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We are now officially a week away from true summer! If only the weather would co-operate. We are long overdue for some good, hot weather. FIFA World Cup fever in South Africa! Cheer on your favourite teams with a wine from Argentina, France, South Africa, Chile, USA, Italy, or Portugal. There are some great selections that we can help you with and they are all priced under $20.00. Father's Day is coming up on Sunday June 20th. Scotches and scotch accessories make great gifts for Dad. Our 3rd Anniversary of the store is coming up on July 1st. Be sure to stop by and join in the celebrations with in store tastings, prizes, and, of course, birthday cake. We will celebrate July 1,2, and 3rd this year to take advantage of the Long Weekend. BORDEAUX 2009 FUTURES - 2009 vintage is expected to surpass that of 2005. We have sourced out some excellent price- value-ratio wines that would be a great addition to anyone's cellar. They aren't the priciest but they are well worth considering. These wines not bought on futures will be MINIMUM double the price on store shelves. We are offering a few skus for sale. Please inquire if you are seriously interested. We will send you the list. Email grant@aligrawineandspirits.com
Natural cork is from the bark of the cork oak tree - a completely renewable, sustainable and recyclable resource. Once harvested from the tree, it is made into various cork products including wine corks for bottled wine. But what happens to the cork after the bottle has been finished? Well, 6 BILLION (yes that's with a B) go into landfills!
Aligra Wine & Spirits is asking our customers and friends to bring in their corks! We have also begun approaching restaurants and bars to collect them for us too.
Our intention is to research a number of projects where these corks can be recycled and reused for something purposeful.
We will keep you informed and welcome any ideas you may have on the subject..
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What's New in
RUMS, VODKAS, WHISKIES, ETC.....
Bermudez Aniversario 15 year old Rum A rich mature rum with a smoky flavour. Best enjoyed with water or on ice. Pinky Vodka - yes it's pink! Hand blended with violets, roses, wild strawberries. Italian citrus and 10 other botanicals delivering a subtle floral scent and rich, complex flavour. Check out some great cocktails at www.pinkyvodka.com
Glen Breton, Canada's Single Malt Whisky (no it cannot be called a Scotch - as it is not from Scotland) Bit they have just won a nine year battle with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) to be allowed to use the word "Glen" on their single malt whisky.
Glen Breton is releasing a 15 year old single malt called "Battle of the Glen" which was selected from their very best casks and was voted one of the world's top 50 spirits by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Only 4,200 bottles bottled. Very Limited stock - $150 per bottle.
Old Pultney Liqueur
For all those fans of the Glenfiddich Liqueur (which is no longer bottled), there is now great replacement that has just arrived in Alberta. It is the Old Pultney Liqueur. It's a 12 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky which has been carefully blended with a selection of natural Highland ingredients to create a truly memorable Scotch Whisky Liqueur with a beguiling aroma and a rich, fruity flavour.
Coming soon....NEW!
From France- G Vine Gin a whole new re-invention of the age old Gin spirit. Marrying grape distillation know-how and infusion practices and ground-breaking introduction of the grapevine flower. A perfect gin for the new gin-eration.
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Rx from "Dr. J. "
2006 Chateau Bouscaut Chateau
Bouscaut, from Pessac-Leognan, offers a glimpse into the world of
Bordeaux without breaking the bank. It is a medium-bodied wine with a
nice bouquet of blackberries, flowers, and a little earth. The tannins
are well integrated, giving this wine a smooth texture. This is an
elegant wine, enjoy it now and over the next few years.
Wine Spectator Score: 90 pts. Serve With: beef, steak,
lamb, roast duck, gruyere cheese
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Feature Article DRINK PINK!
Pink Wine. Rose wine. Not always sweet. Not necessarily girlie.
If you consider white zinfandel as the only "pink wine", think again.
Europeans have been enjoying roses with their summer meals for eons.
Rose wines are produced from red grapes. The colour can range from orange, to salmon, to bright, vibrant pink, and pale rose.
Red-skinned
grapes are crushed and the skins are allowed to remain in contact with the
juice for a short period, typically two or three days. The grapes are then
pressed, and the skins are discarded rather than left in contact throughout
fermentation (as with red wine making). The skins contain most of the strongly flavoured
tannin and other compounds, thereby leaving the taste more similar to a white
wine. The longer that the skins are left in contact with the juice, the more
intense the color of the final wine.
In the 1970s, demand for white wine exceeded the availability of white wine
grapes, so many California producers made "white" wine from red grapes,
in a form of saign�e production with minimal skin contact, the "whiter"
the better. In 1975 Sutter Home's "White Zinfandel" wine experienced a "stuck fermentation", a problem where the yeast dies
off before all the sugar is turned to alcohol.
Winemaker Bob Trinchero put it aside for two weeks, then after tasting
it he decided to sell this pinker, sweeter wine. The rest, as they say is history.
Nowadays, we manychoices of fabulous rose wines - from France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Chile and Portugal. Canada also produces some very nice ones- Gray Monk Latitude 50 Rose, for example. They come in all degrees of sweetness, and many, in fact are quite dry, but full of fruit flavour.
For summer sipping, roses come into their own. Try one at your next summer barbeque. Whether you sip it alone, with salads, seafood, grilled pork or chicken, you will find a delicious new choice in wines.
This summer, my favourites are Gazela from Portugal, Jean Jean and Chat en Oeuf from France and Red Guitar from Navarra, Spain. Give yourself a treat and try one of these delicious, approachable wines.
This summer, view your world through rose coloured (wine) glasses!
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| GADGETS & GIZMOS
Glencairn glasses - specifically designed for nosing whisky
 Makes a great Father's Day gift!
VinOAir - yes, another aerator for your wine. This one fits into the bottle and aerates similarly to the Vinturi. An alternative for those that want even more convenient aeration.
Pic Nic Back Packs - two sizes for 2 or 4 people includes plates, cutlery, wine glasses, cheese board and knife, napkins, insulated area for keeping food chilled and room for 2 bottles of wine. Wonderful wedding present!
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?????
Why do people clink their glasses
before drinking a toast?
It
used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a
poisoned drink.
To prove to a guest
that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount
of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it
simultaneously.
When a guest
trusted his host, he would then just touch or clink the host's glass with his
own.
* Source
unknown
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| Volume 3 Issue 4
June 2010 |
Alison & Grant's
Wine Picks under $20
White Grape for the summer
La Puerta Torrontes
This will be the next great summer sipper! Light, a pale straw color and has just a touch of citrus. What is more interesting
is the round mouth-feel and the notes of peach and mango. There is also a nice
level of acidity and an underpinning of minerals that prevents the wine from
falling into that "too simple" category. Good
companion to food.
Best in Show Vancouver Magazine
#1 out of 100
Beronia Reserva 2004
Quite pale in colour and
relatively light in body, but it's full of flavour. The taste is beautifully
different: only indigenous grape varieties Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Graciano
are used. The flavour is complex: plums, raspberries, vanilla, coconut. Most of
all, the wine is graceful enough to make you want to slow down and pay
attention.
Cocktail of the Month
Vice Martini
2 oz. Vice ( vodka and ice wine combo)
Ice
Shake in a shaker and pour in a fancy glass!
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Upcoming Events
Ric's Grill Wine Pairing Dinners - check out
www.ricsgrilledmonton.com
July 1 Canada Day Weekend
Aligra Wine & Spirits 3rd anniversary party in the store! Join us for free tastings, prizes, birthday cake and more
July 23 Aug 1
Taste of Edmonton - 10 great days, 14 wonderful wines and fabulous food
in Churchill Square - a summer tradition not to be missed
Sept 18 1st annual Talk Like a Pirate
Rum & Caribbean Fest - taste more than 25 premium rums, enjoy Caribbean food and music, great prizes . Mark the calendar and watch this space for details.
For other great wine & spirits events check out the link to Events Edmonton on our website!
"Fish, to taste good, must swim three times: in water, in butter, and in
wine."
- Polish Proverb
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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! | |
