Leap Day Weekend Grab Bag

We understand the calculations that lead to the need to designate a Leap Year, but why add the day in winter?  Yes, we had too much time on our hands to think today. We have a lot to report today, so we'll just go ahead and start.

In-Store Events

Lawrenceville is celebrating Leap Year in a big way. Starting today, there will be around twenty different tastings and other events in celebration of the extra day. Clearly, there are too many events to list in this space. The first tasting event begins at 1pm today, with a tasting of Charles Krug wine, and the final events are on Monday. Click here and scroll through the full schedule.

Woodbridge is celebrating with a weekend of wine tastings. The tasting hours are 4-6pm Friday and 1-3pm on Saturday. Click here for the tasting menu. Look for special tastings of New Belgium's Fat Tire Amber Ale starting on St. Patrick's Day.

New Products

Both stores will roll out Fat Tire in mid-March, just about 2 weeks from now. This is the most anticipated craft beer debut in quite some time. Read this blog and follow our social media for updates.

Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a masterful fusion of flavors from seventh-generation distillers, Paul and Steve Beam. It features a hand-picked blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky bourbons, each selected to give this exclusive whiskey a taste that celebrates its deep, family origins. 46.5% ABV. Limited availability, at $45.99.

Nose: Leather and dried fruit with a slight hint of citrus and smoky oak.

Palate: Spicy rye with a whisper of dried cherries fading to smoked caramel.

Finish: A memorable finish, rich with brown sugar and Kentucky tradition.

Bodegas Abanico Hazana Vinas Viejas 2014. 92 points from Wine Advocate. Their review: "The 2014 Hazana Vinas Viejas is simply one of the greatest values in Rioja that money can buy. A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano, this collaboration between importer Eric Solomon and the owner and winemaker has produced an absolutely amazing Rioja from 45- to 70-year-old unirrigated, head-pruned vines. Loads of lead pencil shavings, black and red currants, licorice and tobacco leaf all jump from the glass of this dense, ruby/purple wine. Soft tannins, medium to full body and fabulous intensity, make for a sensational Rioja to drink over the next 5-7 years." Only $11.99 in the Bottle Club®.

This next wine is available exclusively in our Woodbridge store.

Voga Dolce Rosso. The always striking Voga package, with its bold red branding, captivates consumers and invites them to celebrate the sweet life—la dolce vita—in style. Voga Italia innovates with this tantalizing and supple blend of Italian Syrah and Merlot that is the perfect red wine for daylight delights or evening temptations. Seductive sweet flavors of plum and cherry entice the palate and deliver a smooth lingering luscious taste. Only $9.79 in the Bottle Club®.

                                                       Survey Says

If you shop at either of our stores, and if you haven't done so already, please take a moment to answer a brief survey on your shopping experience. Your answers will help us improve our operations, and you can enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card (one winner per store).

Click here for the Lawrenceville survey. Click here for the Woodbridge survey.

Several survey respondents posed questions, and we provided answers. Click here for that Q & A.

Ripped from the Headlines

Click here for an update on the lawsuit over possible arsenic in wine. Hint: lawyers vs. scientists.

Have a great weekend!