Spring Stock-Up

Your blogger's inbox needs some attention, as we've been getting our usual deliveries of new products. Today, we'll take a look at some of the newest items on our shelves at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

In the Craft Beer section, we've been talking about the arrival of our summer beers. As cold as it's been the last couple of nights, a summer beer goes a long way to help us endure until the warm weather finally arrives. Like any seasonal offering, the summer beers are around for a limited time.

Brooklyn Summer Ale is now in stock. Summer in Brooklyn is all about following your impulses, winging it from beaches and barbecues to stoops and rooftops. Brooklyn Summer Ale is a refreshing, flavorful pale ale made to accompany you on all your warm weather adventures. 100% British 2-row barley brings its famed bready flavors, capped off with German and American hops to provide a snappy, clean bitterness and a bright, floral aroma. It's a sunny pale ale, Brooklyn style.

Pair with salads, seafood, quiches, lightly spicy dishes, brunch, cheddar and feta. 5.0% ABV.

St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Spätlese Mosel Saarfeilser 2014. 93 points from Wine Spectator. Their review: "Explosively fruity, offering concentrated flavors of peach cobbler, dried apricot and ripe lemon, accented by notes of citrus zest and chamomile. The minerally finish is long, rich and spicy. Drink now through 2040. 100 cases made." $26.99 in the Bottle Club®.

2015 A to Z Wineworks Rosé. The beautiful 2015 A to Z Rosé leads with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, pomegranate and hibiscus along with citrus notes. In the mouth, the attack is juicy, bright and loaded with red fruit flavors. The mid-palate is mouthwatering with the richness of the 2015 vintage adding a creamy texture and some seriousness to the flavors, even some spicy flavors. The A to Z Rosé is fresh and compelling, finishing lively and long with lingering flavors of strawberries and cherries. Only $12.99 in the Bottle Club® for this Oregon favorite. Rosé season is also brief, so shop now for the best selection.

GENERAL PAIRINGS: Complex, spicy, and herbaceous dishes that skew towards the bounty of Spring and Summer; think picnic.

SPECIFIC: Watermelon, Feta & Mint, Crispy hors d'oeuvres with spicy sauces, Grilled shellfish, Fish & Chips, Potato salad with bacon- for that matter, most anything with bacon.

SAUCES: Vindaloo, Harissa, mustard-based, mayonnaise-based.

Robert Mondavi Maestro, 50th Anniversary Limited Edition. When creating Maestro for our 50th anniversary, we were inspired by memories of Robert Mondavi. To celebrate the 2000 opening of our To Kalon Cellar, Robert Mondavi commissioned a special piece of music. At the gala, when the orchestra began to play, he took the baton and began conducting. We realized that Robert Mondavi was the maestro of our lives. His vision and passion guides us. He will always be the maestro of this winery, and our inspiration.

The blend: Merlot leads the orchestra of aromas, flavors, and textures in this Bordeaux blend. Easy to enjoy, Maestro is smooth and rich with black fruit and mocha aromas and fresh, mouthfilling cherry flavors.

Sourced throughout Napa Valley, including our iconic To Kalon and Wappo Hill vineyards, Maestro is a celebration of Robert Mondavi’s work and wisdom. Very limited availability.

Shmaltz Brewing Vulcan Ale. The Only Officially Licensed STAR TREK™ Beer In The U.S. By CBS Studios Inc. This marks the 50th Anniversary of the first STAR TREK™ episode. This is a Red Session IPA that uses a blend of hops meant to invoke a sense of intergalactic wonder and adventure – Galaxy, Warrior and Comet, to name a few. Available in 4-packs, only in Woodbridge.