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March ..... well, here in Edmonton, it came in like a lion, stayed like a lion and it looks like it will leave the same way- licking its frozen, snowy paws as it leaves! The only thing that was green around here this month, was our St. Patrick's Day display in the store.
Let's hope April will hold the promise of Spring!
Easter Weekend is coming up April 10-12th. We have prepared some attractive, affordable Easter baskets and we can customize one to suit your giving needs. We will also help you choose a nice, affordable wine to pair with your Easter dinner.
Another sign of spring is our upcoming schedule of In-Store Classes .....why not come out and learn something new? Check out the list on the side column or visit our website at www.aligrawineandspirits.com
Some fun new wines on the shelf to check out -
Mommy's Time Out Pinot Grigio
This delicate and fruity wine is a sure pick-me-up for anyone (Moms especially!) who' have had a long, busy day. The bouquet has notes of pear, citrus and almonds. The first impression upon tasting it is crisp and refreshing, with the Garganega adding body to the midpalate and length on the finish.
According to Robert Parker: "A superb sleeper of the vintage, this Bordeaux blend from Jean-Luc Thunevin delivers everything it should. Loads of plum, cassis, and cherry fruit are found in this silky-textured, medium-bodied, pure, delicious effort. Thunevin has unquestionably hit a home run with this bargain-priced 2005. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years. Bordeaux needs to make more wines such as this."
Grant attended the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival last week and the featured region this year was British Columbia. He tasted some phenomenal wines and we want you to experience them too. Expect them in the store in the coming weeks. For more on his experience at the festival, read his story below.
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RUM, VODKA NEWS etc...
Legendario Sweet Elixir Cuban Rum continues to enjoy a good following. Check it out while supplies last.
English Harbour Rum - English Harbour Five Year Old aged Rum continues to win international prestigious awards. The Five year Rum received a Double Gold Medal Award for the second consecutive year in the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the USA, ranking English Harbour Five year old Rum as one of the Best Rums in the world.
Gentle honey notes, but very light nose. Very vanilla body with no burn on the finish.
Three Olives Root Beer Vodka - a new release from the same company that introduced Cherry, Espresso and Tomato flavoured vodka. Three Olives is one of the vodka brands that makes a superior premium clear vodka and backs it up with many outstanding flavors. The vodkas are handcrafted in small batches in England from fine English wheat. For cocktail recipe ideas visit www.threeolivescom
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| BEERS - try something new
Dead Frog Pale Ale " nothing goes down like a cold, dead frog" says the box. Thisnew offering from a microbrewery out of Aldergrove, B.C. Dead Frog Pale Ale is their flagship beer. This complex, big flavoured ale is easy drinking, smooth, bitter, but balanced with a great finish.It tastes great with a nice stew, curry or spicy Asian food. This beer won't overpower your food, but will balance out a full flavoured meal. It's versatile enough with light pub food.
Desperados Tequila Beer Desperados Tequila Flavored Beer is the first tequila flavored beer. It is a highly refreshing gold coloured and full bodied lager beer with the extra kick and the exotic imagery of the tequila flavoring. Consumption from the bottle is highly recommended.
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Grant's Report . . . .
Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival
I just returned from the Vancouver Playhouse 31st Annual International Wine Festival, which ran from March 23rd to March 29th. What a world-class event! It is actually considered to be the best Wine Festival - not only in Canada, but in North America and is as prestigious as any in the world!
183 wineries and 1,700 wines representing 15 countries were represented and over 25,000 people attended this year. There were 61 different events, including tasting rooms, luncheons, wine pairing dinners and other special events at top restaurants and hotels around Vancouver.
This year's theme region was the wines of British Columbia where 58 BC wineries took centre stage. The global focus grape varietal was on Pinot(s) including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Pinotage. Seventy International and 72 BC Pinots were shown off - with so many of them being simply: OUTSTANDING!
Symposiums, workshops, seminars and classes -all with the involvement of many winery owners and/or wine makers. Tasting workshops included Premium Australia wines, red and white Burgundys, Century (at least 100 year old) Vine wines, ice wines, Pairing with Pinots, and vertical tastings of Oculus, Osoyoos Larose, Beringer Private Reserve and Nota Bene.
BC wines are winning numerous awards on the world stage each year, and it was truly a privilege to take in a number of the tastings.I had the opportunity to experience so many outstanding wines and meet the people who are responsible for growing these wonderful grapes and putting the remarkable juice in the bottle! Probably the most notable tasting was the "BC's Reds Reach For the Top" where we participated in an unprecedented tasting of 12 of BC's most sought-after red wines! Even the wine makers were blown away.
So, start planning NOW to join us at next year's Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival - which will feature Argentina and New Zealand. Dates will be quite similar to this year - late March. Stay tuned.
Many of these exciting wines are currently in our store and we will be bringing in more of them in the next few weeks.
See you in the store soon!
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| GADGETS & GIZMOS
In our effort to be the leader in town bringing you the latest and greatest in imbibing paraphernalia, we have some new items to share with you this month.
Soiree - " clever design, as effective as a full size decanter" - Imbibe Magazine Issue 13
Soir�e fits securely into any wine bottle allowing you to pour decanted wine directly through the Soir�e into your glass, without dripping. Using the Soiree creates an intermediary stage where the wine is infused with oxygen and then cascades into your glass. You will notice the subtleties and character of the wine emerge immediately upon entering your glass. Soir�e delivers a truly "open" wine just by pouring through it!
For the connoisseurs that stand behind their traditional decanter, we support you, however be aware that you can use Soir�e to pour your wine into your decanter. This process is called "double decanting", and undisputedly will be helpful when decanting a deep hearty red.
Sante!
Wine Cellar Express
Last month*, Grant and I reported to you about our experience with the Breathable wine glasses - (a positive one I might add!) and we promised we would try the "Wine Cellar Express" magnetic aerating device.
Looking like a wine coaster, the magnetic discs come in three attractive finishes - wood grain, brushed silver and mahogany. To use it, we opened two identical bottles of cabernet sauvignon (you can even keep it corked while it's on the disc and open it after 30 minutes) that we are familar with, placed one on the coaster and kept one far away from it on the other side of the table. After 30 minutes, Grant poured a glass from each bottle into two different ( regular) wine glasses and had me taste them blind. Immediatey, I was able to notice a distinct difference between the two; one tasted softer and less tannic, while the other one was noticably tannic and less mellow. I guessed the one that had been on the Wine Cellar with no trouble at all. I repeated the process for him, and he too could tell the difference.
The Wine Cellar will also "open up" the flavours of sherry, port, rum, brandy and other barrel aged spirits that are placed on it. Try one at your next dinner party. Makes a great gift for the wine lover!
Pocket size Wine Tasting Journals are back in stock. How many times have you been shopping for a great wine you had in a restaurant only to get to the store and not remember the name? Keep a record of your favourites in this handy journal that fits in purses and pockets. | |
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| Volume 2 Issue 3
March- April 2009 |
| Alison & Grant's
Top Wine Picks
Each month, we will feature our top two favourites from a single country.
This month -CANADA
ROAD 13
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
From the southern Okanagan's Golden Mile
"The gravelly clays of our two Cabernet Sauvignon sites contribute blueberry tones. Appropriately composted light sands contribute "tobacco", while the varietal itself contributes the capsicum character which, as abackground flavour, is intriguing, fresh, and delicious."
SUMMERHILL EHRENFELSER
Okanagan, B.C.
Lovingly know as "The Hot Tub Wine," Ehrenfelser is our best-selling wine! The rare Ehrenfelser grape produces a luxurious texture and wildly delicious layers of tropical flavours and aromas. This celebrated rare grape variety comes from southern British Columbia's famous Inkameep Vineyards in Oliver and the Turtons Vineyard in Kelowna, and are sustainabley grown especially for Summerhill."
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Visiting Edmonton
in 2009?
SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUT -OF -TOWNERS!
Reserve a room at The Comfort Inn ( a Choice Hotel) at 17610 100th Ave. in West Edmonton (only blocks from The Mall)
Call 780 484-4415
SIMPLY QUOTE CODE: ALIGRA when booking & pay only $99.00 per night + taxes (subject to availability).
Present your Comfort Inn room key at Aligra Wine & Spirits in West Edmonton Mall for your in store discount!
"Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized. "
---Andre Simon, "Commonsense of Wine"
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Want to catch up on past month's newsletters? Go to the website and click on ARCHIVES |
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Upcoming Events
April 07 - Wine Appreciation Class - Register through www.metrocontinuingeducation.ca
April 21 White Nights 7-9 pm
Explore the world of white wines. Sample 8 varietals and learn about some lesser known ones we think you will really enjoy!
Price $45.00 per person
May 12 Meukow Cognacs 7-9pm
Join the Meukow representative from France as she leads us through the fascinating world of French cognacs. Meukow cognacs featured. Door prizes.
Price $45.00 per person
June 17 Bubbles & Sparkles 7-9pm
Learn the differences between sparkling wine & champagne -learn and taste the differences.
Price $50.00 per person
Please give your names, date and name of tasting, your telephone number. Pre payments required to guarantee your place.
Don't forget our weekly tastings-
Saturday Sippings - Weekly in store from 2pm - 6 pm. Drop by the store and sample some delicious new wine or spirit that we have open that day. Great way to expand your knowledge and try something new.
Live out of town and can't get to our store? We ship to anywhere in Alberta! Call or email us with your order and we will deliver it to your door.*
* Recipient must prove age 18 yrs or older. Shipping/delivery charges apply.
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We welcome your comments! Let us know your thoughts and ideas.
STORE HOURS
Mon - Thu 12:00 - 8:00 pm
Fri - Sat 12:00- 10:00 pm
Sun & Holidays 12:00 - 5:30 pm
Located at Entrance 58 bewteen HMV & The Brick | |
