Friday, August 29, 2014

Friday Grab Bag

Wait, how did it get to be Labor Day weekend already? College football already started, most schools have as well, and the autumn beers are in stock. Since we can't re-start the summer, we might as well have that distraction known as the Friday Grab Bag.

Store Hours

Our Labor Day weekend hours are the same for both stores, as follows:
Friday, August 29: regular hours of 9am-10pm
Saturday, August 30: regular hours of 9am-10pm
Sunday, August 31: regular hours of 9am-7pm
Monday, September 1: holiday hours of 9am-6pm

Events

Both stores: Customer Appreciation Weekend will be September 19-20-21. Woodbridge has the first look at their schedule. Click here for that information. The rest of the details will be posted shortly on the Events page of each store's website.

Lawrenceville: The Craft Beer Keg Blow Out Sale is on-going. Click here for details.
Woodbridge: We have a very busy weekend in Woodbridge, starting with a tasting of Senor Sangria today, 2-4pm. On Saturday, we have the Cutty Sark "Cutty Back" tasting from 1-4pm.

New Products

Domaine Alphonse Mellot La Demoiselle Sancerre Red 2012:  From an estate that is over 500 years old. The work of the winegrower can also be compared to that of an artisan and the wine he produces, can only provoke the same sensations if it is the fruit of his own personal skills.

A wine reflects exactly the knowledge, skills, imagination, the integrity and in a certain manner the courage of the winegrower who has, throughout the course of the year nurtured this transformation from vegetal to mineral.

Tasting notes: Firm ruby color; the nose expresses the soil. Here, the flinty clay is shown in hints of smoked food and cherries in kirsch, all blended in extremely silky tannins. 100% Pinot Noir.

Pairing: Poached eggs with boletus wine sauce, spicy wild duck, pears in cinnamon.

$51.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Ripped From The Headlines

Click here for the latest on the Napa earthquake.

The most powerful liquor in the world? Click here for the story.

That's not a sinkhole. That's a 150 year old beer cave. In Iowa. Click here for the story.

We can top that. How about a 4000 year old wine cellar? Click here for the story.

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend. See you here on Tuesday!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

What's New?

We hear that question so often at Joe Canal's. While we all have our favorites, we also like to find something new. Our buyers evaluate products from all over the world, just to find the best items, and the best values, to share with you. Here is a select list of some of the newest products in our store. As always, we can't list everything here. If you're looking for our newest products, just ask one of our team members.

Clase Azul Tequila

Clase Azul Reposado
Each bottle of Clase Azul Tequila is literally touched by the human spirit. The love and nurturing our craftspeople put into producing Clase Azul starts in the agave fields and is continued through the bottling process where, in our own facility each bottle is created by hand.

Clase Azul is world renowned for its superior quality and rich flavor profile. The attention to quality begins with the selection of the finest organic agaves and extends to the spirit's decanters, which feature handcrafted artwork from Mexican artists, and are meant to add an additional layer of sophistication to the experience of Clase Azul.

The Reposado: For many years, tequila connoisseurs have praised Clase Azul Reposado for its superior taste and stunning handmade decanter. By definition, reposado translates to "rested" or "calm" which can certainly influence the experience of sipping this particular Clase Azul which is aged in used American oak barrels for eight months after it has gone through the distillation process. Each bottle is made with high quality white ceramic and then hand painted by artisans in our bottling facility. Attention to detail comes second to none, which is evident when admiring what is considered an iconic bottle. $83.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Clase Azul Plata
The Plata: Clase Azul Plata is a fresh tasting blanco tequila produced from 100% organic blue weber agave. The agave is slow cooked in traditional brick ovens for 72 hours and then distilled using a proprietary yeast developed by our master distiller. Plata is not aged and the natural colors that come from the slow cooking are filtered out prior to bottling in a stunning crystal clear bottle with blue accent at its base. $69.99 in the Bottle Club®.

As far as bottle designs go, tequila seems to be far ahead of every other spirits type. Consider that Milagro and Kah tequilas also have very distinct bottles. Other than Crystal Head Vodka, there aren't many truly unique spirits bottles on the market.


Tikveš Bela Voda 2011

A new vintage of a wine that we haven't had for a while. As early as in Roman times, a tradition in Macedonia was flourishing - a tradition to craft enchantingly powerful wines exhibiting the scent of the south, having a symphonic flavour and epitomizing the joyfulness of Macedonians. Tikveš Winery is one of the most important creators of this tradition. For more than 125 years, the sky, land, sun and vineyards in the south of Europe, each with its own share, have been a part of the story about Tikveš wines. Tikveš Winery has been crafting and aging premium Macedonian wines … ever since 1885.

This terroir wine comes from the Bela Voda region which is composed of clay soils enjoying soft Mediterranean climate. As a blend of the Vranec and Plavec varieties, this wine exhibits cocoa and wild black fruit aromas as well as a rich fruity structure.

Did we mention that this wine rated 94 points from Wine Advocate? Their review: "Looking at their upper-tier cuvee, which comes from a warmer, slightly lower elevation vineyard, the 2011 Bela Voda (a 50/50 blend of Vranec and Plavec) offers a beautifully complete profile, with classy aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite and floral nuances to go with a full-bodied, elegant and nicely focused profile on the palate. Still showing the hedonistic, sweetly fruited slant of the estate, it has solid concentration, ripe tannin and impressive length. Enjoy it over the coming 5-6 years, although who knows, it could certainly last longer."

Only $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Domaine Alphonse Mellot Edmond Sancerre 2011

The appearance: Pale gold yellow in color with light green sheen - brilliant, bright and clear - a young honest appearance.

A rich majestic nose. All is rich, ripe and powerful, whether it is fruity or floral. Density, depth and balanced graceful "majestic nature" are established from the outset. Honey, vanilla, lemon, brioche etc., follow each other as if in a daydream, all orchestrated through a new woody tone.

Opening it makes it welcoming and tender with crisp plants revealing aniseed, menthol, liquorice and spices. The effect is extensive, lively and gluttonous, ideally balanced between being highly well rounded and agreeably crisp. Smoothly rounded it gives full measure in establishing liquorice and aniseed, lime and vanilla, pepper and Muscat. The long spicy and woody finish is carved in flint.

All is rich in this virile whole: structure, substance, aromas, minerals. When older, it should accentuate its buttered, grilled and vanilla coated hints favoring a better place for the mineral.

Pairings: Belon oysters, crayfish cooked in a court-bouillon, scallops in caramelized chicory, sauteed Sancerre chicken with mixed vegetables in butter, chitterlings sausage in mustard seed, fresh Chavignol goatsmilk cheese, blue and remade, fresh fruit topped with toasted cheese in Sancerre zabaglione, egg whites with vanilla custard.

$65.99 in the Bottle Club®. Rated 91-92+ by Wine Advocate. From their review: "Tasted from both a wooden fermentor and demi-muids representative of the vessels in which the entirety of this cuvee would reside until bottling, the Mellot 2011 Sancerre Edmond exhibits rarified, high-toned, Chartreuse like herbal and floral aromas. On its rich yet surprisingly buoyant and infectiously juicy palate, it introduces chicken stock and sweet-saline, scallop-like savor to an otherwise chalk-inflected matrix of citrus, quince, and melons, making this in its own way one of those not infrequent instances between Mellot’s two most recent collections when one is reminded of Chablis. This long-finishing beauty really sets the imagination and salivary glands working, and I imagine it will do so for at least the better part of a decade."

Cheers!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Napa Earthquake Updates

They are still in the early stages of recovering from the Sunday earthquake in Napa Valley. We've rounded up a number of reports for you.

Sebastiani is one of our most popular wine labels. Click here for a video of their fermentation tanks leaking. 14 tanks were damaged.

At Trefethen Family Vineyards, a building that dates from 1886 was seriously damaged. Click here for the story.

Click here for a photo gallery of quake damage and recovery.

Click here for another photo gallery. You may have to wait through a 10-second commercial.

Click here for a Wine Spectator article published yesterday, with photos showing extensive damage at Hess Collection.

Napa is still open for business. Click here for that story.

We'll have more updates as they become available.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Upscale and Sophisticated

If you haven't tried some of the upscale Riesling's, you're missing out on an exceptional experience. new to our stores is the Pichler-Krutzler Riesling Pfaffenberg. This rated 94 points from Wine Advocate. Their review is below.

From “young” vines (of 40-45 years’ age) when compared with those of the small attached parcel of Gruner Veltliner, Pichler and Krutzler’s 2012 Riesling Pfaffenberg weighs-in at 12.5% alcohol despite not having been picked until October, 20 – several days after Loibenberg was brought at a full degree higher. There is fantastic clarity here allied to infectious juiciness. Pungent juniper berry and sage inflect fresh lime, apple, luscious honeydew and cassis, while a suffusion of crushed stone and smoky black tea serves for contrast with the wine’s effusive fruitiness. A veritably kaleidoscopic interplay ensues in the endlessly fascinating and refreshing finish of this exciting debut that should merit following through at least 2020.

Elisabeth Pichler and Erich Krutzler continue to hone their distinctive style as well as to freely and intuitively experiment, unencumbered by local habit or by the structure – however arguably useful – of the Vinea Wachau’s trio of wine categories. They carefully filter and critically consider any received opinions, even (or, dare I suggest, especially) those of Elisabeth’s famous father, F.X. (Tasting and trading observations and anecdotes with husbands and wives of both generations was among the highlights of my most recent Austrian travels.) Picking at this estate began already in late September, though Krutzler laughingly attributes that in part to his red-wine mentality which encompasses rigorous crop-dropping, in which he intends to be less aggressive in future. Erich Krutzler places emphasis on the relatively small berries and high skin-to-juice ratio of 2012 fruit in delivering energy, structure and sheer personality surpassing those exhibited in 2011, and he was not afraid to observe his norm of 24-30 hours’ pre-fermentative skin contact. Even as Pichler and Krutzler continue to build their vine surface via some extremely savvy and lucky site selections, their technical capabilities are being enhanced as well. New large casks are gradually being introduced, and beginning with vintage 2014, new equipment will permit movement of fruit as well as wine entirely by gravity and open-up a wider range of pressing options.

Only $29.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Napa Valley Earthquake Updates

We always prefer to start the blogging week with lighter fare. However, the weekend earthquake brought extensive damage to the Napa Valley towns, and to the wine industry as well. We normally stock product from some of the wineries noted in the article, like Silver Oak, Robert Biale, and B. R. Cohn. In fact, we had just received the new vintage release from Silver Oak. We offer a few reports:
From the Drudge Report
 From Wine Spectator:

Several historic buildings in downtown Napa were severely damaged, including the post office and county courthouse, plus the Alexandria Building, built in 1910 and home to many businesses like the Carpe Diem Wine Bar. The stone facade of the Pfeiffer Building, built in 1875 and home to the Vintner’s Collective tasting room, was badly damaged.

Photos of broken wine bottles and wine barrels heaved from their racks quickly spread through social media. “I’ve been at the winery since 4:30 a.m.,” said David Duncan, president of Silver Oak Cellars in Oakville. "I cleaned up my house first."

Silver Oak lost hundreds of bottles from a rare collection of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and three oak barrels of wine were damaged. “Luckily the barrels didn’t burst, so we were able to salvage most of the wine,” said Duncan. “The collection of bottles is literally priceless. I cleaned that up myself with a shovel.”

At Robert Biale Vineyards, south of Yountville, ten barrels of Zinfandel and Sangiovese were lost when a row of racks collapsed. “Thank God there were no cellar guys working—3:20 a.m. is a good time for a wine country earthquake,” said winery partner Dave Pramuk.

Click here for the full article.
From abc13

From the Washington Post:

The country’s well-known wine-making region, Napa Valley, was at the epicenter of the earthquake responsible for dozens of injuries and damages estimated to surpass $1 billion. And wine that bled out on cellar floors will make up a hefty chunk of the lost revenue. The valley’s more than 500 wineries generate some $13 billion a year for the regional economy, according to Napa Valley Vintners, a trade organization.

“It’s devastating. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Tom Montgomery, a winemaker for B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen, Calif., told the Associated Press. He said the winery lost “as much as 50 percent” of its wine.

Click here for the full article.

Click here for an updated report from the local CBS affiliate.

Click here for an in-depth article from the local newspaper, The Press Democrat.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Friday Grab Bag

We head into the weekend with our regular collection of events, news and more.

Events

Lawrenceville will have a regular wine tasting today, 4-6pm. Click here for the tasting menu. Tomorrow, from 3-5pm, we have a special tasting of Bacardi Mango Fusion. Click here for details.

Click here for the Lawrenceville Events page, where you can read about upcoming tastings for wine, Drambuie and Dewar's.

The latest event on our calendar is a special appearance, on September 12, by Christina Milian, who will be promoting her Viva Diva infused Moscato wines.

Woodbridge will host its regular wine tastings this weekend, Friday 4-6pm, and Saturday, 1-3pm. The tasting menu is the same each day; click here to see it.

We'll be very busy over Labor Day weekend as well. Look for wine tastings on Friday, 8/29, 4-6pm, and Saturday, 8/30, 6-8pm (special time). In addition, look for a tasting of Senor Sangria on Friday, 2-4pm, and a Cutty Sark "Cutty Back" tasting on Saturday, 1-4pm.

Click here for the Woodbridge Events page. Note that we've also added a Sobieski Vodka tasting for Saturday, September 6.

Website

Please check out our all-new web site, with better features and improved functionality. While you're there, register for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.


New Products

Now that the industry shut-down week is over, deliveries have resumed. These items are now in stock, or are about to arrive.

Ciroc Pineapple: So new it's not even on the official web site. The 750ML size should arrive next week, with 1.75L and 375ML sizes expected in mid-September. CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka is crafted from fine, succulent French grapes, distilled a fifth time at the Distillerie de Chevanceaux in southwest France. These specially selected grapes create the distinctly fresh and smooth taste of CÎROC Vodka.




Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet: This is a very dark glass
of juicy and delicious red. A burst of intense primary fruit greets the palate with blueberries, blackberries and currants. These powerful fruit notes can engulf the uninitiated, but waves of spice can be discovered by seasoned flavor explorers.

Time in barrel permits a softening of the wine’s structure. It also offers a complex expression of the fruit and helps the exotic notes of spice to be discovered.

Shiraz [58%] and Cabernet Sauvignon [42%].


Ripped From the Headlines

We've all seen pictures like this one from the Prohibition era:
photo credit: historybyzim.com
Those days might be making a comeback in a Philadelphia suburb, in PA. Click here for the story.

Craft Beer

Bury the lede? Not us. Craft beer people, click here for information on a special sale in Lawrenceville.


Have a great weekend!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Viva Diva in Lawrenceville

The Viva Diva, Christina Milian, will appear at our Lawrenceville store on Friday, September 12. The specifics of the event will be announced shortly.

Within the next couple of days, the Viva Diva Mango, Peach, Pineapple-Coconut and Strawberry Moscatos will be available in Lawrenceville. These wines all originate in Italy's Piedmont region. They start with a high quality sweet, slightly sparkly wine and infuse it with natural flavors.

Christina Milian, the multi-talented phenomenon whose resume includes film, television, theater and music, her Mother and manger, Carmen Milian and publicist, Robyn Santiago, share in ownership of the brand.  The brand has been recognized for taste, quality and price point.



Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Beer Season, No Reason

In other messages and postings, we've noted that the beer calendar doesn't align with the regular calendar. And while enjoying a spring seasonal during a February snowstorm is an excellent foreshadowing device, we've heard that some of us just don't want the summer to end.

The best answer is to grab your Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers now, and hold them until the weather really turns. Some of us (blogger looks into the mirror here) don't have that kind of will-power, so we'll just enjoy the new seasonal brews now.

This is a brief list of the Fall seasonal brews that are currently available both in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. Seasonal offerings are typically produced in limited quantities, so we suggest calling to confirm that we still have what you're looking for before taking a special trip.

Brooklyn Oktoberfest
Curious Traveler Jacko
DuClaw 31 Pumpkin Ale
Fegley's Devious Imperial Pumpkin

Harpoon Octoberfest
Long Trail Pumpkin Ale
River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern

Sam Adams Fall Variety Pack
Sam Adams Oktoberfest
Shiner Oktoberfest
Southern Tier Pumking

Southern Tier Warlock
Terrapin Pumpkin Fest

Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin

Each store will also have other Fall Seasonal brews that are not listed here, so come on in and see what's new.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Under $10, rated 90 Points

Many wine shoppers prefer highly rated, value priced wines for everyday enjoyment. Whether it's the health benefits or the way that wine complements a meal, an excellent weekday wine find can be elusive. As always, Joe Canal's is here to help. Today, we introduce Château Le Grand Moulin Grand Reserve Cotes de Bordeaux Blaye 2010.

"The vineyard of Château Le Grand Moulin is perfectly located in Saint Aubin de Blaye, in the heart of the appellation known as “Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux”. We use traditional Bordeaux wine varieties to produce Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg and Bordeaux wines."

"Merlot, planted on gravelly soils, bears a smooth and fruity wine with a slightly smoky accent. Cabernet gives the tannin, as well as aging capacity to our red wines. With Cabernet, planted on cool sandy-silty terroir, our wines obtain their entire aroma thanks to aromatic ripening which precedes physiological ripening."

This vintage is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec. The Merlot and  Cabernet offer this wine a ruby ​​color and a nose of red fruit which is backed by the wooded roasted notes. A smooth entry follows a well structured palate, with silky tannins marked by wooded persistent finish.

The 2010 Château Le Grand Moulin Grand Reserve Cotes de Bordeaux Blaye rated 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Their review: "A wine that’s straight down the line, firmly structured and with solid fruit for the future. There is weight and richness, a sense of power waiting to show in the future. With its density, anticipate aging this wine for at least 6–7 years."

Pair with grilled beef or cheese. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.


Monday, August 18, 2014

Football Mixology

Football season is here, even if we have plenty of summer left. But alongside the Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers, your football spread (at home or tailgating) gets better with Joe Canal's. Try these recipes in the pre-season, so they'll be perfect once the games count!

Sherry Cobbler

An old-school choice that's still delicious..

1/4 oz Simple syrup (buy pre-made, or one part sugar, one part water)
3 oz Lustau Dry amontillado sherry
2 Orange half-wheel (1 for the drink, 1 for garnish)

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake brutally (this will muddle the orange) and strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Pierce another orange wheel with a straw and insert both into the drink. (Note: If using a sweeter sherry, use less sugar in the simple syrup.)




Vodka Grape Sparkler

A Bobby Flay recipe.

2 pounds fresh red seedless grapes, plus 1 cup sliced
1/2 cup clover honey
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup Tito's vodka, very cold
1 bottle Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rose sparkling wine, very cold

Blend the whole grapes, honey and lemon juice in a blender until smooth. Blend in batches, if necessary. Drain the grape mixture into a pitcher. Add the vodka and sliced grapes. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.

Add the rose to the mixture just before serving and serve in red wine goblets.

Passing Game Punch

1 1/2 cups Tequila Avión Silver
6 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1 to 2 cups fresh fruit, sliced
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup agave nectar

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher with ice and stir well. Serve in a tumbler with ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Thursday Grab Bag

Your blogger will be unavailable tomorrow, so we'll get into the Grab Bag a day early this week.

Events

In Lawrenceville, we have a fun weekend planned. On Friday, we have a Bacardi Cuba Libre tasting, from 4-6pm. It's not just a rum and cola, so click here for the details. We have our regular, free wine tasting on Saturday, from 2-4pm. Click here for the menu. Also from 2-4pm, we're hosting a Miller Lite Original White Can promotion (no tasting). Click here for details.

In Woodbridge, we have our regular wine tastings on Friday (4-6pm) and Saturday (1-3pm). Click here for the menu.

Website

We recently revamped our entire web site. Click over to www.jcanals.com to see the new features and improved functionality. While you're there, register for a chance to win a$50 Amazon gift card. No purchase is necessary.


Ripped from the Headlines

Basically, one man reviews every beer label introduced to the market in the US. Click here for the story.

Other Products

Since this was shut-down week for most of our suppliers, very few new products arrived. That means it's a good time to highlight our cheese selections.

We carry an extensive range of Di Bruno Bros. products in both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. Cheese, crostini, meat, and cheese spreads are all part of the DiBruno Bros. line. These are perfect to pair with wine, beer and Scotch, or to enjoy on their own.

As we often do, we posted a recipe yesterday for Grilled Portobello and Feta on the Lawrenceville Facebook page. The Feta is Lawrenceville's featured cheese, priced at only $4.99.
Click here for another delicious Feta recipe, courtesy of DiBruno Bros.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Mid-Week Mixology

Since Wednesday Mixology didn't really work, we had to come up with a better name. Mid-Week Mixology it is, then. Unless you have something else in mind.

Here are a couple of rockin' recipes, courtesy of David Rudd, resident mixologist and Floor Manager at our Woodbridge location.

Summer’s White

As summer winds down, this pale cocktail is the perfect cocktail to catch the last long rays of the dog days of summer.  4 parts Porton™ pisco, 2 parts Tuaca™, one part agave nectar, the juice of ½ lemon and one spoonful of crème of coconut into an iced shaker for 12 counts.  Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Paloma

This is sometimes called “The Working Man’s Margarita”, maybe that’s why I like it.  It’s really not fussy, but it’s deeply satisfying when summer is getting to me.  2 parts Blanco tequila (I like Milagro™ Silver), the juice of ½ lime, grapefruit soda.  Build the drink in an iced high ball glass with a salted rim.  See what I mean?  Easy.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Wine on the Rocks?

A Galet
A Galet is a large, conglomerate rock (also called puddingstones) that is found in the Rhône Valley. Galets help store heat and provide excellent drainage. Le Galet Côtes-du-Rhône is a traditional Syrah-Grenache blend, providing an accessible, early drinking style without being overly tannic.

On the nose, there is an abundance of black and red fruit, particularly blackberry and loganberry, with plenty of warm spice. The palate follows the same theme, with the soft and supple tannins blending nicely with the warm spice to produce a mouth-filling richness . The flavor is similar to the nose, with plenty of red and black berry fruit combining beautifully. This wine certainly delivers a lot at this price.

Enjoy with canapés or as a match for a range of red meat dishes. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.
Le Galet

Monday, August 11, 2014

New Brew Preview

We're taking a quick look at some of this week's scheduled beer deliveries. We don't think there's another way to make Monday any better for a craft beer fan. As always, please call the store (Lawrenceville, 609-520-0008 or Woodbridge, 732-726-0077) to be certain that the beer you want is avaiable.

Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA


Blend two Dogfish Head favorites, add maple syrup and carbonate the mixture naturally. What do you get? 75 Minute IPA.

The carbon dioxide trapped during bottle conditioning gives 75 Minute IPA a soft and velvety mouthfeel. Dry-hopped with whole-leaf Cascades, this complex IPA has been known to inspire pilgrimages to the Dogfish Head brewpub.

Enjoy with burgers, grilled meat or avacado. Best when poured into an IPA glass.

Dogfish Head Kvasir 

With the help of biomolecular archaeologist Dr. Patrick McGovern, Dogfish Head has re‐created another Ancient Ale, this time from the Nordic climes of Scandinavia.

The recipe for Kvasir was developed with the help of chemical, botanical and pollen evidence taken from a 3,500‐year‐old Danish drinking vessel. The vessel, made of birch bark, was found in the tomb of a leather‐clad woman Dr. Pat says was probably an upper-class dancer or priestess. The analysis pointed to the ingredients used in this unique brew: wheat, lingonberries, cranberries, myrica gale, yarrow, honey and birch syrup.

The base of Kvasir is a toasty red winter wheat, and the bog-grown berries deliver a pungent tartness. While a handful of hops is used, the earthy, bitter counterpunch to the sweet honey and birch syrup comes from the herbs.

Pour into a snifter and enjoy with sweet‐and‐sour pork, beef tacos with pickled vegetables, smoked salmon, root vegetables, fresh gingerbread. 10% ABV.

Troegs Hop Knife Harvest Ale

Hop Knife Harvest Ale recognizes the meticulous, time-honored tradition of hand-harvesting hops at the peak of maturity. Our HopCyclone process creates an inward spiral of hop dispersal during fermentation, releasing a bounty of citrus, resin and tropical aromas. 6.2% ABV, 87 IBU's.

Hop Knife works well with strong flavors like garlic, onion and ginger. Pair with bold fatty cuts of meat or spicy Thai dishes that use curry, coconut milk and lemon grass. Serve in a tumbler.



Stone Coffee Milk Stout

There’s no shortage of talented people at Stone, and each makes their presence known in their own unique way. Brian Gallagher, a brewer who learned the art of fermentation in the UK, used this beer, a take on a traditional English milk stout, as his vehicle for personal expression. Originally brewed as a limited edition offering at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station, this coffee-laced milk stout quickly became a favorite among Gallagher’s peers. Made bittersweet and creamy while remaining smooth and easy-drinking thanks to the addition of milk sugar, it’s clear in one sip why this is a brew we needed to share with fans everywhere.

Several unique things about this formulation make the beer special, including the addition of San Diego coffee roaster Ryan Bros’ coffee beans in the mash. Stone also uses British mild ale malt as the base malt and the addition of milk sugar, which brewer’s yeast does not ferment. These components add some body and a touch of sweetness to the resulting beer. At only 4.2 percent ABV, some might expect this beer to be thin, but that’s far from the truth– it is a smooth and satisfying beer.

Dark-roasted malts give off coffee and cocoa aromas, with hints of smokiness. On the palate, pronounced coffee and dark-roasted malt flavors that contain hints of cocoa and licorice, and a lot of fruit esters from the fermentation. This is a very malty beer. It's light-bodied and smooth, with a semisweet but also slightly dry finish. But the availability is very limited.

4.2% ABV, 40 IBU's. Pair with Beef & Barley soup, Braised Portobello Mushrooms, Cinnamon-Dusted Pork Tenderloins, or Chocolate Coffee Milk Stout Cheesecake. You can find recipes for all of those dishes on the Stone Brewing web site.

Terrapin Pumpkin Fest 

This seasonal brew encompasses your Thanksgiving spread in one tasty sip. Perfectly balanced pumpkin (real pumpkin!) and spices are added to, without overwhelming, this German style brew. Expect a pumpkin pie nose followed by a strong malt backbone, low hop bitterness and authentic fall taste, all wrapped in a light bodied beer. Prost!

6.1% ABV, 23 IBU's.

Enjoy with rich stews, fall vegetable gratin with aged cheddar, or braised chicken with a rich Oaxacan Mole sauce.


Friday, August 8, 2014

Friday Grab Bag

It's the end of the week, so let's wrap up another busy time at our stores, before moving on to the busier weekend. That means it's time for the Friday Grab Bag, our weekly round-up of events and activities at Joe Canal's.

Events

Lawrenceville will have a regular weekend wine tasting schedule of 4-6pm Friday and 2-4pm Saturday. Click here for the tasting menu, which is the same for both days.

Over the next two weekends, we'll also have additional tastings and special events. To see the full Events calendar for Lawrenceville, please click here.

Woodbridge will also have a regular weekend wine tasting schedule, and that's 4-6pm Friday, 1-3pm Saturday. Click here for the tasting menu, which is the same for both days.

Sunday brings the mash-up of two highly anticipated events: Beer Camp Day and the Pumpkin Beer Release. Click here for details on why all craft beer lovers will leave the beach early on Sunday.

New Products

New vintages of Silver Oak Napa Valley have arrived, and the new vintage of Silver Oak Alexander Valley should arrive today or Monday. Of course, we will have very limited availability of these two amazing wines.

Also due to arrive is the new vintage of Kingsford Manor Meritage. Supplies will be more plentiful for the Kingsford Manor.

Each year, mid-August brings "Shutdown Week," where a number of our wholesale distributors cease deliveries for the week. We're there now, so next week will see a very limited number of new products.


Ripped From The Headlines

Wine auctions are very big business around the world. A well-known wine collector has been convicted and sentenced for fraud, having basically created, on his kitchen table, counterfeit versions of iconic wines. Click here for the story.

The Philadelphia Inquirer asks whether Philadelphia is the best beer town in America. Click here for the story and decide for yourself.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Grilling Season

Since there's still plenty of outdoor season left, we wanted to share more grilling recipes. And the first will tie into the release of the new vintage of Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vine Grilled Hanger Steak with Polenta Fries & Garden Greens

Courtesy Silver Oak.

Of course, you can substitute anything easier for the Polenta Fries. We also suggest grilling this over old grape vines.

Steak
3 pounds hanger or flank steak
½ cup Herb-Dijon Marinade (see recipe immediately below)

Herb-Dijon Marinade
Makes 2 cups
1 cup olive oil
½ cup parsley leaves with stems, chopped
¼ cup thyme leaves, chopped
½ cup shallots, chopped
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Place ½ cup of the olive oil and the rest of the ingredients into a blender or food processor and pulse for 30 seconds.
   
Add the remaining ½ cup of olive oil and pulse an additional 30 seconds. Do not let the blender run at full speed for more than a second or two because the high speed of the spinning blades will cause the olive oil to turn bitter.
   
The marinade will last up to a week in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. When you refrigerate the marinade, you will notice that the olive oil solidifies. Be sure to gently warm the marinade for 10 seconds in your microwave and stir very well to reconstitute when using.

Polenta Fries
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup cornmeal
2 cups canola oil
1 cup rice flour

Garden Greens
4 ounces baby mixed lettuces
1 ounce extra virgin olive oil
½ ounce aged balsamic vinegar
½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings
Sea salt
Black pepper
1 cup Salsa Verde (see recipe below)

Salsa Verde
Makes 3 cups
3 garlic cloves, smashed
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup shallots, sliced
2 anchovies, smashed (optional)
2 bunches fresh Italian parsley leaves, stems removed
½ cup capers, chopped
2 cups olive oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh lemon juice

Sauté the garlic in a small pan over medium heat with 4 tablespoons of olive oil, stirring constantly and cooking just to the point when the garlic turns golden brown. Add the shallots and cook until translucent. Add the anchovies and cook until they dissolve into the oil. Remove mixture to a plate and chill in the refrigerator.
   
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the parsley leaves and boil for 1 minute. Strain and cool in a bowl of ice water. Strain the parsley from the ice water and squeeze dry.
  
Place the parsley, cooled garlic-shallot-anchovy mixture and capers into a blender. With the blender on high, slowly drizzle in the 2 cups of olive oil. When all of the oil has been added, let the blender run for 3 minutes to purée the ingredients.
   
Salsa verde can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to a month. Just before serving mix salsa verde with lemon juice to brighten the flavor.

Marinate the Steak

Place the hanger steak in the herb marinade and let soak for at least 3 hours, or up to a day.

Make Polenta

Brush a 9″ x 9″ casserole dish with olive oil, making sure to coat the entire bottom and sides of the dish.

In a sauce pot bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the salt and slowly sprinkle in the cornmeal while whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the liquid returns to a simmer.
  
Remove from the heat and immediately pour all of the polenta into the oiled casserole dish. Working quickly with a rubber spatula, spread the polenta evenly over the entire dish to make level. Place in the refrigerator for 4 hours, or until fully chilled and firm.

Heat the canola oil in a deep-sided sauté pan to 375°F. Invert the casserole dish with the polenta onto a cutting board, using a rubber spatula to loosen the edges if they stick. Cut the polenta into 3″ x ½″ x ½″ fries, and coat each fry with rice flour.
   
Fry the polenta fries in the canola oil until golden brown and let drain on a wire rack.

Make the Salad

Toss the baby lettuces with olive oil, balsamic, Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings, sea salt, and black pepper.

Grill the Steak

Light your grill and grill the hanger steak to desired temperature. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
   
To serve, spread the Salsa Verde onto each plate, place 2-3 polenta fries on top along with slices of hanger steak and the salad. Bon Appetito!

Shrimp Skewers with Orange Chardonnay Mojo Glaze

Courtesy of Mirassou. And fewer moving parts than the previous recipe.

Prep time: 15 minutes.
Cook time: About 10 minutes.

Orange Chardonnay Mojo Glaze:

1/3 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup Mirassou Chardonnay
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno
2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste

Shrimp:

16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 short bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 1 hour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

Place first 6 ingredients in a small pan; cook over medium heat until reduced by half. Let cool slightly then stir in cilantro; season to taste with salt and pepper. Thread 2 shrimp onto each skewer. Stir together oil and garlic in a small bowl; brush over both sides of shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side on a grill, in a hot grill pan or under the broiler. Drizzle with Orange Chardonnay Mojo Glaze.

Makes 4 appetizer servings.



Wednesday, August 6, 2014

A Peek in the Back Room

The receiving docks at our two Joe Canal's stores can be dangerous places. Trucks, forklifts, palates full of product, handtrucks and people move about at scary speeds. Some days, the trucks are lined up around the building. For that, we sincerely thank you, because those bottles and cans are going out the front door just as fast as they're coming in.

Here, then, is a look at what's just arrived, or what we expect to receive within the next few days.

 Isle of Jura Brooklyn

"Despite our love for it, scotch whisky’s reputation has been marred by a sense of snobbery, exclusivity, and even boredom. We always believed that could be changed and that all the ancient scotch-making rules could (and should) be broken. Enter Jura Brooklyn. Created in collaboration with some of Kings County’s most visionary and influential establishments, our limited edition blend is an ode to the spirit of rebellion and the remarkable synergy between Jura and New York’s most infamous borough."

"Everyone knows you aren't allowed to make scotch whisky outside of Scotland, which is all well and good—if you care to follow rules (which we don't). So we picked a similarly convention-defying island, a little place called Brooklyn, and sent our rogue of a master distiller Mr. Willie Tait there with one goal: to create a world-class single malt scotch whisky made by and for the people of Kings County. He left with six cask samples and returned with an inspired blend hand-selected by some of the borough's most revered inhabitants and establishments."

"Aged in American White Oak Bourbon, Amoroso Sherry, & Pinot Noir casks, our newest marriage boasts flavors of smoke, roasted coffee beans, lush berries, and honey." This is an allocated whisky, available for $52.99.

Rock Hill Farms Bourbon

100 Proof "Rye Recipe" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Bourbon, called “The World’s Greatest Bourbon” by Washingtonian Magazine.

"The nose presents hints of plums, candy and papaya and the medium body bears a simple palate with a touch of fruit, tobacco and a pleasant minty backdrop." Gary and Mardee Regan in The Bourbon Companion. From the Buffalo Trace family of brands. Available for $44.99, in very limited quantities.


While we have your attention, have you visited our all-new web site lately? Click here to see the new features and improved functionality. While you're there, please take a moment to register for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

Le Galet Côtes du Rhône

Galets are the large, conglomerate rocks (also called puddingstones) found in the Rhône valley which help store heat and provide excellent drainage. Le Galet Côtes-du-Rhône is a traditional Syrah-Grenache blend, providing an accessible, early drinking style without being overly tannic.

On the nose, there is an abundance of black and red fruit, particularly blackberry and loganberry, with plenty of warm spice. The palate follows the same theme, with the soft and supple tannins blending nicely with the warm spice to produce a mouth-filling richness . The flavor is similar to the nose, with plenty of red and black berry fruit combining beautifully. This wine certainly delivers a lot at this price.

Enjoy with canapés or as a match for a range of red meat dishes. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®. Available now in Lawrenceville, and coming soon to Woodbridge.