Celebrate Australia Day with Joe Canal's

Australia Day is January 26, commemorating the first landing in Australia by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788. Considering the International Date Line, it's already Australia Day there. Besides, we have another post planned for tomorrow. We can't think of a better way to celebrate Australia Day than by including a visit to Joe Canal's. Let us explain.

Australians celebrate this day much like we celebrate the 4th of July. So while we're not exactly seeing barbecue weather here in New Jersey (or even seeing our grills at all right now), we can still enjoy the bounty of Australia. We carry so many wines from Australia that both stores devote an entire section to the choices. Whether you prefer the casual and inexpensive labels like Yellow Tail or Little Penguin, step-up brands like Penfold's or Mollydooker, or fine wine like Glaetzer Amon-Ra, we have an Aussie wine for you.

I don't know whether they still teach this in our schools, but Australia was first used by the British as a penal colony. In that time, crime was so bad that the jails, particularly in London, were filled beyond capacity. The solution was "Punishment by Transportation," because the trip to Australia was lengthy and brutal.

Soon enough, a list of 19 Crimes was put into effect, which you can see here:

Of course, to pay homage to the not-so-glorious roots of Australia, today we have two different 19 Crimes wine!

The Red Blend is comprised of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Dark red and maroon hues extend from the core of the glass as dark fruits, licorice and spice linger. The Shiraz is the brooding component that brings the core of dark fruits, licuorice and round ripe tannins. The Grenache is focused in the red and blue fruits spectrum and delivers plushness to the final blend. Last but definitely not least the Mataro brings the spice and finer tannins, pulling the structure together and giving the wine drive. The resultant wine is complex and layered in a soft, approachable style.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is wonderful when paired with a scheme for an evening’s escape. This wine conjures up red currants, dark berries and sweet vanilla oak in a passing smell. Caramel lurks in the back. Firm Cabernet tannins and red fruits let the flavor linger after each nip.

Either wine is only $8.49 in the Bottle Club®; you can't beat it for your personal celebration of Australia Day.