| December 16, 2010 | Volume: # 3 Issue: # 50
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JOIN US BEFORE AND AFTER THE GAME! Sun Singer News "I drink, therefore I am.
I eat, therefore I am more."
- W.R. Tish, Wine Writer
Who's YOUR Santa?
There's a certain spirit that brings out the Santa in all of us and it grows bigger each day we share the holiday with others. As the song says "It's the most wonderful time of the year." With Christmas barely a week away, it's time to be making those final lists and checking them twice. Sun Singer is here everyday to help share the season with you.
 | | Mark backstage at Sun Singer! |
This newsletter is packed with holiday information. You can find the latest on this week's Sensational Saturday Wine Tasting - always complimentary of course, plus as a loyal newsletter reader you'll be the first to know about our big plans for our New Year's 2011 celebration.
Come by and see us soon and see us often this season. You'll never fail to bump into someone you know. Remember that our Wine Bar Café is a great place to wind up and wind down your celebrations or just recharge. Enjoy the new flavors of our Winter menu and ever changing selection of wines to which you've grown to love. Our Gourmet Deli has everything you need to fill your pantry with treats for your holiday parties.
We look forward to sharing all the best that the season has to offer. Happy Holidays,Mark, Jackie & the Sun Singer Staff
P.S. Holiday Gift Baskets: Gift Baskets are our specialty! Whether you need one or one hundred, Sun Singer can make you a hero(ine) during Christmas time. Do you need an Illini related gift for favorite fan? Sun Singer has the perfect selection of 'Tailgate Specials' - custom gift baskets with Illini branded products with chips, nuts, salsas and more just right to ease those hunger pangs for a sporting afternoon. On the run? Choose among our ready-made selections or let us help you design a custom basket tailored to you specific desires.
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Vrinio's Candy Canes &
Confections 
What's Christmas without the traditional candy canes and confections from the Vrinios family. This year we'll offer a selection of 4 candy cane flavors plus their ribbon candy and marvelous peanut brittle.
Supplies are limitied!
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Sensational Saturday Tasting
Break free Saturday afternoon for some fun and relaxation
at Sun Singer - it's our specialty!
Saturday, December 18th Sensational Sparkling
12noon - 4:00 p.m.
With celebration in the air, it's time to break out the bubbly!. This week's tasting will focus on selections perfect to accompany all your holiday parties, informal gatherings, meals and even New Year's. Come have some fun and bring your questions about entertaining, food pairing as we look for good value in seasonal entertaining!
Sun Singer offers complimentary tastings every Saturday afternoon between 12noon - 4:00pm. Stop by to refresh and refuel with a bite of lunch in the Wine Bar Cafe and explore the many pleasures of the palate!
Click here for a complete list of Saturday's tasting.
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| for everyone on your list:
Stocking Stuffers & Gifts
Have a Holiday Pet Party
Epic's custom hand-painted wine glassware features meticulous detailing and exclusive wrap-around designs. Customers will want to collect them all and use them as permanent wine charms to keep track of their drinks. Hand-painted glassware makes a great gift for weddings, birthdays, housewarmings, or any occasion! Made with 100% non-toxic paint. Capacity: 16 oz.
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who's your santa?:
Remy Martin
Louis XIII
With three centuries of Cognac making under its belt, the Rémy Martin family certainly has perfected the art, and nowhere is this more clear than with its top-of-the-line offering, Louis XIII de Rémy Martin.
"Louis XIII is not a Cognac," they say at Rémy. "Put simply, it's a moment." Why is it a moment? Figure this: each bottle is a blend of 1,200 Cognacs, ranging from 40 to 100 years old, across three generations of Cellar Masters, resulting from the combined labor of 10,000 people.
The philosophy of Cognac is terroir. According to Rémy Martin's philosophy, if you start with fine grapes from the best vineyards, sift through the proper and best eaux de vie, and then blend them artfully, you will get a fine Cognac.
 The packaging of Louis XIII shares almost as much history as the Cognac itself. The idea for the glass came from an old bottle found by Emile Rémy Martin on a Jarnac battlefield. Since then, the carafe has evolved into its distinguished shape, manufactured by Baccarat since 1936. A solid gold collar encases the neck, which is adorned by a signature fleur-de-lys crystal stopper. Its Baroque-style glass and design may have been the inspiration for the name Louis XIII, a French king who ruled during the Baroque era. It is also noted that the Rémy Martin family had close connections with King Louis XIII, which serves as another explanation for the Cognac's name. Also of note: the exquisite red box that the bottle comes in is the first new design in 25 years.
As for taste, this Cognac boasts only the finest flavors. You are greeted by a noble deep amber color. On the nose there are aromas of delicate flowers, rich fruits and intense spices. On the palate, Louis XIII takes you on a world journey: to China with flavors of lychee and ginger, to Cuba with cigars and cigar box, and Central America with cinnamon.
More than a gift, an unforgettable and timeless memento.
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from the cellar:
At the Wine Bar!
Sun Singer offers more than 30 wines by the glass every day of the week. Here's a sampling of this week's selections at the Sun Singer Wine Bar.
Browse this week's complete list? Click here!
 WINE FEATURE
The majority of this hedonistic beauty, the Cuvée Christine, is from warmer and rockier sites east of the Russian River Valley. Fermented with less stems (about 30%), and aged for one year in more new oak (about 70%) than most wines, this tasty drop is ready to rip but will reward as much patience as you are willing to give. PAX Cuvee Christine 2007
North Coast, California
Dark purple core with a ruby hue, black raspberry andblackberry dominate the Cuvee Christine with underlying notes of bramble, fennel and black cardamom. Waves of rich, thick, juicy fruit stroke the palate, marked by a bright, fresh and crystal clean finish, thanks to last year's cooler, extended growing season.
2 oz. $6.00 5 oz. $12.25 bottle $47
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 holiday luxuries:
Caviar for the Holidays
Our Gourmet Deli is offering four types of caviar for your holiday enjoyment:
Romanoff Black Lumpfish Caviar
This fish abounds in Arctic waters; it is a small egg with pronounced flavor. Lumpfish caviar adds flair and appeal to dips and hors d'oeuvres at a value price.
American Sturgeon (Wabash River, Ohio)
This unique wild hackleback sturgeon is harvested from the Wabash River in Ohio, exclusively for Pacific Plaza Imports. American Sturgeon has some characteristics of Osetra, such as rich nutty taste.
American Paddlefish Caviar (Missouri and Tennesee)
American Paddlefish Caviar with its robust taste is becoming a serious texture rival to the Russian Sevruga in the United States. This roe of a fresh-water sturgeon, has a color range of pale grey to gun smoke steel. The texture is smooth and silky.
Golden Whitefish Roe (Great Lakes)
These tiny golden eggs have a delicate flavor and are used primarily as a garnish for many foods. This caviar comes from the roe of whitefish in Lake Michigan.
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there's a new beer in town:
Smuttynose Brewing
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
"Smuttynose has a well-earned reputation as one of America's best all around breweries." All About Beer Magazine
Smuttynose prides themselves on making a wide variety of distinctive beers, from their five full-time beers, to their seasonals and their famous Big Beer Series.
Vegetarians, please take note: Smuttynose beers are made without the use of any animal products, such as isinglass or gelatin. Why? Because they prefer it that way, and we're sure you do, too, so enjoy!
 'FINESTKIND' IPA
Hands-down one of the best American-style India Pale Ales ever crafted. This brew is lip smacking, with an aggressive and pungent grapefruit hop character. Wonderfully balanced and insanely drinkable.
OLD BROWN
DOG ALE
Old Brown Dog has been cited as a classic example of the "American Brown Ale" style of beer. Compared to a typical English Brown Ale, Old Brown Dog is fuller-bodied and more strongly hopped.
Old Brown Dog has been around for many years. It was first brewed in 1988 at the Northampton Brewery. In 1989 it won a silver medal in its category (American Brown Ale) at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
 ROBUST PORTER available in the Cafe
This hearty, mahogany colored ale is brewed to evoke the dark, full-bodied ales that were a favorite of dockworkers and warehousemen (hence the name "Porter") in 19th century London. It is a good bet that when Dickens' Mr. Pickwick sat down for a pint, we would have been drinking an ale much like our Robust Porter.This is a smooth and very drinkable beer, characterized by its well-balanced malt and hops, plus subtle notes of coffee and chocolate.
 BIG 'A' IPA available in the Cafe Smuttynose's Big A IPA, a 9.7% ABV India Pale Ale, is described by CAMRA's (Campaign for Real Ale) US bar team as having an 'orange and citrus fruit, with a nicely balanced body, a hint of malt and a bunch of alcohol, and perhaps a hint of honey. The beer ends nicely with a lingering hop dryness'.
'Tis the season for beer, what's your brew tonight? |
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stocking stuffer supreme:
OLD ST. ANDREWS WHISKY
 | | 50ml size |
There are millions of golfers around the world. The chances are you know one. It may be a friend, family member or business associate. They're everywhere. Golf is not just a pastime for them, its more important than that. They don't just - play golf - they're golfers!
Do you know someone like that? Then we have the perfect gift for them. Old St Andrews - premium blend scotch whisky in a golf ball bottle. A great gift for a golfer.
Old St Andrews Whisky was founded in 1969 by Robert and Julian Haswell with the aim of bringing together Scotland's greatest gifts to the world: whisky and golf. The first product was a large two litre bottle in a leather golf caddy cart that was developed for the  | | 500ml size |
Japanese market. Old St. Andrews Scotch whisky is stored and matured in oak casks previously used for sweet wines, sherry or port, which give it a delicious richness and roundness. The premium blend of carefully selected malt and grain whiskies, sipped neat or with water, ice or mixers will appeal to sophisticated whisky lovers everywhere.
The first Clubhouse golf ball bottles were produced in 1987. Originally they were white - just like a golf ball - and the clear glass 'decanter ' clubhouse bottle was not produced until 1993. Since then it has become the company's best selling product. 40% Alc./Vol.
Tasting note: Nose: Clean as a whistle; both malts and grains are young but proudly so. A Speyside influence comes through loud and clear: mouthwatering. Taste: The early arrival is identical to the nose: clear as the morning dew on the first green and no less grassy. Finish: long with some grain gaining hold but bringing with it some soft vanillas. Balance: a fair way to start any day. How I love young blends: fresh and lacking any sort of pretensions. It has quality enough. |
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Upcoming
Events
Saturday, Dec. 18th
Sensational Saturday
Wine Tasting
12Noon - 4pm
FREE!
Friday & Saturday
Dec. 25th & 26th
Sun Singer will be
closed for the
Christmas Holiday Friday, Dec. 31st
New Year's Eve
2011 Party!!
5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Think Holiday Cheer!
Willett Reserve
Bourbon
Pot Still
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Bottled in a really cool pot still decanter. Soft and elegant on the nose and palate, and very well balanced. An incredibly drinkable whiskey. It was bottled at just the right time, based on its great balance of flavors. Notes of vanilla, coconut and creme brulee, provide a base for emerging notes of cedar wood shavings, cinnamon, soft mint and a hint of fennel. A very graceful bourbon."
Rated 90 points by Malt Advocate
Magazine Gold Medal Winner at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Limited Supplies!
Santa Approved...
Great addition for
the sleigh.
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holiday drinks:
WINTER WONDERS!
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Beginning this Wednesday, we'll begin featuring holiday themed drinks that range from classics like egg-nog to fun and tasty martinis.
BUTTERED TOFFEE Amaretto, Buttershots & Vanilla Vodka
CANDY CANE II
Peppermint Schnapps, Grenadine & half 'n half
FROSTBITE Tequila, Crème de Cacao, Crème de Menthe & cream
NOG-ATINI Egg Nog, Captain Morgan, Godiva White, Butterscotch Schnapps & Kahlua
THINMINT Chocolate Vodka, Godiva White Chocolate, Peppermint Schnapps & Crème de Menthe
TOASTED ALMOND
Vodka, Bailey's, Kahlua & Amaretto
JINGLE BELL-ATINI Peach Schnapps, Vodka & Freixenet Cava
SANTA'S CAP Crantasia, Vodka, Triple sec & Cranberry juice
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holiday entertaining:
Alexian Pate
|  | Perfect for Holiday parties. Now in a
new 5 ounce pack.
Truffle Mousse
Pork, and poultry liver with sherry, truffles, and wild mushrooms.
Pate de Campagne
Pork and pork liver with sherry wine, herbs & spices.
Chicken & Veal
PORK FREE
Veal, breast of chicken, chicken liver and cognac, garnished
with mustard seed and black pepper.
You'll find these pate and other partiy goodies in the open case at the north end of our Gourmet Deli.
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always perfect:
Sun Singer
Gift Cards*
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Share your love of
Sun Singer this holiday. Giving a Sun Singer gift card is the perfect for employee incentives, customer appreciation, holiday parties, etc. You pick the amount and let them choose their perfect gift.
* Never an
expiration date
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santa's little helper
REINDEER RANCH
What could be more perfect for Holiday parties, gift baskets and more. Pick up a case at a
10% savings today!
A glass of this Holiday Red is filled with aromas of sweet black cherry, and juicy plums. On the palate the wine is full and plump, dense with flavors of pomegranate and dark berry preserves that linger in the aftertaste. Soft and supple yet complex with firm tannins, the wine is inviting and ready to drink today!
Available in
Holiday Red, White
or Rosé.
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Holiday Confectionary
