Creative Connoisseur Wine and Beer Making Supplies

Our last day will be Saturday, July 27, when we will be closing at 4PM. I would like to thank each and everyone of you, for your business, but more importantly the friendships.

I am very lucky to be able to semi- retire while at the same time continue dealing with some wonderful customers as I work part time at Estate Brewing, so I hope to see you over there. The "To do" list is quite extensive at home, and travel beckons.

This will be the last post on this Facebook account! so take care for now!

Cheers!

Al

Happy Canada Day everyone!

Our long weekend store hours are Friday 10 AM - 5 PM, We will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Canada Day Monday. Going camping!

Sangiovese is as Italian as it comes. Many of us may remember those straw basket wines that were kept and a candle was placed in the bottle. Yes, Chianti! Sangiovese is the wine grape variety that comprises the wine Chianti. Sangiovese, is derived from the words for "blood of Jove" and is Italy's most widely planted variety. It's slightly acidic nature makes it perfect for tomato based sauces, and pizza.

We have a 4 week Classic Italian Sangiovese. It also finds its way into a Private Reserve Colosso Sangioves Primitivo. Everyone should have a Sangiovese in their cellar.

It is with very mixed feelings I am making this announcement. I have decided to close the store effective July 31, 2024. I want to move on to a new chapter in my life while I am still healthy and capable. My wife and I would like to do some traveling and camping. As an owner operator of a small business these things are very difficult. I also would like to explore some volunteering, to help others.

It is difficult to move on to a new chapter after having developed relationships with our customers, who in fact I have come to know and become friends. I would like to thank each and every one of you not only for your business but your friendship.

To help with the transition I have entered into an agreement with Estate Brewing. They have kindly offered to give a 10% discount on your next wine or beer kit. This offer is good until December 31, 2024. Simply say "Al sent me" to Estate Brewing for your discount.

To also help with the transition I will be joining the Estate Brewing team on a part time basis. I hope to see you over at their location at #101, 17812 105 Avenue, basically the NW corner of 178 St and 105 Ave.

Among the product lines Estate Brewing carries are the Vineco wine kits. As many of you know we have carried select wine kits from them. Vineco, in fact is owned by Global Vintners, who also own make Winexpert kits that we carried. The Vineco product line mirrors the Winexpert product line so you know you will get the same outstanding quality.

Until July 31, we will be selling off all our stock at 25% off. All equipment that we used for making wine will be sold off at very low prices. So stop by, and give me the chance to thank you for business and take advantage of some savings. If you would like your wine to be made for you, Estate Brewing will do that for you on any kit purchased from us.

Our new store hours are:

Tuesday – Friday – 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday & Monday – Closed

In closing, thanks for all the warm interactions over the years.

Cheers!

Al

Happy first day of summer everyone! What twine are you celebrating with?

Words of wisdom!

To all the dads and those that remember their father on this special day, Happy Father's Day. If you are still looking for a gift, come by and visit us.

Last chance! We have a few of our summer limited release Twisted Mist kits. For our Facebook followers, mention you saw on Facebook, and we will give you a $8 discount. The flavours are Bahama Mama, S*x on the Beach, Mango Mai Tai, and Strawberry Bellini. Quantities limited.

This month we feature two of our 6 week kits on sale, both $15 Off. The white hails from Australia and is our delicious off dry Traminer Riesling. The red is from France, a Vieux Chateau du Roi. This beautiful red wine is modeled on the very popular French win Chateneuf-du-pape a blend comprised chiefly of Grenache and Syrah.

In the month of June, we will be featuring a red and a white 4 week Classic kit on sale, both $10 Off. Our white is Gewurztraminer, a beautiful off-dry white, The red on sale this month is our Chilean Merlot.

The Summer Private Reserve Limited Release Colosso will be arriving next week. If you haven't already ordered one please do so ASAP.

Colosso blends Italian favourites with one of the country’s hidden gems Sangiovese. Indigenous to Tuscany but planted throughout the country, is prized for its balanced acid and high tannin; it is one of Italy’s most important varietals and the backbone of famous wines like Brunello and Chianti.

Primitivo is a key grape in southern Italy known for producing bold tannic wines with dark berry flavours.

Colosso translates to “big” in Italian. So expect a powerful profile of this big Italian red. Heady aromas of cherry, jammy plum and vanilla lead into a bold fruity palate. Rich flavours of cherry, blackberry and plum are accented with sweet baking spice, and layered with softer notes of raspberry, licorice and dried herb. Big, velvety tannin is balanced with moderate acidity, giving great structure and a plush finish.

Today is International Chardonnay day!

Personally I think this grape is one of the most maligned white wine, which came into disfavour due to over oaked wines. I love Chardonnay without any oak as it brings out the fruity nature of this wonderful grape.

This one sounds good! In June we will be receiving a Limited Reserve Private Reserve wine that is very tempting. Colosso!

Savour rich berry flavours, bold sweet spice, and nuanced notes of licorice and dried herb, backed by big, velvety tannin. Winexpert Private Reserve Colosso masterfully blends Italian favourites Sangiovese and Primitivo with a touch of Nerello, one of the country's hidden gems, giving you a larger-than-life Italian red you’re guaranteed to love.

'Colosso' is Italian for colossus, and speaks to the powerful profile of this big Italian red.

This Crushed Grape kit will only be available for a short time! Reserve yours now! It will arrive in June.

Its International Pinot Grigio day!

This wine is perfect for the summer, light, crisp and fruity. It is the wine we call food optional, in other words just enjoy it on its own.

Yay! First long weekend of the "summer"!

We will be open Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM, closed on both Sunday and Monday! Have a great long weekend!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there and those that honour their moms. Some of you may remember Marcus who acted as store greater when he was a puppy. While he is all grown up now, and turned into a wonderful dog, all 77 lbs of him.

Happy International Moscato day. This very popular wine is very popular with those who have a sweeter palate.

Don't forget we have a regular Classic Moscato, and a limited release Pink Moscato.

May offers two great 6 week Reserve wine kits on sale both $15 Off.

Perfect for the summer is our ever popular Australian Grenache Rose. Actually finishing dry, but with very fruity tastes this is a perfect wine for afternoon back yard or patio entertaining. This Rose is more in the European style.

The red on sale this month is our Chilean Carmenere. This is my personal favourite 6 week red wine. Carmenere is very similar to Merlot, very smooth but with more body.

In May we will be featuring two 4 week Classic wine kits on sale, $10 Off!

Te red is Pinot Noir, perfect for BBQ salmon. Pop it in the fridge for a couple hours before serving to accentuate the fruity notes of this wine.

Our off-dry white wine on sale is Liebfraumilch. Very similar to commercial Blue Nun with fruity notes.

We are expecting delivery of the Summer Limited Release Pink Moscato next week. Perfect for summertime sipping this wine kit will only be available for a short time. If you haven't, reserve yours now.

Looking for a slushy drink for the patio or deck. Try this one using our Twisted Mist Bahama Mama.

In the last International wine day in April... Happy International Viognier day!

Do we believe this?

What is it about April, that seems to have more Wine days than any other month. Well today is another one, Happy International Sauvignon Blanc. day.

One of those wines that is relatively unknown but produces outstanding wine and that’s Tempranillo. This grape native to Spain does best in the northern parts of Spain that are cooler. The wine from this grape is dark in colour and produces wines with characteristics of strawberry, spice and to***co. It is quite often blended with other wines because of it being slightly lower in alcohol and acidity.

The commercial wine, Rioja, is primarily comprised of Tempranillo.If you were wondering how to pronounce Tempranillo, there is no “l” in it. Whenever there are 2 l’s together in the Spanish language it is pronounced Eeee, as in eel. So Tempranillo is pronounce tem-prah-NEE-loh.

This month our Limited Edition features Tempranillo juice from Spain blended with Shiraz. We also offer a 4 week Spanish Tempranillo for you to try out.