While glass has been the preferred choice for wine storage and transportation for hundreds of years, it has only been since the early 1970s that the size of a wine bottle has been standardized at 750 ml. Any wine bottle that contains more than 750 ml may be considered large format.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a red (or rose) wine that is known to be light, fresh and fruity! It is a simple wine that the producers hope you will not take too seriously, but rather enjoyably quaff from its release date on the third Thursday in November (this set date is strictly enforced around the world – with exceptions for no one!), right up until almost the following year’s release date. In 2020 the third Thursday in November falls on the 19th!

Growing up in the 70s and 80s was a whole lot different than what my son is currently experiencing. In addition to not having cell phones or easy access cameras, we also didn’t have a lot of extra money. This last point made small things seem a whole lot bigger and better. We Generation X kids often had to wait for special days – and one of my favourite was ice cream day! It appears that I was not alone in this as a recent trend in the Spirits world is to emulate some of these delicious treats of the past in alcoholic form. A variety of these “nostalgic” beverages are now available at your local Liquor Store!

Like me, you may be disappointed that we had to postpone this year’s Wine Show! I am, however, ecstatic to announce that a great selection of the wines are still coming! Many of these “new to our market” vinos have already made it here and are available at select locations - Howley Avenue and Merrymeeting Road.

Today I am speaking about an awesome product, made in the greatest of places, with the best of ingredients at the ideal time of year! Of course I am talking about Crystal Head vodka during Halloween! Crafted from 100% Canadian peaches and cream sweet corn, this ultra-smooth vodka has been distilled four times and then filtered seven times, with the final three filtrations taking place through Herkimer diamond crystals (it’s true, I have seen them with my own eyes!).

Wow – so I have a new favourite Baileys! What appeared to be a limited edition a year ago, when it was first released, has finally made its way to Newfoundland and Labrador. Baileys, in partnership with Washington DC based Georgetown bakery, has given us the most aromatic and flavourful liqueur that I have ever tasted. As advertised, this elixir smells and tastes like freshly baked cupcakes, or more specifically Georgetown’s best-selling cupcake – Red Velvet.

Since Thanksgiving and turkey feasts are often larger affairs, I highly recommend that you serve two wines to each of your guests, as this will stimulate conversation and your guests can choose for themselves which style or colour of wine they prefer!