Wine Wednesday

With #WineWednesday being a regular thing on Twitter, we thought we'd get into the hashtag game too. And that makes us wonder why there aren't any wine brand names that have incorporated the # yet. But we digress. Here's what's new at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

Donnachiara Ostinato Greco 2011. There's a particular podcat that we listen to where the host often declares that Americans talk dry, but drink sweet. Well, here's a great way to indulge your sweet tooth and get an outstanding bottle of dessert wine.

Here's the 93-point Wine Spectator review: "Golden yellow, this delivers exotic dried pineapple, juicy peach, honeycomb and spice notes on a full-bodied frame. This is rich, with a firm finish of baking spices, chalk and candied grapefruit zest. Best from 2014 through 2018. 250 cases made."

The release price was $25 for the 500ML size, but it's in the Bottle Club® for

only $14.98. Limited availability.

Bodegas Tandem Casual Rosado 2015. This is, after all, the first official week of summer, so we ought to celebrate with a new rose rosdao. This is a classically styled Rose from Navarra, Spain boasting ripe, lip-smacking red fruit flavors. Juicy raspberry fruit mingles bright cherries, lifted by cleansing acidity. 50% Garnacha, 50% Graciano. Only $10.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Ghostrider Ungrafted Red. If you enjoy Zinfandel-centered reds (think Apothic Red and others), you should grab a bottle of this. It's a great choice for anything grilled.

The 2014 Ghostrider red blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. It shows a dark ruby color with an aroma that’s rich in mixed berries and black cherry preserves. Hints of spice including black pepper and bacon carry through on the palate. This decadent red blend finishes with soft tannins, dark fruit and elaborate oak. The 2014 growing season was generous is length and consistent temperatures. Flavors were strong at harvest and we think 2014 will prove to be a terrific vintage.

It rated 89 points from Wine Enthusiast, which is an excellent score for something that's only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®. Their review: "Spicy, meaty flavors like black pepper and beef broth blend with substantial fruit flavors in this medium-bodied, dry and rather sophisticated wine. It's almost a meal in itself, and well-balanced."

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc has layers of citrus and tropical fruit with hints of fresh green characters, which make the wine a true expression of the Marlborough region. Flavors of passion fruit, guava and kiwi layered over a citrus framework culminate in a crisp, approachable palate.

The Marlborough district of New Zealand's South Island has set the world standard for crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines. Marlborough is on the east coast of the island, with a ridge of mountains to the west, limiting rainfall and making it one of the sunniest areas in the country. The landscape is pierced by deep, fjord-like bays, called "sounds," which enhance the maritime influence and extend the growing season for wine grapes. The long, cool growing season helps the wines of this region to develop rich layers of flavor with a distinctive, refreshing character.

Due to arrive tomorrow, and priced at only $10.99 in the Bottle Club®.

A red, a white, a rose, and a dessert wine. Looks like a nice distribution here. A couple of other notes:

-Looking for craft beer updates? Click here for yesterday's Craft Beer Corner, our regular Tuesday feature.
-The 2014 vintage of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is in stock, in both 750ML and 1L sizes. Caymus is perhaps the most accessible fine wine, and always sells out. If you enjoy wine, you should treat yourself to Caymus at least once.
-We'll have wine tastings at both stores on Friday, from 4-6pm. We'll detail all of our upcoming events in tomorrow's blog post.