Christmas 2008
Wishing you all the very best of wishes for a happy and safe holiday season! We thank you for your patronage.
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With only days left before the holidays, we are right in the swing of things. The shop is buzzing! We can hardly keep up with gift basket orders, and each week, we are taking delivery of different wines, liqueurs and accessories sure to please the special someone on your list. We hope to see you and help with your holiday plans.
Economic times may be harder now than in the recent past, so remember what's important in our lives - giving and sharing time with friends and loved ones. And, if you want to raise a toast to celebrate an occasion, there are plenty of excellent choices of wines in the store for under $25.00 to enjoy. We have labelled ones that are off Wine Access' "Top 25 Killer Wines Under $25.00" and The Vancouver Top 100 List. You simply can't go wrong with any of these. Experiment! Have blind taste tests with your friends comparing different wines of the same grape. It's a fun way to learn about new wines without spending a lot of money. Of the 25, we have all 22 of the Top Killer Wines Under $25 in the store that are currently available in Alberta.
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Specialty Wines
Looking for a Top Gun to share with someone special or give to the Wine Collector on your list? We have received shipment of some terrific wines and anticipate getting a few others in the next month. If there's one you are looking for, let us know and we'll see if we can bring it in for you.
Molly Dooker Enchanted Path - a spectacular shiraz cabernet from Australia. Consistently rating in the 90's by Wine Spectator and Wine Advocat, this is one of two "Love Wines" . The other, Carnival of Love will be in soon.
Betts & Scholl Black Betty - rated 95 points WS, this supple textured, tremendously pleasing Barossa shiraz has intense blackberry and plum flavours with hints of Asian spice. Drink now through 2018.
Kaesler "The Old Bastard" "Once opened, and when it's young, this wine exhibits soy sauce, vegemite, mandarin rind and flowers. After a few hours with air, and more suggestive of its future, it leans slowly towards dark chocolate embedded with black ripe yet still sour cherries. After 5 hours or more, small berried fruit, black and red start streaming though, vanilla lift adds a nice topping and ethereal afterglow." courtesy Kaesler website.
Hand picked from a single vineyard, this is a real winner!
Coming soon! Clos Apalta 2005 Top Pick Top 100 Wines- Wine Spectator
To be released once the 2004 vintage has been sold. We are currently sold out of 2004 (which was also another stellar vintage for this wine) - however we can order the 2004 for anyone wanting some for their cellar.
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Sweet Sippin' Liqueurs - make a tasty winter treat!
Whether you like creamy liqueurs or fruity or exotic we have a selection to please most palates.
Check out Black Forest Cream - tastes like the Lowney's chocolate cherry from your youth! Or Holiday Nog - great in your Christmas morning coffee!
Creme de Pomme is an apple cider cream liqueur with a hint of caramel, Amarula from South Africa is made from the exotic marula fruit that elephants love when they have ripened and fallen from the tree. Wild Africa cream, in the exotic leopard print bottle is a subtle caramel, jersey cream also good in coffee.
For the non-creamy crowd, try Navan, a delightful vanilla flavoured cognac or Canton Ginger, a spicy ginger infused cognac. Both can be enjoyed on the rocks or warmed in a snifter. Pour some in your hot chocolate for an extra boost of warmth this winter.
Another favourite is Maple Liqueur and Sortilege maple whisky from Quebec. Delicious with desserts, cheeses, on ice cream or simply sipped by a cozy fire.
Fruit liqueurs such as Orchid Mango, Lychee and Pomegranate taste great on ice, or my personal favourite - a dash in a glass of sparkling wine!
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Ice Wine - A great Canadian gift
A true labour of love, making ice wine has become part of Canadian wine making culture and is revered around the world. These sweet elixirs, go so well with cheeses, fruit and desserts, they are a perfect for the holidays. |
The Craigellachie 17 year old single malt single cask whisky we bottled and brought to the store is almost sold out! If you are still interested in getting one for Christmas, better hurry, when it's gone, it's gone forever.
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As Featured in The Edmonton Journal Gift Giving Guide last week, our accessories, glassware , games and books are going quickly. Not sure what to get for someone? How about an Aligra Wine & Spirits Gift Certificate. Available in denominations of $25.00. |
Be sure to order your Christmas Gift Baskets. We custom make them to suit your gift giving needs.
NEW ! CUSTOMIZED WINE LABELS SERVICE
Do you have a wedding, anniversary, retirement, Christmas party coming up? Why not personalize your wines with commemorative labels? We have a selection of labels ready for customizing with your names, date, occassion etc. that you can order along with the case(s) of wine for your next event. Call for details.
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Volume 1 Issue 7 Christmas 2008 |
On the first day of Chrismas my true love gave to me........
Alison & Grant's Favorite Top 20 Wines & Spirits for 2008 in no specific order and variable prices:
1. Don Melchor 2005 Chile
2. Santa Teresa Organic Prosecco Italy
3. Casillero de Diablo Carmenere 2007
4. Gnarly Head Chardonnay California
5. Diemersfontein Pinotage South Africa
6. Cono Sur Gewurztraminer Chile
7. Montes Alpha Syrah Chile
8. Mark West Pinot Noir California
9. The Show Cabernet Sauvignon California
10. Cedar Creek Cabernet Merlot B.C. Canada
11. Black Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir Ontario Canada
12. Elephant Island Apricot Wine
13. Quail's Gate Pinot Noir B.C. Canada
14. Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio Italy
15. Gray Monk Pinot Gris B.C. Canada
16. Richard Hamilton Hut Block Cabernet Sauvignon Australia
17. Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz Australia
18. Craggy Range Sauvgnon Blanc New Zealand
19. Soljians Fusion Sparkling New Zealand
20. Menage a Trois Rose California
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Upcoming Events
Saturday Sippings In Store 2-6 pm
Dec 13 Italian Prosecco sparking wine & Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
Dec 20 Mulled Wine & Holiday Nog
Dec 27 Surprise!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS- JANUARY 2009
22 Jan "Just A Wee Dram" Scotch tasting class with Metro Continuing Education's Sommelier Heather Kingston. This class sells out! To register visit
26 Jan "Get Your Kilt Out" A Salute to Robbie Burns scotch night. A fun evening of tastings and tales. To register, email us, or drop by the store to pick up tickets. $30.00 per person + GST.
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Check out the blog news at our website. Regularly updated information, ideas, products etc. We welcome your comments! Feel free to pass along this newsletter to friends who might enjoy it.
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DECEMBER
STORE HOURS
Mon - Thur 12:00 -9:00 pm
Fri - Sat 12:00- 10:00 pm
Sunday & Holidays 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Saturday Dec 13 & 20 we are open until 11pm for West Edmonton Mall Midnight Madness
CLOSED
Christmas Day &
New Year's Day
Be Responsible this holiday season, please don't drink and drive.
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