Interested in Something New?

The influx of summer seasonal goods continues, but we're also getting plenty of other new products as well. In case you missed it, click here for this week's Craft Beer Corner, where we exclusively discuss new brews.

Domaine Castillon Costieres de Nimes Rose 2015. It is rose season, so the timing is right. We carry the red and white from this winery, so it was natural to add the rose once it became available. This is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre, showing a classic saltiness and high quality raspberry, strawberry, spice and rising bread nuances. Medium-bodied, balanced, delicious and fresh, it leans a little bit towards the richer end of the spectrum, but stays lively and is highly drinkable. Drink now. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities Mint Julep Ale. The Kentucky Derby is always held on the first Saturday in May, so let's get ready. Woodford Reserve is the official Bourbon, and we still have a few bottles of that available for purchase. This year, there's also an official wine, from 14 Hands. We detailed that when it was first released, and a few bottles remain. The Mint Julep is the beverage of choice at the race, so leave it to a Maryland craft brewer (home of the Preakness) to bring it all together in a beer.

If you're not drinking this during the decadence and depravity that is the Triple Crown, you're doing it wrong. 6.0% ABV, 20 IBU's. Mint Julep Ale was the brainchild of two Flying Dog sales managers (and resident cocktail mongers). The idea to incorporate the classic Derby flavor profile into a beer was a ringer.

Berkshire Mountain Distillers Shays' Rebellion American Whiskey. This unique whiskey was made in collaboration with the Sam Adams brewery. Berkshire Mountain Distillers had the idea to experiment with triple distilling a batch of Samuel Adams Cinder Bock, a fiery Rauch Bock beer. The resultant whiskey made from this beer was then aged in Samuel Adams Utopias casks for nearly three and a half years.

Shays' Rebellion American whiskey maintains the smokiness and malt character of the Cinder Bock that it was made from, but finishes with port and dried fruit notes from the Utopias casks that it was aged in, resulting in a mature, complicated and delicious whiskey. A definite collector's item, available in extremely limited quantities. $109.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Laudun & Chusclan Seigneurie de Gicon Côtes du Rhône Villages Rosé 2015. Vinified traditionally. On the nose, the wine is aromatic, open and elegant, with many notes of red fruit and candy. Some shades of white flowers enrich the sensation. Soft and sweet on the palate, this balanced rosé will fit perfectly your summer outdoor meals. 80% Grenache. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

2012 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. 96 points from Wine Advocate. Their review: "Revealing the great blending skills of Beringer’s winemaking team, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a winner. Having purchased Private Reserves for many years, I can attest that they age incredibly well. The 1991, one of the great successes of that vintage, is still aging beautifully at nearly 25 years of age. The sensational 2012 (10,000 cases) boasts an opaque purple color along with abundant

aromas of charcoal, burning embers, creme de cassis, chocolate, blackberries and licorice. The long, complex, compelling, full-bodied texture along with terrific purity and a savory, rich mouthfeel result in a classic, quintessential Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20-25 years." As you'd expect, extremely limited availability, at $99.99 in the Bottle Club®.

We've presented just a few of the many new products that are now on our shelves. For assistance in finding these items, or anything else that's new, please consult our store staff.

More Mom-Friendly Suggestions

You've probably heard that Mother's Day is this Sunday. If your plans for Sunday include wine, beer or spirits, we're happy to offer some suggestions that will brighten Mom's day.

Luna di Luna Prosecco

Nothing starts a celebration like sparkling wine. Whether you're making a toast, or mixing a Bellini or a Mimosa, the bubbles are a sign of good times.

We made a special purchase of Luna di Luna Prosecco, and it's priced very aggressively. Luna di Luna is one of northeastern Italy's best known brands, and this is a delicious prosecco with a fine mousse. Only $9.98 in the Bottle Club®.

Of course, this is the perfect time of year for a fresh rosé wine. We have an assortment of the 2014 vintage rosés in stock, so have a sip of summer.

Laudun Chusclan Gard Saurine Vin de Pays Rosé

Don't worry about the official and very long name of this wine. Let's just call it "Saurine rosé" and enjoy! The blend includes Grenache for structure and Carignan to give it depth. Only $7.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Saurine on display in Lawrenceville

Blis Blast Hot Sauce

Beer not included

If you're the one in charge of the cooking on Sunday, we have a great, new hot sauce that's perfect for wings or anything else that needs a little kick. Blis Blast Hot Sauce combines over three different chilies aged over the course of a year in a variety of oak barrels, including Founders Brewery KBS Barrels! The result is a jam packed, bursting with flavor hot sauce that leaves you wanting more! This one is a staff favorite! Be sure to try Blis Blast Hot Sauce today, Because Life Is Short! Available in Lawrenceville only.

   

Domaine de la Colombe Rosé Coteaux Varois en Provence 

From the winery: "Jubilant red strawberries jump from the glass on this cheerful rosé. The Coteaux Varois is a smaller appellation in the center of Provence. Composed of Cinsaut and Carignan growing in chalky soils, this ultra-fresh wine has fine structure and a fruity profile. A touch of grape tannins on the finish means this is great with a meal, especially alongside pesto, vegetables, herbed chicken, and prosciutto."

From Brandon Bartfalvi, Senior Wine Manager in Lawrenceville: "A light to medium bodied Rose offering light peach and citrus notes with a juicy but clean finish.  Pick up a case or more so you can have it all summer!"

This wine sold out quickly last year. We agree with Brandon, especially at this great Bottle Club® price: $9.96.

Because our Store Manager in Lawrenceville, Toni Carver, is an expert on whisk(e)y, we know that plenty of other mom's enjoy the brown spirits as well. Consider this special offering:

Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus

Compass Box Whisky has a great backstory: an American making cutting-edge whisky in Scotland.

Hedonism Quindecimus uses grain whiskies of varying ages from five distilleries
to create a riotous, intergenerational celebration of all that the interplay
between grain spirit and American oak can deliver. The joie de vivre of youth and complexity of age combine to create something seductive, mouth-coating and irresistible.

The combination of grain whiskies from different distilleries and of varying ages has created extraordinary complexity and juxtapositions of flavor. Indulgent yet lively, unctuous yet light, you will find a deep, sweet caramel coconut succulence combining with exultant tropical fruits.

46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and natural color. This is an allocated whisky with extremely limited availability. $179.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Happy Mother's Day!

Summer's Here. The Wines Too!

For a wine lover, nothing says "Summer" like the arrival of the newest vintages of rosés. The light, fresh flavors offer the perfect counterpoint to the hazy, humid summer, and fit nicely with anything outdoors.

At Joe Canal's, the 2014 vintage rosé wines are arriving almost daily. Here's a look at a few:

Domaine de la Colombe Rosé Coteaux Varois en Provence 

Jubilant red strawberries jump from the glass on this cheerful rosé. The Coteaux Varois is a smaller appellation in the center of Provence. Composed of Cinsaut and Carignan growing in chalky soils, this ultra-fresh wine has fine structure and a fruity profile. A touch of grape tannins on the finish means this is great with a meal, especially alongside pesto, vegetables, herbed chicken, and prosciutto.

Our featured New Product in today's email, this wine sold out quickly last year. We recommend picking up a few bottles at this great Bottle Club® price: $9.96.

Les Vignerons de Tavel, Tavel Rosé Cuvée Royale

The Cuvée Royale consists of 8 varieties from the Tavel appellation, from a winery with 70 years of experience. A wine full of history, characterized by sustained pink color, aromatic intensity pepper and strawberries, and a velvety mouth, rich and spicy.

An exceptional wine to enjoy on Sushi, a Duck l'Orange, a stuffed capon with chestnuts, roasted peppers with olive oil, soup with pesto or a tajine with almonds.

Laudun Chusclan Vignerons Vin de Pays du Gard Réserve de la Saurine

Salmon pink with an intriguing nose that shows strawberry and cherry aromas, along with a hint of a stony minerality, rose petal aroma, and even wafts of camphor. The palate is pleasantly dry, with flavors of dried cherries and pink grapefruit. The finish is medium long.

Enjoy summer with a summer wine!

Tasty Thursday

It's Tasty Thursday because of the cases of delicious that have been delivered this week. Let's review some of Joe Canal's newest products. And since the summer has unofficially started, we start off with rose, the essential summer wine.

Domaines Ott LES DOMANIERS 2013

LES DOMANIERS by Ott Sélection is a fresh and balanced rosé that captures the spirit of the Côte d'Azur with its exotic fruit and white peach flavors. Built upon Domaines Ott’s winemaking expertise, this wine is to be paired with Provençal cuisine such as salade niçoise, grilled lamb, sea bass and seasonal vegetables.

LES DOMANIERS is a great value and a worthy toast to spring and summer! Only $14.89 in the Bottle Club®.

Bastianich Rosato

The Bastianich Rosato is made from 100% Refosco, which is known for producing spicy reds with dark fruit flavors (also used in their Vespa Rosso and Calabrone). It expresses itself here in a refreshing way with aromatic intensity and unexpected weight on the palate for a rosato. Bastianich's dedication and focus on Friuli's indigenous varieties led them to create this unique and easily drinkable expression of Refosco.

This is an intensely colored rosato filled with aromas of rose petals, fresh strawberries, violets and orange peel. Medium weight on the palate with fresh, clean , mouthwatering acidity. Bastianish Rosato is actually closer to a light red wine than most other rose wines.

We recommend it on its own as an aperitivo or with smoky, sweet and spicy cuisines. Only $10.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Belle Glos Meiomi Chardonnay

You know any wine from the Wagner family (like Caymus) will be outstanding, and that's true of the Belle Glos Meiomi Chardonnay. Meiomi is a high style Chardonnay that is shaped, more than anything else, by the fruit sources that lay the foundation of the blend.

A pure bred enjoyment wine, built to accommodate any pairing from food to friends.

Unifying California’s most noteworthy coastal areas opens the door for a dynamic and opulent wine that is ready to enjoy whenever you are. Only $19.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Make it a prefect pair by adding the Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir to your basket.

Re Midas Soave

Re Midas Soave hails from the Veneto, a region located in Northeast Italy with a deep winemaking history. This expansive region with sunny hillsides is home of the delicious Soave wine. Re Midas Soave fully expresses the Veneto region’s luscious fresh fruit flavors.

As the myth goes, everything that Re (King) Midas touched turned to gold. Re Midas wines are an example of this “golden touch.”

Re Midas vineyards are located on the hillsides in the village of Soave, where there is a long tradition of growing Garganega grapes. The vines are extensively cultivated in the terroir made up of calcerous soils (volcanic origin) at elevation of 100-350 meters.

The 100% Garganega is aged for 3 months in stainless steel followed by 1 month in bottle before release.

SENSORY PROFILE:
APPEARANCE: Yellow with hints of gold.
BOUQUET: Wild flowers and ripe lemons.
PALATE: Bright, clean, delicious palate bursting with layers of fresh fruit and citrus overtones; crisp minerality, hints of toasted nuts and a nice lingering finish.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
Enjoy Re Midas Soave chilled, on its own as an aperitif, or with many dishes including: seafood and shellfish, grilled vegetables, grilled chicken and pork.

We got quite a deal on this, so we pass the savings on to you. Only $3.98 in the Bottle Club®. 

Stop back tomorrow for the Friday Grab Bag!

Helping Summer Arrive

In mythology, a Banshee is a spirit, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the underworld. Forget mythology; In California, a Banshee is a great new wine.

Banshee Wines was founded by three friends from the Midwest and East Coast who shared a passion for wine and a lifelong dream of owning their own winery. Their  fascination with wine started early in life. While their peers were drinking Milwaukee's Best, they had an affinity towards collecting European wines and hosting dorm room wine tastings. Post-college, each pursued a career in the wine industry, ranging from importing wines, to winemaking, to distribution and sales. When their paths ultimately converged in San Francisco, they shared many meals, bottles of wine, concerts, and laughs with one another. In 2009 they pooled their money together to make the first vintage of Banshee Wines Pinot Noir, which sold out in three short months. By the end of the year, Banshee Wines was their full-time pursuit.

The Banshee guys are passionate about creating benchmark wines from California’s iconic vineyards as well as crafting soulful blends that don't break the bank. When they’re not making wine you can find them preparing grand multi-course meals, sabering Champagne bottles, seeking out the nearest swimming hole, or dancing on tabletops. Classic guy activities.

Pinot Noir in the vineyard

2013 was a great year for making rosé and we suspect 2014 will be an even better year for drinking it.  The vintage offered Pinot Noir possessing nuanced layers of fruit and great tension, enabling Banshee to make the kind of lively, pale, fragrant and vivacious rosé that we all love.  It is an absolute knockout successor to the previous vintage (which is still tasting wonderful one year later).

The 2013 certainly benefited from Banshee's expanded vineyard sourcing.  It contains elements of 10 different Sonoma Coast vineyards including all of their single vineyard sources.  The wine was created using about 50% saignée and 50% direct to press methods. 90% of the wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel while the remainder was aged in neutral white wine barrels giving us a nice textural component.

Tasting Notes

Once again this is a wine of flirtatious hints.  The flavors are all early spring freshness as opposed to mid-summer lushness.  White flowers and apricot blossom aromas lead into kumquat, wild mountain strawberry, stone fruit and mint flavors all riding atop a pringly spine of acidity.  Open bottles disappear quickly. Only $17.96 in the Bottle Club®.