It's Turkey Time

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, why not do a feature on wines that are perfect for pairing with either turkey, ham or possibly turducken?

First of all, what is turducken you might ask?! Turducken is a deboned chicken, stuffed into a deboned duck, stuffed into a deboned turkey. The origins seem to be southern Louisiana, depending on your source. 

For the best wines to pair with your dinner, the first thing to consider is the weight and richness of the dish or main course that you are serving. A simple ham with subtle spicing might call for a lighter style of Riesling, perhaps from British Columbia, whereas a citrus infused pineapple, dijon mustard and clove glazed ham would call for a Riesling with a little more body and ripeness. A Spatlese from Germany such as Schloss Reinhartshausen with a little age, and so a slight petrol note, would be perfect (2007 vintage $29.50 at Tuscany).

For a full flavour roast turkey, a multitude of directions can be taken; a full flavour Riesling as mentioned above; a ripe and rich Gewurztraminer such as Thornhaven from Summerland, BC; or a slightly off-dry Rose like the La Clotiere from the Loire Valley in France; a slightly leafy yet delicate Cabernet Franc in the Chateau de la Riviere Chinon. Any would be welcome in my house!

The fun part about food and wine is that is no absolut answer, as everyone will have their own preference. Another fantastic option is Beer, with a wide range of styles and flavours. Turducken for example would pair beautifully with a smooth and rich dark hefewiesen like the Weihenstaphaner Dunkel (from Germany and the brewery was founded in the 10th century!), or even a full flavour oak aged blond Ale like the Wychwood Wychcraft from England.

That is what makes the experience truly great, in that it really comes down to what kind of beverage you want to have with your Thanksgiving Dinner. -Dave 

 

Tasting Events!!

We seem to be tasting wine on a daily basis at the Tuscany Liquor Store, now it's your turn.

Friday & Saturdays are a staple for us, with wines, ales and the occasional spirit on on our tasting counter, but lately we have had many a wine company request to do PUBLIC tastings with us and our customers. We think this is a brilliant idea and welcome the opportunity to have open wines and allow our customers to sample. After all, it's the best way to decide if you would like to buy a bottle, isn't it!?

On Wednesday this week (September 14th) we welcome Valerie Aigron, Export manager from the Caves de Rasteau winery from the Rhone Valley. Some tasty Rhone reds will be had by all!

On Monday next week, we will have Bob Ferguson, Winemaker from the Kettle Valley Winery in Naramata in the shop with some fantastic wines, including some of their BIG REDS that rarely are available for tasting!

On Tuesday next week, we will have Winemaker Darryl Brooker from from Cedar Creek Winery. 

This will be a busy week but we are looking forward to hosting people from around the world, or across the province. Come by and try some wine. It shall be a great week for tasting and sampling. 

Cheers -Dave

Gluten Free and Beer

There is an ever-growing number of people within the local population that are affected by Celiac (Coeliac) disease. For some, the reaction may be mild, and for others quite severe. As a result, there are an increasing number of products available that are gluten free, from those found in the grocery store, specialty restaurants, and yes, even at your local liquor store. 

Gluten can be found in many common cereal grains, including barley and wheat. Almost all beer contains levels of gluten that cannot be tolerated by the Celiac sufferer, but there are a few specialty breweries that cater to this small population.

Some brewers feel that beers brewed from cereals such as rice, sorghum, buckwheat and corn (which do not contain the gluten that produces an autoimmune response in Celiacs), and from a small proportion of barley or rye are safe for consumption. These brewers argue that the proteins from barley are converted into non-harmful amino acids. Brewmasters that create low gluten beers are required to test every batch for gluten, and record the gluten levels in 'parts per million' (ppm). It is likely that most Celiacs will be able to drink beer with 20ppm or lower without causing themselves any harm, however, each person will react differently.
Budweiser and Sapporo are a couple of rice based brews that state that they have lower levels of gluten, but they are not considered as gluten free.
The recent development of gluten free lagers and ales has been a positive step forward for those that suffer from gluten intolerant conditions, with an increasing number of producers (none local) putting their hands into the gluten free pie.
A few of the producers that we stock at our Tuscany Village location are:
Greens is a Belgian style from England, Bards from Minnesota, Lakefront New Grist from Wisconsin & La Messagere from Quebec
We also have Bassano Hard Soda, LoneTree Cider (both local!!) are both gluten free non-beers!
Hopefully we will see more entries into the gluten free beverage market in the future.

Desert Hills Gamay Noir 2010

All Canadian Wine Championships 2011

Double Gold Medal & Best of Category

The nose shows plenty of black cherry, liquorice and leathery aromas with spicy pepper, smoked meat. The texture on the palate is soft, round and supple with spicy clove, roasted meat, black cherry, coffee and chocolate flavours.  A fantastic picnic wine, it pairs nicely with spicy food, pasta with rosé sauce, barbecued chicken or as a sipping wine.  Take your pick!  One of the best Gamay's in the valley if not BC. If you like Gamay Noir, you'll love this one. VERY Limiited.

Tinhorn Creek -Great BC Wines, Value Priced

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has been producing quality wines near Oliver, British Columbia since 1993. Several of their wines are available here at our Tuscany Village location, a few of which are exclusive to the private stores, namely the Gewurztraminer and Olfield Series Syrah. All of the wines from Tinhorn Creek that we stock are on sale, on average $2 OFF.

The 2008 Merlot is showing fantastically at the moment; it has aromas of black cherry and red berries with notes of vanilla and pepper. The vintage is beautifully balanced and smooth with black cherry, floral, red berry flavours with hints of forest floor and vanilla on the finish. Brilliant!

90 Points from Natalie MacLean & GOLD at the All Canadian Wine Championships

The 2010 Chardonnay sees a small amount of oak treatment, allowing for good fruit expression and chalk full of minerality. Lots of stonefruit, green apple, lemon and subtle oak characteristics, and a good balance of acidity. This lovely Chard shows like an un-oaked version, but with a little more weight. Yum.

 

The 2010 Gewurztraminer is bursting with delicate floral aromas of rose petals and violets with lychee and hints of vanilla and tropical fruits. Tropical flavours along with lychee and grapefruit notes. This Gew has the perfect amount of sweetness and goes down beautifully!

And then my true favourite, the Cabernet Franc, which for 2009 is elegant and aromatic. There are aromas of blackcurrant and stewed cherries with forest floor characteristics. The palate is smooth and soft with luscious blackberries and black cherry flavours with muted expressions of pine and moss. A finely balanced wine with soft tannins and a lingering finish. By the glass at my house!

Cheers to Tinhorn Creek!

Any wine we stock from Tinhorn Creek is BELOW GOVERNMENT STORE PRICING!!

Loire Tasting at Tuscany- Thursday August 25th

Larry Arnold and I will be hosting a fantastic tasting of Loire Reds, Whites and Rose on Thursday the 25th of August, 4-530pm. Come by and join us as we lead the palate and senses through the Loire Valley, with representatives from nearly every region!! -Dave

Beer Fest September 9-10 -More Beer!

With the 2011 Great Canadian Beer Festival quickly approaching here in Victoria, there are more beers arriving at our Tuscany store every week. From the new releases of Driftwood's Twenty Pounder Double IPA to Spinnaker's Discovery Ale as far as locals, plus Imports like Duvel (Belgium), North Coast's Pranqster (California), to Samuel Smith's organic brews (England), there is no shortage of new beers to choose from.

We are quickly becoming known for having among the best in selection for Victoria's Beer Aficionados. 

The list for this year's line up at the Beer festival has yet to be released, but from what we hear, we already have most of the breweries covered, at least of those that sell to the retail market.

Come check out the selection for yourself! -Dave

Back to School, BEER SCHOOL!!

As a part of the ever growing trend of being more service oriented and knowledgeable towards all types of products, I am off to Beer School with several of our staff. Hosted by Spinnaker's Brewpub and their Brewmaster, it should be a great experience. We will be focusing on all beer styles from around the world, from the different types of hops, to malting, flavouring and everything in between. 

It will be difficult, but it is REALLY hard work, let me tell you! 

Keep an eye out for the ever changing selection of brews here at our Tuscany location, as new beers flow through. Arriving this week we have the new Twenty Pounder Double IPA from Driftwood Brewing, which promised to be fantastic, if you are an IPA fan that is. -Dave

Fantastic Deal from Averill Creek!!

We have an amazing deal on at the moment on the 2008 Averill Creek Pinot Gris. The local (Duncan area) Vancouver Island wine is nearing the end of the vintage, so the winery is blowing out their remaining stock.

Our regular price was $23, but while supplies last we have it on sale for an astounding $14. That's hard to beat in my books.

The 2008 Pinot Gris was fermented and aged in neutral French oak barriques with 60% of the batch having gone through malo-lactic fermentation. The nose is an elegant blend of juicy ripe apple fruit and creamy lees with soft honeysuckle and vanilla notes. On the palette, tropical flavors of pineapple, papaya and sweet citrus mingle with zesty minerality and refreshing acid to produce a lingering well balanced finish. This Pinot Gris is showing very nicely and is the perfect companion to strongly flavored seafood such as salmon, crab and halibut. Order by the case while supplies last! -Dave

Rasteau- The Latest Rhone Valley Appellation

 

There is a new Appellation within the Cotes du Rhone, Rasteau. The wines from Rasteau show great character and concentration, but the wines will speak for themselves. Here are a couple of great examples from producer Ortas 'Caves de Rasteau', both of which are on sale! 

 

 

Cave de Rasteau ‘Tradition’ 2008

Cotes du Rhone Villages, France

This rich, full-bodied Rhone blends 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It displays intense black raspberry, cherry, cassis and kirsch liqueur-like fruit, with liquorice, smoke, incense, leather and a hint of new oak. Match with comfort foods such as lamb stew, shepherd's pie or beef casserole. -Dave

REDUCED $10 – NOW $19.90 + dep.

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Cave de Rasteau ‘Prestige’ 2005

Cotes du Rhone-Villages, France

The ‘Prestige’ is the premium version from Cave de Rasteau, which becomes very evident once poured into the glass. Look for flavours of hedonistic dark fruit, spice box, and an almost resinous mouthfeel. A traditional GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) blend, this wine is consistently one of the finest coming out of Rasteau. - Dave

90 Points - Wine Spectator

REDUCED $10 – NOW $29.90 + dep.

Chateau Roc de Segur 2009- Bordeaux Braun just $19

This young vintage is showing a nose full of cinnamon and clove spice with savory rosemary herb overtones, and a background of sweet cassis and blackberry. On the palate the spice breaks through with plum and red currant, followed by fresh acidity that balances the sweetness of the light fruit. Firm tannins brought out by the terroir of the region complement the surprisingly textural and earthy finish. This wine begs for grilled meats-lamb with herbs and mint would be perfect with the savory quality of this red. We recommend decanting, or allowing plenty of time for the bottle to breath in order to fully allow this vintage to open up and show all its wonderful characteristics. -Larry

Chateau Les Fermenteaux 2009- $19 Bordeaux Beauty!

This Bordeaux is a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 5% Cabernet Franc, and has not been aged in oak, allowing for great fruit expression.

The nose contains notes of black currant, herbs and black plum, while the medium bodied palate follows up with intense dark fruit flavours of black cherry and more currants. The tannins are smooth and supple, making for a long, lingering finish. Approachable enough to enjoy a glass on its own, this red would also pair well with simple foods such as meat & tomato based pizzas, baked ravioli, or good old-fashioned steak and potatoes. -Larry

Wine Feature- Don Tiburcio Red- 90 Points for $19

Bodegas Don Tiburcio 2004/2005

Mendoza/Argentina $19 Save $11/bottle!!

90 points The Wine Advocate

http://www.metroliquor.com/

Blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

The Don Tiburcio is not your typical Argentinean wine, in that in is not just Malbec. This svelte red utilizes the 5 Bordeaux varietals, and comes across with so much more than you might expect. It’s an extremely expressive wine- it has a lot going on right away, but will become even more expressive after it had been open for an hour or so. 

There are notes of choclate, clove and cinnamon on the nose, followed by a nice amount of black licorice. 

The palate is supple, concentrated and generous in flavour; liqueur like intensity and notes of black cherry, blueberry espresso, cherries dipped in chocolate, mocha and sweet spice. There is a good amount of tannin and acidity to balance this wine out, while the finish is long and smoky, delicious, and simply lip-smacking! -Dave