The (alleged) health benefits of tequila and new packaging for Winexpert ingredient kits.
By Steve Siciliano
I was discussing current affairs with my chief political antagonist and good buddy Paul Elias when the gentleman walked in. “Good morning, “I said, happy to get a momentary respite from Paul’s partisan opining. “How can I help you?”
“Never been here before,” the man said standing in front of the display of bulk teas and looking around. “Mind if I browse for a few minutes?”
“Browse away,” I said. “Let me know if I can help.” He made his way over to the beer section and I sat back down on the stool behind the sales counter.
“How about we change the subject,” I said to Paul. “This conversation is making my stomach churn.”
“You know I’m going to win that bet,” Paul said and smiled, ignoring my suggestion.
“Maybe. We’ll see.”
“Oh, you’re going to lose alright. I’m going to frame that fifty. Never gonna spend it.”
I was about to say something gross and a bit nasty when the man walked up to the counter. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“No, thank you for interrupting,” I said. “How can I help you?”
“Where’s your tequila?”
“Right here.” I popped up and pointed towards the tequila section.
‘Oh good,” he said after perusing the shelf for a few moments. “You have G4. I’ll take a bottle."
While I was ringing up the man’s purchase he informed us that he takes a shot of tequila every day. “It aids digestion, helps you lose weight and regulates the blood sugar," he said, ticking off tequila's alleged health benefits on three stubby fingers. "It’s true. Look it up.”
“I'll have to do that. Thanks for coming in and enjoy that tequila."
"Thanks for having a good selection. I'll be back."
“I owned a bar for thirty years and I never heard that one,” Paul said after the man left. “Maybe you should pour yourself a shot, sport. Might help that stomach. Now, what were we talking about?”
Go here to read about the alleged health benefits of moderate consumption of tequila made from100% agave. And here's just a few of the offerings currently on our shelf:
Banhez Ensemble, $39.99/1 L bottle - "Comprised of 90% Espadin and 10% Barril agaves, Banhez Ensemble is a delightfully mild, floral and fruity (pineapple, banana) mezcal perfect for first-time mezcal tasters and wonderful for cocktail innovation. Winner of Best Mezcal and Double Gold awards at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 42% ABV" (Source)
G4 Blanco, $52.59/750 ml bottle - "Tasting notes : Nice minerality and forward aroma from rainwater distillation. Silky texture with slight heat. True agave, spicy, peppery, smooth and delicious with nice buttery notes and smoky elements. Complex, but pleasant sipping." (Source)
Libelula Tequila Joven, $26.29/1 L bottle - "Different than your typical blanco, reposado, or añejo, Libélula is a“joven” which means it's a blend of blanco and reposado. The blanco provides the pure flavors of the agave (citrus and grassy aromas) while the oak aged reposado adds spice and richness." (Source)
* * *
Wine makers will be interested to hear that Winexpert is completely revamping and repackaging their line of ingredients kits. Customers will likely see a mix of old and new formats on our shelves as we transition over the next several weeks.
Some limited release products will be available in the new format starting this month with more of Winexpert's core portfolio starting to be released into market through April and May.
Stay tuned for more information and go here to get a gander of the new packaging.
NEW WINES OF THE WEEK
Goru Vererde Monastrell, Spain, 2015, $11.99/750 ml bottle *organic*- Black cherry with purple violet hues. Clean, fragrant with a bouquet of spices, violets and blueberries. Smooth texture, with savory red fruits, soft with a round tannins, well-balanced acidity and a pure finish.
Unique Sauvignon Blanc, France, 2018, $17.59/750 ml bottle - This 100 % sauvignon blanc is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. It is released young, still bursting with juicy, citrus-y energy and the scent of blossoming flowers.
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, Italy, 2015, $17.79/750 ml bottle - Mostly Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby red in color, fruity, lightly herbal and enriched by hints of spices. This wine is ready for drinking, full bodied, quite soft and balanced.
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 BEER, MEAD & CANNED SPIRITS
Atwater Pog-O-Licious, $1.99/12oz - "Let the fruitful taste of the islands refresh you down to your flip flops. This Passion fruit, Orange, and Guava IPA will have you saying Aloha." (Source)
Bee Well Cherry Vanilla Mead, $3.19/12oz - "For years, King Orchards has been growing some of the finest tart cherries in Northern Michigan and we are lucky to have them down the road. We use King's cherry juice along with local honey and Madagascar vanilla beans to create this sweet, delicious cherry mead." (Source)
Bee Well Ginger peach Mead, $3.19/12oz - "Michigan peaches, local honey and ginger come together to bring you a taste of our hometown. Our mead is made in small batches in Northern Michigan in the area nestled between Clam Lake, Lake Bellaire and Torch Lake. It's the perfect drink for a day on the boat or watching the sunset over the lake." (Source)
Bee Well Kings Cherry Cider, $2.59/12oz - No commercial description.
Bee Well North Cider, $2.59/12oz - No commercial description.
Big Lake Pilsner, $3.19/16oz - "A clean bright Pilsner brewed with all German ingredients." (Source)
Canteen Spirits Black Cherry, $2.79/12oz - "Crafted with real vodka, which means zero sugar and no carbs, for healthier enjoyment, and reliable re-supply for the spirit." (Source)
Canteen Spirits Cucumber Mint, $2.79/12oz (Website)
Canteen Spirits Grapefruit, $2.79/12oz (Website)
Canteen Spirits Watermelon, $2.79/12oz (Website)
Hofbrau Maibock, $2.19/12oz - "It was a long, long time ago, that the Hofbräu Maibock was brewed for the first time: In 1614 the bottom-fermented beer specialty filled beer steins for the first time. Even today, Munich's oldest bock beer is still as popular as ever with its full-bodied, malty flavor. The relatively high alcohol content of 7.2% Vol. doesn’t do things half-way – and satisfies, especially honest beer connoisseurs." (Source)
Mikkeller SD Diamond Waves, $4.69/16oz - "A fun collaboration with our friends at Modern Times. This hoppy lager is brewed with white grape juice, key lime, and guava! Light bodied and medium carbonation with citrus and tropical notes. Aromas of guava, key lime, and lemongrass. Refreshing with a gentle bitter finish." (Source)
Mikkeller SD Humle Nord, $8.19/16oz - "A New England Double IPA created and produced for those HOP Nerds. A heavy base of pilsner malt helped set the stage for this Double IPA, Dry hopped with Centenal, Citra and an excessive amount of Galaxy. This 7.7% New England Style Double IPA is loaded and overflowing with tropical, citrus fruity aromas. We took advantage of the amazing aromatics released via biotransformations during warm dry hopping to produce this ultimate Hop Nerd Beer and we hope you enjoy it." (Source)
Mikkeller SD Proof of Concept, $4.69/16oz - "A base of American 2 row and German pilsner malt, with a bit of Munich type 1 for some malty sweetness, and carafoam for amazing head retention. Whirlpool additions of Mosaic, Simcoe and Mi Chinook add spice, pine, and notes of juicy pineapple. Dry-hopped it with Amarillo, Mosaic, and Simcoe for that classic Pacific Northwest piney, resinous, tropical aroma." (Source)
New Holland Light Point, $1.79/12oz - "We are very proud to announce our newest national beer: Lightpoint! Featuring coconut water, orange peel and raw honey, just 2g of carbs and only 86 calories per 12oz can, this beer is tastefully brewed with natural ingredients and local Lake Michigan water." (Source)
Oddside Simcoe Dank Juice, $2.39/12oz - "100% Simcoe hopped. Smooth and juicy IPA." (Source)
Oddside Hoppin Mad, $2.79/12oz - "Double N.E.I.P.A. with Rye Added" (Source)
Oddside Pink Guave Dank Juice, $2.70/12oz - "Juicy IPA with Pink Guava. Sweet, creamy mouthfeel with notes of papaya, melon, and ripe pear." (Source)
Ommegang Neon Rainbows, $3.79/16oz - "Neon Rainbows is our tribute to the beautifully hazy, juice-bomb IPA's exploding out of the North East in the last 5 years. We brew Neon Rainbows in small batches with very limited distribution to ensure absolute freshness. If you see it in a store, don't hesitate to grab some, it won't be there for long!" (Source)
Ommegang Solera Pale, $3.79/12oz - American wild ale
Rogue Chocolate Nitro Stout, $3.59/16oz - "The addition of a nitro charge to our classic Chocolate Stout blends the flavor of Dutch chocolate with a smooth, creamy chocolate experience that you'll never want to end." (Source)
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