance was the reward we needed.

Our objective is to create a seamless Cabernet Sauvignon - nothing overdone, especially the oak. To achieve this, we sought vineyards from both the valley floor in Rutherford and Oakville, and the high reaches of Diamond Mountain. The blend of earthy, fruit driven Cabernet from the valley floor combined with chiseled hillside tannins and acidity is very appealing. This, along with a small parcel of Merlot, gave us our desired palate weight and texture.

2011 was a cooler year in Napa, which is reflected in the earthy notes and minerality on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fleshy and ripe, with notes of red currant, chocolate and coffee. Rich and deep, the wine has finely structured tannins and just a hint of eucalyptus on the finish." Only $14.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Efe Raki

From the "you haven't tried this yet?" files, we introduce Efe Raki. Raki is an unsweetened, anise-flavored alcoholic beverage that's often enjoyed as an aperitif. Raki is closely associated with Turkish culture, and it is the national drink.

Efe is the first privately-run Raki producer in Turkey, and we'll carry their Classic (Blue) and Fresh Grapes labels. 

Efe Fresh Grape Raki is produced from fresh grapes ripening under the Aegean Sun, Efe Fresh Grape Raki has an indispensable taste for Raki lovers with a flavor that appeals to different palates.

Efe Fresh Grapes is the premium and smoother version of Classic Blue Efe.
 
Selected top-quality grapes and anise seeds of the Aegean coast gives Efe Raki its distinct taste and unmistakeable aroma every time. Triple-distilled grape alcohol is re-distilled in pot stills to offer the quality that is appreciated by even the most discriminating Raki drinkers. 

Banshee Rose of Pinot Noir 2013

Seriously, summer will be here, and you'll want a beautiful Rose on hand.  

2013 was a great year for making rosé and the summer of 2014 will be an even better time for drinking it.  The vintage offered Pinot Noir possessing nuanced layers of fruit and great tension, enabling Banshee to make the kind of lively, pale, fragrant and vivacious rosé that everyone loves.  It is an absolute knockout.

This is a wine of flirtatious hints.  The flavors are all early spring freshness as opposed to mid-summer lushness.  White flowers and apricot blossom aromas lead into kumquat, wild mountain strawberry, stone fruit and mint flavors all riding atop a pringly spine of acidity.  Open bottles disappear quickly. 

Only $17.96 in the Bottle Club®.

So there's the 411 on 6 new items. Please stop in on Friday for the Grab Bag.

Previews

It's that day - the day we take a look at some of the newest products in our stores, or that are about to arrive.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon

Old Scout is blended from 6 and 7 year old barrels with a high rye content of 36%. This fine whiskey has the exceptional taste and smoothness that comes with age. Non chill filtered, non carbon filtered. A robust 99 proof, it’s strong, but deliciously drinkable like all of Smooth Ambler’s offerings. Bold, sweet-spicy flavors with subtle apple, cherry and tobacco aroma. Smooth Ambler is a craft distiller from West Virginia, where they know a thing or two about making whiskey. Old Scout received an impressive 95 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Smooth Ambler Old Scout is available in very limited quantities for only $34.99.

Rombauer Napa Zinfandel

Year after year, the Rombauer Napa Chardonnay is one of the most requested white wines in our stores. We've now brought in another of their wines, the 2011 Zinfandel. From the winemaker notes:  "Rich, deep purple color with a dark red hue. Opening with vibrant boysenberry and black cherry aromas. Subtle hints of spice and licorice aromas follow, inviting a taste. Jammy, luscious wild berry and cinnamon flavors weave across the palate for a succulent mouth-feel. Fresh acidity and soft tannins round out the blackberry flavored finish." This is a great red for summer barbecues, especially if wings are on the menu.

New York Yankees Wines

Two sophisticated California wines are in stock, with the NY Yankees official logo. 

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is slowly fermented to maintain the aroma of currants and dried cherries, while extracting the colors and flavors associated with the Paso Robles region. The wine was aged in a combination of American and French oak to add complexity and to allow the wine to soften prior to bottling.

The 2012 Chardonnay comes from three select vineyards in 2 distinctly different micro climates ranging from very cool in the Green Valley area to warmer days in the Russian River plain area. The gravelly soil associated with the Russian River provides minerality and structure to grapes. Our Chardonnay had 20% malolactic fermentation to help round out the edges while maintaining the crisp Russian River influence. Aromas of apples and citrus combined with a hint of French oak make this wine enjoyable by itself or with food.

K Vintners 

Another spectacular group of wines from Washington State's Charles Smith. First, the 2011 River Rock Syrah. Sure this Walla Walla fruit came from the rocks, but man, this is different. Lean and mean, a wine for its time. Cured meat, camphor, forest floor, cool stone, and oh soooo refined tannins. 100% Syrah, this rated 93-95 points from Wine Advocate.

Then there's the 2011 Northridge Merlot, which also rated 93-95 points from Wine Advocate. Pencil shavings, graphite, cocoa powder, milk chocolate, espresso. Complex aromas of a woman's evening bag, perfume, coins, paper money, lipstick, pencil and even a broken matchbook.

Finally, we have their 2011 Clifton Hill Syrah, which only rated 92-94 from Wine Advocate. It's a "Wow" wine. Focused, rich, and kick-ass - serious stuff here! Raw meat, cedar, forest floor, coffee grounds, Asain five spice. Plenty of round tannins and a lengthy finish. 

All are available in extremely limited quantities.

Chateau Hyot

How about a Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux that scored 90 points from Wine Spectator for under $15? Look no further. From the WS tasting notes on this 2010 vintage: "Very ripe, offering saturated cassis, blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors that are racy and distinctive, thanks to fresh acidity and sleek tannins. The long finish has nice density. Drink now through 2016." This wine blends 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, from 40 year old vines.

Tuesday "News"day

We always prefer to spotlight one new product every Tuesday. This post will include a slight derivation, but we're still highlighting one new wine.

It's no secret that the best California Cabernet's come from the Rutherford area of Napa Valley. The great winemaker André Tchelistcheff is quoted as saying, "It takes Rutherford Dust to grow Great Cabernet." And with Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon now in stock in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge, you can find that great Cabernet at an everyday price.

Family-owned and managed and for three generations, Rutherford Ranch Winery is on the site of the original Round Hill Winery started in the 1970's, and their operations are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. The winemaking team crafts elegant, true-to-the-varietal wines with fruit sourced from the two estate vineyards and select vineyards sites throughout the valley. The cooler sites yield grapes with bright, rich flavors and tropical fruit characteristics. Warmer sites within the valley produce grapes with deep, intense flavors. Together they provide the winemakers with an unequaled palette of flavor and character and quality.

A portion of this Cabernet comes from the estate vineyards: Franklin, which makes up the northeast cornerstone of the Rutherford appellation; and Abela, which surrounds the winery property. Both give that distinctive ‘Rutherford Dust’ quality that is unique to the region.

The winemaking team blends in Merlot for juicy, fruitiness and a touch of Zinfandel, then ages the wine for 12 months in French and American oak barrels. This Cabernet Sauvignon has a lovely ruby color with aromas of boysenberry, currant, spearmint and dried herbs. It is a medium-full-bodied, well-balanced wine with rich tannins and has big, delicious flavors of currant, boysenberry and caramel. Perfect to drink now or can age nicely for 4 to 5 years.  Enjoy this wine with grilled meats, roast beef au jus, or Penne alla vodka and with strong cheeses such as bleu or camembert. Also delicious with your favorite chocolate desserts. And the Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is only $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.

If you enjoy the Cabernet Sauvignon, please consider the Rutherford Ranch Merlot and Zinfandel, both of which are currently in stock.

Monday Mixology by David Rudd

David Rudd is a Floor Manager at our Woodbridge store, as well as our resident mixologist. Today, we offer you David's most recent recipes.

The DIY Shandy

We all know how hot shandies have become.  I think it’s high time you try making your own.  Follow this simple recipe.  Add 1 shot of St. Germain Liqueur and the juice of ¼ lemon to your favorite lager.  Submerge lemon wedge in the beer and gently stir. 

The Sakura Tengoku

We celebrate spring with this cocktail.  Translated loosely to “cherry blossom heaven”, this cocktail transports you to the Far East as the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.  3 parts each sake and Maraschino liqueur, 2 parts each vodka and lime juice, and one part each Cointreau™, cranberry juice and simple syrup together in an iced cocktail shaker with 2 dashes of orange bitters.  Shake and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a cherry blossom.  

The Manhatta

I love my whisk(e)y…but sometimes I’m in the mood for something a little different.  This is my twist on a classic Manhattan – named after the native name for the island: 2 parts dark Caribbean rum, 1 part Applejack, 1 part sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of Angostura™ bitters.  Chill, strain into a coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry.

The New York Sour

Another twist on a classic – this is how I take my Whiskey Sour.  Combine equal parts American whiskey, simple syrup and lemon juice in your shaker until ice bruises.  Pour contents into a rocks glass (half full) and top with fruity red wine…if you pour it over the back of a spoon it will layer.  The flavors combine and change as you enjoy the drink.

Thursday Grab Bag

We're a day early this week, but there's so much going on at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge that we didn't think you'd mind.

Lawrenceville Tastings and Tappings

Tonight, at 6pm, we're tapping Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet Black IPA for our weekly specialty Growler.

Friday, from 4-6pm, we're having a tasting of Lost Distillery whisky. The Lost Distillery Company is an independent boutique Scotch Whisky company. They are obsessive about the craft and uncompromising when it comes to whisky quality. Their mission is to create present day expressions of legendary whiskies that belonged to the craft of whisky distilling almost a century ago.

This is illustrated in their icon – the Triskele (above), an ancient Celtic symbol depicting reincarnation. Their interpretation of the Triskele incorporates the core components of the whisky making process – the barrel, the water and the barley.

Saturday, from 2-4pm, will be our regular weekly wine tasting. We just made an incredible purchase on Beringer Napa Chardonnay, one of the wines on the menu. Leading up to Easter, this is a value you need to sample. A Napa appellation Chardonnay for under $10? Yes. The full menu is here.

Woodbridge Tastings and Tappings

Woodbridge will host its regular wine tastings on both Friday (4-6pm) and Saturday (1-3pm). With Passover starting Monday night, you'll have the opportunity to taste two different wines that are Kosher for Passover. The full menu is here.

Immediately after the wine tasting wraps up on Friday, head over to the Growler station for the specialty tapping of Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet Black IPA.

Please note that there are no wine tastings scheduled at either store on April 18th or 19th.

Upcoming Events

In Lawrenceville: Ladies' Night Out will be after hours on Sunday, April 27. Details will be posted on our web site shortly. The Joe Canal's Fest will be Sunday, June 22. Again, details will be posted shortly.

In Woodbridge, the Ladies' Night Wine Tasting and Art Show will also be after hours on Sunday, April 27.  See our web site for details. The Joe Canal's Fest will be Sunday, June 15. Details will be posted shortly. 

Ripped From The Headlines

Thankfully, no one brought any crazy lawsuits to our attention this week. Instead, we'll direct your attention to a story from Fox News about five lesser-known grape varieties. At Joe Canal's, we stock several brands of each varietal highlighted in the article: Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Mourvedre (also called Monastrell), Tempranillo and Barbera. Read the article here, and ask to see some of those wines when you're in the store next. There are some great wines at very affordable prices among those varietals.

New Stuff

The following products have either just arrived, or will within the next couple of days:

Dashwood Pinot Noir. You've enjoyed New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir is the next varietal that they'll conquer. Dashwood wines bring the luscious, clean fruit characters of the Wairau Valley into harmony with the flinty, or mineral, characters of the Awatere (resulting from the comparatively cooler but drier temperatures and slightly less fertile soils).

Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rioja Crianza 2008. This wine will be in Lawrenceville within a couple of days, but might not reach Woodbridge at the same time. This is one you definitely should look for. Rioja is hot now anyway, but this wine scored 91 points from Wine Advocate, but will sell for only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

From the review: “The 2008 Hacienda Lopez de Haro Crianza is a blend of 93% Tempranillo and 7% Garnacha aged for 18 months in French and American oak. It has a mellow bouquet of dried herbs, terracotta tiles and dusky black fruit that is very well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin: tart red berried fruit, laced with tobacco and dried herbs on the dry, crisp finish. This is a superb classical Rioja Crianza.” 

Odds & Ends

Passover starts at sundown on Monday. We offer some helpful advice here.

Both stores will have limited hours on Easter Sunday, April 20. Operating hours will be 9am to 4pm.

New Wine Wednesday

Maybe it's a Wine Wednesday, or maybe we just have a number of new items that we need to tell you about. Let's dive right into the new arrivals.

Domain Philippe Charlopin

Each store will only receive one case of two different wines from Domain Philippe Charlopin. The Morey Saint Denis rated 90-92 points, and the Marsannay en Montchenevoy rated 89-91 points, both from Wine Advocate. These Cote de Nuits wines are both from the 2010 vintage, with a winemaker that that delivers consistently high-quality efforts.

Bruichladdich Classic

Our selection of single-malt Scotch whisky is growing again. Bruichladdich makes some of the most compelling whisky on the market, with an unexpectedly large range of offerings. The latest, at one case per store, is the Classic Laddie, an unpeated Islay malt.

Smooth as pebbles in a pool, it’s clean, fresh and lively with both the oak and the grain in perfect harmony.

The bouquet is brilliant. Opening with barley sugar and a hint of mint before leading into the most wonderful notes of freshly cut wild flowers; buttercup, daisy, meadow-sweet, myrtle, primrose and cherry blossom. The cleanliness of the spirit is remarkable. As the seconds tick by, more aromas rise from the glass, little zephyrs of spindrift and sea pinks reminding you that this spirit is matured exclusively by the sea. After some four or five minutes and with the addition of a little water, caramelized fruits drift onto the scene; lemon drops and honey, tangerine and tablet.

The palate entry is so refined and refreshing, the sweet oak and the barley arriving together sending the taste buds into raptures. The fruits from distillation drift in on an Atlantic breeze and pop on the tongue like champagne bubbles. A combination of ripe green fruit, brown sugar and sweet malt bring closure. A taste back in time, a realization that not all single malts are equal and to achieve the absolute optimum, you must use barley that is grown in Scotland. Make this one the benchmark for all others you meet on your journey through the stills of Scotland.

More of the Pinot Project

The Pinot Project Pinot Noir has been a strong seller since we started carrying the brand. Now, we're adding two new wines from the Pinot Project team: the Pinot Project Pinot Grigio and the Chard Project Chardonnay.

Like any negociant, the Pinot Project team selects the best available wines to bring to market.  The Chardonnay is from California, and the Pinot Grigio is from Italy.

The CHARD PROJECT is hand-crafted from the finest California Chardonnay grapes; a majority of which come from Sonoma County. The wine is about half stainless steel fermented and half barrel fermented (30% of which are new). This combination gives The CHARD PROJECT a rich, lovely mouthfeel. Pure CHARD aromas and flavors – fresh apples and citrus kissed by oak and complimented by just the right amount of spice.

The Pinot Grigio is hand-crafted from the finest Italian Pinot grapes. Pure Pinot aromas and flavors - pears and citrus, unoaked to enhance the pure

fruit qualities. Extremely versatile with a host of your favorite dishes.

The items discussed on today's blog post are fewer than half of the new products that either have already arrived, or are due in within the next couple of days. Please don't hesitate to ask one of our team members to show you what's new at Joe Canal's!

High Score, Low Price

We're finally confident that the weather will continue to warm, so we wanted to feature this outstanding Italian white wine today.

Old World wineries often trace their beginnings back a couple of hundred years. The history of Count Saladini Pilastri dates back to the year 1000; a noble family from Ascoli Piceno that boasts of a rich and fascinating past whose ancestors were priests and leaders. The deep antique roots of the family are a heredity for the present; it is a heredity of long lives of tradition over the centuries of history.

Vineyard in the Marche

The vineyard activity has always coincided with the value and culture of the land from which it belongs. Count Saladini Pilastri's farm began three centuries ago; the land has always produced wine. Originally the tenant farmers gave up their wine to the Counts so they could age it in the so called "barriques", the famous durmast barrel.

From the 1970's new vines were planted; the present canteen was constructed beside the old one so that all the production could be kept in the same place. The Saladini Pilastri winery binds the knowledge of an antique tradition with the guarantee of advanced technology. It is a matter of fact the wines born on this small parcel of Marche land are exported to America, Europe and Asia and they are appreciated by the most sophisticated palates.

The flavor of this wine unites the perfumes and colors of its land; the care with which it is produced and the knowledge of an antique art. In addition to wine, Saladini Pilastri also produces olive oil and Grappa.

The Saladini Falerio dei Colli Ascolani is produced from an ancient mixture of grapes from Trebbiano, Passerina and Pecorino. Its typical straw-yellow hue and delicate bouquet are due to the excellent position of the vineyards. Elegant and full-bodied Falerio makes an excellent accompaniment to fish, soups, delicate sauces, white meats and Ascolani green olives.

Priced in the Bottle Club® at only $6.96, it still rated 90 points from Tanzer/IWC. You'll want a case of this for the upcoming warm weather.