New for Memorial Day

We'll preview several new products today-a little something for everyone. ICYMI, click here for additional staff recommendations for your Memorial Day weekend activities. Please note our holiday weekend hours:

Friday 9am-10pm (regular hours)
Saturday 9am-10pm (regular hours)
Sunday 9am-7pm (regular hours)
Monday 9am-6pm (holiday hours)
These hours apply to both our Lawrenceville and Woodbridge locations.

New Products

New Amsterdam Apple Vodka. The story behind our premium vodka and gin isn't a history. It's a story that celebrates what's next. It's not about where you've been as long as you make an entrance.

We craft spirits for the places that move fast and don't look back. The places where the city is celebrated.

Available in 750ML and 1.75L sizes.

Sean Minor Four Bears Chardonnay. Golden straw color with aromas of apricot, apple and honeydew, with subtle notes of butter. On the entry, tropical fruit notes with green apple flavors are framed by nice acidity

which integrates well with the medium body mouth feel. A portion of the wine went through malolactic fermentation, which softens the wine and provides a perfect balance.

This had been exclusive to our Woodbridge store, but we've had so many requests for this that we are now stocking it in Lawrenceville as well. And everybody gets the new, lower Bottle Club® price of only $11.66.

Joel Gott Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 Washington blend has aromas of ripe berries, cherry pie, and cola with hints of sweet oak. On the front of the palate rich black currant flavors are followed by a sweet mid-palate with soft tannins and a juicy finish.

To make this well-balanced red wine, we blended Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small amount of Malbec from the Red Mountain and Wahluke Slope appellations located within Columbia Valley, a sought-after location for red varietals. The wine was aged for 14 months in new and 2-year-old American oak barrels, helping to complement the tannins and soften the mid-palate. Only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Dogfish Head Bière de Provence Saison. Inspired by the fields of Provence in

southern France, Bière de Provence begins with 2-row wheat and rye malts, and Jarrylo hops. A bounty of herbs, including lavender, bay leaf, marjoram and chervil, gives it a floral and spicy nose. With a hazy golden appearance, Bière de Provence is fermented using a Belgian yeast strain lending to a sweet and malty flavor profile. This summer saison has a smooth finish with a flavor that’s just as complex as it is crisp and refreshing. Dogfish Head officially calls this a "Limited Release," so please check with our beer team for availability.

Locations P-4. The concept of Locations is quite simple but ultimately made complex while retaining fun at the core. Simple in that the ethos is to make the best possible wine from a given country or location. The complex is tracking down vineyards that contribute

to the blend while keeping the soul of the wine in place. The fun is traveling around the world and meeting incredible people while tearing down the "rules wall" and making the wine the way Dave Phinney (of Orin Swift fame) wants to.

The inaugural release of Locations Portugal: A blend of Touriga Naçional, Trincadeira, and Touriga Franca sourced primarily from the northern region of Douro, with the remainder coming from the Alentejo region to the south.

The glass opens with a triple layered aroma of savory peppercorn and cocoa, jasmine flowers, and black fruit. The immediate dark chocolate structure provides the canvas on which black cherries, roasted lamb, and exotic spices intermingle. It finishes with the tapering dark chocolate structure and culminates with hints of vanilla. $15.96 in the Bottle Club®.

We'll Find the Space

Because our stores are so large, we can always find some space for great new products. You can also be assured that our staff knows where everything is, so whether you're looking for the most popular or the most obscure, we can quickly get you in front of your item. Here's a look at what's new at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

Before we really start, click here if you're shopping specifically for Mother's Day. There are some great staff recommendations at that link.

Lazos Cabernet Sauvignon. When you're looking for an under $10 Cabernet that really over-delivers, grab one from Argentina. An inviting bouquet of ripe blackberry, plum & currents framed with hints of cedar & anise. The smooth palate is balanced with velvety tannins. Excellent with grilled red meats. From Cuyo, Argentina. Only $8.97 in the Bottle

Club®.

Manayunk Brewing Summer Paradise. Summer Paradise is a crisp, slightly tart, wheat-based ale that makes one wonder how so much flavor could be betowed upon each sip. This thirst-quenching ale keeps with the tradition of brewing easy drinking beers during warmer months. With just a hint of spices, within a backdrop of citrus, it will remind you a summer in paradise. ABV: 3.5%  IBUs: 8. In cans.

Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir. With generous fruit intensity, this classic California Pinot Noir is accessible and food friendly. Bright aromas of cherry, ripe strawberry and subtle baking spice lead to a smooth

mouthfeel with flavors of juicy ripe fruit, vanilla and spice notes. The wine is flavorful with a long pleasing finish. This was a one-time purchase, and this incredible value will sell out quickly.

Jose Cuervo Authentic Cuervo Coconut Pineapple Margarita. Refreshing and ready to drink, right in time for Cinco de Mayo! Authentic Cuervo Margaritas, made exclusively with Jose Cuervo Gold, are the world's number one ready-to-serve margaritas. Now it's easy to enjoy the great taste of a top-quality margarita anywhere, anytime. You send out the invitations-let Cuervo take care of the margaritas.

New Belgium Heavy Melon. Hot summer nights, jam out to the cooling

waves of Heavy Melon Ale, our newest seasonal track. Brewed with juicy watermelon and zesty lime peel, this crushable ale rips with a blast of melon notes. Ripened fruit aromas of melon, papaya and citrus climax with an enticing aroma, and set up an invigorating wash of fruity sweetness, grassy bitterness and the slightest touch of tartness. Super crisp and refreshing from start to finish, Heavy Melon Ale shreds through the summer heat. 5% ABV, 14 IBU.

VISUAL: Deep gold in color, light white foam and lacing.
AROMA: Juicy ripe watermelon, cucumber, papaya and citrus with an underlying herbal note and faint cereal malt notes.
FLAVOR: Light fruity sweetness with an even lighter touch of balancing bitterness.
MOUTHFEEL: Round juicy and mouthwatering start and middle with a spritzy, crisp finish.

Nothing Old, Something New

We're really going for plural with "new," but we couldn't keep the wedding theme, so we'll just leave it as an almost mixed metaphor. Today, we'll take a look at some of the newest arrivals at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge. Yesterday's post was the Craft Beer Corner. where we introduced several newly-arrived craft beers. Click here to review that post.

Chateau Puyanche Francs Cotes de Bordeaux Blanc 2014. 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. "This 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon blend has hints of toastiness and spice along with ripe yellow fruits. It is still young, the texture coming together with acidity and spice mixing with the fruitiness. Drink this fragrant wine from the Arbo family's tiny 3.7-acre vineyard from 2016." Only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Platinum 7X Vodka. Distilled seven times for exceptional purity and a smooth, polished finish, Platinum 7X Vodka has raised the bar on what it means to be smooth. This is an American-made vodka (from grain) with a smooth, clean and crisp style. Sip it chilled or enjoy it in a cocktail. Available in 750ml and 1.75L sizes.

Bodegas El Nido "El Nido" Jumilla 2013. The grapes for this wine are made from 12 Ha -29.65 acres- of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and 32 Ha -79 acres- of very old Monastrell, with a very low yield. The grapes are harvested with small baskets to prevent bruising. The bunches are brought to triage tables where the best ones are selected. It spends 24 months in French and American new oak barrels where it gets a very typical complexity.

Glass-staining purple. Explosive, alluring scents of blueberry, boysenberry, pipe tobacco, licorice and vanilla bean. Lush and broad but juicy and firmly built, with suave candied dark fruit flavors accented by sexy floral and Asian spice qualities. Finishes broad, juicy and impressively long, with echoing boysenberry and spice notes.The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell.

Food pairings: Rice, pasta, (noodles, spaghetti, macaroni), vegetables, mushroom, stewed meat, sausage, pork, roast meat, red and/or white meat with sauces, grilled meat, short or medium cheeses. Only 4 bottles available per store. $106.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Epic Brewing Sour Apple Saison. Sweet, yet dry and tart, apples spiced with coriander, grains of paradise, anise, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger. There is no wrong way to enjoy this Saison Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale! Serve in a pint or tulip glass. Pair with savory and fatty meats, salads, and tart desserts. Limited availability, in 22oz bottles.

New Spring Selections

Fashions change pretty dramatically in the Spring. In our business, while we see the seasonal beers change regularly, new wines and spirits arrive when they're ready, not when the calendar suggests. Here, then, is a look at some of our newest arrivals.

Ravage Cabernet Sauvignon. Inspired by the knight’s code of courage and camaraderie, Ravage is audaciously bold wine for those who never back down from a challenge and always have each other’s back. Our wines are designed by winemaker Bryce Willingham to push your sensory limits to the edge.

Our flavors are smooth, bold and audacious. Dark berries layered with luscious vanilla and mocha to round out the palate. The tannins are soft enough to add balance while giving structure and depth. 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% aromatic reds. Only $10.99 in the Bottle Club®.

James Wyatt Untamed Red Blend. Full-bodied with a warming nose of plum, raspberry, baking spices and oak. Well balanced with ripe fruit flavors, natural acidity and integrated tannins. This classic Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend has been aged for nine months in oak. Pairs well with game, lamb, grilled vegetables.

This is a sophisticated wine that is sure to please many wine lovers. The taste profile is approachable and elegant, which makes this the perfect gift or addition to any dinner table. The grapes for this wine are from the Precept family estate who take great pride in their vineyards from the Yakima Valley. Only $14.97 in the Bottle Club®.

Acre Twenty One Chardonnay. Fresh, soft and food friendly, this 100% Chardonnay shows flavors of bright green apple and juicy pear framed with toasty oak and spice

nuances. Aged in predominantly French oak (30% new), this well integrated Chardonnay will pair well with chicken, seafood or cream based soups and pastas.

The well balanced fruit and oak characters make this a "go to" selection for anyone looking for an everyday Chardonnay. Complex yet friendly, this wine is an easy choice for both dinner parties and simple occasions Only $9.97 in the Bottle Club®.

2011 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova. Casanova di Neri is the outcome of a process of productive and philosophical evolution, a new vision of Brunello di Montalcino that interprets tradition in a different

innovative way. A profound commitment and respect for the land, a conviction that it is the linchpin for the production of unique wines and that the care given in treating the grapes in the winery according to their varying characteristics is what we value most.

95 points from Wine Advocate, and 94 points from James Suckling. The WA review: "This is another fabulous wine from Giacomo Neri. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a deeply layered expression with bold tones of dark fruit that are softened and enhanced by spice, leather, tobacco and balsam herb. The wine is very beautiful and polished with slightly less depth and complexity compared the outstanding (100 point) vintage that precedes it. Despite the vintage variation, this is a wine of enormous pedigree and importance. It is generous and confident with a presentation that offers purity, intensity and persistence. Drink 2017-2030."

Limited availability. $87.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Our staff will be happy to help you find any of these selections, or a different product of your choosing. Just ask!

Arrived Safely

That's a familiar refrain for the traveling public. The one who travels lets a loved one or business associate that they've arrived safely. Our loading dock doesn't quite work that way, but we know that some of these products have traveled a great distance for your pleasure. Here's a look at some of our newest arrivals.

Brown Jug Bourbon Cream Liqueur. "It all started one summer vacation. My family was scrambling to use up all our remaining cocktail ingredients to avoid hauling them back home. We had leftover bourbon, cream, ice cream, vanilla, ice and maple syrup. In a moment of creative inspiration, we threw it all in a blender and — presto! — we had Bourbon Milkshakes. We discovered our concoction tasted great in coffee, root beer floats, in a variety of cocktails and even in baking."

We wanted to pick out a recipe from their website to share, but they all looked good to us. Just like shopping, don't go blogging when you're hungry. Click here for Brown Jug cocktail and baking recipes. $20.49 in the Bottle Club®.

Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s about 2,500

miles from Kentucky Bourbon country to our Central Coast vineyards. But one sip will tell you, it’s one long-distance relationship that was always meant to be. Limited availability.

SEE: Deep cherry red
SMELL: Toasty vanilla, brown sugar
TASTE: Black cherry, blackberry
PAIR: Bourbon glazed grilled ribs, charcuterie board

$12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Nebraska Brewing Sexy Betty. A sweet nose greets the adventurous in this marriage of our Black Betty Russian Imperial Stout and American Brandy barrels.  An elegantly

pleasant surprise wakes the palate which migrates from a hint of brandy into a wonderfully lingering roasted malt character. 11% ABV, 50 IBU's. Limited availability, 750MLbottles, $18.49.

Perfect with lush chocolates and rich desserts. Hors d’ oeuvres = Raw Shell Fish, Cheese = Gorgonzola, Entrée = Smoked Brisket, Flat Iron, Desert = Molasses Tarts, Tiramisu, Chocolates.

2012 Champ de Reves Pinot Noir. Scored 93 points from Wine Enthusiast. Available in limited quantities. "Only a single wine, the 2012 Pinot Noir (5,548 cases) emerges from this Kendall-Jackson-owned estate vineyard near the town of Booneville. Planted at 1,400-

to 1,800-foot elevation with Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115, this wine spent nine months in 32% new French oak prior to being bottled. The soil layers are alluvial, uplifted seabed, stuffed with natural sea shells embedded in many of the fractured rocks. It’s also above the fog line in this area. The resultant wine from these soils is lush, with raspberry and blueberry fruit, a seductive, flowery bouquet, medium body, sweet velvety tannins and a layered finish, which seems to build incrementally on the palate. This is an impressive Pinot Noir that sells at a realistic price. Drink it over the next 5-7 years." - Wine Advocate, 90 points. $45 from the winery, but only $33.99 in the Bottle Club®.

And we'll offer one more reminder about next week's ultimate new product: New Belgium's Fat Tire Amber Ale. We also anticipate adding a few other New Belgium beers as well. Expected sell date is this Monday, March 14.

But Wait, There's More

As we've noted previously, we get many more new products in any given week than we can possibly discuss in this blog. After all, we have other topics to share. But not today. Here's a look at more new deliveries to Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

Troegs Cultivator Helles Bock. Emerging from springtime’s fertile ground, our Cultivator celebrates the start of hop-growing season as sprawling fields of hop rhizomes climb and tether to hop bines. This spring bock delivers hints of toasted grains, fresh baked bread and delicate floral hops. 6.9% ABV, 25 IBU's. Pair with steamed crabs, fried chicken or gumbo.

Red Schooner, Voyage 2. This is an all-new wine from the Wagner family, the people who bring us Caymus and other incredible wines.

The story: Over time, an idea started to take shape. Could we create a wine here at Caymus using fruit from another part of the world? Was there a lesson for us in the now

commonplace ability to fi nd high-quality fruit at the local grocery store (including grapes), sourced from thousands of miles away? Th ere are tons of fruit being shipped on ocean freighters every day, and so we considered this project to be not so crazy a er all. RED SCHOONER is a “Red Wine of the World,” an experiment of more than five years in the making. is the second bottling is made from Mendoza Malbec grapes yet produced into wine and barrel aged at our home location of Caymus Vineyards right in the center of the Napa Valley.

RED SCHOONER VOYAGE 2: A “Caymus style” of Mendoza Malbec. De nitely an iron st in a velvet glove. Rich fine tannin - a Mendoza dust fine texture. Th ere is a very refi ned character to this wine, which is special and singular. This wine is unfi ned and has already thrown a bit of sediment, representing the rich and natural concentration of abundant quality.

TASTING NOTES: A dense, dark red, this wine opens up with the scent of ripe plums and cherries, layered with hints of unsweetened baking chocolate. On the palate, it is powerful, concentrated, supple and persistent, with generous fl avors of French oak that support but don’t dominate. Th e wine carries through to a complete fi nish, balanced and integrated with so tannins that imbue it with both structure and balance.

Cosentino Winery was founded in 1980 with a commitment to making only the highest quality wines from California’s greatest vineyards. Because these same ideals ring as true today as they did in the beginning, Cosentino wines have steadily grown in quality and reputation over the years and are considered by many to be among the finest wines made in the world. We're bringing in two new wines from Cosentino.

THE FRANC is deep crimson in color with sweet and spicy notes of fresh herbs and cloves on the nose. On the palate, intense flavors of fruit with hints of black pepper on the palate. Ends with great structure and long finish.

Pairs with just about anything off the BBQ – for an elegant touch, try with roast duck with

juniper berry compote.

THE DARK is the color of ink with aromas of juniper and spice. The lush, velvety texture is full of blackberry, cassis and plum flavors with a long finish that holds just a touch of chocolate.

THE Dark can hold its own against short ribs and lamb but is equally delicious to linger over after dinner, maybe with a chunk of smoky blue.

Either wine is only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Brunehaut Tripel Organic. Look: A more coppery appearance and maintained, antique or

light with a good persistent head.

Nose: The nose is relatively discreet and elegant with fermented touches and fine yeasts. Quite fresh.

In the mouth: The flavor is full of freshness despite the alcohol content. Then there is the strong side, it is full, fat and long. Nevertheless elegance remains at the end. Neither too sugary nor excessive caramel. A beer to drink with some hard cheeses, a young Comté with a fruity balance.

We also have a limited supply of Brunehaut Amber Organic.

An Iberian Daily Double

In the survey we started last week, we had requests for more wine from Portugal, and requests that we include ratings from sources like Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate. Today, we've hit the Daily Double.

Duorum Douro Colheita 2013 is indeed from Portugal, scored 91 points from Wine Spectator, and finished as #84 in their Top 100 wines of 2015. The WS review: "This has a delicate core of violet, plum and red berry flavors that are broad yet well-defined. Medium-grained tannins gain power midpalate, with mineral and shiso leaf notes on the taut finish. Drink now through 2020. 600 cases imported."

From the winery: "Deep red color with violet tones. Lush, fresh and complex aroma dominated by ripe black fruits, blackberries, prunes and cassis, showing notes of violet and spices originating from 'elevage' in the barrels. Full bodied, with well-balanced acidity, firm and ripe tannins. Elegant, long and persistent finish."

The wine is a blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz grapes.

We've carried this winery's Loios red and white in the past. This wine is a step up in quality, while still being a value, at only $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Find Them Fast

Your blogger likes to offer reminders about the limited availability of many of the items that we carry. With vintage wines, every one eventually runs out. Craft beer, especially seasonal offerings, are severely time-limited. Without even worrying about how the angel's share robs us of aged spirits, there's only so much room available to most distillers who age their products. As we've also recently seen with Bourbon and Scotch, unexpected increases in demand also cut into available supplies. That's all to reinforce the point that if you see something you'd like to get, you should act quickly.

And most of the products we'll discuss today have limited availability.

Prairie Organic Vodka. Attention to detail is a big reason why we make Prairie Organic Vodka the way we do. We take the time to handcraft its naturally smooth taste, so you can take the time to enjoy drinking it. Prairie’s single vintage organic corn is distilled to taste, not a prescribed number of times. That’s because climate, soil, and moisture levels give each small batch its own unique character. We're also carrying Prairie Cucumber Vodka. In Lawrenceville only.

Codice Red Rioja. We also include returning products under the "limited" umbrella. For example, we're about to accept delivery on a shipment of the Codice Rioja, and we haven't carried the wine in about 2 years.

"Aged for six months in stainless steel tanks and then moved into French and American oak barrels for another six months): Bright violet color. Black and blue fruit aromas are lifted by a peppery nuance and a hint of fresh flowers. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering juicy boysenberry and mocha flavors and a bracing kick of spiciness. Finishes silky and precise, with lingering spiciness and smooth tannins. An off-the-charts value." - 90 points, Vinuous Media.

COMING SOON! Actually, the sale date is a little under a month away, but New Jersey is finally getting New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale.

Named in honor of New Belgium's co-founder's bike trip through Europe, Fat Tire Amber

Ale marked a turning point in the young electrical engineer's home brewing. Belgian beers use a far broader palette of ingredients (fruits, spices, esoteric yeast strains) than German or English styles. Together with co-founder Kim Jordan, they traveled around sampling their homebrews to the public. Fat Tire won fans with its sense of balance: toasty, biscuit-like malt flavors coasting in equilibrium with hoppy freshness. Fat Tire: Pairs well with people.

The nose is sweet biscuity and caramel malts, with subtle notes of fresh fennel and green apple. On the palate, toasty malt, gentle sweetness, and a flash of fresh hop bitterness. The malt and hops are perfectly balanced. 5.2% ABV, 22 IBU's. Look for a mid-March roll-out, and more information about Fat Tire will be posted in the coming weeks.

Resonance Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Résonance Vineyard 2013. "Light and focused, showing distinctive subtlety. A layer of crinkly tannins underlies a pulsing core of mineral-accented cherry and red berry flavors, hinting at cinnamon as the finish lingers gently. Best from 2017 through 2023." - 93 points, Wine Spectator. Extremely limited availability.

The Resonance Vineyard Pinot Noir showcases Maison Louis Jadot’s longstanding tradition of making terroir driven wines from the best vineyards. Although clearly new-world, Resonance has old-world Burgundian influences that are seen throughout the wine. Pairs well with grilled or roasted red meats, game, and poultry.

MYX Moscato. MYX Fusions revolutionized the wine industry by leveraging the explosive popularity of Moscato and improving on the experience of drinking it, becoming the fastest

growing wine beverage in America.

MYX Fusions Moscato is an all natural and refreshingly carbonated fruit infused Moscato. The seductive taste of Moscato Wine is enriched with hints of apricot, vanilla and honey. Natural fruit juices and effervescent bubbles refresh the palette and leave with a sweet and subtle finish. We're also carrying the Moscato & Coconut, as well as the Moscato & Peach. Woodbridge only.

Room for More

One important reason that we seem to always be in the middle of re-arranging things on the shelves is that there are always new products on their way into the store. Sometimes, they are seasonal products (craft beer especially, but think about Rose wine and Beaujolais Nouveau); others are limited editions (often a Bourbon or craft spirit), and sometimes it's just a vintage change. Whatever the reason, we need to find space for great new products, like these:

The Bruery Jardinier, a brand new, year round beer. Jardinier, which is French for "gardener," was inspired by the fresh, sessionable beers so often found on the Belgian dinner table. Bright and flavorful with an assertive hop character, Jardinier is a perfect beer for any occasion, casual or ornate. 4.5% ABV, 35 IBU's. Enjoy Jardinier with California avocado toast, saffron & garlic clams, rotisserie leg of lamb, crispy Brussels sprouts, burnt orange ice cream. Available in 750ml bottles.

Apothic Crush. This will arrive within the next few days. This decadent red blend is every bit as memorable and captivating as your first epic crush. "This limited release red wine blends luscious red fruit flavors with notes of caramel and chocolate for a velvety, smooth mouthfeel," said Debbie Juergenson, Apothic winemaker. "With our time-tested winemaking style of blending Old World intrigue with modern sophistication, Apothic Crush is our most decadent red blend yet."

This will be available only for a limited time, at $9.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Remy Martin V. Returning after a hiatus. Daring and sophisticated: the premier eau-de-vie de vin from Rémy Martin. Born of legendary French vineyards, Rémy Martin V‘s grapes are distilled in the traditional manner in copper pot stills. Fresh, smooth, with crisp

flavors, and sophisticated aroma. Ice-cold filtration refines Rémy Martin V’s exceptional smoothness and brilliant transparency.

On the nose, fresh fruity notes with hints of grapes and pears and nuances of melon. The taste offers subtle hints of pear and nuances of fresh mint. The body is smooth and balanced.

Rémy Martin V is vibrant and intricate on the rocks. Mixed, it reveals the soul of great cocktails, classics and new creations alike. Available for $37.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Allagash Evora. Evora is a golden hued ale with aromas of tropical fruit, honey, and spice. Citrus, oak, and earthiness dominate the flavor and give way to hints of bread

crust. Malty and robust, this medium bodied beer finishes fruity, dry, and slightly tart.

We brew this beer with Maris Otter Malt and flaked oats, and hop with Sorachi Ace, Hallertau and Northern Brewer. Evora begins fermenting on stainless steel with a classic Belgian yeast strain, then moves over to Portuguese Brandy Barrels, where it ages with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis for over a year.

This is highly allocated, and we have a very limited amount for sale. Please call the store directly to see if any remains available. 375ml only.

Remember that we receive many more new products each week than we can possibly preview here. If you're looking for a specific new item, or you're just interested in what's new in general, please consult with our store staff.

Red Wine Hot Value

If you've shopped with Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville or Woodbridge for any amount of time, you know that we often have highly rated products at ridiculously low prices. We understand that independent and reliable outside ratings organizations like Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate help you make an informed choice. You already know, for example, that a 90 point rating from a source like Vinous Media means that you'll likely enjoy that wine.

Flaco Tempranillo did receive that 90 point rating from Vinous Media. And since it's on sale in the Bottle Club® for only $6.96, you may want to pick up a case, before we sell though this vintage.

Flaco, made with Spain’s signature Tempranillo grape, means "dude" in English. In the words of The Savvy Lush, Flaco "is the best goof-proof, budget-friendly wine out there." Spain is the largest producer of Tempranillo. These thick-skinned grapes are grown in regions that have hot days followed by cool evenings. This creates a concentrated, yet balanced flavor.” It is produced by Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico in the Demoninación de Origen (DO) of Vinos de Madrid. Flaco shows the complexity of a serious wine for the price of a song! The luscious fruit and soft texture make it a perfect wine for everyday drinking.

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain but also one of the country's most interesting wine growing regions. The outskirts of this great royal city are full of old Tempranillo vines. Most Spaniards do not know that Madrid makes wine, and therefore don't know the incredible values that Madrid showcases at the present time. Madrid is the great unknown.

Produced from organically grown, dry-farmed vineyards. Flaco shows the complexity of twice its price. These vines are tended in diverse micro-climates, allowing for more consistency of ripeness year after year. Yields are very low,  resulting in wines that showcase extreme quality for its price point.

TASTING NOTES: Silky and sweet on the palate, offering intense but edge-free raspberry and spicecake flavors. A wine of noteworthy elegance, especially for the money. Finishes sappy, floral and long, with lingering red fruit character and just a hint of tannins. This vibrant, emphatically fruity, pure Tempranillo was raised in a combination of large concrete and stainless steel tanks.

The fresh, pure character of this wine makes this an extremely versatile wine to pair with food. This wine pairs well with white meats like pork and chicken and flaky fish like hake, cod or flounder. This has the fruit and acidity to match with red meats, as well.

Now, reading those notes (provided by the importer), you might think the wine is a fruit bomb. Your blogger shared a bottle of Flaco just last night, and we can assure you that this is a sophisticated wine, with flavors that are more subtle that described above. We paired the Flaco with an Italian dish called "pizzoccheri" (buckwheat pasta, potato, cheese, spinach, Valtellina sausage), and it was a perfect complement.

We've been talking about the great values in Spanish red wines for quite a while now. If you've hesitated, of if you've already tried and enjoyed Spanish reds, this is the next great value for you.

Photo credit: Friederike Paetzold.

What to Drink for the Holidays, Part 1

Time is short, the traffic stinks, and it's crowded everywhere you go. So that's the downside of the holiday season. The upside is time with family and friends, and the opportunity to share relaxed meals. The calendar even helped, by providing many people with two 3-day weekends. And when we have the opportunity to share holiday meals and to relax with people we care about, our thoughts always turn to wine, beer and spirits. Ok, we're in the industry, so that's expected. But what we're here to do is help you make informed choices. Our stores will be busy in these next couple of weeks, and if you don't have time to talk with one of our store associates, you can use this guide to make great selections.

In no particular order, we offer you the following recommendations:

Lazy Creek Vineyards, "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir. From the folks at Ferrari-Carano. Your blogger took two bottles of "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir to Thanksgiving, and everyone loved it. "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir comes from Anderson Valley in Mendocino County where warm, sunny days and cool, foggy mornings and nights create the ideal microclimate for producing this wine. This sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir has attractive aromas of plum, raspberry, a hint of licorice and toast. Lush flavors of bright red cherry and plum, with a nice touch of spice on the finish are perfect complements to round out this medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine. Only $24.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Robert Storey Cellars, Genevieve's Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay. A Chardonnay is a perfect white wine for ham, with the vanilla and fruit balancing against the salty smoke of the ham. This limited production wine was crafted by Kerry Damskey, AKA "The Indiana Jones of Winemaking."  Kerry's goal is to highlight the terroir; the place of origin.  Balance and brightness in his winemaking style allow the wine's nuances to slowly reveal themselves in a rich and impressive finish.  Harvested at optimum ripeness and barrel fermented in French Oak.  Luscious aromas of Asian Pear, vanilla and spice lead to a richly layered finish of pear and tropical fruit, with hints of vanilla and light, sweet oak. Only $16.96 in the Bottle Club®.

At this time of year, if we're not looking for "something special," we're choosing "something different." That brings us to Coat & Badge Merlot. Everyone remembers the scene in the movie "Sideways," but that was 1)California, 2)more than 10 years ago and 3)just a movie.

Coat & Badge is from Washington, where the terroir is well-suited to this traditional Bordeaux varietal. Because it's a softer wine, this Merlot will work nicely for virtually any holiday setting, pairing with a Charcuterie plate or a festive dinner. Coat & Badge is a medium- to full-bodied Merlot, offering flavors of ripe dark cherries, plum, earth and a touch of cocoa with fresh acidity. It's well-balanced and approachable. Only $12.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Another must-have for holiday entertaining is an aperitif wine. Whet the appetite of your guests with something light and tasty, like the Pikorua Sauvignon Blanc.

Pikorua is a classic example of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc! It's juicy and ripe, with flavors of tropical fruits, grapefruit and grass. The lively acidity keeps the ripe fruit flavors in check, while fresh-cut herbal notes come through on the finish. This has a friendly style that is approachable and quite refreshing. If you like Kim Crawford then you should definitely check this out. Only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®.

That's a good start for your shopping. Above are four different varietals, from four different appellations, evenly divided between red and white. Look for more recommendations in the coming days, including craft beer and sparkling wine.

And while we have your attention, please note our special holiday hours:

Sunday, December 20, 9am-9pm
Wednesday, December 23, 8am-10pm
Thursday, December 24, 8am-7pm
Friday, December 25, Closed
Thursday, December 31, 8am-8pm
Friday, January 1, noon-4pm

What to Drink for Thanksgiving, Part 2

Selecting the right wine for Thanksgiving can be one of the bigger pairing challenges we face. You know that there are so many different flavors and textures that are part of the Thanksgiving feast, and that abundance makes paring even more difficult.

We are, however, professionals, and we are willing to do the work necessary to help you make some great selections without much fuss. And we're ok if you take the credit for making that great wine choice.

Last week, we discussed beer selections. Click here to review that post. Today, we'll offer you some red wine suggestions.

Concrete Old Vine Zinfandel. Since Thanksgiving is the All-American meal, a pairing with Zinfandel, the All-American grape, is a natural. This Zinfandel is a luscious, smooth, full-bodied wine with aromas of blackberry, bramble berry and Allspice. Deliciously mouth-filling, the wine opens up to sweet vanilla and toasty oak flavors, then follows with a concentrated core of well-balanced acidity, soft, but firm tannins and a lingering finish on the palate.

The Lodi wine country is defined and influenced by its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, situated directly east of San Francisco and at the edge of the Sacramento River Delta. Our head trained Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards were planted in the early 1900’s and are considered to be some of the oldest anywhere, yet they still producing high quality fruit.

$19.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Alongside Zinfandel, the most popular red wine chosen for the Thanksgiving table is Pinot Noir. The character of Pinot Noir leads it to pair nicely with the most dishes usually found on the Thanksgiving table. Whether your main dish is turkey or ham, with stuffing or sweet potato pie, you cannot go wrong with a Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir is considered the most difficult grape to grow. It's skin is relatively thin, and conditions must be just right for it to thrive. And when you add the right conditions together with an excellent

winemaking crew, Pinot will shine.

That's what we have with the Lazy Creek Vineyards "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir. This is a project by Don & Rhonda Carano, from Ferrari-Carano. The "Lazy Day" Pinot Noir comes from Anderson Valley in Mendocino County where warm, sunny days and cool, foggy mornings and nights create the ideal microclimate for producing this wine. This sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir has attractive aromas of plum, raspberry, a hint of licorice and toast. Lush flavors of bright red cherry and plum, with a nice touch of spice on the finish are perfect complements to round out this medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine. 

$29.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir. Cambria is a family-owned, estate winery located in the heart of the famed Santa Maria bench in Santa Barbara County. Bolstered by several decades of diligent winemaking and vineyard experience, Cambria’s wines faithfully express the unique stamp of one of the best cool-climate crus in California.

It has been said that great Pinot Noir can only reach its most eloquent expression with a good amount of vine age. We couldn’t agree more: our Julia’s bottling is anchored by one of the oldest commercial plantings of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County (1974), producing a wine that’s earthy on the nose and silky on the palate.

Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir is deep, dark purple with underlying earthy character that compliments its solid tannin structure. Red fruit and dark berry aromas and flavors carry through to a long fruity fi nish. $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Block 478 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Finding the right microclimate for growing Pinot Noir grapes can be challenging. Fortunately, California is blessed with a handful of areas that accommodate the needs of this most persnickety varietal. These range from Santa Barbara County in the  southern sector of the state, up to the Carneros district that straddles Napa and Sonoma counties, over to Sonoma’s Russian River Valley area, and up to coastal Mendocino County. And then there’s the Sonoma Coast AVA (American Viticultural Area), which consists of approximately 2,000 vineyard acres, extending from San Pablo Bay in the south to the Mendocino County border in the north. The AVA is defined by its cool climate, which provides an ideal setting for growing perfectly ripened Pinot Noir grapes.

This is where Block 478 sources the grapes for its Pinot Noir bottling — a medium-bodied wine with both sweet and savory notes, plenty of fruit-forward flavor, and a degree of finesse that proclaims, "Special occasion!"

100% Pinot Noir. Aromas & Flavors:  Savory, Sandalwood, Cedar, Red Cherry and Assorted Red Berries. $12.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Smith & Son Wine Co. Pinot Noir. This one is a personal favorite of Brandon Bartfalvi, Senior Wine Manager at our Lawrenceville store. His review: "A ripe, forward style, offering flavors of strawberries, ripe cherries, spice and vanilla. A medium-bodied wine with good acidity and soft tannins. A real crowd pleaser, done in a lush, easy-going style."

$14.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Our final red wine falls outside of these two categories. It's not American, and it's not a Pinot Noir. It does, however, have a close association with Thanksgiving simply because of calendar proximity. We're talking here about George Dubœuf Beaujolais Nouveau. Beaujolais Nouveau is the first wine released of the most recent harvest, so this year it's the 2015 vintage.

Georges Dubœuf's love affair with Beaujolais is no secret. His legendary palate, his ability to spot a good wine and his continuing enthusiasm made him an emblematic figure in the wine industry. His wines are renowned for their consistency, quality and value.

Georges Dubœuf turned the long-established French tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau release, the celebration of the first wine of the new vintage, into a worldwide phenomenon. Dubœuf's Beaujolais Nouveau will be available on Thursday, November 19, at only $8.09 in the Bottle Club®.

So we have a nice range of red wines for your consideration today. We'll look at white wines for our next installment.