March is here, and we hope with it comes melting and warming.

One thing that arrives surely each March is St. Patrick’s Day and its many celebrations. No one has to remind anyone that Guinness Stout and Irish Whiskey go perfect at these occasions. Irish Creams like Bailey’s, Duggan’s or Carolans also work well. But this year, do not forget the oldest and most notorious of all Irish beverages, poitin.

Poitin is Ireland’s answer to moonshine. In fact, it is older than American moonshine with centuries of history. Pronounced po – sheen, and sometimes spelled potcheen, this traditionally clear alcohol was being distilled in Ireland fourteen centuries ago, before even whiskey. It originated with Irish monks, but soon spread to rural regions where folks would make their own poitin in small homemade pot stills. As time went on, poitin became so prevalent , especially in extra strong versions, that King Charles outlawed it in 1661.

This only enhanced the drink’s legend, with many saying that a few sips of water the morning after a night of poitin swigging would instantly rekindled the previous evening’s buzz. It took more than three centuries for the distilling of poitin to become legal again. When it did, in 1989, it was allowable only for export. It was still illegal to consume in Ireland until 1997.

Today poitin is available on both sides of the Atlantic. Resembling vodka most closely, its ingredients include sugar beets and malted barley.  Poitin can be enjoyed over rocks or taken as a shot. It also goes quite well with soda, lemonade, cola or ginger ale. A twist of lemon or lime will enhance any of these cocktails.

Poitin is also not immune from today’s craft spirits movement. Five friends from Dublin are reviving and perfecting poitin in the Glendalopugh Distillery. Currently they produce a straight poitin aged in oak and a mountain strength version that is 120 proof. Both of these products are available at Vinnin Liquors for $27.99 and $31.99 respectively.

5 Holiday Drinks You Need To Try This Year

The holidays are fast approaching. That means you need to start planning out your social events, all of which will involve delicious drinks. What do you drink at Christmas dinner? Hanukkah dinner? And New Years Eve? We’ve got some great ideas and recipes to make you the connoisseur of holiday drinks – and the life of the holiday party!

Christmas Eve – Eagle Rare 10yr Bourbon

Christmas Eve is often the most peaceful and relaxing night of the year… of course, that’s once dinner is over, the kids are asleep, and the fire is sizzling hot. A moment like this deserves an epic nightcap, which is why we recommend a rare whiskey like Eagle Rare 10yr Bourbon. With its sweet, oaky nose and full, complex body, it tastes amazing on the rocks and is a perfect complement to a toasty night by the fire. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out the rest of our December Barrel Room specials or ask our expert staff for recommendations at our store.

Christmas Dinner – 93+ Pts California Cabernets

Whether you’re serving oven-roasted turkey, spiral ham, or a mix of vegetarian dishes, Christmas dinner is a special event that deserves an extra special holiday drink. Everyone has a personal preference when it comes to wine, but we highly recommend a cellar-ready California Cabernet. Our December Best Cellars list features three Cabernets that are rated 93 Points or higher by Wine Advocate and are perfect for the occasion. And when the dinner is over and the table is all cleared, you can take your glass to the porch to enjoy with a Casa de Cuba Doble Seis cigar, only $13.25 + tax!

Hanukkah Dinner – Jewish Manhattan Cocktail

We picked up this great idea from 12 Bottle Bar. With eight nights of Hanukkah lining the calendar, there will come a point when you’ll want something better than a glass of Manischewitz wine to accompany your meal. To mix up the celebration, we figured a Manhattan cocktail (with a Jewish twist) would be the perfect holiday drink! You can use our traditional Manhattan cocktail recipe and replace the sweet vermouth with Manischewitz wine to create the new Jewish Manhattan Cocktail. Enjoy!

New Years Eve – La Marca Prosecco

The final party of the year is often the most exciting, which is why so many people break out the Champagne and celebrate! We’ve got plenty of incredible Champagne options on the shelves at Vinnin Liquors, but if you’re looking to save a little money (or buy a lot of bottles), consider a Prosecco from Italy instead. Prosecco wine has a similar taste and feel as Champagne, but comes in at a much lower price. As part of our monthly Best Sellers, we have 750ml bottles of La Marca Prosecco going for only $11.99. Get them while they’re still here!

New Years Day – 21^st Amendment Fireside Chat Beer 

Whether you’re recovering from a hangover on New Years Day, or relishing in your day off work, you’ll probably spend a good portion of your day watching football on TV. And nothing goes better with football than a mug of cold beer! This month, as part of our What’s Brewin’ beer specials, we’ve got 6-packs of 21st Amendment Fireside Chat for only $10.89 + deposit. Not only does the beer sound relaxing, but it tastes great too. So grab a cold one – or six – and enjoy your first day off in 2015!

We hope you enjoy these delicious holiday drinks. And please have a wonderful and safe holiday season and Happy New Year!

An expert guide to red and white Thanksgiving wine

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest drinking days of the year with glasses of wine flowing faster than water. While you might expect the big red names, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux, to steal the day, the diverse mix of food actually calls for something a bit tamer and less full-bodied. Do you really want to overpower all the delicious flavors of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, bread stuffing, yams and whatever else your crazy aunt makes?

There isn’t one perfect wine that can balance all the flavors, however, a few red and white wines stand out as excellent choices for Thanksgiving dinner’s expansive flavor profile.

 

White wine for Thanksgiving dinner

The key is finding white wines with well-balanced acidity. Whether you want fruity, sweet or dry is really up to you. The three best options are:

 

Riesling – This white wine is known for its clarifying acidity and strong fruit aromas of apricot, honey-crisp apple and Meyer lemon. It complements many of Thanksgivings’ core dishes like turkey, potatoes and stuffing. Some of the best Rieslings come from Alsace and Germany, with Washington State leading for US varieties.

Recommended wine: Dr L Riesling – 750ml – $8.99

 

Pinot Grigio – This is another white wine known for its high acidity and primary fruit flavors of apple, lemon and white nectarine. It cuts through the strong garlic and onion flavors found in many Thanksgiving stuffings, turkeys and gravies, and complements high-fat dishes like green bean casserole. You can opt for a refreshing Italian Pinot Grigio or go with a round, sensuous Pinot Gris from California.

Recommended wine: J Vineyards Pinot Gris – 750ml – $10.99

 

Chardonnay – The final white wine on our list is the most recognized grape of the group and is best known for its vanilla and oaky flavors, buttery finish and medium acidity. An oaked Chardonnay is great as a pre-dinner drink while an unoaked version is a surprising complement to a big plate of turkey and gravy. Top Chardonnay options come from California, Australia, and France.

Recommended wine: Kendall Jackson Avant Chardonnay – 750ml – $11.99

 

Red wine for Thanksgiving dinner

The key is finding red wine varieties with low tannins and a less full-bodied feel that won’t mask the dinner flavors. The three best options are:

 

Pinot Noir – This red wine is a perennial favorite at the Thanksgiving table. It’s a perfect balance of subtle earthy undertones, light red berry fruit flavors (like cranberry), and mushroom and vanilla aromas. Because it pairs so lovely with so many foods, it’s ideal for the vast holiday spread. You really can’t go wrong with any Pinot Noir from France or the United States.

Recommended wine: Sean Minor Carneros Pinot Noir – 750ml – $15.99

 

Beaujolais Nouveau – This red wine is a lighter, fruiter variety that is practically tannin-free. It is best served chilled and tastes great with the warm, herby dishes of Thanksgiving. It’s also released every year at the end of November, just in time for the big meal. Beaujolais Nouveau only comes from that specific region of France and if you can’t find one of the Nouveau varieties, any Beaujolais will usually do.

Recommended wine: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau – 750ml – $7.99

 

Zinfandel – This red wine is more full-bodied than the others on this list, but still manages to maintain an excellent balance of tannins, acidity and berry fruit flavors. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated, fuller red to accompany your Thanksgiving plate of turkey and stuffing, this is our recommendation. The ones from Napa and Sonoma Valleys are hard to beat.

Recommended wine: Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel – 750ml – $10.99

 

Browse our full selection of white and red wines, sparkling wines and dessert wines, as well as our November Wine Specials, to find the perfect ones for your Thanksgiving meal. And remember: as with any holiday meal, any wine, beer or cocktail that brings the family together is an excellent choice! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

 

Thanksgiving dinner beer pairings

Most people don’t use the words “Thanksgiving” and “beer” in the same sentence.  It’s usually wine or after-dinner liquors that take over the drinks conversation.  However, we’re here to tell you that “Thanksgiving beer” is real and there are plenty of great beer options out there that pair well with the meal.

Thanksgiving dinner beer pairings

There is a lot of debate as to what is the best beer to serve with Thanksgiving dinner, the problem is that everyone’s palate is different and one person might like a spicy pumpkin beer with turkey while another prefers a hoppy IPA or a hearty brown ale.  After much trial and error we have decided on what perfect beer is for the gastronomical marathon that is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

We find that Belgian style saisons and biere de gardes are the perfect match for the various Thanksgiving dishes.  The amber colored Biere De Garde and the American brown ale counterpart both are a perfect fit for the autumnal flavors of the Turkey Day plate.  Sasions also serve as a lighter, dry and crisp refreshment to wash down course of course of turkey and mashed potatoes.

Bière de Garde in detail

Bière de garde is the style we most frequently recommend as a versatile Thanksgiving beer. Generally speaking, these beers are assertive enough in alcohol and carbonation to stand up to richness but subtle enough in flavor to avoid dominating the more delicate Thanksgiving dishes. The amber (or “ambrée”) versions of the style commonly sport sport bready, toasty and caramelly malt flavor alongside fruity and spicy yeast character and mild hop bitterness.

And don’t forget dessert!

Thanksgiving dessert is another subject altogether, this is where the spicy and sweet Pumpkin Ales truly shine, as well as stronger malty Barleywines and Old Ales that can replace a fine port or sherry as a delicious after dinner tipple.

For some excellent Thanksgiving beers available at Vinnin Liquors, check out this month’s What’s Brewin’!

Coming Soon: A Brand New Vinnin Liquors Website!

The website has been a wonderful addition to Vinnin Liquors over the past few years. It has informed you about promotions, tastings and events, made it easier for you to find directions, hours and product information, and allowed you to engage with store staff via the blog and Twitter. So what’s next for the website?

Coming in November, we’re taking the Vinnin Liquors website to a whole new level! You’ll be getting lots more capability to discover, find and even purchase products from our store. Here are some of the major changes you can expect:

• Browse in-stock products online – See an entire inventory listing of our current in-stock products, including wine, beer, liquor and cigars!
• Buy online and get direct delivery – New ecommerce capabilities will allow you to find, purchase and ship products within Massachusetts, making party planning a whole lot easier!
• Enjoy user-friendly navigation – A cleaner, streamlined navigation is being developed for faster search and a more enjoyable browsing experience!

By modernizing the website, you’re getting greater access to Vinnin Liquors than ever before. Thank you for being such great customers and we look forward to bringing you the best liquor store experience – in store and online – in the North Shore!

All About Oktoberfest – From Germany to Boston

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest fair held annually in the world. It takes place in Munich, Germany in the southeastern state of Bavaria and is an important part of the Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. It is a 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year. However the festival can run longer when the first Sunday is October 2nd (17 days) or October 1st (18 days). In 2010, the festival lasted until the first Monday in October, to mark the 200th anniversary of the event.

The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese, often called Wiesn for short by the locals, located near Munich’s center. Large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed, with almost 7 million liters served during the 16 day festival in 2007. Visitors may also enjoy a mixture of attractions, including amusement rides such as roller coasters, dark rides and log fumes, as well as sidestalls and fair games.  A wide variety of traditional food can also be found at the event.  Some of the most popular foods include Hendi (roast chicken), Schweienebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Wurstl (sausages), along with potatoes, bread dumplings, cheese noodles, potato pancakes, and red cabbage.

Only beer conforming to the Reienheitsgebot (German beer purity law), at a minimum of 13.5% Stammwurze (approximately 6% alcohol by volume) may be served at Oktoberfest. The beer must also be brewed within the city limits of Munich. Beers meeting these criteria may be designated Oktoberfest beer. Breweries that can produce such Oktoberfest beer under the criteria are Augustiner-Brau, Hacker-Prchorrrau-Brau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner (most common in the US), Spatenbrau, and Staatliches Hofbrau-Munchen.

Other cities across the world hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeled after the original Munich event.  For those of you looking for a celebration closer to home, here are some popular Oktoberfest events:

• Harpoon Oktoberfest @ the Harpoon Brewery in Boston (great option for local Bostonians!)
• Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Kitchener, Ontario (largest in North America!)
• Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio (largest in the US!)
• Oktoberfest U.S.A in LaCrosse, Wisconsin (known for its authenticity!)

And if you’re looking to get into the Oktoberfest spirit right now, check out this month’s Beer Buzz which is loaded with great Oktoberfest-style beer deals!  Happy drinking!

Poitin, The Other Irish Spirit

For centuries, poitin was an illegal Irish moonshine. It was distilled in homemade pot stills from whatever could be found, including fermented barley, potatoes and in some cases, crab apples. Homemade poitin was certainly a strong drink, boasting anywhere from 50% to 90% alcohol by volume. Then in 1997, the drink was legalized for consumption in Ireland and commercial distilleries took a keen interest.

Today, some commercial poitin distillers have created recipes from grain and used column stills. Producing an un-aged white whisky of sorts, the best distillers are able to extract complex flavor profiles by using different distilling methods and varying recipes. By breaking away from traditional homemade methods and aging the spirit in various used and new barrels, they can deeply affect the flavors of the poitin.

Poitin has become a favorite of mixologists due to its versatility. You can recreate an Old Fashioned recipe by simply replacing the whisky or bourbon with poitin. The spirit pairs well with citrus-based juices such as pineapple to concoct a more refreshing cocktail. The combinations are endless.

Given all our Irish roots in Massachusetts, it should come as no surprise that poitin is growing in popularity and is available on our liquor store shelves.

We offer the following poitins at Vinnin Liquors:

Bunratty Potcheen – $22.99

The Bunratty Distillery claims to have created the first poitin made legally in Ireland for export. This poitin is distilled from grains and is 45% ABV. It has a sweet fruit aroma and flavor with a dry finish.

Glendalough Poitin – $27.99

Glendalough is a small craft distillery in Ireland that produced this poitin from malted barley and beet sugar. This spirit is aged shortly in virgin Irish oak casks, which is quite unusual for poitin. Due to the aging, this poitin has complex flavors of cracked pepper, dried fruits, vanilla and toasted oak.

Glendalough Sherry Cask Finish Poitin – $31.99

Taking their original poitin after aging in the virgin oak casks, Glendalough ages this spirit again in used sherry casks. The additional aging adds orange zest and blueberry aromas as well as flavors of dried apricots and a touch of salt. The finish is long and warming.

Glendalough Mountain Strength Poitin – $31.99

Boasting an ABV of 60% compared to Glendalough’s other poitins, which are 40% ABV, this poitin is strong, zesty, and refreshing. The spirit possesses the same flavors and aromas of the others but the finish is spicier, more warming and much longer.

This is just a small sampling of our spirits selection at Vinnin Liquors.  Come on by and check out the entire array of spirits, from vodka and gin to tequila and bourbon, available in store now!

Shedding Light On Skunky Beer

Your attention, please. Temperature change will not skunk your beer! You can take your beer from the fridge, leave it at room temp, and then re-chill it and drink it. It will be just as good as ever. That is the truth.

This is something we say to customers everyday at Vinnin Liquors, often receiving skeptical looks in return. This temperature change myth has been repeated for so long and so often, that in many people’s minds it has become fact. In reality, temperature change has nothing to do with skunking beer.

The true source of skunk

So let’s shed some light on what actually damages beer and gives it that off-putting smell. The culprit is light, specifically ultraviolet rays. This light causes the alpha-acids in hops (a key ingredient in almost all beers) to break down and recombine with other chemicals to make a sulfur-containing substance that smells remarkably like Isopentyl mercaptan, the nasty stuff that skunks spray. This reaction can happen at any temperature.

How can you prevent this from happening to your beer?

• First, if your beer is in a can you have no problem at all. Light can’t penetrate the aluminum.
• Second, if your beer is in a brown bottle, you are in pretty good shape. The dark glass keeps out most of the UV rays.
• Lastly, keep beer bottles with light colors in the bag or in the carton until it is ready to hit the fridge. For example, if your beer is in green or clear bottles, it is very susceptible to light, so you must take as much precaution as possible. Even then, it is quite possible that some damage has already been done. Try a Heineken from a green bottle side by side with a can of Heineken. You’ll notice a distinct difference. This is also why Corona from clear bottles is often served with a lime. The fresh citrus can disguise the sulfur smell.

Once again: Temperature change will not skunk your beer. Light is what damages beer. So now that you are no longer in the dark about this, make sure your beer is in the dark.

3 Common Misconceptions About Sulfites in Wine

There is so much to love about wine. It makes a graceful pairing with fine dining, is a lovely gift for a host, and has a marvelous array of intoxicating flavors. Yet drink too much of it and we’re quick to blame one aspect of wine we know little about: sulfites.

Sulfites, or sulfur dioxide, are chemical compounds that occur naturally during the winemaking process. They develop during fermentation and help the wine preserve flavor, color, and character by preventing oxidation and thus keeping the wine tasting like… wine (and not vinegar).

Misconception #1: European wines don’t have sulfites

Since sulfites occur naturally in the winemaking process, all wines have sulfites. The only reason you think European wines lack sulfites is because they don’t specifically mention it on the bottle. The reason why American wines say “Contains Sulfites” on the label is because some people are allergic to sulfites and have severe allergic reactions. It is simply precautionary, not unique. So the whole idea of choosing a European wine over an American one to avoid sulfites is simply a result of this prolonged myth.

Misconception #2: Sulfites are the reason for your ‘wine hangover’

Now that you realize all wines have sulfites, this brings us to the most common misconception and one that is simply not true. Sulfites are not responsible for your hangovers. It is convenient to blame these invisible-to-the-naked-eye chemical compounds, but they shouldn’t be your scapegoat any longer. The real reason for your hangover lies somewhere between drinking too much, drinking too quick, being dehydrated, reacting to histamines, and some other reason that your doctor could explain much better.

Misconception #3: There are fewer sulfites in white wine

This final misconception is probably the most backwards one of all. The amount of sulfites in wine certainly varies, with some wines containing more than others. In general, dry red wines, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, tend to have lower levels of sulfites. Sweet white dessert wines, like those made from Muscat, tend to have higher levels of sulfites (surprise!). While these assignments are generally true, note that many winemakers manually add more sulfites to maintain the wine’s particular features. That’s why you can never definitively say how many sulfites are in any one wine. Only organic wines guarantee that no sulfites have been added, but levels still vary.

The next time your friend picks up a bottle of white wine to “avoid those sulfites in red wine”, just smile and point him or her to this blog. And if for some reason you still intend to limit the sulfite level in your upcoming wine search, then the best place to start is with dry, organic reds.

Thanks for reading and stop by Vinnin Liquors soon to pick up a bottle of wine… with sulfites!

 

Vin Santo – The Perfect Final Touch

 

Is there anything better than a fine Italian dinner? Of
course there is: one that finishes with a biscotti and a glass of Vin Santo.

Vin Santo, with its notes of raisin, honey, nut and cream,
is the traditional velvety dessert wine of Tuscany.  Its proper place is at the very end of the meal, after
espresso. The biscotti is meant to be dipped into the wine. It is the perfect
final touch to punctuate a great dining experience.

Vin Santo, which means holy wine, was first used
ceremonially in religious masses during the Renaissance, but it was not long
before it graced the dinner tables of Tuscan families. From there it spread
throughout Italy, Greece, and eventually became a staple of the Russian
Orthodox Church.

For hundreds of years Italian winemakers have been
harvesting grapes in the fall, most commonly trebbiano and malvasia, and drying
them indoors across straw mats or hung from racks. This process, called
desiccation, dehydrates the grapes and concentrates their natural sugar
content. The amount of residual sugar increases with the length of the drying
period. Usually fermentation begins during the following spring and then the wine
is aged in oak barrels. This oak aging further softens and sweetens the wine
while enhancing its color. In most regions four years in the barrel allows the
wine to be called riserva (reserve).

This wine is now made in many Italian regions with several
variations. Some less sweet versions are served like dry sherry. Others feature
50% or more sangiovese,  a red
grape, and make a dessert rose called Occhio Di Pernice, Eye of the Partridge.
Still, it is the original version with its golden amber hue that satisfies best
at the end of meals.

Centuries ago, friars sometimes administered the leftover
wine after mass to members of their flock that needed healing. We can’t vouch
for the healing powers of Vin Santo, but we can promise it will provide a
wonderful taste experience at the end of dinner.

For an excellent example, try splitting a 375ml bottle of Antinori Santa Cristina Vin
Santo with family and friends after your next special dinner.  You can find the bottle at Vinnin
Liquors, along with other great Vin Santo varieties!