New Canadian Spirits!

How about some new Canada-made spirits? X four Handcrafted Vodka is quadruple distilled in the Okanagan and Iceberg Gin, "the world's purest gin," comes from Newfoundland.

Xfour Handcrafted Vodka 750ml (Okanagan)
Iceberg Gin 750ml (Canada)

Craft Beer Spotlight: Ninkasi Brewing

Since last week's post raving about all the new brews that have been arriving, we've received another spate we're excited about. New to BC is Eugene, Oregon's Ninkasi Brewing. Any craft beer lovers who have traveled to Oregon or Washington in the last few years have no doubt had Ninkasi's amazing beers, but this is their first time landing in BC and we're proud to carry them.

NEW BEER
Green Flash Saison Diego Ale Brewed 650ml (San Diego)
Ninkasi Spring Reign Ale 650ml (Oregon)
Ninkasi Believer Double Red Ale 650ml (Oregon)
Skinner’s Betty Stogs Best Bitter 500ml (UK)
Uncommon Baltic Porter 4-pack 500ml cans (California)
Uncommon Golden State Ale 4-pack 500ml cans (California)
Uncommon Siamese Twin 4-pack 500ml cans (California)
Vancouver Island Brewing Flying Tanker White IPA 650ml (Victoria)

BEER BACK IN STOCK
Birrificio Bruton Bianca 500ml (Italy)
North Coast Old Rasputin 4-packs (California)
North Coast Blue Star Wheat 6-packs (California)
Rogue Brutal IPA 650ml (Oregon)
Saltspring Porter 650ml (Salt Spring Isl.)

Local Wine Spotlight: Blue Grouse

We pride ourselves on the quality of the wines we bring in to our store. Our space is somewhat limited compared to other stores in Victoria, so we are selective. Though there are a few dozen wineries on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, many produce in such small quantities that they rarely find their way into stores. When we do carry these wines, you can bet it is because we believe they live up to our standards. We're excited to now be carrying three offerings from Blue Grouse, a Cowichan Valley winery that has been producing lovely cool-climate wines since the late '80s. They are particularly renown for their Pinot Gris. We also have a nice port-style wine from Unsworth, a much newer island winery.

NEW WINE
Blue Grouse Ortega (Duncan)
Blue Grouse Pinot Gris (Duncan)
Blue Grouse Pinot Noir (Duncan)
Blue Mountain 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Okanagan)
Chateau Millegrand Minervois (France)
Joie Rosé (Okanagan)
Mon Ami Rascal White (France)
Orofino Syrah (Okanagan)
Orofino Beleza (Okanagan)
Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde (Portugal)
Salt Spring Blackberry Port (Salt Spring Island)
Tantalus 2010 Pinot Noir (Okanagan)
Unsworth Ovation Solera (Mill Bay)

WINES BACK IN STOCK
Michel Torino Cuma Cab Sauv (Argentina)
KIA 2010 (Spain)
Palestra Douro (Portugal)
Andean Sky Malbec (Argentina)
Castillo de Almansa Monastrell (Spain)

Craft Beer Spotlight: Hopworks Secession Cascadian Dark Ale

A couple years ago we wouldn't have been able to say this, but recently we have been seeing so many new craft beers entering BC (and being made in BC and the rest of Canada) that we can barely keep up with it all. It's pretty incredible. Unlike other Victoria liquor stores that don't have our level of craft beer knowledge, we don't just bring in whatever is new. We are selective—just like with our wines—and try to bring in only brews that we think are truly great. So we proudly present some of these new arrivals, and we also wanted to bring to your attention some fine beers that are back in stock.


NEW BEER
Elysian Immortal IPA 6-packs (Seattle)
Garrison Imperial IPA 500ml (Nova Scotia)
Hopworks Secession CDA (Organic) 650ml (Portland)
Skinners Cornish Knocker Golden Ale 500ml (UK)

BEERS BACK IN STOCK
Birrificio Bruton Lilith 500ml (Italy)
Deschutes Green Lakes Organic Ale 6pk (Oregon)
Elysian Dragonstooth Stout 650ml (Seattle)
Howe Sound King Heffy 1L (Squamish)
Lindemans Framboise Lambic 330ml (Belgium)
Lindemans Peche Lambic 330ml (Belgium)
Mill St Tankhouse Ale 6-packs (Toronto)
Mt Begbie Tall Timber Ale 650ml (Revelstoke)
Red Racer Lager 6-packs (Surrey)
Red Seal Ale 6-packs (California)

Reduced Prices on Great Craft Beer For Ltd. Time!

Now's your chance to get a deal on some great craft beers we need to blow out of here to make room for incoming product. Quantities are limited, so stock up now!

Central City Winter 6-pack cans ($2 off)
Deschutes Green Lakes Organic Ale 6-packs ($2 off)
He'Brew's Bittersweet Lenny’s RIPA 4-packs ($2 off)
Pyramid Thunderhead  IPA 650ml  ($1 off)

The following Howe Sound 1L bottles are all $1 off at the till.
High Tide Hemp Ale
Gathering Storm CDA
Pothole Filler
Father John’s Winter Ale

Tix Now Available for Victoria Wine Society "Best of Chile" Event, April 30

Tickets are now available for the next Victoria Wine Society event, which will be held Monday, April 30, at 7 pm at Hotel Rialto (1450 Douglas St). This will be the "Best of Chile" tasting, which was the feature country at the Vancouver Winefest.  Sharon McLean and Treve Ring will be the guest speakers.


The lineup:
Luis Felipe Edwards, Marea de Leyda 2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Miguel Torres, Maquehua, 2011 Chardonnay
Concha y Toro, Terrunyo, 2008 Carmenere
Undurranga, Founder’s Collection 2007 Cabernet
Luis Felipe Edwards, Dona Bernarda 2008 Cabernet blend
Undurranga Altazor 2008 Cabernet, Syrah, Carmenere blend
Concha y Toro, Don Melchor, 2008 Cabernet
Errazuriz Maximiano Reserve 2008 Cabernet
Almaviva 2008 Cabernet blend
Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta 2008 Carmenere, Cabernet

Cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers. To register for the tasting, payment must be received in advance to reserve a space, and there will be no exceptions, as availability is limited. For membership renewals and tasting fees, stop in and see us here, or at the BC Wineguys Cadboro Bay Rd store at 2579 Cadboro Bay Rd (250-592-8466).

Avalanche of New Wines (part 2)!

I know it's hard to imagine that we have anymore space for new wines, but a whole bunch of interesting arrivals from around the world have once again found their way to our well-stocked shelves. It's a lot to process, right? Well, don't hesitate to ask our knowledgeable staff for a recommendation!

NEW WINE
Chariot Gypsy White (California)
Chateau D’Angles La Clape (France)
Graham Beck Gamekeepers Shiraz (S. Africa)
Gruen Mosel Riesling (Germany)
Henriot Brut Souverain Champagne (France)
Hill of Content Shiraz (Australia)
Il Nostro Rosso del Salento (Italy)
Le Jaja de Jau Sauv Blanc (France)
Levante Rosato (Italy)
Luc Saint-Roche (France)
No Time Garnacha (Spain)
Redtree Pinot Grigio (California)
Schug Carneros Pinot Noir (California)
Tollo Trebbiano 1L (Italy)
Umbala Cab Sauv/Shiraz/Pinotage (S. Africa)
Villa Rubini Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Xadres Vinho Verde (Portugal)
Zenato Valpolicella Superiore (Italy)

NEW BOX WINE
Big House Red 3L (California)
Il Conte Primitivo Negroamaro  3L (Italy)
Il Nostro Cattaratto Grecanico 3L (Italy)
Vernissage Syrah Cab 3L (France)
Vernissage Chard Viognier 3L (France)

WINE BACK IN STOCK
Joie 2011 Noble Blend (Okanagan)
Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé (France)
Scarbolo Fruili Fruilano (Italy)
Some Young Punks Squids Fist (Australia) 
 Finca Flichman Malbec 1.5L (Argentina)