A&B Liquor Store - What's New?

Three new Canadian wines arrived this week. Beppi Crosariol from The Globe and Mail had this to say about one of them:

"And my bargain domestic suggestion of the week is available only in B.C. and Alberta. White Bear Pinot Blanc 2008 from the Okanagan Valley ($12.95, visit www.whitebearwines.com for more information) is a deftly engineered white from Artisan Wine Co., the value-oriented operation associated with Mission Hill proprietor Anthony von Mandl that also makes the fine brands Wild Horse Canyon and Ganton & Larsen. Part of the proceeds from the White Bear brand support ecosystem conservation, but this pinot blanc is worth the money and then some on the basis of taste alone. Plenty of concentration here, with nuances of spiced pear and citrus. Bottled under screw cap, it's a good choice for picnics."

Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend 2008 ($13.95) from California has been flying off our shelves. Robert Parker declared the '07 vintage "one of the greatest bargains I have ever tasted from California."

It also happens to be Doreen's Pick of the Month:
"... A smooth finish with mellow vanilla overtones. Interesting! All my guests really liked it and it also went over really well at a Saturday in-store tasting."

Pretty bottle, too.

This week we added Big House Red and White ($11.95) to our shelves. The name refers to "the big house", aka "prison", and should not be confused with Big White House winery (which came up when I searched Google).

Wine Specator designated the 2008 White a Best Value, gave it 87 points, and had this to say:

"Wonderfully perfumed and fragrant, like a walk through a flower garden. Honeysuckle, melon, green apple, peach and citrus notes are punctuated by the smooth body and vibrant acidity."

We'll be doing an in-store tasting of this wine tomorrow, so stop by and take "a walk through a flower garden."

"By the year 2015, the greatness of Argentinean wines made from the Malbec grape will be understood as a given. This French varietal, which failed so miserably on its home soil in Bordeaux, has reached startling heights of quality in Argentina." Robert Parker Jr.

2015? Well, we're pretty excited about Malbecs in the year 2010. (Is A&B Liquor Store ahead of its time??) We have a great selection of Argentinian wine, including this little number - Renacer Punto Final Malbec 2008 - which just hit our shelves last week. It's $16 in B.C., and we sell it for $13.95! Wine Spectator gave it 88 points and had this to say:

"A forward, juicy style, with blackberry and licorice notes that stay lively on the medium-weight finish. Drink now."

Yes, drink now.

We now carry Fat Ass Blanco tequila ($42.95). You might be tempted to buy this because of the name, but it won a gold medal at the 2010 World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, so you could be surprised by what's inside the bottle. Either way, who doesn't want to ask their friends if they'd like some Fat Ass?

Lots of new stuff this week, including Stoked Vodka with Hemp Extract ($27.95), created by two ladies from Grande Prairie, Alberta. (http://www.liquidchicks.com)
We also have four new Japanese beers sold as single bottles:
- Baird Rising Sun Pale Ale 360ml ($3.95)
- Imperial Smoked Porter 500ml ($7.95)
- Hitachino Nest White Ale 330ml ($3.95)
- Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale 330ml ($3.95)
Stop by to check out other new goodies...

Crowsnest Pass is buzzing and it's only Thursday! Check out the Sole Survivor 2/5/10km Race Friday night in Blairmore (proudly sponsored by A&B) and look for us in the parade Saturday morning.
Of course Saturday night is the big fireworks show that everyone has been waiting for. Prepare to be thunderstruck!

It's been a long time coming, but we're finally on the web with a funky new design! Check back often for information about new products and what's what in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta...

What's New, A&B?