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New beers June 10, 2015

Posted on June 12, 2015

Hello fellow beer geeks!

This week has been rather generous to us as we see the return of some long loved and long missed classics, and our Cantillon finally arrived! Likely, nearly all of you have picked up your orders by now, and if you missed out this time, you know I’ll be giving people a heads up next year when we might see it again. In the meantime I received word that those Oude Beersel beers I mentioned last month are nearly here! So you can sate your Lambic thirst one way or another! In the meantime, here are this weeks arrivals!



White Light White Heat White IPA by Gigantic Brewing
A Belgian wheat IPA? I’m not sure I’ve had one before, and I’m not a virgin to very many styles! Tropical fruits and kumquats accompany the lightly malty nose. A generous malty sweetness hides an 8%abv and brings more tropical fruit!  ($10.89 for a 650mL bottle)

Puck the Beer Petit Saison by North Coast Brewing
It’s a rare occurrence when North Coast Brewing unveils a new beer, so it’s a cause for celebration! This table style saison packs wonderful straw character with well a balanced but not too “north American” hop profile. Very drinkable, but the lively carbonation prevents you from drinking it too quickly so your session will last a wee bit longer with this one. ($15.59 for a 4-pack of bottles)

Duvel Tripel Hop by Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat
This annual release is done with a different dry hop each year. This year features the newest edition to the Humulus Lupulus family, Equinox! If you haven’t heard of it yet, you will soon because it’s about to explode all over the scene, and who’s flavors include lemon, lime, papaya, apple, and green pepper, some of which certainly shine through on this beer. It also happens to drink a little lighter than the standard Duvel, very pleasant and very Belgian.  ($5.79 for a 330mL bottle)

Highland Ale by Innis&Gunn
This beer has been matured in highland whiskey barrels. The medium bodied malt gives notes of toffee, soft oak, dried fruit and spices, along with heather honey, and hints of the whiskey the cask previously held.  ($6.79 for a 330mL bottle)



Aside from all these goodies, we also got a huge restocking of Driftwood’s Fat Tug that happens to be just 2 weeks old! IPA this fresh needs, really needs, to be tasted to believed. Scotland’s punk brewers Brewdog has also made its way back into the province! After about a year and a half, our old favorites Punk IPA and 5am red ale (formerly 5am saint) have hit the shelves once more, and in new packaging! There are also a couple more Brewdog beers that will hit our shelves likely next week, but until then come drink all these fresh, dank IPAs!

Cheers!

Shawn....

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The Italian Challenge tasting - June 9, 2015

Posted on June 12, 2015


Lisa Zinck
June 9, 2015
Sangiovese versus Nebbiolo… what a challenge! I was without a doubt up for the test. The room was filled with familiar faces, so this made the evening even more enjoyable. We compared sangiovese with nebbiolo in 3 flights.

First flight: easy entry level varietals

Second flight: more sophisticated with oak treatment

Third flight: serious Brunello versus Barolo

Although a difficult decision, sangiovese won the battle.  I must say there was not a bad wine in the bunch. We tasted the three flights, comparing each varietal, and then the sangiovese based wines, then the nebbiolo flight.

I could see eyes opening wide when people went back and re-tasted the wines. It was a test of sensory memory to walk through each varietal.

Overall it was a great challenge and very enlightening.

The wines were perfectly paired with cheese from Italy and cured meats supplied by Peasant Cheese Shop.

Wine is for enjoyment and to experience with friends. I can honestly say we all enjoyed the challenge . Poggio Antico Altero Brunello di Montalcino 2008 was the clear winner, however never underestimate Barolo….. it just takes its time to shine!



Il Palagio Ignobile Sangiovese $23.99

A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! Super-easy to drink and super-affordable Sangiovese from our friends, who own a lovely small winery in Panzano in Chianti, in the heart of Italy's famous Tuscany wine region. Pair this sipper with pizza, pasta, lasagna or burgers. Buy by the case for all your red wine needs! Not Sting's winery, which has a similar name, just in case you're wondering!

Serradenari Nebbiolo $27.99

The family behind Serradenari has owned the prestigious estate since the 19th century; they produced Italy's first automobile in the 1800s, and this estate was their country escape. Made from the Nebbiolo grape, this ruby-red wine is fresh and easy to drink, with a pretty floral note on the nose.

San Giusto Chianti Classico 2012 $44.99

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2011 vintage 90 points, but he hasn't yet reviewed the 2012. Here's what his team has to say about the winery, however: "Run by the Martini di Cigala siblings (Elisabetta, Luca and Francesco), Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano is a flagship winery in the Gaiole in Chianti subzone of the denomination." Rich, earthy and intense!

Rocca Albino Barbaresco $54.99

Organic! Angelo Rocca was the winemaker here, following in the footsteps of his father, Albino. Angelo died in 2012, but not before receiving all kinds of praise from the critics, including Robert Parker. Expect balance, elegance and relatively modestly priced wines, plus, often, scores well over 90! This family-owned winery has been mastering Nebbiolo...

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New beers June 3, 2015

Posted on June 5, 2015

Folks! I don't want to waste too much time before getting to this week's amazing new beers, but I have to mention quick that for those of you who pre-ordered Cantillon, they will be arriving next week! So expect to be contacted by Thursday or so to come grab this precious commodity and... well I guess we should all get together and drink these right? I mean it would be a shame to just let them sit there, not being open! As a heads up, since we are receiving so little of this, if you haven't been contacted by the end of the weekend, then that likely (and sadly) means there was not enough product to give everyone what they wanted.

All that aside, check out these amazing beers that arrived this week!



Salvator Dopplebock by Paulaner
The Original Paulaner. Brewed as a food replacement during Lent for the Paulaner monks. Using practically the same recipe since before 1896, this beer offers fruity esters that compliment the toasty, biscuity malt, and combine with the dried fruit notes to give thoughts of Christmas cake and hearty bread. ($19.19 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Corn Hop IIPA by Parallel 49 brewing
Big beer has given adjunct grains a bad name, and it's a shame really. Rice and corn can be legitimate ingredients without cheapening a beer! Parallel 49 takes one of these adjuncts into the craft world with this incredibly enjoyable IIPA. Malt and corn combine to make an off-dry base with a pleasant sweetness and a mild booziness, and is all balanced with lightly floral and big citrusy hops with a nicely toned bitterness. ($6.59 for a 650mL bottle)

Ruination by Stone brewing
There are some real mixed opinions regarding Stone's attempt at changing with modern beer drinker tastes by discontinuing and completely changing their core lineup. The original Ruination has been retired, but in its wake, rises this slightly lighter malted and very tropical monster IPA they call Ruination 2.0. I must say I love this incarnation more than I do the first. We still have a couple left of the original Ruination so come grab them both and compare for yourself! ($12.29 for a 650mL bottle)

Points Unknown by Stone brewing, Ecliptic brewing, and Wicked Weed Brewing
Points Unknown is a triple collaboration between California, Oregon, and North Carolina brewers. This is a west coast IIPA that was blended with a Belgian Tripel that was aged in ex red wine and tequila barrels. Talk about a unique blend! Super fruity with notes of banana and fleshy fruits followed by oaky spices, and that typical Belgian yeast character, all finished by a very pleasant hoppy/tannic bitterness.   ($12.39 for a 650mL bottle)

Galactic by Hopworks urban brewing
This is the second time we've seen this powerhouse of an Imperial Red hit our shelves, and each time it has floored us! Rich caramelized sugars and lightly toasty malts hold up a huge and wonderfu...

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Masi Amarone Vertical tasting - Tuesday May 26, 2015

Posted on June 4, 2015

Lisa Zinck
Tuesday May 26 2015


This was a rare opportunity to taste some back vintages thanks to our agent, Authentic Wines and Spirits.

Often you will find that wineries will hold back vintages and then release them as a mixed vintage pack or a single release.

We snatched up this offer as soon as it came available, as we find these opportunities are important  for  tasting  and for understanding how an aged wine develops.

On average, a person buys a bottle of wine and has it open within 45 minutes of purchase.  If you can buy and resist opening your wines, the later benefit of that bottle is a wonderful experience.  Last Tuesday we enjoyed such an experience with two single vineyards owned by Masi .

We began with the Cru Vaio Amaron wines.  An historic vineyard, whose name has such a coincidental assonance with the name "Amarone",  some scholars believe it is the original source.  One of the most prestigious vineyards in the Possessioni dei Conti Serego Alighieri, the family (descendants of the poet Dante) has cultivated their lands here with love and dedication since 1353.

The other 3 wines were from Mazzano, an historic vineyard with a centuries old reputation for making fine wines. Located in the Valpolicella region in the eponymous suburb of the district of Negrar, the land is dark in hue and composed of marly limestone and basaltic toar from the Eocene era. The soil is deep, loose and rich in schist and natural humus. The classic Amarone grapes: Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, are grown here to make Mazzano, a majestically austere and elegant wine with great personality.

This was an amazing experience tasting. After being opened the wines were changing by the minute.

The overall favorite of the evening was Serego Alighieri 1997, followed by the Mazzano 1995 and then the Mazzano 1997.

What a pleasure. Everyone who attended were huge Amarone fans, so this was indeed a treat for all .

Andreola Prosecco Verv $24.99
What a pretty example of Italian sparkling wine! Andreola Orsola is located at Col San Martino, a hamlet in the province of Treviso situated in the hills of the production zone for Prosecco di Valdobbiadene. This Prosecco is made from the ancient Glera grape. Light, crisp and dry, it makes a wonderful aperitif. Serve slightly chilled. An unbeatable price and beautiful packaging. Very refreshing and easy to drink.


Masi Serego Alighieri  Vaio Amarone 1996 $ 177.99
92 points WS - Big and raisiny, with loads of exotic dried fruit, toffee and coffee. Full-bodied, with ripe, round tannins and a long, delicious aftertaste. Fabulous finish. Clearly outstanding. Drink now through 2008. 4,400 cases made.          –JS

Masi Serego Alighieri  Vaio Amarone 1997 $ 177....

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New beers May 27, 2015

Posted on May 29, 2015

May always seems to be a busy month for us at Kensington Wine Market. Our 23rd birthday was last week and boy was it busy! Our Spring Wine Fest and our birthday sale weekend kept us running around all week! The reward though, was an incredibly fun week of celebration and tasting some of our best exclusive wines! But this post isn't about wines! Oh no, it's about one thing and one thing only, beer!

Before I get to this week's new beers, I wanted to mention a neat promotion we've got going on. You may know of To 0L brewing (former students of the infamous Mikkeller), well we've come across some of their branded glasses and we want to share them! Come on in and purchase 3 To 0L beers and one of these glasses is yours for free! On the note of glasses, we'll have another offering like this one very soon from a well known Scandinavian brewer!



Enough of that though, here are all the new and tasty things** you'll see when you come in this weekend.

**Disclaimer: Kensington Wine Market and Shawn Young are not responsible for computer damage due to drooling as a result of reading these descriptions.

Finest Kind IPA by Smuttynose brewing.
Smuttynose is one of the newest breweries to arrive in Alberta, and one of only a few from America's east coast. They made this IPA as a tribute to the classic beer style of the same name. Plenty of lemon and grapefruit come across on the nose, with sappy pine, citrus oil and apricot flavors.    ($21.29 for a 6-pack of bottles)



Old Brown Dog Ale by Smuttynose brewing.
This American brown ale boasts a silver medal win back when it was first brewed. Toasty caramel malt, and brown bread, cocoa and mild hop notes come through in this medium bodied comforting brown ale.($21.29 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Apteryx IPA by Phillips brewing.
A southern hemisphere inspired IPA if there ever was one! Plenty of New Zealand's Nelson Sauvin hops provide lots of tropical fruit notes along with lychee and off dry white wine. The malt carries the flavors though with biscuit tones and finishes off with a bitterness that is a mix of hops and tannin.   ($7.19 for a 650mL bottle)


Farm Hand Saison by Driftwood brewing.
Every time a new Driftwood beer comes into the province, an angel gets it's wings. Wait... I think that's a different story. It's a little less "an angel gets it's wings" and a little more "Shawn gets super giddy". Farm Hand Saison is a crisp, dry Saison perfect for those long days working in the field. Fruity Belgian esters lead into straw-like flavors and a sweetness reminiscent of raw malt. All at a price that makes you feel good about having more than one!  ($6.29 for a 650mL bottle)

Summer Wheat Ale by Anchor brewing.
This is an American filtered wheat ale from San Francisco's oldest breweries. You'll encounter a soft an...

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