Before I started working with Wine Sense some 10 years ago, I had worked downtown for 25 years on Hargrave near the Liquor Store. One thing always puzzled me- Why were there huge line-ups at the Liquor Store each November?

One day I was at the liquor store and asked the clerk ’What the big line-up was for?’ and the salesman told me it was the release day of the Beaujolais Nouveau. I nodded in agreement but really didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.

These lineups were over a hundred people strong each year and the TV stations always had TV crews there as it was released at 6 pm.

Folks, that was a big deal back then and it still is today! We’re very lucky to be able to create our own Beaujolais Nouveau with the Selection International French Gamay Nouveau.

Contact your favourite Wine Sense location and reserve yours before they’re all spoken for!

Cheers,

Bob, Manager (Wine Sense- Springfield Rd)

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Filed under: General by Craig

Like France’s Beaujolais Nouveau, Selection International French Gamay Nouveau is all about what wine is really meant to be: Wine, Celebration & Parties!

The Wine

Well of course it’s about the wine- that’s what wine is about. But in this case it’s a little different.

The Selection International French Gamay Nouveau kit is our chance to make Beaujolais Nouveau. 100% of the grape that goes into Beaujolais wines are Gamay and the Gamay grapes in the Selection Gamay Nouveau are all sourced from Beaujolais!

‘Nouveau’ wines are not about great vintages, ’futures’ or ’nose in the air’ wine tastings. They’re about making a good wine and enjoying it right away. Gamay Nouveau is ready on the day you bottle it and is fresh and juicy, with a bold purple-pink colour and bursting with an amazing array of fruit aromas, its low tannin levels makes it extremely drinkable when young. They say it’s the only white wine that is actually red! Lightly chilled (13°C/55°F) it has happy red berry aromas along with hints of banana, pear, cotton-candy!

Sure- you’re use to hearing your Wine Sense staff talk about the benefits of ageing your wine… well in this case forget about it! Gamay Nouveau is all about instant gratification. Sure It will hold a year- but why bother… it’s just too good when it’s young. It’s the wine you’re not waiting for!

The Celebration!

Beaujolais Nouveau is a vin de l’année, which means it’s used to celebrate the harvest. As a result it needs to be ready young. And in fact it is- picked, fermented and bottled for drinking in only 8 weeks!

Selection Gamay Nouveau is exactly the same- ready to drink on bottling day, it’s the perfect wine to celebrate being a winemaker!

The Parties!

It’s all about the party- Beaujolais Nouveau is now just as much about the events surrounding it as the wine itself. Now you can be a part of an annual tradition that is unrivalled in the world of wine.

This year France releases commercial Beaujolais Nouveau to the world on Thursday November 18th! Selection International French Gamay Nouveau arrives at Wine Sense in early September and will be ready to drink just in time for the Beaujolais Nouveau release.

Why not throw a party to celebrate the release and serve your own fresh and tasty Gamay Nouveau. Each kit will come with a Party Planning Package containing menu suggestions, tips, party planning check list, and contest details.

Have a Party and get $40 Back!

We’re so excited about making this an annual tradition for home winemakers that if you throw a Gamay Nouveau party you can get $40 back.

Winexpert will send you a $20 Gift Certificate (redeemable at Wine Sense) if you email them photos or videos or post them to the Gamay Nouveau Party Page on facebook.

If you email the same photos or videos to Wine Sense or post them to our facebook page we’ll give you a $20 Wine Sense Gift Card.

The best photo or video we receive will also win a wine kit of your choice!

Gamay Nouveau is a of course a limited release. So make sure you talk to your Wine Sense staff and reserve your Selection International French Gamay Nouveau and be part of a new tradition!

À votre santé

Craig, Wine Sense

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Filed under: General by Craig

As the Twisted Mist ‘Summer Fun Spokesman” I thought I would share a few of my favourite ways to add a ’twist’ of variety to your Twisted Mist Mojito:

1.) The good news is that Twisted Mist Mojito is great on its own straight from the fridge!

2.) Pour over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint and/or a slice of lime for an impressive cocktail.

3.) Mix Twisted Mist Mojito with a little club soda and garish with fresh mint and/or a slice of lime for a great sparkling Mojito.

Mojito Smoothie!

4.) Frappe some ice cubes, fresh mint leaves and Twisted Mist Mojito in your blender for a unique Mojito Smoothie.

5.)Pour Twisted Mist Mojito into your blender on its own and froth it up. It makes a very attractive green, frothy beverage in you glass garnished with a mint leaf.

Enjoy!

Tiki- Summer Fun Spokesman

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Filed under: General, Recipes by Craig

As we wrap up a week of blogging about Grilling and Wine I’ ll leave you with this ‘recipe’ from Harvey Steiman’s article in the  March31, 1996 issue of Wine Spectator magazine (the issue focused on America’s Best Steak Houses).

I’ve used these directions for years with great success. Remember to start with a good cut of beef (Sirlon, Strip Loin, Rib Eye, Tenderloin) and don’t be shy with the seasoning salt. I’ve never tried Bruce’s trick (previous blog titled- Grilling Tip) but I’m sure it would work just great and am looking forward to trying it.

What do you drink with a perfectly grilled steak? I recommend a full bodied Cabernet or Zinfandel and I lean towards California. Try Selection Estate Series Lodi Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon or Lodi Old Vines Zinfandel, World Vineyard California Zinfandel/Shiraz or Vintners Reserve Zinfandel/Cabernet. Any of these wines will pair very well.

Here’s the article:

The secrets to cooking a great steak are a hot fire and good timing. The hot fire creates the characteristic brown crust, with its smoky, caramelized flavors. The timing is tricky because you want to brown the steak (not burn it) in the time it takes to cook it to the desired degree of doneness.

How hot to set the grill is a matter of trial and error. If steaks consistently seem to brown too fast and remain undercooked, lower the heat. If steaks cook through before they brown, raise the heat. Remember where to set the “knobs” when you have figured out the right temperature for future grilling.

MMMmmmm... Steak!

 Just before grilling, season the steaks lightly with salt and pepper and any other optional flavorings, such as dried herbs, butter or olive oil. It’s a myth that salt draws moisture to the surface and dries out a steak. First, the salt needs more time to do that than the few minutes the steak is on the grill and, second, the force of the heat drives the juices away from the heat faster than the salt can draw it toward the surface.

The following cooking technique uses that phenomenon to best advantage:
Season with salt, pepper and herbs, and place the steaks seasoned side down on the grill without letting them touch. (Air must circulate to brown them evenly.) Watch the top surface carefully. After 5 to 7 minutes, the heat below drives little drops of red juice to the surface. When you see the beading, this is the signal to turn the steaks, before the juices come bubbling out.

Season them lightly on the uncooked side and turn the steaks using tongs. Watch for the telltale beading again. This signals a rare to medium rare steak. Allow another 1 to 2 minutes for medium, and another 2 to 3 minutes for well-done, turning again halfway through the additional time. Serve the steaks on hot plates.

Happy Grilling!

Craig- Wine Sense

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Filed under: General, Recipes by Craig