New Beer Friday, Winexpert Super Premium Wine Kits Edition (August 30)

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

Each year Winexpert releases five super-premium kits from the world’s great wine regions that are not part of the company’s regular portfolio.

These kits are available only on a pre-order basis. Each kit yields six gallons of wine which translates into thirty 750-ml bottles.

We are now taking orders for this year's Limited Edition offerings. Please note that we must receive pre-orders by Thursday, November 14, 2019, either by phone (616-453-9674), email (steve@sicilianosmkt.com) or in person at Siciliano's.

The following are descriptions of the individual varieties along with the respective pricing and release dates.

Terremoto Tempranillo, Spain, $163.95

(Available December 2019)

The Tempranillo grape's thick skin gives the wine a deep ruby color and moderate tannins. Medium-bodied and savory, Terremoto Tempranillo has flavors of cherry, dried fig and cedar, with hints of leather and spices. Whether you're celebrating a big occasion like your 30th anniversary, complete with fireworks, or just toasting the end of a workday, this wine is the perfect accompaniment. Pair with braised meats, chorizo sausage or roasted eggplant.

Dry | Med. Body | Med. Oak | 13.5% ABV*

Pecorino Pinot Grigio, Italy, $157.95

(Available January 2020)

Pinot Grigio was originally established as Pinot Gris in Burgundy and although most famous in Alsace, France, made its way to Switzerland in the 1300s and eventually to Northern Italy where Pinot Grigio was born. Today it is Italy's most popular grape. Pecorino has a bit of a different history; thought to be extinct in the mid-20th century, it was rediscovered in the 1980s by a local producer who then took cuttings and propagated them resulting in this grape's resurgence. Blending Pinot Grigio, the most popular Italian white wine grape, with the lesser-known Pecorino grape results in a delicate white wine with high acidity, lemon, lime and honeysuckle flavors, and an elegant floral aroma. Pair with steamed mussels, seafood risotto and vegetarian spring rolls.

Dry | Med. Body | No Oak | 12.5% ABV*

Pacific Quartet Red, Pacific Rim, $163.95

(Available February 2020)

For our 30th anniversary, we've decided to put a spin on one of Winexpert's most popular Limited Releases ever, introducing Pacific Quartet Red! We've selected the most revered red varietals from the same regions that are featured in Pacific Quartet. Blending California Cab, Chilean Malbec, Australian Shiraz and Washington Merlot created the most delectable, full-bodied wine. The combination results in a well-structured, tannic wine with a bouquet of blackberry and cherry. The palate offers rich berry overtones with hints of currant and dark chocolate and a toasty oak finish. Pair with rich meat and bean stews, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary or aged cheddar.

Dry | Med. - Full Body | Med. Oak | 13.5% ABV*

Yolo White, California, $157.95

(Available March 2020)

Fruit-forward and slightly off-dry, the palate on this wine is inviting and well-balanced. The Chardonnay contributes vibrant green apple and melon flavors. The floral aromatics come from the Muscat, and the Chenin Blanc completes the wine with citrus flavors and high acidity. Pair with mild curry dishes, baked ham, Brie and Camembert.

Off-dry | Med. Body | No Oak | 13% ABV*

Cape Blend w/Skins, South Africa, $188.95

(Available April 2020)

This exciting combination of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Grenache creates a wine that is truly outstanding and worthy of being a part of the 30th anniversary of LE! The dark berry flavors from the Cabernet Sauvignon balance nicely with the forward spiciness from the Shiraz. Pinotage, which is a grape varietal that is unique to South Africa, provides strong tannins and smoky, earthy characteristics while the Grenache contributes aromas of leather and licorice. Together these elements offer a complex, full-bodied wine that pairs well with roasted red meats seasoned with marinades or savory herbs and aged hard cheeses.

Dry | Full Body | Med. - Heavy Oak | 14% ABV*

**Alcohol level based on following Winexpert winemaking instructions.

All LE19 kits include corresponding labels.

New and Returning Beer

• Big Lake Haze and Blue, $.39/16oz - "Crushable New England IPA Featuring Citra and Mosiac Hops and Brewed with Real Blueberries" (source).

• Big Lake Sparti Parti, $3.39/16oz - "A New England IPA brewed with Amarillo and Mandarina hops" (source).

• Brewery Vivant Pumpkin Tart, $3.29/16oz - "Traditionally Belgian brewers have been inspired by their local agriculture. Living in the midst of Michigan’s rich agricultural heritage our Vivant brewers find it quite natural to be inspired in this same way. This rustic beer is brewed with real pumpkin and a hint of spice, perfect for the anticipated crispness of Autumn. Using a kettle souring technique, our brewers blend just the right amount of tartness into this farmhouse pumpkin ale. Raise a glass to the bounty of the harvest" (source).

• Brewery Vivant Harvest Raspberry Peach, $4.69/16oz - "We blended fresh saison beer with wood aged sour ale to create a slightly acidic base and then added in raspberries and Michigan peach juice to give this ruby hued ale a big fruit component" (source).

• Ellison Relativity, $3.29/16oz - "A big late hop addition and big dry hop fills your mouth with a juicy, well-rounded nectar. This Vermont style IIPA is brewed with only Michigan grown hops and is surprisingly sweet and approachable" (source).

• Fourth Coast le Cascara, $3.19/12oz - No commercial description.

• Fourth Coast Rooted Insanity, $2.59/12oz - "Dry cider" (source).

• Fourth Coast Wildflower, $2.59/12oz - "Semi-sweet cider" (source).

• New Belgium Peach Kick, $1.79/12oz - "Peach Kick is an ode to our harvest time in Colorado. A blend of our world class wood-aged sours and a golden ale infused with peaches, it's perfectly balanced for easy-drinking, tongue-tingling excitement" (source).

• Rochester Mills Oktoberfest, $2.69/16oz - "A malty, German-style Lager with low to moderate hop bitterness featuring a medium body and brilliant orange-ish amber color. Due to its popularity, Oktoberfest is consistently Rochester Mills best-selling seasonal beer. Rich, yet easy drinking, and incredibly delicious. Order early to get this limited Seasonal Release made popular by the annual Fall Festival that originated in Munich, Germany and is celebrated world-wide, including popular local celebrations" (source).

• Shipyard Pumpkinhead, $1.99/12oz - "Pumpkinhead is a crisp, refreshing wheat ale with delightful aromatics and subtle spice flavor" (source).

• Short's A Tribe Called Zest, $2.59/12oz - "A Tribe Called Zest is an Experimental American Double IPA with lemon, Seville Orange, grapefruit, lime, and tangerine zest. Slightly hazy and burnt orange in color, A Tribe Called Zest pours with a fluffy white head. This beer smells and has flavors of citrus zest and dank, fruity hops. Balanced with a full malt backbone, A Tribe Called Zest has a medium body and a resinous mouth-feel" (source).

• Terrapin Liquid Bliss, $1.79/12oz - "Unlock your inner Zen and delve into the Yin and Yang of two decadent flavors. Focus on the harmonic togetherness of chocolate and peanut butter as it takes you to a place that you never thought possible… a Liquid Bliss" (source).

• Victory Twisted Monkey, $2.59/12oz - "Born into a family of mystical monkeys, this light-hearted sibling brings a twisted spin to the bunch. Hearing about the flavorful excitement that the overgrown jungle had to offer, he set out to explore. It was a sensory overload, and he had to try it all. His favorite – the mango. Introducing hints of his favorite fruit to the same imported malts and Belgian yeast favored by the family, this magical ale results in big flavor refreshment that only the Monkey can deliver" (source).

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