This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about a backyard nature show
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
On a steamy evening this past week Barb and I sat on our shady backyard deck with refreshing pre-dinner G&Ts made with Miles’ London Dry Gin. (Currently $12.09/1 L bottle at Siciliano’s, a real bargain) After a light meal of grilled boneless chicken thighs, coleslaw and sautéed Brussel sprouts, (accompanied by a glass of Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Red $10.89/750 ml bottle, another bargain) we returned to the deck with tumblers of iced Jefferson’s Ocean. ($84.19/750 ml bottle, not exactly a bargain but a damn fine bourbon) While we enjoyed our after dinner drinks we were treated to an impromptu nature show.
The performers were a group of wildlife that frequently visit our backyard. The first act was a duet by a couple of male cardinals clad in fiery red costumes. "What-cheer, what-cheer... wheet, wheet, wheet, wheet," sang the one sitting on a branch in the silver maple. "Cheeeer-a-dote, cheeer-a-dote-dote-dote, purdy, purdy, purdy...whoit, whoit, whoit, whoit," his compadre retorted from his perch in the weeping cherry.
Next up was a male turkey that sauntered slowly out of the woods, stopping occasionally to show off his acrobatic skills by standing on one clawed foot, raking at the ground with the other, then bending his long neck down to the ground to peck at whatever morsels he rustled up. His coup de grace was scratching at a bare patch of ground then kicking up and covering himself with billows of dirt with his flapping wings. It was pure comedy.
The gobbler was a hard act to follow but the next performers, a swarm of sparrows that had taken their cue from the gathering twilight to take roost in the stand of bamboo, were up to the task. The melodic chirping of a few started out slowly, grew steadily louder as more birds joined in, and then hit a collective crescendo just as the last act of the evening, a troupe of dancing fireflies, began taking the stage.
By then our bourbon was about gone, the mosquitoes were starting to buzz and it was time to leave the darkened theater. It was an interesting and enjoyable show. The performances were stellar, we had front row seats and, perhaps best of all, we didn't have to leave home and it didn’t cost us a thing.
Featured Wines of the Week
Saint-Hilaire brut, Sparkling wine, 2018, France, $13.99/750 ml- More than a century before champagne, the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire in the Southern foothills of Limoux created France's very first sparkling wine. Today, over four and a half centuries later, Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux is made in those very same foothills of Southern France.
After just one uncorking, you'll discover why the French compare Saint-Hilaire with their finest champagne. And it's available at a fraction of the cost. You'll never pay outrageous champagne prices again. (Source)
Powers, 2018, Chardonnay, Washington, $10.69/750ml- Bright aromatic notes of stone fruit, pineapple along orange blossom. On the palate, notes of white peach, lemongrass, and hibiscus. On the finish bright acidity, minerals and zest. (Source)
Chateau Galochet, 2016, Bordeaux, France, $11.79/750ml- This wine has an attractive deep garnet-red color and a fruity nose with hints of redcurrant. The wine starts out firm and fruity on the palate, with soft, very round tannin. The aftertaste is smooth and long. (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
New Riff, Kentucky Wild Gin, Kentucky, $34.69/750ml- New Riff Distilling’s Kentucky Wild Gin is thoughtfully crafted with local wild foraged Kentucky botanicals, capturing the native flavors of the Ohio Valley and reflecting historical Kentucky gin ingredients. Twelve botanicals are distilled right in the pot, including a range of typical European gin ingredients (such as angelica, orris and licorice root, and three kinds of citrus). To these we add two local, farmer-foraged wild seasonings, including a wild juniper berry and the amazing American Spicebush— both of which are on the Slow Food Ark of Taste—plus a bit of Kentucky’s state flower, goldenrod. The base spirit includes a dash of our new make rye whiskey spirit, enriching the texture and lengthening the flavor. (Source)
Pizcadores Sotol, Mexcio, $44.19/750ml- Sotol Pizcadores Silver 45 Is a strong and full-bodied Sotol, product of careful selection of wild plants over 15 years. Appearance: Bright with silver hues. Aroma: Cooked agave. Smoky with notes of citrus fruits, fresh floral and herbal essences plus a touch of cinnamon.Taste: Strong, spicy and mineral. Agave cooked with strong notes of smoke and citrus fruits. (Source)
Clement, Select Barrel, Rhum Agricole, French Caribbean, $38.89/750ml- Select Barrel is aged in particular oak barrels selected for their rich natural sweetness and intense aromatic qualities under the watchful eyes of our cellar master at Habitation Clément. The imaginative alchemy with this contemporary approach to selected oak results in a magnificent aged Rhum Agricole with well-balanced sweetness. Clément Select Barrel is characterized by its soft vanilla notes and remarkable smooth finish. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Brewery Vivant Cherry Apricot, $5.29/16oz- Sour blended ale
Collective Art Dry Gin & Soda, $3.59/12oz
Collective Arts Pink Gin & Soda, $3.59/12oz
Grey Line Kona Brown, $2.59/12oz- American brown ale
Grey Line Solshine, $2.59/12oz - American pale wheat
Revolution Freedom of Expression, $3.19/16oz - Strawberry and rhubarb come together in unity for a Session Sour with bright fruit flavor and a tart finish. Raise a glass to freedom and family! (Source)
Speciation Heilig Kirsebaer, $11.69/375ml - Foeder Aged Solera Sour Ale With Danish Stevnsbær Cherry Juice. We’ve had the pleasure of visiting one of the most magical places on earth: Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin in Denmark. When we heard that they were exporting some juice to the US, we had to have some. To showcase their unique fruit, we kept it simple and blended their juice with our base beer. (Source)
Speciation Incipient Apricot, $9.39/16oz - Foeder Aged Solera Sour with Apricots
Incipient is our mixed culture foeder aged solera sour. Each month we release a version with one addition, to equally showcase the complexity and flexibility of the base mixed culture beer. (Source)
Speciation Orbital Ring, $3.49/16oz - All Natural Hard Seltzer w/ Peaches, & Dry Hopped w/ Strata. Fermented with Nordic Kveik Yeast. (Source)
Untitled Art Passionfruit Sherbet, $4.99/16oz - Berliner style weisse ale with raspberry and passionfruit.
Untitled Art Rocket Popscicle, $4.89/16oz - Wild ale
Witches Hat Train Hopper, $2.09/12oz - American IPA
Stay safe. Spread kindness not germs!