As I write this newsletter, I'm looking at the calendar and it says it's May. As I look out the window, it says it's January. In Siberia!
You've got to love spring on the prairies! Tomorrow they are calling for sunshine and temperatures above +6. Roll on springtime!
Thanks to those of you that attended the Rathbone Winemaker's Dinner at the new L2 Restaurant at the Fantasyland Hotel. What a fabulous evening! Great wines paired with creative, delicious foods, excellent company in a relaxed and elegant surroundings. Doesn't get better than that. Watch for more of these evenings coming soon.
Happy Mother's Day!Reminder that Sunday May 9th is Mother's Day. While flower stores claim it's their busiest day of the entire year, and we know Mum's love flowers, we also know a Mum or two that enjoys a glass of wine!
Right now our Mother's Day gift baskets are all 10% off, so be sure to get one while they last. Remember, we can also custom make a special occasion basket too.
Grant's Report.......
Last week, I
attended the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival, arguably one of the best wine festivals in North
America, with a small group of wine enthusiasts from Edmonton.
We arrived in Vancouver
Wednesday afternoon and returned on Sunday. The new Canada Line (from the
airport to downtown) took a mere 20 minutes and we stayed at the newly-opened Coast Hotel, Coal Harbour;
a great hotel centrally located a few blocks from everything.
OK, so let's talk wine!
The regional focus was two countries this year - Argentina
and New Zealand, but don't be mistaken, there were another 12 countries being
represented by 197 wineries and pouring a total of 1700 wines!
This show gives one the
opportunity to try a number of outstanding wines,and (optional) educational seminars and offers a chance to hear from principals of some of the
best wineries in the world. Also, there are fabulous winemaker dinners going on every evening at different venues around Vancouver- if you so choose! All in all, a fun and educational event, to be sure.
Next year, the featured country will be Spain. Anyone care to join us?
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What's New in
RUMS, VODKAS, WHISKIES, ETC.....
RON ZACAPA 23 - Arriving Soon & in Limited Quantities!
We are still waiting.......... patience please.
MAMAJUANA RUM - HISPANIOLA
The "mamajuana", also known as "mama Juana," "damajuana" or "dama Juana" is a beverage native to the Dominican Republic, where it is made by combining rum, wine, honey and ingredients as varied as the people making it and as unique as the needs of the customers requesting it. Some even refer to it as Dominican Viagra!
VODKA - Two amazing Vodkas that are flying off the shelves - Van Gogh Dutch Caramel and Van Gogh Double Espresso! Yum!
They even taste great mixed together - Like a caramel mochachino!
arriving this week - GIFFARD POIRE WILLIAM
Traditional manufacturing method: In the spring time each year, the carafes are placed on the pear trees, so that the pear may grow directly into the individual bottles. In the early fall the bottles are removed from the trees, with the pear inside. They are then filled with slowly distilled Poire William Eau de Vie.
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Rx from "Dr. J. "
2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG
The Fontodi Estate is a certified organic estate located in the heart of
the Chianti Classico region within Tuscany. Fontodi's Chianti Classico is characterized by an abundance of tart cherries, raspberries, and red currants. The wine is medium bodied and has a very structured mouthfeel.
The tannins are both firm and smooth, providing great drinking now and giving the wine the ability to age for many years.
Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Robert Parker Score: 91 pts
Serve With: Pasta with red sauce, pizza, pork, Asiago cheese
Sante!
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Feature Article "Cork Screwed"
Several months ago, we did an article on wine enclosures. This was for the benefit of many who think bottles in screw cap enclosures equal cheap wine. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Harvey Steiman, writing for Wine Spectator Magazine in their May 31, 2010 edition, presents a very convincing, scientifically proven study conducted by The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI).
Over the course of 10 years, the Institute undertook a trial using thousands of bottles of a 1999 Clare Semillon made at Leasingham and sealed with 14 different types of enclosures. These included various synthetic corks, corks and screw caps. Every year, researchers opened, analyzed and tasted a range of the wines in the lab.
The Institute concluded that after a decade wines sealed in a screw cap showed "an appealing aged character while retaining freshness in blind tastings".
It should be noted that when the study began, it was not to test screw caps, but to see how wines develop under various closures. "we wanted to determine which would be the best performing cork and we didn't expect the screw cap to be much of a factor" said Peter Godden, group manager at the AWRI. "It didn't take long to work out that it was going to be the most reliable performer, and as it turns out, the results are emphatic. The wine under screw cap was classic aged Semillon and was wonderful to drink."
The study demonstrated that there was a huge variation in condition of the wine under synthetic and cork closures, including TCA (cork taint). "Most of the wines sealed with closures other than screw cap were completely undrinkable." concluded Peter Godden.
To see the results for yourself, there are some dramatic pictures of the wines shown after 28 months and after 10 years.
Moral of the story? Drink your white wines under cork within 18 months. Under screw cap, there's time to enjoy for 10 years so why not buy a case!
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GADGETS & GIZMOS
Cordless, Rechargable electric wine openers are in!
Sexy black or sleek silver. They work very well, with the simple touch of a button.
You asked for it, so we now have them. WHISKY ROCKS.
For the whisky lover who enjoys their beverage chilled but doesn't want ice to melt into it, here's the answer. Nicely boxed in sets of 9 stones, and a convenient cloth pouch to keep them in your freezer.
Gift sets also available with two sleek whisky glasses.
We were one of the first to have them and they are HOT HOT for the summer outdoor party season. GO VINO, the shatterproof go anywhere wine glasses. Get yours soon.
Remember - we can customize a gift basket for that special friend or client to suit any occasion! Call and ask for Alison.
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Did You Know?
Wine has so many organic
chemical compounds it is considered more complex than blood serum. |
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| Volume 3 Issue 3
May 2010 |
Alison & Grant's
Wine Picks under $20
Xanadu Next of Kin Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Margaret River, Western Australia
Pale straw & slight green tinge offering a glimpse of intrigue. The bouquet is vibrant offering fresh, tropical fruit salad aromas with, guava, lemon/lime and delicate herbal characters in the background. Best described as wonderfully rounded & medium bodied, the palate displays spicy tropical characters, zesty citrus flavours with a wonderful purity of fruit. An easy drinking 'classic' wine style. Overall a crisp acidity and a refreshing dry finish will wonderfully complement seafood, Asian inspired wok tossed vegies and Thai style curries. Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz. the Grampians, Great Western Victoria, Australia
Deep red colour. Nose dominated by berries and cocoa. Further aromas of dark cherries and floral hints, pepper and spice, briar and meatyness. On the tongue there are herbaceous elements, ripe plums and more cherries, cedary oak and soy, bright juicy berries and nutella. Light grainy tannins lead to a sour cherry finish that lingers and develops. Billi Billi is smooth from top to bottom and aims to please with fine textures and silky mouthfeel.
Cocktail of the Month
Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka Vanilla Milkshake
1 1/2 oz. caramel vodka
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
milk & ice cubes
Blend.
Experiment and add your favourite nutty toppings!
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Upcoming Events
May 26 6:30 pm
" King Cab"
fundraiser for the Diabetes Association at
The Sawridge Inn - 4235 Gateway Blvd. Tickets $50.00 each at Aligra Wine & Spirits
July 1 - 4 Aligra's 3rd Birthday Party! Drop in for tastings and prizes!
July 23 - August 1
Taste of Edmonton in Churchill Square
September 18
Talk Like A Pirate Day
Rum Festival, Fantasyland Hotel
For other great wine & spirits events check out the link to Events Edmonton on our website!
And Noah he often said to his wife when he sat down to dine,
'I don't care where the water goes if it doesn't get into the wine'.
G.K. Chesterton(1874-1936)
Wine and Water
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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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Visiting Edmonton
in 2010?
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!
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 - Thur
12:00 - 8:00 pm
Fri - Sat
12:00- 10:00 pm
Sun & Holidays
12:00 - 6:00 pm
Conveniently located at Entrance 58 bewteen HMV & The Brick . We have 3 reserved parking spaces for our customers too! | |
