Siciliano's Market News, June 11 Edition

A list of this week's new and returning products follows a few thoughts on the important role a free press plays in a constitutional democracy

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

"Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell."

--Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black

There's been a lot of activity around the house lately but the new roof is on and the painters are gone and with my wife at the cottage it was pretty quiet around the old homestead this week. Normally when I’m batching it I tend to immediately revert back to being a slob. But this time I kept things relatively tidy, didn't let dishes pile up in the sink and even made the bed every morning. After twenty years of marriage Barb must finally be rubbing off on me.

In addition to putting some hours in at the store and getting some projects done around the house, I spent the time reading (A Fly Rod of Your Own by John Gierach and The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide by Tom Rosenbauer), working on blogs and watching a few movies ("Exodus", "Joker", "Charlie Wilson’s War" and "The Post").

I thought "Exodus" slogged a bit but any film with Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint in the starring roles is worth watching. I think Joaquin Phoenix deserved his Best Actor Oscar award for his portrayal of the Joker but I agree with those who feel that the film is over the top disturbing. I thoroughly enjoyed the performances of Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman in" Charlie Wilson’s War", but it was "The Post", also starring Hanks along with the incomparable Meryl Streep, that was the most thought provoking and, perhaps, even more disturbing than an imaginary tale about a crazed psychopath in a fictional Gotham City.

"The Post" relates the dramatic circumstances surrounding The Washington Post's and The New York Times' successful efforts to run news stories related to the infamous Pentagon Papers. In a 6-3 decision on June 30, 1971, the United States Supreme Court ruled that referencing the documents was within the publishers' First Amendment constitutional rights. It was a landmark victory for freedom of the press. I guess I found the movie so disturbing because it depicts a true story--real politicians hoodwinking a real citizenry about a real war in which close to sixty thousand real Americans lost their lives. And it was thought provoking because it made me ponder what harm might be done to a constitutional democracy if the ones in power ever succeed in blinding the eyes of a free press.

Featured Wines of the Week

La Plage, Rosé Du Var, 2019, France, $11.39/750 ml- A lovely rose that offers inviting aromas of ripe cherries and raspberries. It is refreshing on the palate with hints of fresh watermelon, cherries and good minerality. (Source)

Chateau Sainte Eulalie, ,Rosé 2019, France, $14.49/750 ml- Located in the Minervois region of Languedoc the rose produced by this winery is fruity and redolent of ripe strawberries, watermelon and a hint of licorice. (Source)

Chateau La Gabarre, Bordeaux Rosé , 2019, France, $13.49/750 ml- Coming from the commune of Galgon on the right bank of the right bank, north west of the lalande- de- Pomerol this rose is fresh and invigorating, with notes of strawberries and raspberries. It has a good minerality and a light but pleasantly textured mouth-feel. (Source)

Domaine La Genestiere, Tavel, Rosé , 2019, France $23.29/750 ml- Just south of Lirac, the Tavel is exclusively dedicated to the production of rosé wine. In 1936, it became the first French appellation for rosé wine. Tavel, now joined by Bandol, has long been regarded as the premier rosé appellation in France. The wines are based on Grenache and generally blended with Syrah, Mourvedre and/or Cinsault, and finished in a dry, full bodied style.Tavel is one of the few rosé wines that can improve with bottle age.Located in the southren Rhone valley, this wineries Tavel rose is made using 50% Grenache and 50% Cinsault:Tasting Notes: Brilliant shade of crimson and magenta. The nose is delicate with notes of raspberries and rose petals that evolve into nuanced aromas of red fruits and flowers with hint of white pepper. The young wine is full on the palate with a bracing, mineral-driven finish. (Source)

Penya, Rosé , 2019, France, $11.99/ 750ml- Cases de Pene is a tiny village in the Roussillon region of Southern France, just 30 miles north of Spain. Ceded to France in the mid 17th century, the area is still known as “French Catalonia”. We celebrate this heritage with the Catalan spelling of the ancient Château and village Cooperative: “Penya”.

Tasting Notes: Offers fresh aromas of Rainier cherries, garrigue, and hints of red raspberry and melon. Rich, full-bodied, yet bright on the palate.

Serve With: Great as an aperitif or an accompaniment to hearty salads, fish and shellfish, charcuterie, frittata, and more. (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

Plantation, Stiggin's Fancy, Pineapple Rum, $31.59/750ml- A tribute to the character created by Charles Dickens in the Pickwick Papers, Reverend Stiggins, whose favorite drink was “pineapple rum.”

The barks of Victoria pineapples are infused in Plantation 3 Stars rum, which is then further distilled. Separately, the pineapple fruit is infused in Plantation Original Dark rum. Both distillate and fruit infusion are finally blended together, creating a rich and delicious pineapple bouquet, accented by smoky and clove notes. (Source)

Widow Jane, Whiskey Distilled From A Rye Mash, Aged in Oak & Apple wood, $48.59/750 ml- From the same starting point as our Oak Rye aged in a once-used 10-year bourbon barrel, we wanted to extend the flavor profile of our rye distillate into a new profile, that would make a soothing and fruity rye compared to traditional ryes. To do so we add fresh cut Applewood Staves alongside the oak. Nose: Apple Blossom, Applewood Smoke, Spice. Taste: Baked Apple, Orange Peel. Finish: Rye, Dried Apple, Blood Orange. (Source)

Aultmore of The Foggie Moss, 12 yr single malt Whisky, Scotland, $68.39/ 750ml- Aultmore distillery was founded in 1897 by Alexander Edward, one of Scotland’s best-known distillers, during the peak of the late-Victorian whisky boom. Supplied to the big blending houses of the day, AULTMORE single malt's popularity with them gave rise to the distillery's success, having drawn great admiration for the smoothness of its spirit. In fact, its qualities are so fine and well-balanced that it was soon one of just a few single malts rated ‘Top Class’ by industry experts. 12 yr old tasting notes: Crisp Apples, pears and delicate florals. (Source)

New and Returning Products

Big Lake Cotton Candy Haze, $3.39/16oz - A cotton candy flavored juicy new England style IPA. (Source)

Big Lake Mango Haze, $3.39/16oz - A new England style IPA featuring citra and mosaic hops and brewed with real mangos. (Source)

Boulevard Ginger Lemon, $1.99/12oz - Ginger Lemon Radler is a zesty, refreshing take on the tradition of mixing beer with soda or lemonade to create a light, thirst-quenching beverage ideal for warm weather. Radler (literally “cyclist,”) takes its name from active German sportsmen of a hundred years ago, but our version tastes just as good even if you do nothing more strenuous than lifting it to your lips. (Source)

Brew Detroit Slap Roof, $2.49/16oz - This IPA can fit so much citra in it! (Source)

Decadent Orange Gusher, $5.19/16oz - Double India Pale Ale with Orange Purée. (Source)

Flying Embers Black Cherry, $2.79/12oz - Fresh dark cherry flavors, finishes clean with a bright twist of lime spritz. Brewed with Live Probiotics and our Adaptogen Root Blend of Ginger and Turmeric. (Source)

Genesee Lemon Strawberry, $.89/12oz - Cream ale

Genesee Ruby Red Kolsch, $.89/12oz -

Grand Armory Mother Schmucker, $2.19/12oz - A blonde ale with 100 pounds of raspberries added to the fermenter. Try pairing with Nutter Your Business for a Grand Armory PB&J. (Source)

Greenbush Dunegrass, $2.09/12oz - With a strong malt backbone, a combination of west coast and German noble hops and a shining finish, Dunegräs is an IPA in its own category: a Midwest IPA. (Source)

J.K. Scrumpy's Patriotic Paw Paw, $3.19/12oz - JK’s Scrumpy cider combined with the tropical flavors of the North American Paw Paw, Blood Orange, and basil. The complexity and flavors really have no equal!! (Source)

Left Hand Gettin' Tiki With It, $2.99/16oz - Come with us and escape. Gettin' Tiki With It is a vacation in a can. Bursting with pineapple and coconut, this Piña Colada Wheat Ale is your Nitro passport to paradise. Pairs well with cabanas and daybeds. (Source)

Left Hand Peach Beerllini, $2.59/12oz - Light, bubbly and refreshing. An effervescent concoction of pale malts and peach nectar. (Source)

Mikkeller Drinkin' Sun, $3.29/12oz - Bright and hop-bursting American style Wheat Ale. 0.3% ABV This beer is so fresh and tasty, we recommend you take it for a DRIVE! A bunch of friends, nice music, a box full of this beer, good weather and a long road. What else do you need? Besides the usual ingredietns, we added real sunshine. Cheers! (Source)

Mikkeller Limbo Raspberry, $3.29/12oz - Flemish Primitive brewed with Raspberries.

A new and refreshing non-alcoholic beer with tons and tons of raspberries for a light, fruity & tart palate! Who said that you can't enjoy beer without alcohol? Caution! its really addictive!.... (Source)

Mikkeller Weird Weather, $3.29/12oz - New England style low ABV IPA.

A floral, bitter New England Style Hazy IPA with a full body and grassy notes of pine. (Source)

Oddside Pink Lemondade Hard Seltzer, $1.89/12oz

Rockford Citra Obsession, $2.19/12oz - Named for its play on words, Obsession has been our “session” rye pale ale brewed with a healthy dose of Rye Malt and a proprietary blend of hops each summer since 2013. Building on that concept in 2015 and recognizing the obsessive demand for unique hop varieties in the beer market, we have decided to use Obsession as a platform to brew a series of single-hopped beers. The new “Obsession Series” will always be brewed with the same base recipe, but with a different hop varietal. Citra hops: Strong citrus and tropical tones of grapefruit, melon, lime, gooseberry, passion fruit and lychee. (Source)

Speciation Hackmatack, $9.39/375ml - Sour Saison Aged in Traminette & Marsanne Orange Wine Barrels - This blend of barrels is a truly unique display of Michigan fruit and terroir. It starts with a saison brewed with Michigan grown malt and hops. We then aged it in two different Native Species orange wine barrels that used to contain MI grown Marsanne & Traminette. (Source)

Speciation Incipient w/Blood Orange, $9.39/16oz - Foeder aged solera sour ale with blood oranges. (Source)

Speciation Launch Loop, $3.49/16oz - Kveik Fermented Hard Seltzer with Tart Cherries, Lemon zest, Lime zest & Coriander. Hopefully we have launched your expectations to outer space by now with our spacefaring themed seltzers. (Source)

Tripleroot Kentucky Waterfall, $2.49/12oz - Bourbon barrel aged Mullitude (Source)

Tripleroot Scooter's Sar Sucker, $2.49/12oz - American Brown Ale brewed with 100% maple sap. (Source)

Tripleroot Sour Sister Raspeberry, $2.09/12oz - Sour - Fruited

Untitled Art Florida Seltzer, $2.99/12oz - Prickly pear and guava hard seltzer. Gluten-free.

Untitled Art La Lindura Coffee Stout, $5.19/12oz - Imperial stout with coffee and milk sugar, brewed in collaboration with JBC Coffee Roasters. (Source)

Upland Patio Cat, $2.19/12oz - Patio Cat is everyone’s favorite companion on long summer days. Lo-cal & sessionable, this summer ale boasts strong flavors of citrusy tropical

hops that are complemented by a succulent dose of guava. Always down for a chill sesh but definitely ready to run wild too, Patio Cat is thirst-quenching & refreshing with light body & minimal bitterness. (Source)

Wild Minds Critical Path, $5.19/16oz - Hazy IPA hopped with Montueka, Rakau, Wakstu, Pacifca and Centennial. (Source)

Wild Minds Magnetic North, $5.99/16oz - Smoothie-style sour ale with blackberry, raspberry, and milk sugar. (Source)

Stay safe. Spread kindness not germs!