Friday Grab Bag

The forecasters are talking about a new round of snow for next week. Maybe, maybe not, but you can't be too careful. The weekend makes for a great time to stock up at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge, then you can get the bread, milk and eggs. We have tastings on our weekend schedule, so you can find your new favorite while you shop.

In Store Events

It's a wine tasting weekend in Lawrenceville. We're hosting our regular tastings, from 4-6pm Friday and 2-4pm Saturday. Click here for the tasting menu. Next weekend, we'll be in the middle of our Leap Year Sale & Celebration. We expect to officially add a number of tastings to the calendar later today, and we already have a book signing on the agenda.

On Sunday, 2/28, 1-3pm, you'll be able to meet Lew Bryson, author of "Tasting Whiskey". He's visiting our Lawrenceville store to sign copies of the book (they will be available for purchase) and to share his knowledge of all things whiskey.

We recently added about a dozen new events to our schedule. To see the full Event Calendar for Lawrenceville, please click here.

Three days, three tastings at our Woodbridge store. We have a wine tasting today, 4-6pm, featuring four easy-drinking, approachable and very affordable wines. Click here for the tasting menu.

On Saturday, we're sampling Dream Catcher Irish Liqueur. Dream Catcher is rooted in an old Gaelic recipe and started in an historic farmhouse with a pot still in County Cavan, Ireland. A farmer was inspired to blend the natural flavor of toasted chestnuts and other superb ingredients with Premium Irish Spirits. The farmer said that it was a "dream worth catching." Tasting hours are 3-5pm.

The weekend tasting schedule wraps up on Sunday, also 3-5pm, with a sampling from Leinenkugel's. Please click here to see the rest of the Event Calendar for Woodbridge.

New Products

As we noted earlier this week, New Belgium's Fat Tire Amber Ale is finally coming to New Jersey. We'll have it available for sale at the first possible opportunity, which will be in mid-March. Read this blog and follow our Twitter feed for updates.

La Merika Pinot Grigio. La Merika is named for a shining star that was once considered a beacon and guide for early explorers with a thirst for discovery. Today, La Merika celebrates the beauty of California’s Central Coast, a wildly diverse landscape where world class vineyards and award-winning wines thrive.

A refreshing take on Pinot Grigio —lively, vibrant and crisp. Enticing floral aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle are framed by luscious white peach, pear and nectarine on the palate. This crisp and juicy medium-bodied Pinot Grigio delivers clean acidity and a lengthy, refreshing finish.

Pair this with grilled shrimp with lime & basil. Only $9.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Blandy's Colheita Bual Madeira 2002. 94 points, Wine Spectator, #24 of their 2015 Top 100 wines. "Deep, rich and exotic-tasting, with plenty of smoky accents to the dried mango, apricot and roasted pineapple flavors, featuring notes of crème brûlée. Very fresh midpalate, presenting an unctuous finish of ginger and cream. Drink now through 2050. 500 cases made." Also 95 points, Wine Enthusiast. $44.99 in the Bottle Club®. Limited availability.

Ballast Point Watermelon Dorado. Our Watermelon Dorado Double IPA

is not one to back down from big flavors. Mash, kettle, and dry hopping blend to create a huge hop profile that is balanced with a blast of watermelon. The result is a refreshing brew that is all summer and no seeds. 10.0% ABV, 90 IBU's.

Recommended pairings: Shrimp Po Boy (where in NJ can you get a good one of these?), Pineapple custard, Asiago or Manchego cheese.

                             Ripped from the Headlines

There's a new fight over age statements in blended Scotch Whisky, led by Compass Box (we carry several of their products). Click here for the complicated story.

Have a great weekend!