Play Ball

Major League Baseball's regular season starts on Sunday. Our local teams may or may not have great seasons, but we can certainly enjoy their wines.

You hadn't heard? These are officially licensed wines, available for a limited time and in limited quantities. The best part is that these are really good wines. That, and the fact that they make a great gift for a fan.

We are now carrying New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox wines. Out stock will vary by store, so if you don't see your favorite, ask at Customer Service if they can transfer a bottle for you.

New York Yankees™ Reserve Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. The New York Yankees™ evoke some of the most resonant baseball words: tradition, success, and grandeur, to name a few. The organization is proud to present winemaking with a red wine, sourced from the sun-bathed vineyards of Paso Robles. This Cabernet Sauvignon has the richness, depth, and character following Yankees™ tradition. This wine will accompany grilled meats, hearty stews, and a variety of cheeses.

Philadelphia Phillies™  Reserve 2012 Central Coast Proprietary Red. You always
know when you are in Philadelphia - Phillies™ fans are passionate about their team and they aren't afraid to show it. To honor the city’s spirit, Phillies™ Reserve Red, sourced from vineyards on California’s Central Coast, balances power and finesse, much like the Phillies™ lineup, while going long on the flavor fans demand. Aged in French and American oak for 11 months, this blend produces flavors of blackberry, cherries, tobacco, and spice resulting in a wine that is food friendly.

Red Sox™  Club Series Reserve 2012 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. If there's one thing that can be said about Boston, it's a city that celebrates character. Whether it's a one-of-a-kind, hundred-year-old ballpark or the beards from a championship season---the team's strength, grit and unity flows from the spirit of the fans.

The Red Sox™ demand character in everything, including this distinctive addition to Club Series Reserve. A 2012 Cabernet sourced from California’s Alexander Valley----packed with rich chocolate and black current, with layers of dark cherries.

The New York Mets™ Cabernet Sauvignon offers a taste of fruit with a finish that's long and seamless.

Any selection is available for the Bottle Club® price of $19.99

Beer Recommendations for Easter

We know there are many of you who prefer craft beer over wine most days, and Easter is certainly no exception. We've discussed among ourselves, and we can recommend these craft brews as perfect pairings for your Easter ham, turkey or lamb.

Weyerbacher Verboten

Weyerbacher Verboten would pair perfectly with roast turkey, especially one that has a lot of herb seasonings on it!  The herbal character from the selection of hops and Belgian yeast-derived esters in Verboten complements the natural flavors of Turkey. The caramel malts sync up with the crispy skin and the brisk carbonation zips away the fattiness of the dark meat.

Verboten, at 5.9% ABV, is a Belgian-style Pale Ale with an American twist. It’s brewed with Pale, Carahell and Wheat malts, and generously hopped with Cascade to give it a distinctly American character. This medium bodied beer has a crisp palate and moderate bitterness coupled with the fruity esters from Weyerbacher's Abbey yeast strain. Verboten is bottle and keg conditioned, so expect a tall fluffy head and a small amount of yeast.

Originally released as “Alpha”, Verboten was the first Brewers’ Select beer. It was later seasonally released as the word for “fools” in Dutch. THAT name was “forbidden”, so they elected to go with Verboten (German for forbidden)!

Carton Brunch. Dinner. Grub.

Assuming a sugared ham, look for steam beers. The sugar and salt will pull fruit from the common yeast quite nicely.

Matching the right beer to the right food is a wonderful assignment. The contemplation of point and counter-point can often be as much fun as the reward of good pairing. Sadly, in a life well lived there is not always time to contemplate what dinner will be, let alone what beverage will play best with it. Here Carton has selected malts to evoke the crusty breads that sit well next to every meal and seasoned it with the lemony, tarragon/thyme notes of Aramis hops. A go-to, food friendly ale for the table. Drink B.D.G because you are what you eat... and drink.

B.D.G. is a Country Ale that comes in at 6% ABV.

River Horse Lager

River Horse Unfiltered American Lager is a crisp, refreshing Lager. Bready notes and a subtle maltiness are balanced with just enough hops. It comes in at 5% ABV, and is brewed with Chinook, Hallertau and Saaz hops, plus Pilsen, Munich and Carapils malt.

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale

What if dinner is a glazed ham, with all the brown-sugar sweetness? Look for something that will play well with the sweetness and also interact with the salt.

Old Brown Dog has been cited as a classic example of the “American Brown Ale” style of beer. Compared to a typical English Brown Ale, Old Brown Dog is fuller-bodied and more strongly hopped.

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Made in the style of a German Maibock, brewed using Rogue's proprietary Pacman yeast, Dead Guy Ale is deep honey in color with a malty aroma, rich hearty flavor and a well balanced finish. Will pair with spicy food, as well as anything pork.

"Deep reddish amber hue. Generous toasty malt aromas and earthy hops follow through on a moderately full-bodied palate with fruity accents and a long spicy hop finish. A delicious hybrid style with bock-like maltiness but ale-like hopping." –World Beer Championship Judges

If you're inclined toward lamb for Easter, we have suggestions for you as well. Not really craft beers, but niche producers.

Trappist ales or Abbey ales work well with the more delicate and lean flavor of lamb (Abbey-style means the ale was not brewed by an authorized monastery.) Try your lamb with an Orval Trappist Ale.

The gustative sensations will gain in nuance depending on the age of the beer. Young beer is characterized by a bouquet of fresh hops, with a fruity note and pronounced bitterness, light on the palate and a less firm collar than a beer of six months. The latter will feature a bouquet consisting of a blend of fragrances of yeast and old-fashioned hop. The bitterness is more diffuse and the taste has moved to a slight touch of acidity accompanying yeast and caramel flavors. Served without its sediments, a beer of six months or more, has a particularly bright appearance. It will be less so, if it is served at a temperature below 44° - 45°F.

The brewery indicates the bottling and best-by dates directly on the label. Every consumer can thus easily know the age of an Orval beer, and whether it should be consumed rapidly or less so, depending on whether one likes this beer young, or after a few months or years in the cellar.

Orval is one of only 10 Trappist breweries in the world, and Orval brews within the monastery walls.  At this writing, Orval is only in stock in Woodbridge, but we can transfer some to Lawrenceville upon request.

Chimay Red Cap is another Trappist ale worth inviting to your easter dinner. The Red Cap, or "Première", is the oldest of the Chimays. This Trappist beer possesses a beautiful coppery color that makes it particularly attractive. Topped with a creamy head, it gives off a slight fruity apricot smell from the fermentation. The aroma felt in the mouth is a balance confirming the fruit nuances revealed to the sense of smell.

Gloomy Weather Grab Bag

All we'll say about that is please Bring Spring. Otherwise, it's time for our weekly round-up of important information.

We'll look ahead one weekend and note that our Easter Sunday (April 5) store hours are 9am-4pm (corrected time). For recommendations on wine for Easter, click here and here. Please visit this blog on Monday, when we'll discuss beer suggestions for Easter.

For a discussion of some new Passover wines, click here.

Events in Lawrenceville

Please join us for our regular wine tastings this weekend, Friday from 4-6pm, and 2-4pm on Saturday. Click here for the menu.

Events in Woodbridge

We have a little something for nearly everyone this weekend. We start at 4pm today, with the Vermont breweries Tap Takeover. The participating breweries are Otter Creek, The Shed, and Wolavers. Details are posted here.

Also at 4pm today, running until 6pm, is a free tasting of Hiro Junmai Sake. Unwrap some of the mystery around this brewed beverage at this event.

On Saturday, we'll have our regular wine tasting, from 1-3pm. Click here for the menu.

With Brunello Tuesday's, the Art Show & Wine Tasting and more on the schedule, keep track of our programs and activities via our Event Calendar.

New Products

If you're looking for something really different, we have started carrying Oculto, which is a lager infused with blue agave and aged on tequila barrel staves.


Earlier in the week, we noted the arrival of craft beer like Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout and RJ Rockers Son of a Peach. We've also received Bud Light Lemonade-Rita in cans.

Another new craft beer is Horny Goat Black Vanilla IPA. This take on a Cascadian Dark Ale is loaded with Northern Brewer and Centennial hops for a unique flavor combination showcasing both earthy and bright hop tones. A malty and slightly roasted backbone is perfectly complemented by the addition of real

vanilla beans to the aging tanks on this one of a kind black IPA.

Maculan Palazzotto Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the best, low-yielding vineyards and aged in French barriques for one year. The name of the wine comes from the name of the area, or località, where the grapes are sourced for this wine.

Opaque ruby-red in color, this wine is richly aromatic with notes of dark berries, anise, black pepper and just a touch of “garrigue” or Mediterranean herbs that has become a hallmark note of Maculan's wines. This is a dry, full-bodied red that is at once elegant and intense. It is bottled unrefined

and unfiltered to capture every bit of aroma and flavor that the grapes have to offer.

Pair this delicious red with a simple and unadorned meat dish like marinated London broil served with roasted potatoes. Perfect with red meats, grilled, braised or roasted.

91 points from Wine Advocate, 90 from Wine Spectator. $21.99 in the Bottle Club®.

    
  

Ripped from the Headlines

Many of you have asked us about the recently-filed lawsuit against several wine producers. Please click here for our take.

Have a great weekend!

Easter Wine, Part 2

Earlier this week, we started our What to Drink for Easter recommendations with a Pinot post. If you're looking for a red wine to go with ham or turkey, you just can't beat a Pinot Noir. Click here to read those recommendations. Today, we'll consider some white wine pairings for Easter.

At Joe Canal's, we believe in the concept of "drink what you like." If you prefer a Chardonnay or anything else to what we're recommending today, our wine team in the stores will be happy to help. These suggestions are based on our experience with pairings, as well as our own palates.

We have found that a lightly sweet Riesling or a spicy-sweet Gewurztraminer to be the optimal white wines for pairing with a ham or turkey. They are not too light in body, so they hold up against the nuanced flavors of an Easter dinner, with the sweetness and spiciness playing nicely opposite the various traditional dishes.

Gewurztraminer might be tricky to pronounce, but its complex character is why it's a great pairing at Easter. We suggest the Trimbach Gewurztraminer, from the Alsace region of France.

Gewurztraminer is at once the fruitiest and the spiciest of the white varietals; it's a unique wine. It reaches the height of perfection at Trimbach in Alsace.

Trimbach's dry personality makes it ideal as an aperitif and it pairs extremely well with specialty cuisine with pronounced flavors like you find on a holiday table. It's also a fine accompaniment for fish or seasoned meats, spicy and exotic dishes, soft cheeses (think Munster), and an assortment of desserts.

Available for only $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

When it comes to Rieslings, we're very partial to wines produced by Josef Leitz. Generally, their vineyards face 100% south. The steeply sloped vineyards have very good drainage and are perfectly adapted for complexly structured, mineral driven wines. The more vigorous vineyards are those with high loess and loam. These vineyards bring forth the juicy, fruit backed Riesling. You'll find these to be nicely balanced wines that have a light, fruit-driven sweetness.

One great choice is the Leitz Dragonstone. Dragonstone is translated from "Dracheinstein". The name goes back to the rock with this mythological name and also possibly to the form of a dragon. The soil consists of loess-loam sand stone and quartzite and in some parts also of chalk. The wines are amazingly elegant with a delicately spicy note.

The usual kirsch and lime flavors are now in the finest conceivable form: barely perceptibly sweet. Pointed yet creamy, salty and minty; animated and seductive. Only $14.99 in the Bottle Club®.

You also can't go wrong with the Leitz Rudesheimer Riesling Kabinett. It has a ripe aroma leads into flavors of apple and ripe citrus, with notes of guava and sage honey. The well-spiced finish is long. And it's only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Our next set of recommendations will probably be posted on Monday, and we'll discuss craft beer selections.

Have Some

Every Wednesday, we like to introduce some of our newest products. It's impossible to cover everything, so we feature just a few. When you're looking specifically for new products, please ask any store team member.

One quick housekeeping note: Our store hours for Easter Sunday, April 5, are 9am-4pm.

Rogue Sriracha Stout

Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout Beer, made from Huy Fong original hot chili sauce and sun ripened Rogue Farms ingredients, is ready to drink with soups, sauces, pasta, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chow mein, or anything you'd like to wash down with a spicy kick. Sold in 750ML bottles.

2010 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino le Lucere

"Aged two years in oak, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére is expressive and deep with thick lines and a profound sense of extraction. This is a lovely wine that occupies a special place on the opulent side of the Brunello spectrum. Of course, the amazing quality of fruit in 2010 has given winemakers more variables and raw material to play with. The wine shows dark concentration and an

impenetrable appearance. Dried fruit, clove, nutmeg and toasted almond segue to cola, licorice and pressed rose petal. The mouthfeel is sweet and chewy but the overall effect is spectacular. This wine marks a huge improvement over past efforts.

San Filippo makes an impressive statement in 2010. The Brunello Le Lucére is one of the protagonists of the vintage and is a wine that captures a rare side of the Sangiovese grape. It is explosive, powerful and rich. Like the other great wines of the vintage, this Brunello proves the potential of everyone's favorite Tuscan red grape." 96 points, Wine Advocate. This wine also rated 98 points from James Suckling.

Horny Goat Archer Apple Brown Ale

Archer Apple Brown Ale has all the apple cider flavor you want in a brown ale without any of the drawbacks. Two-row, chocolate and caramel malts and oats anchor a flavor profile that’ll make your taste buds quiver, as fresh-pressed Door County apple cider blended into the brew gives you the perfect apple-shot to the kisser.

BV Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon

This is returning to our shelves after a two year absence. BV Coastal Estates wines come from select vineyards along California's Central Coast, where diverse conditions enable the winery to source each wine from a site where it develops its most intense varietal character. They then enhance this intensity in the winery

with carefully chosen winemaking methods, for wines of high quality expression at an exceptional value.

Dark ruby-violet color. This Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon promises much, and delivers more! The aromas suggest black and green peppercorn, with currant-mint and black tea overtones. Medium bodied, the aromas are echoed on the palate, and completed by hints of dark chocolate. Finishing with a light, velvety texture, this wine is very easy to drink.

Only $7.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Great Buy from a Premier Wine Region

Châteauneuf-du-Pape derives its name from a combination of the early Latin name for the region and the fact that two Pope's lived in nearby Avignon in the 14th century. The image below shows the remains of the Pope's castle, sitting above the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Today, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is synonymous with rich, well made and age-worthy wines. Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre are the primary grapes in the region, but there are 10 others that also may find their way into these outstanding Rhone wines. And the rules for producing Châteauneuf-du-Pape are more stringent than nearly any other region in France.

The vineyards of La Robe Rouge are situated at the southern end of the Rhône Valley, between the towns of Orange and Avignon on the left bank of the Rhône. A Mediterranean climate makes the Southern Rhône Valley one of the warmest wine growing regions in France.

A robust blend of grape varieties gives the wine depth and body, a strong color, sturdy character and long life. Consider cellaring this for up to 10 years. La Robe Rouge is made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault.

Serve at about 62° F with strong meat dishes, full wine sauces, and strong cheese. Only $24.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Easter Pinot

For those who celebrate Easter with a family dinner of ham, we have a few suggestions for your table. In addition, any of these wines will also go well with Turkey. We do coordinate with our store team to get the best recommendations for you. These are a great place to start. Additional recommendations will be posted later this week.

An Oregon Pinot Noir is one nice choice. Something a bit spicy and berry-rich to play against the saltiness/sweetness of, say, a glazed ham. We recommend the A To Z Wineworks Pinot Noir.

The A to Z Pinot Noir invites with vibrant aromas of juicy berries, cherries, lavender and violets, evolving to clove, game, smoke and cherry tobacco. A succulent, focused attack has flavors of blue and red fruits, flowers and earth, then deepens with hints of mocha, gingerbread, green tea and cacao. A very tannic structure is balanced by perfect acidity, giving shape and elegance to the concentration of lush fruit. A beautiful, complex, forward wine results, walking a tightrope between richness and elegance. Built for midterm aging, the captivating A to Z Pinot Noir once again sets the standard for  Pinot Noir in Oregon. $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir. Meiomi comes from the Wagner Family of Wine, the producers of Caymus. It's classified as a California Pinot Noir, as the grapes used in Meiomi come from Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Monterey counties.

Meiomi is a high style Pinot Noir that is shaped, more than anything else, by the fruit sources that lay the foundation of the blend.  A purebred enjoyment wine, built to accommodate any pairing from food to friends.  Unifying California’s most noteworthy coastal areas opens the door for a dynamic and opulent wine that is ready to enjoy whenever you are.

From the winery: "From our first Pinot Noir vintage in 2002, we set out with a single goal for Meiomi:  To craft a vibrant, food-friendly wine that is approachable and ready to drink upon release.  Being grown and produced with all the bells and whistles available, Meiomi is known for its quality and consistency at a reasonable price.  By blending top-notch parcels of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from three great areas, Meiomi has become known as an approachable wine for any occasion – and at an affordable price it offers up the luxury of reliability year in and year out."

Meiomi Pinot Noir is available for only $19.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Here's another outstanding choice from the Wagner Family of Wines. They have already brought us Caymus, Conundrum and Meiomi, so we don't need to add anything to their well-deserved reputation for quality. Elouan Pinot Noir is their newest wine, as they grow from California into Oregon.

Elouan Pinot Noir emulates the successful sourcing philosophy introduced with Meiomi: blending the top Pinot Noir regions together for a richer, more complex style than what you could achieve by sourcing from one small area. In this instance, the grapes are grown in the great Oregon Valleys of Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue. The diversity of these cool climate areas elongates the growing season, developing intense structure, while maintaining a vibrant acidity to differentiate it from any California Pinot Noir.

Only $22.99 in the Bottle Club®.

If you prefer something of a rock & roll Easter, try the Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir. This is the newest wine from the partnership between Steve Reeder and Dave Matthews.

When Steve Reeder and Dave Matthews first met, they realized they had a few things in common, like a passion for making wine at least as strong as their passion for drinking it.

They set out into wine country, looking for a way to make quality wines accessible to everyone. Along the way, they found inspiration in the down-to-earth characters and unforgettable flavors that give the region its rare kind of charm.

"We think this wine hits all the right notes. No matter what your journey may be, this is the perfect wine to share along the way." - Sean McKenzie, Winemaker.

$13.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Mohua Pinot Noir. As we've been seeing, New Zealand winemakers made Sauvignon Blanc their own, and then started putting their unique approach to Pinot Noir, again, to great acclaim.

Capturing the essence and excitement of Central Otago in every glass, the hand-picked fruit of this dramatic Pinot Noir embody the character and purity of a major new wine region.

Mohua offers a floral scented, rich and juicy Pinot Noir. Layered with fine tannins, raspberry and blackcurrant, wild strawberry and spice flavors.

Only $13.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Weather or Not Grab Bag

We're as happy to celebrate the arrival of Spring as anyone. We don't want to see our ice scraper again. Ever.  With that mini-rant over, let's get this started.

Events in Lawrenceville

We have our regular weekend wine tasting schedule, which is 4-6pm today and 2-4pm tomorrow. Click here for the tasting menu.

Events in Woodbridge

It's a busy weekend for our Woodbridge team. We start with our regular wine tasting today, from 4-6pm. Immediately afterward is our tasting of beer from Pittsburgh's Penn Brewery, 6-8pm.

Tomorrow, we have our regular wine tasting, 1-3pm. Also on Saturday, look for our experts at the Bridal Expo, being held at the Lord & Taylor store in the Woodbridge Center Mall. We'll be there from noon until 9pm. Find out how we can help you save money on wine, beer and spirits for your wedding. Click here for more information on the Bridal Expo.

Looking ahead, we've got a busy week planned as well. We have Brunello Tuesday on the 24th, and we'll be tasting the 2009 Casanova di Neri Brunello di  Montalcino. On Wednesday the 25th, we're having a tasting of Passover wines, in conjunction with Big Tent Judaism. Passover starts only 9 days later, so this is a great opportunity to see what we have available.  We've also brought in some new Kosher for Passover wines that scored 90 points or higher (available in both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge). Click here for our preview of those wines.

The events continues with a tasting of Yards Brewing beers, a Tap Takeover by several Vermont breweries, and a tasting of Hiro Junmai Sake. Click here for our full Event Calendar.

New Products

This was a week where the blog just couldn't keep up with the deliveries. As always, if you're just looking for new products in general, ask any of our in-store associates. Here are a couple of additional new wines:

Lafon & Meurgey Duets Chardonnay. Sourced from vineyards in Burgundy and Languedoc, this beautifully crafted Chard offers flavors of ripe stone fruits (think apricot) and juicy apples.  Rich and balanced with fresh acidity and a touch of creaminess on the finish. $14.96 $13.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Rafael Reverte Cistum 2009. This is a "back in stock" wine, and a great choice as an everyday red. "The 2009 Cistum was sourced from 120-year-old ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines aged for 6 months in new French oak. Cedar, pencil lead, Asian spices,

incense, and black cherry liqueur aromas are some of the elements leading to a voluminous, focused, layered wine with enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. This remarkable example of old-vine Garnacha will be at its best from 2014 to 2024." - Wine Advocate, 92 points. $11.96 in the Bottle Club®.  

                                                      Ripped from the Headlines

-Diageo is planning to include nutritional information and alcohol content per serving on its Smirnoff vodka, Tanqueray gin and Guinness stout labels or on its responsible drinking website.

Have a great weekend!

But Wait, There's More!

More new products to discuss, that is.

Hayes Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Two different wines-not a blend. Located in the northern Central Coast of California, the lore of Hayes Valley extends back to the days of missionaries and the historic El Camino Real. The land was planted with wine grapes in the late 1800’s, but the vineyards eventually succumbed to Prohibition.

Agriculture was restored to the Valley in the late 1990’s with the planting of new vines. The Hayes Valley is an ideal climate for growing grapes—cool, foggy nights followed by warm sunny days.

Hayes Valley Wines are grown and produced at Clos LaChance Estate Vineyards and Winery in California’s Northern Central Coast, which was one of the first certified sustainable wineries in California.

The Cabernet shows aromas of cocoa, dried cherry, black currants and a hint of cigar, with vanilla and spice undertones. Rich cherry and blackberry flavors upon first sip. Medium tannins and acidity create perfect balance. A bit of bakers spice and rosemary on the finish.

Pair with Beef Dishes (New York Steak with Gorgonzola Butter, Prime Rib, Grilled Filet), Grilled Lamb with Mushrooms, Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts or Pecans, Blue Cheeses (Camembert, Aged Jack, Parmesan, Gorgonzola).

In the Merlot, bramble berry, vanilla and a hint of fresh dill on the nose. A hint of cocoa and dried strawberry. On first sip, bright acidity and blackberries dominate. Secondary flavors of raspberries, savory and rosemary follow. The finish is very smooth with soft tannins and a hint of that vanilla peeking through.

This wine would pair great with Beef dishes (Grilled Flank Steak or a Beef Brisket Pot Roast) or Lamb dishes (Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks or Roasted Rack of Lamb).

Each is priced at only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Dreaming Tree Pinot Noir

This is the newest wine from the partnership between Steve Reeder and Dave Matthews.

When Steve Reeder and Dave Matthews first met, they realized they had a few things in common, like a passion for making wine at least as strong as their passion for drinking it.

They set out into wine country, looking for a way to make quality wines accessible to everyone. Along the way, they found inspiration in the down-to-earth characters and unforgettable flavors that give the region its rare kind of charm.

"We think this wine hits all the right notes. No matter what your journey may be, this is the perfect wine to share along the way." - Sean McKenzie, Winemaker.

$13.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Prats & Symington Douro Post Scriptum de Chryseia 2011

2011 was another exceptionally dry year whose effects were mitigated by the abundant rainfall of the previous winter, which was crucial in building good water reserves deep in the subsoil. The opportune rains of late August/early September, and the dry, sunny conditions which ensued, proved decisive in delivering grapes of exceptional quality in our vineyards of Quinta de Roriz and Quinta da Perdiz. A great year for wine.

Deep garnet center with vivid velvet-red rim. Aromas of plums and attractive resinous notes. Lush and mouth-filling with satisfying pure and compact black fruits, displaying undertones of mineral and spice, underscored by fine acidity. 90 points from Wine Spectator. $23.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Touriga Nacional – 56%, Touriga Franca – 30%, Tinta Barroca – 7%, Tinta Roriz – 7%.

Tozai Snow Maiden Junmai Nigori

Produced in Kyoto by the Kizakura Brewery, this unfiltered sake is flavorful, full, and creamy. While fairly dry, it displays abundant flavors of fresh fruit underscored by the assertive character of the rice. Tozai "Snow Maiden" Junmai Nigori is remarkably food-friendly, and an excellent overall value. Enjoy slightly chilled. Only $14.99 in the Bottle Club®.

The Latest New

For those who don't read this blog regularly, Wednesday is usually the day we take a look at the latest products to reach our shelves. So the title of today's post isn't really missing that "s" after all. We will stick to our format today and introduce you to some of what our buyers have been working on lately.

Los Vascos Rose 2014

Winter may not be ready to leave, but the arrival of rose wines means that summer will be here any time now. And maybe enjoying a rose will get summer here faster. Los Vascos is a familiar brand, as we already carry several of their varietals.

Los Vascos is a Chilean property in the Chateau Lafite Rothschild family of wines. In other words, an excellent lineage. This is a Cabernet-based wine (90%), with Syrah making up the rest of the blend.

Los Vascos’ rosé is made from grapes which are pressed immediately after harvesting. This preserves the freshness, the fruity aromas and the bright color brought of the juice straight from the vineyard. It is best to drink this wine young to fully enjoy its lively character and finesse.

Bright, pale pink color. Fruity aromas such as fresh strawberries, raspberries and red plums combined with cherry tomato and briny notes. Fresh, balanced, and persistent mouthfeel. A rosé to be enjoyed while still young to appreciate the fruit expression at its best. Excellent choice as an aperitif or with mildly spicy dishes, gazpacho, salads, pizza or paella. Only $8.09 in the Bottle Club®.

Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey

This is an exceptionally distinctive bourbon with remarkable depth, complexity and length, procured by Dave Phinney, famous for his work with Orin Swift wine.

The whiskey itself started as a blend of 5, 7 and 8-year-old bourbons hailing from Kentucky and Tennessee. Micro batch experimentation and maturation in their finest Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon barrels resulted in a rich, layered and unique oak profile. Tamed with pristine water originating from a natural hillside spring found on Dave’s property 2000 feet above the Alexander Valley in California.

Aromatically intriguing with brown sugar, maple, caramelized oak, exotic spices, orange peel and campfire. The palate is velvety smooth, rich and packed with flavors of brown spice, honey and intense caramel. The complexity is apparent and the finish is persistent, long lasting and focused.

Straight Edge is a limited-release whiskey, and this first vintage is completely sold out. We were able to get only 12 bottles per store. This should be in stock now in Woodbridge, and should be delivered in the next day or two to Lawrenceville. If you're a whisk(e)y lover, do not miss this! Available for $44.99.

Passover Wines

Passover starts in about two weeks. We've received requests for better wines that are Kosher for Passover. Both of these new Israeli wines fit that description.

Carmel Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon, Upper Galilee. The wine is produced mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in specially chosen vineyards in the Upper Galilee. Matured in French oak barrels for 12 months, it has a deep purple color with a nose of blackberries, cassis and eucalyptus. The label features an ostrich. 91 points, Wine Enthusiast. $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Tzuba Cabernet Sauvignon. A complex and powerful wine that will ma- ture in coming years, with aromas of black fruits, roasted oak, dark flowers and spices. Pair with rich, full flavored pasta, grilled beef or chicken dishes. Non-Mevushal. 92 points, Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast. $23.99 in the Bottle Club®.

If you're shopping for a Passover wine, and it's outside of your comfort zone, here are a few helpful tips: A Kosher wine is not the same as a Kosher for Passover wine. Kosher for Passover wine will have specific labeling. A Mevushal wine will always stay Kosher.

There will be a tasting of Passover wines in our Woodbridge store in one week, on Wednesday, March 25. Please click here for details.

DeLeon Platinum Tequila

Produced in the highlands of Purisima del Rincon, DeLeon Tequila is a premium spirit created from natural, high quality ingredients. Although chemical coloring and synthetic flavor softeners are permitted in tequila production, DeLeon founder and CEO Brent Hocking refuses to use any of these artificial ingredients, making DeLeon the purest tequila on record, as documented by the Consejo Regulador Del Tequila (Tequila Regulatory Council). While most tequilas are distilled three to five times, DeLeon is only distilled twice to preserve the natural character of the agave.

DeLeon Platinum Tequila Blanco is an exceptionally smooth and flavorful spirit with elegant notes of agave, chocolate, vanilla and spice which lead to a long, peppery finish. Although best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, DeLeon "Platinum" is also the perfect base for a premium cocktail. $49.99 in the Bottle Club®. Only 1 case available per store.

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Jameson is finally available to us in the 50ML size. Same great whiskey in the airplane-bottle size.

A Great Lineage

The Plumpjack Winery was established in 1995, and quickly became one of Napa's iconic brands. The name "Plumpjack' come from Shakespeare, as it was a nickname of his character Sir John Falstaff. A sister winery, CADE, from the Howell Mountain area, was added, followed more recently by the Odette Estate.

Located on the historic Silverado Trail in Napa, Odette Estate serves as the newest addition to the Plumpjack family. The Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Adaptation is their introductory wine, with the 2012 vintage just now in our stores.

Tucked into the dramatic palisades of the Stags Leap District, sits Odette Estate on 45 voluptuous acres. As the newest addition to the beloved region, Odette looks to serve as a “breath of fresh air” to the historic District. Contemporary architecture and design, paired with a contemporary stance on environmental responsibility, Odette is symbolic of the future of Stags Leap.

With its two sister properties, PlumpJack and CADE (located in Oakville and Howell Mountain respectively), Odette rounds out the trio of wineries committed to producing full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons that are notable for the combination of power and elegance, while simultaneously showcasing the unique properties of the AVA.

Mother nature was incredibly kind in 2012, giving us a stress-free beautiful growing season to craft wines with intense purity of fruit, density and concentration. Sunny, warm and moderate temperatures allowed for peak hang time and optimal ripeness in the vineyards. This wine reflects the characteristics from paring a great vintage with great vineyards in the Napa Valley.

Available in the Bottle Club® for $48.99.

In addition to Adaptation, we carry the top-of-the-line Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

What's Next in Irish Whiskey

Over the last couple of weeks, we're looked at the current state of Irish whiskey. We've seen a huge range of choices in both brands and styles. To re-visit our posts, just scroll down and hit "Older Posts" until you find what you're looking for.

As we've described, Irish whiskey is usually triple-distilled before aging in barrels. These barrels contribute significantly to the different tastes, as ex-Bourbon or rum barrels, sherry butts and port pipes (to name just some of the choices) bring different elements to the whiskey.

Irish whiskey has a very long history. Bushmills traces their lineage back to 1608, when King James issued a distilling license to Sir Thomas Phillips. Their distillery, however, started operations in 1784. Kilbeggan uses a pot still that's about 180 years old.

180 Year old Working Still at Kilbeggan

In our earlier posts, we also highlighted a couple of old/new combinations. We just introduced a Canal's Family Selection version of the Knappogue Castle Single Malt Irish Whiskey. And we also discussed Teeling Whiskey. Their whiskey-making dates to 1782, but they recently opened the first new distillery in Dublin in 125 years, bringing in handcrafted copper pot stills. What's that saying about everything old being new again?

But what's next for Irish whiskey? According to the trade publication The Tasting Panel, one answer is maturation in virgin Irish oak. Local coopers have taken 130 year old oak and made casks for Midleton. Look for that as a single pot still expression in the future.

In addition, Mark Reynier, formerly of Bruichladdich, bought the old Guinness plant in Waterford, and plans on distilling a new Irish whiskey there. With Bruichladdich's tradition-defying distilling in Scotland, this could be an interesting development for this category.

And if you travel to Ireland, don't miss the Irish Whiskey Museum, located near Trinity College in Dublin. This independent museum has the endorsement of Bushmills, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Teeling, and Tullamore D.E.W.

 Clearly, this is an exciting time for the Irish whisky category, and not just because of St. Patrick's Day!