Siciliano's Market News, May 28 Edition

A few words on the first days of our phased reopening

By Steve Siciliano

We reopened to the public this past Monday and within minutes of turning on the lights we had our first walk-in customer in weeks. “Good morning,” I called out to him. “How can I help?”

“Need some cigars,” the masked gentleman said. “Two Brick House Mighty Mighty maduro, por favor.”

“You got it,” I said and went into the humidor to grab his smokes.

“It’s sure nice being able to come in the store again,” the customer said while I rang up his sale.

“It’s sure nice having you back in,” I responded.

A short time later Kati and I watched as another masked man was getting out of his vehicle. “Is that Cider Mike?” Kati asked.

“I'm pretty sure it is,” I said.

“It’s good to kind of see your ugly face again,” Mike said to me as he made his way over to the cider cooler. “Same to you,” I shot back, my smile obscured by my Orvis Coolnet Buff.

And so it went that day. There were lots of “good seeing ya again”, lots of “it’s nice being able to come in again,” and lots of good-natured bantering between me and our wonderful customers.

I’m pleased to report that the first few days of our phased reopening has gone well. It has indeed been nice getting back to some semblance of normalcy.

Just a reminder that the following policies and procedures will be in effect until further notice:

• Hours will be 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Sunday.

• We will continue to offer curbside deliveries as an option. Phone in orders may be placed by calling 616-453-9674 or 616-453-9687. Email orders can be sent to steve@sicilianosmkt.com.

• The bulk grain, bulk liquid malt, bulk honey, the hops cooler and the walk-in humidor will still be closed to the public. We are committed to expeditiously filling orders for these products.

• The moratorium on deposit returns will continue. We will begin taking returns as soon as the Department of Health lifts the suspension.

• Our staff is required to wear masks and we strongly encourage customers to do the same. In an effort to minimize crowding we ask that only one person per household enter the store. Please try to maintain an appropriate distance between yourself and other shoppers.

Finally, in an effort to clear out the old and make room for new we are offering an incredible 25% off discount on a designated selection of beer. Feel free to come on in and peruse our shelf of blowouts!

Featured Wines of the Week

Art Of Earth, 2018, Malbec, Argentina, $11.99/750 ml *Organic* - "A fruit forward Malbec with notes of plums, red fruits and spice with a silky mouth-feel firm tannins and a long finish." (Source)

Tussock Jumper, 2017, Pinot Grigio, Italy, $12.99/750 ml - "A light bodied wine that is clear, straw yellow in color with apple and pineapple aromas, with pleasantly soft palate and a long finish." (Source)

Les Costieres de Pomerols, Picpoul de Pinet HB, France, $13.99/750 ml - " Picpoul is a traditional local variety planted on sun-drenched hillsides called costières in the Mediterranean garrigue, near the Etang de Thau - a coastal lagoon situated between the port of Sète and Marseillan. The color is a superb pale yellow with bright hues. The nose is elegant, with aromas of fresh fruit and citrus fruit especially grapefruit. Well-balanced with typical zesty acidity. Known as the ‘Muscadet of the South’, Picpoul is perfect with oysters and fresh seafood. A pure expression of the grape varietal, the wine shows how good Picpoul can be when grown on its favorite terroir!" (Source)

Paul Jaboulet Aine, Biographie, Cotes-Du-Rhone, 2015, France, $17.39/750 ml - "Jaboulet Biographie (2015) is produced by Paul Jaboulet Aîné, a producer that has become the benchmark in the Northern Rhône, with the iconic Hermitage ‘La Chapelle’ having some of the best wines there. Ten years ago, the Frey family purchased this historic property, immediately converting the estate vineyards to biodynamic principals and encouraging sustainable practices from every family grower they work with. This is one of France’s finest estates, the crown jewel of the Rhône Valley. Oenologist and proprietor Caroline Frey, alongside Winemaking Director Jacques Desvernois, are producing the authentic standard for quality Syrah across the Northern Rhône. The wine grapes for this wine grow on vines that average 40 years old, with some as old as 80 years. On the nose and palate the wine is dark cherry, blackberry compote and a touch of smoke." (Source)

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

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

Featured Spirits of the Week

Belle Meade, Sour Mash Straight Bourbon, Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, $52.59/750 ml- Nose: Maple syrup and caramel with floral fragrances and a citrus zest. Palate: Caramel and vanilla with bold rye spice and hints of apricot. Finish: Long, smooth finish with mellow cherry and plum notes accented by cinnamon, all without the burn found in other 90 proof bourbons. (Source)

Paddy's Old Irish Whiskey, Cork Distilleries co., Ireland, $21.09/750 ml - "The product of three classic Irish approaches to whiskey distillation, Paddy’s has the distinction of blending grain, malt and pot-still into a single, smooth spirit. Each component contributes subtle flavorings to achieve a uniquely smooth result. The grain offers a light, floral touch of crisp sweetness. The malt augments the sweetness with a slight note of toasted biscuit, and the pot-still brings the traditional Irish creaminess—with but a breath of spice, honey and vanilla.

Nose Malty, fresh, woody. Hints of spice, honey, vanilla.

Taste Light and crisp. Hints of nuts, malt, charred wood.

Finish A gently fading sweetness. A lingering of mild, woody malt. (Source)

Distillare, Intense Pomegranate, Copper and Kings Distillery, Kentuckey, $35.69/750 ml-

Primary alembic apple distillate double distilled with macerated pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, and lightly spiced with ginger, galangal, clove, cinnamon and mint in the pot, together with honey. Sweet orange peels and lavender in the vapor basket. Additional botanical and florals flash macerated post distillation.

Honey infusion.

Nose: Vivid red fruit – earthy pomegranate with bright accents of strawberry, cranberry and blackberry. Floral spike with lavender and warm jasmine.

Palate: Rich and soft, very smooth. Layers of red fruits, earthy mingling with fresh. Spreads on tongue with lingering velvety mouthfeel.

Finish: Nice viscosity, nice fruity pop in the mid-palate. Long smooth finish. (Source)

New and Returning Beer

Glutenber N/A, $3.19/16oz - No commercial description

New Holland Costal Dreams, $4.69/16oz - "Over four pounds per barrel of Denali, Simcoe and El Dorado hops make this Double NEIPA the juiciest IPA we’ve ever canned, with notes of pineapple, mango and grapefruit." (Source)

New Holland Dragon's Milk Reserve Scotch Barrel - Aged with Marshmallow and Dark Chocolate, $4.89/12oz - "One of our favorite places to share a Dragon’s Milk is around the campfire, and this brew pays tribute to those legendary summer nights. A blend of Highland and Speyside scotch barrels bring just a hint of peated smokiness that accentuate the roasted notes of our signature stout, while toasted marshmallow aroma and flavors set the stage for a rich, chocolatey finish." (Source)

Oddside Hard Seltzer Mojito, $1.89/12oz

River's Edge Kolsch, $2.79/16oz - "Crisp, clean, refreshing and easy to drink with a slightly sweet body balanced by the addition of German Magnum hops, this delicate brew has a slightly spicy floral character." (Source)

River's Edge Dirty Frank, $2.99/16oz - "This full bodied Stout has it all- Mild, Brown, Rye, and smoked malt, plus a bit of molasses. Roasty and chocolatey, yet big and loud like a grunge b-side, this brew has the smoothness and balance of a cat. Gold Medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival, and Bronze Award Winner 2016 World Beer Cup!" (Source)

River's Edge Second Deck, $2.79/16oz - "Baseball season is almost back in full swing and nothing goes better with a hot day in the cheap seats than a crisp, cold easy drinker! Traditionally brewed with malted six-row barley and flaked maize, cream ales have been around since the 1800's and were often brewed as an alternative to American Pilsners. We gave ours a light dry-hop with super fragrant American hop varieties for a bit of extra aroma to round out this perfect ball game brew." (Source)

River's Edge Milford Pub Ale, $2.79/16oz - "2019 GABF award winner. An English ale, with a toasty malt flavor and aroma, complimented by the fine hop bitterness. Warm, inviting, and charming, we felt "Milford" was the perfect name." (Source)

Untitled Art All Together, $4.60/16oz - "IPA brewed in a nationwide collaboration with Other Half. They put the recipe up on their website for breweries to brew to help the community during the global pandemic. Brewed with Citra Mosaic, Simcoe and Cashmere hops." (Source)

Urban Artifact Keypunch Key Lime Gose, $2.49/12oz - "Our house Gose with key lime zest and key lime juice added to give it a tropical punch and a refreshing kick for an all around great summer beer! Only whole keylimes were used making this beer giving a bright citrusy kick to our most refreshing summer brew." (Source)

Urban Artifact Sauv Blanc Fruit Tart, $3.59/8oz - "This beer blends the terroirs of the Ohio River Valley and the Suisun Valley AVA; it’s soured with a lactobacillus culture harvested from our home, the historic St. Patrick’s Church in Cincinnati, OH, and fermented with Sauvignon Blanc wine grapes harvested from the California Coast Range in the loamy soils of the Suisun Valley alluvial fan. From our brewery to your glass, we hope you savor this uniquely wine-inspired beer. Cheers!" (Source)

Stay safe. Spread kindness not germs!