What a great event! Thanks to everyone who helped make this one of the best shows yet! From selling out of almost all our 30 wines, to hosting the annual Luncheon, this certainly was a great year. 
Halloween Cocktails
Garrison’s Seaport Brewing
I was privileged enough to get to see where one to Atlantic Canada’s most recognized craft beer, Garrison, is made, thanks to Jeff Green! Not only are Garrison beers crisp and flavourful, they also helped kick-start the craft beer movement in Atlantic Canada. Here’s to supporting local!
My tour of the brewery was hands on, and Jeff allowed me to see each step of the beer making process.
Garrison is known for its hand-crafted beers and how BrewMaster, Daniel, takes pride in each step to create the perfect beverage. I now understand the importance of malts, hops and yeast and how they contribute to flavour, colour and alcohol content. Jeff was also pleased to inform me that nothing at Garrison goes to waste – they sell all leftover malts to local farmers! Talk about supporting local.
After a detailed explanation of how these hand-crafted beers are made, Jeff brought me over to see the newest (of three) breweries. The new brewery resembles Halifaxs’ Seaport – something Garrison takes pride in! It is also much larger, thus allowing the beer company to produce more beer!
Garrison is constantly crafting unique beers with all different flavours. Be sure to check out our website and your local NLC to see what Garrison products are available! Want to learn more about Garrison Brewing? Check out the website!
Garrison Speciality Selections
A Barossa Legend: Peter Lehmann Wine
This month we wanted to recognize one of the most influential wine brands in Australian history, Peter Lehmann.
Named after Peter himself, a man who single handily helped shape the Australian wine industry over the past 40 years. The brand was conceived by Peter’s dedication to keep the grape growers of the Barossa, Australia in business in the 1970’s. During this time, there was a surplus of fruit and wine. Too many grapes, not enough demand for wine. Thus, leaving no work for the Barossa grape growers. Peter Lehman expressed that there were more than 60 families whose income relied on business from the wine companies. He decided that if the international brands wouldn’t buy the grapes, then he would create his own wine company that would. And that was how the legacy began. Now, more than 40 years later, Peter Lehmann Wines is considered one of the best in the world! You can find four of Peter Lehmann’s succulent wines at your local NLC store. They include: Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Chardonnay, Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Shiraz, Peter Lehmann Portrait Series Shiraz and Peter Lehmann Clancy’s Red.
NOTE: Labeling has changed!
Freixenet
Having great relationships with various wineries around the world definitely has its perks! I was lucky enough to have the chance to visit the world-class, Freixenet winery in Pendes, Spain (just outside Barcelona). Not to mention it was also my birthday!
Pendes is known for its Cava Sparkling wine, a protected description, which must meet the most stringent of regulations in ordered to be named so. Its name comes not from a place, grape variety, or winemaking technique, but from the stone cellars (cavas) in which the wine is matured.
Freixenet, being one of the most well known, international Cava brands, has made a mark in the industry with more than 150 years of wine making at the very location. Currently, Freixenet is sold in more than 100 countries around the world. Not to mention I love sparkling wine, so my excitement was heightened.
Upon our arrival to Freixenet, we were greeted by our tour guide, who proceeded to take myself and 10 other people on a blast through the past of the winery’s heritage. He then took us on a tour of the cave-like winery itself, throughout small alleyways and tunnels. To conclude, we got to enjoy a couple of glasses of Freixenet Elyssia Pinot Noir. It was great to try something new as only three of the many Frexinet products are exported outside Spain. Currently, NLC offers three Freixenet options in stores, including, Freixenet CORDON ROSADO; Freixenet CORDON NEGRO, and Freixenet CARTA NEVADA.
The hospitality of the people working at the Freixenet winey, paired with the delicious Cava and the spectacular view added to a wonderful birthday in Spain.
Perfect Food and Wine Pairing
If you’re looking to have friends or family over for dinner, or just catering a meal for your other half, it’s always fun to pair the perfect wine with your delicious meal. Keep in mind when pairing wine with different courses, to start off with lighter flavours and end with bolder ones. Here is a great pairing chart from our friends at Wine Folly.
Holiday Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
A coffee mug (glass or ceramic)
6-8 ounces of brewed coffee
2 tsp of sugar, for taste
1-2 ounces of Liquormen’s Ol Dirty Canadian Whisky
2 tbsp of heavy cream
Desired garnish – chocolate shavings, cinnamon and/or nutmeg
Instructions:
Fill mug with coffee and let stand for 2-3 minutes
Stir in desired amount of sugar
Stir in Liquormen’s Whisky
Pour heavy cream into a mixing bowl and whisk until frothy – you can also use an electric mixer
Scoop desired amount of heavy cream onto coffee
Add desired garnish
Enjoy!
El Dorado Hot Cocoa
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