Siciliano's Market News, December 23, 2021 Edition

This week's list of new and returning products follow a few words about the true spirit of Christmas

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

I was working the registers late one evening this past week when an older gentlemen shuffled into the store dragging a pull cart packed with bags of groceries. He left the damaged cart, it was missing a wheel, just inside the door, took a couple of unsteady steps forward, then stood for a moment and looked around. Barb was restocking the jars of bulk tea and while I was ringing up the steady stream of customers I heard her ask the old fella if he needed help. "What's he looking for?" I asked her when I got a free moment.

"Not sure," Barb said. "I couldn't understand him."

I stepped out from behind the counter and spotted the man standing in front of the coolers. "What can I help you with? I asked after walking up to him and he mumbled a reply.

"What's that?"

"Beer."

"Beer? What kind of beer?"

"Budweiser," he mumbled.

"Six pack?"

"Yes."

"Wait here," I said.

I scooted into the walk-in, broke open a 24-pack of Bud, grabbed a half dozen cans, found an empty six pack holder and rushed back onto the floor. "I'll meet you up front," I said to the old man as I hurried past him. By the time he got there I had cashed out two more customers. He leaned heavily against the counter and started removing a tattered wallet bulging with papers from a worn fanny pack. "I'll be right with you," I said to a woman who had walked up and was standing next to him.

"What's your name?" I asked the old man while I watched him fumbling with his wallet.

"Ricky."

"Where do you live Ricky?"

"Down the hill."

"Did you take the bus?"

"Yeah."

Ricky was having a hard time extracting his bulging wallet from the fanny pack. I looked up at the woman. "Sorry," I whispered.

"It's okay," she whispered back then pointed to the bag. "I'll get that."

"Put your wallet away Ricky. This nice lady here is buying your beer."

"Ahhh, really?"

"Yes," the woman answered and smiled. "I'd be willing to drive you home if you trust me."

"Ahh, really."

I'm a merchant so I’ll be the last one to deprecate the commercialism of the holidays, but a woman's act of kindness to a little old man with a busted pull cart was a nice reminder of what the Christmas season is really all about.

Featured Wines of the Week

Protocolo, Tempranillo, Spain, $9.99/750ml- Ruby red with violet hues. Fruity raspberry, red fruits, light notes of vanilla and spice. Good balance of tannins and acidity. Finishing with light notes of raspberry, vanilla and light notes of wood. Confidencial Reserva, Casa Santos Lima, Portugal, $12.99/750ml- This wine shows great diversity of complex aromas, such as red fruits and vanilla. Medium body in the mouth, it reveals again sensations of red fruit, harmoniously integrated with wood notes and fine tannins provided by ageing in 250 litres oak barriques. In the aftertaste, develops smooth and rich flavours, some acidity and complexity, overcoming ripe fruit, chocolate and wood notes. Its dryness and persistence, combined with its fine elegant tannins, put in evidence its great gastronomic and evolution potencial. A wine to keep.

Marquis de Goulaine, Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine, France $12.49/750ml- Muscadet is a light-bodied, dry white wine made from Melon de Bourgogne grapes that impart lemon, lime, green apple and pear flavors. This highly-acidic wine—also known for mineral and salty characteristics—is meant to be consumed young, and pairs well with seafood (a classic pairing is oysters).

La Luca, Prosecco, Italy, $13.99/750ml-

VARIETALS: 100% Glera

APPEARANCE: Bright Yellow NOSE: Orchard Fruit TASTE: Creamy, off-dry style with flavors of apple and pear with subtle sweetness.

Buy three or more bottles of wine get 10 % off.

"It's our mission at Siciliano's to sell quality wine at affordable prices"

New and Returning Products

Austin Brothers Jelly Jar, $4.09/16oz-Sour ale with Blackberry, Passion Fruit, Raspberry, Pineapple, and Blueberry

Bells LoSun, $1.79/12oz-A brand new Lo-cal wheat beer from Bell's. Bright and smooth with citrus hop aromas, this easy-drinking wheat beer is only 110 calories and sessionable any time of the day.

Big Lake Imperial Coconut Stout, $4.39/16oz-A Full Bodied Imperial Stout with Coconut.

Clown Shoes Harvest Blender, $4.29/16oz-Plum, peach, and apricot purees. Citra and Galaxy hops and lactose.

DuClaw The PastryArchy Macchiato, $3.49/16oz-Put a little pep in your pour. Savor the subtle caramel notes, freshly ground vanilla beans and our smooth, secret signature coffee blend.

Greyline Ultra Dry IPA, $2.79/16oz-An easy drinking IPA with Amarillo hops.

Rockford Little George, $2.59/12oz-Brewed with a bounty of Columbus and Simcoe hops for a hop complexity of bright citrus and herbal piney flavors. Our intention with Little George is to showcase the wonderful hop characteristics of those varieties within a smooth, clean malt body while maintaining an appropriate balance between the hop’s bitterness and the higher level of alcohol

Rogue Pineapple Party Punch, $4.39/16oz-An imperial hazy IPA reminiscent of our favorite tropical drink, the Piña Colada, which is bursting with pineapple, coconut and tropical hop flavors.

Shiner Candied Pecan, $1.79/12oz-Brewed with roasted praline pecans, this robust porter provides subtle notes of roasted pecans, vanilla, caramel and brown sugar.

Southern Tier Hot Cocoa Nitro, $4.09/12oz-Southern Tier’s Blackwater Series introduces, Hot Cocoa. The nitro provides a fully sensational experience that you can hear, see & taste. With rich natural chocolate and hints of marshmallow, Hot Cocoa is the perfect pairing to stay warm during a cozy night.

Transient Double Loose Juice, $6.29/16oz-More Juice, you say? How about Double Loose Juice, a 10% version of The Juice is Loose with nearly double the dry hop, still featuring Citra and Simcoe

Transient Introvertical, $5.19/12oz

Descriptions courtesy of Untappd