September Newsletter

September 2009

I keep hearing people lamenting about summer being over!
Yes, it's September and yes, it's Back to School, but according to the calendar, summer is not officially over until September 21st.

In my opinion, September is often the best time of the summer. Call it secret summer..... a perfect month to enjoy the still warm, sunny days and evenings that may not be as long as June, but aren't dark too early. Places are less crowded, easier to find a vacant picnic table at the park, or pathways that aren't crowded with people. Lingering over a delicious lunch on an outdoor patio with friends in September is one of life's small pleasures.  Keep summer going as long as you possibly can. After all, winter is long enough in this part of the world, let's not make it any longer!

August was a busy and active month. I had a short break and went to California's Napa Valley for a few days after attending the Gourmet Houseware's Show in San Francisco. Watch for some exciting accessories coming into the store later in the fall in time for Christmas. We are also planning some Napa Valley wine tours for you.

Grant just got home from the Sunny Okanagan. He was amazed at how quiet everywhere was. News of the fire risk has apparently kept many of the tourists away. Considering all the great new wineries, the best cherry and peaches crops in years and great weather to boot, it might have been THE place to go this year! While he was on a well-deserved break, Grant did manage to do some work between sippings. We can expect to see some wonderful new exclusive Okanagan wines arriving at the store in the next several months. We are also putting together some new Okanagan Valley Getaway wine tours. If you have a small group of friends interested in doing this, let us know and we'll make it happen with some exclusive wine tours and tastings for you.

Enjoy the late summer weather and if you need a nice bottle or two of something good to watch the sunsets --- you know where to find us!

ON SALE!   15% OFF

We have a great selection of good value wines that were poured at "The Taste of Edmonton" in July that are on a special sale. Most of them retail at under $20.00, so at 15% off, they are a terrific bargain. Buy them by the case and stock up while quantities last.

RUN FOR THE CURE

Once again this year we are raising money in our jar at the till to donate to Breast Cancer Cure. Grant will be running in the CIBC "Run for the Cure" race in early October.

We appreciate your generosity and hope to exceed last year's amount raised which was $300.00.

What's New in
RUMS, VODKAS, WHISKIES, ETC.....

SPRINGBANK 450 SINGLE CASK
A Special Bottling
Distilled in 1991 & Bottled in 2007 46% alcohol

As reported last month, this special whisky will be in sometime in October. A great choice for the Scotch Lover on your Christmas list this year!

ALCHEMIA POLISH VODKAS

These premium distilled Polish grain vodkas in the elegant pyramid shaped bottles are infused with with natural ingredients. Try the chocolate - infused with cocao, black cherry which tastes almost Port-like, or the delicate natural ginger flavour. Creates magnificent martinis, or is great simply sipped straight.

LOUIS XIII ICONIC LUXURY COGNAC FROM REMY MARTIN

100% Grande Champagne - finest ultra premium cognac in the world

A blend of approx 1200 different eaux-de-vie aged up to 100 years, Baccarat crystal carafe with exquisite form and regal fleur-de-lis stopper.

~ TAKING PRE ORDERS IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS ~

VERY LIMITED QUANTITY!

GIRL LIQUEUR

Something new.... in a bright pink bottle. A sweet and delicious blend of litchi, framboise, premium vodka and cognac.

What about Beer?

Well, it's certainly been "The Summer of the Lime Beer" and it's not over yet! All of them have been vying for top spot all season.

Bud Light Lime, Big Rock Lime and Fusion Lime continue to be popular as the weather stays warm. Last week, the latest arrival on the scene - DUDE LIGHT LIME BEER - so far the most economical of the choices and a case of 12 boasts a free cap as well. We did an in-store tasting and people liked it. More beer flavour and not over powered by lime.

NEW IN this week MILLER CHILL BEER

"A beer for people who don't like beer" is one way it's described. Available for some time in the States, it's now been released in Canada. It's light, it's limey, it's........ well we'll let you decide.

I hear they all make a great Beer Can Barbequed Chicken!

Feature Article

Are You an Instant Gratification Type?

(if you are, then don't read this...)

With the increasing popularity of wine consumption in recent years (Canada is up 29% since 2003), it's no wonder that most wines being produced these days are for the "Buy today, drink tonight" crowd. Most of us fall into this category and that's OK. No shame in that!

However, if you are someone who also wants to purchase wines for cellaring, keeping for special occasions, or perhaps for investment, and you are patient enough (and young enough!) to wait 10, 20, sometimes 30 years to drink a bottle from a vintage year, consider some of the 2005 French Bordeaux wines we have brought in.

Historically, the finest Bordeaux vintages (which include 2000, 1990, 1982, 1961, 1959, 1949, 1947 and 1945) have resulted from dry, hot weather during the summer and fall seasons. In 2005, Bordeaux experienced relatively severe, drought-like conditions but there were no periods of intense heat, even in July, August and September. The 2005 wines have some of the highest tannin levels ever produced in modern-day red Bordeaux. Extremely high levels of dry extract, (in other words, these are seriously concentrated wines ), with high alcohol levels too.Even higher than 2003, a vintage of record alcohol levels. But, their moderate acid levels give the best wines of this vintage a fresh, lively, almost tangy character. Most of the 2005s will not be approachable for 10 to 15 years minimum. However, according to Robert Parker, they will require many years of cellaring --30 to 50 years, in fact. "The good news is that even these tannic monsters are fresh, concentrated and well balanced." he says.

So, if you are looking for some wines to cellar ( and have a controlled, proper cellaring environment for them) we have some in store and access to many others. If you are interested in receiving the list, contact us.

Click here to see what we have in stock right now.

Prefer an Australian Wine?
Penfolds Grange is without a doubt, one of Australia's most famous wines. Grange is an Australian icon and represents a tradition in winemaking that is totally uncompromising an un matched. It has maintained its place as Australia's most prestigious red wine over four decades. Today, it is a wine of international fame challenging the First Growths of Bordeaux as the World's best. And, like the wines of Bordeaux, such is the reputation of Grange that each vintage is eagerly awaited by collectors both in Australia and overseas making it one of the world's great wine investments.

Richly textured, intensely concentrated and packed with fruit sweetness, these wines, regardless of vintage, require medium to long-term cellaring. They develop into immensely complex, beguiling wines that seduce the senses. It has maintained an integrity of style and remained true to its origins in the mind of Max Schubert, the pioneering Australian winemaker and creator of Grange.

Penfolds Grange is the benchmark against which all other Australian red wines are judged. To share a mature Grange, 15 to 20 years old in fine condition is one of the greatest wine experiences one can ever enjoy!

Penfolds Grange will be in later this month in very limited quantity.

NEW on the website Want to taste and enjoy wines like a pro? Download our "Wine Tasting 101" and swirl, smell and sip your way through all the new wines you are tasting!

www.aligrawineandspirits.com

GADGETS & GIZMOS

I have returned from the Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco with some interesting accessories ideas for the store.