Friday Grab Bag

It's time for our round-up of information that you need to prepare for the weekend. One quick note about the upcoming holiday. We celebrate Independence Day next Friday, July 4th. Both stores will be open from 9am to 9pm on July 4th.

Woodbridge Events

We'll start in Woodbridge this week. The big event is our Beer & Burgers night, to benefit Meals on Wheels. This is a Sunday night, after-hours craft beer fest where you can sample from about a dozen breweries, and maybe buy an allocated or rare beer. The full details are one our web site here. You can have a great time while supporting an important cause.

Our wine tasting schedule is normal for the weekend, 4-6pm today and 1-3pm tomorrow. For Friday, we will be tasting through four different wines from 90+ Cellars, and we're tasting Staff Selections on Saturday. You can see the weekend's tasting menu here.

Also tonight is the final Starr Hill specialty tapping. Stop in at 6pm to fill a Growler with Starr Hill Soul Shine. 

Looking ahead into July, we have a free Senor Sangira tasting on Thursday, July 3. The following week will be arguably the best event of the summer, the Caymus dinner, being held at LouCas in Edison on July 10. You'll enjoy 6 great courses with 7 outstanding wines. Complete information is available on our web site here.

 And don't miss the free soft pretzels on Saturday, July 5, from 1-3pm, while supplies last.

Lawrenceville Events

While this weekend's tasting hours are normal, our menu is very different. Tonight, from 4-6pm, we're sampling McKenzie whiskey, from New York's Finger Lakes region. We carry the McKenzie Bourbon, Pure Pot Still Whiskey, and Rye whiskey.

McKenzie Whiskeys are made from only the best ingredients, and are distilled using old-time techniques. Handmade and un-chillfiltered, these fine spirits have rich, complex flavors and smooth, colorful finishes. Superb straight-up or on the rocks, but they also stand up well in a variety of cocktails. 

McKenzie Pure Pot Still Whiskey  is their take on an Irish-style whiskey – soft, smooth and easy drinking. They use a combination of locally-grown unmalted barley and malted barley. The whiskey is aged in used bourbon and rye barrels.

McKenzie Bourbon Whiskey is a very rich bourbon with just enough rye spice to complement the subtle sweetness. A local variety of corn makes 70% of the mash bill. The bourbon is aged in new charred barrels and finished in local chardonnay casks, which gives the bourbon a round, buttery finish.

McKenzie Rye Whiskey is made from local rye grain and is distilled using old-time techniques. The whiskey is aged in new charred oak casks and finished in sherry barrels from local wineries. The sherry balances the spiciness of the rye and also gives a nod to the wine region where this whiskey is produced. 

Our Saturday tasting, from 2-4pm, is Senor Sangria. Senor Sangria is the perfect accompaniment to
summer.

What's New

Cannonball 2012 Merlot is euphoria in a bottle. The crimson color alone tempts all the senses, while enticing aromas of amaretto, black plum, fresh fig, and candied
violet fill the nose. The wine has a full silky entry with sophisticated structure, wonderful concentration and playful texture peeking through, slowly building into an engaging finish of fresh cherries, rich chocolate, and spiced cake.

An absolute pleasure to enjoy on its own, the lush ripe tannins of this Merlot also pairs well with a wide range of foods including salmon, pork, root vegetables and aged cheeses. Its expansive persona has enough backbone to accompany red meats, Asian duck, and pasta with rich sauces.

Only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Have a great weekend, everyone!