Introducing D66: ORIN SWIFT'S New Must-Have Grenache

Orin Swift has done it again, this time going beyond our borders:  Introducing D66, a fantastic new red from winemaker Dave Phinney.  D66 is the inaugural release from Orin Swift's new winery and vineyards in the small town of Maury, France (in Department 66) in the outer Roussillon very close to the Spanish border where owner Dave Phinney owns approximately 235 acres of mostly Grenache vines with a little Syrah and Carignan.  The majority of the vines were planted more than 60 years ago. The terrain is dominated by black schist, a crystalline rock based soil that retains heat well but is poor in organic nutrients and nitrogens. In other words, these vines really have to struggle. The result is a very dark, concentrated, and rich wine.

Orin Swift 2009 'D66' Grenache - $42.99 Tasting Notes:  "The wine has a very dark, opaque red color with subtle aromas of toasted oak, ripe blueberry jam and dried rose petal. The entry is mouth coating and lush. Opulent plum and ultra ripe cherry are balanced with asian spices and a bright vein of minerality and acidity that give great structure, weight and balance to the long finish. The tannin chains are long and will lend to ageability for 5 to 10 years. 80% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 8% Carignan.  Another must-have." Also available from Orin Swift: "Veladora" Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Napa Valley - $28.99

Twisted Spoke Bloody Mary Mix

A native of Illinois and the best Bloody Mary mix around!

The world-famous house Bloody Mary Mix of Chicago's own Twisted Spoke Bar and Restaurant. She’s hot. She’s meaty. She goes down easy. You can call her Road Rash Mary. Now you can take home a bottle of their mix! The Twisted Spoke Brand Bloody Mary Mix is available for $7.99 per bottle.

Next time get spoked...

Freshen Up: New on the Menu!

Every year about this time, we like to refresh the menu for the Spring and Summer. But every season it becomes harder and harder to make changes to our menu as our friends, family and guests are loath to give up any of their favorites! When it comes to this time of year, we know that we'll be breaking a few hearts with the new menu, but let's only hope that some new favorites are in the offing...

Here's what's new this Spring:

SMALL PLATES

Greek Nachos
Diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, spices and feta cheese served over Mediterranean seasoned pita chips.

Caprese Plate
Locally grown tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze

SALADS

Spinach & Lobster Salad
Baby Spinach, langostino lobster, almonds, Mandarin oranges, parmesan, cucumbers served with a Champagne Mango vinaigrette

GOURMET SANDWICHES

Cajun Chicken Po’ Boy
Cajun spiced chicken breast, spiced pickles, remoulade sauce and lettuce on a hoagie roll

Cuban
Smoked Ham, Swiss cheese, bacon, pickles and Caribbean aioli pressed on a hoagie roll

The Tuscan
Genoa salami, ham, pepper cheese, tomato, lettuce & a Cabernet vinaigrette on a hoagie

Pizza Panini
Naan bread pressed with marinara sauce, crumbled Italian sausage & shredded mozzarella cheese

Roast Beef & Bacon
Roasted Beef, bacon, garlic mayo, lettuce and tomato served on toasted Black Pepper bread

DESSERTS

Sweet Orange Bread
Served with strawberry sauce and whipped cream

White Chocolate Raspberry 7 Layer Cake
Served with raspberry sauce and whipped cream

Ginger Beer Float
Vanilla ice cream, Goose Island Ginger Beer, whipped cream & ginger snaps

Blackberry Mousse
Brandy snap tulip cup filled with blackberry mousse and fresh berries

Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée
Creamy egg custard with vanilla bean and Tahitian Vanilla

Mango Sorbet
A scoop of freshly made Mango sorbet with ginger snap

Double Chocolate Cake Roll
Served with chocolate sauce & whipped cream

Congratulate if you made it this far.  Now isn't it time to drop by the Wine Bar Cafe and try out these new Summer favorites for yourself!

 

 

 

 

Totally Germain

The Elegance of Elderflower

St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur from France

The world’s first liqueur created in the artisanal French manner from freshly handpicked elderflower blossoms. Neither passionfruit nor pear, grapefruit nor lemon, the sublime taste of St-Germain hints at each of these and yet none of them exactly. It is a flavor as subtle and delicate as it is captivating. A little like asking a hummingbird to describe the flavor of its favorite nectar. The taste is divine and  the possibilities are endless…Très curieux indeed, n'est-ce pas?

Saint ‘G’ Martini  $8.50
Raspberry Vodka, St. Germain & lime

St. Germain Sparkler  $7.00
Freixenet with a St. Germain float

St. Rita  $7.75
Ranchero Tequila, St. Germain & lime

St. Germain Kir Blanc  $7.00
Chardonnay with a St. Germain float

Cuzco Fizz  $7.75
Fuegos Pisco, St. Germain & Lime

VPB Daiquiri  $7.75
Brugal Anejo Rum, St. Germain & lime

Join us in the Wine Bar Cafe for a selection of cocktails crafted around this unique liqueur.

All Stacked Up & Ready to Go

MONTINORE 
'Borrealis : The Northern Whites' 2010, 
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Montinore's inspiration for this wine grew out of the enjoyment of wines like Albariño from Spain and Torrontes from Argentina, wines with pronounced aromatics and great fruit flavor but a dry finish. 

This blend of 34% Müller-Thurgau, 15% Gewürztraminer, 17% Pinot Gris, 34% Riesling has pronounced aromatics and great fruit flavor, but a dry finish. The aroma practically covers the full fruit spectrum with notes of papaya, quince, yellow apple and hints of grapefruit and lime made all the more exotic with whiffs of jasmine and sandlewood. On the palate it starts with a slightly sweet expression of ripe fruit with a crisp acid balance and evolves to a delicious fresh finish of grapefruit and lime. This is a great wine for sipping on its own or pairing with fresh fruit and cheese.

 SPOT ON CELLARS Pinot Blanc 'Orsi Vineyard' 2007, Mendocino, California

Spot On Cellars is a small Sonoma-based winery that creates small lots of vineyard-designate wines from vineyards located in Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties in northern California.  Theiir wines are hand-crafted to be an accurate reflection of a particular grape varietal and the vineyard and terroir in which it was grown.  It's their belief that if you find the right spot for growing the right grapes, winemaking becomes a simple process of shepherding the grapes to the bottle.  Hence the name "Spot On".

The color is a pale yellow.  The aromatics include green apple, lemon zest, star fruit and talc. Citrus with lime leaf, lemon curd, orange blossoms and wet concrete.  The wine has a bright acidity and a touch of tannin that leads to a long and persistent finish.

 

 FIRESTONE 'Discoveries' Chardonnay 2009, California
It’s not always the journey that changes our lives. It’s often the Discoveries we make along the way. Working with local growers to source grapes from premier appellations across the Central Coast these approachable and affordable wines ultimately showcase the Central Coast as one of the world's most versatile winegrowing regions.
Bright straw yellow in color, the 2008 California Chardonnay exhibits aromas of apple, pear, melon, lemon and honey with slight caramel undertones from the oak aging. On the palate, moderate acidity balances creamy notes of ripe pears, melons and caramel, with a bright and lingering finish of citrus and minerals.

 

NOVA 'Norma Jeane' Merlot 2010
California
Norma Jeane wines reflect the freshness and youthful charm of the young Marilyn Monroe. These are wines full of vibrant fruit flavors that are meant to be enjoyed soon after they are released. Since the first vintage in 1998, each Norma Jeane Merlot has been produced from grapes grown in the Tallerico Vineyard in French Camp, California. A little Syrah is blended with typically 80 percent or more Merlot, giving an abundance of fruit flavor and luminous color to each vintage.
The label for this 2010 vintage of Norma Jeane – A Young Merlot is graced by a 1940s photo of Norma Jeane making an entrance in a shimmering gown, and perfectly captures her vivacious charm – qualities that are reflected in this wine, which is so fresh and exuberant.
The grapes for this wine were sourced predominantly from the Paso Robles AVA, where Merlot is a leading grape variety, yielding wines often noted for their generosity of flavor, elegance, and balance.

It's My Own Damn Fault

MARGARITA LEMON LIME SQUEEZER
AND SALT RIMMER GIFT SET

The sizzling tastes of summer straight from the barbeque. Hot days, cool nights, even cooler drinks. Gourmet du Village is very pleased to announce their Lemon Lime Squeezer & Rimmer, a completely new and novel tableware accessory for your summer patio entertaining. When you treat your guests to a refreshing glass of Gourmet du Village Margarita your presentation will be easier and more elegant by using this new accessory.
This two piece porcelain gift comes with a base to hold the gently lime-flavoured sea salt (included) for rimming your glass and a traditional shaped top piece for squeezing Lemons or Limes with easy hold handle and pouring spout. Squeeze your lemon or lime, dip the rim of your Margarita glass in the freshly squeezed juice, then dip the glass rim into the tangy sea salt. You are now ready to fill your glass with a frosty refreshing Gourmet du Village Margarita.

Lime Margarita
This best seller is now available in stylish new packaging, the look has changed the colours have been refreshed, but the product inside remains the best margarita you have ever enjoyed, freshly presented for Spring. Serves 2.

Mango Margarita
The success of the Margarita as a refreshing drink to enjoy year round continues to grow. Gourmet du Village is  very pleased to introduce a refreshing twist on this most enjoyable of classics, Mango Margarita.

Sun Singer's Cinco de Mayo

Join us for special pricing all this week as Sun Singer helps commemorate the efforts of the brave men and women who won this unlikely victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Mexicalli Red Pig Ale is very aromatic, intensely floral-hoppy, lightly sweet and malty full bodied ale that offers a very pleasant high bitterness with smooth sweet malt character, a creamy head with good carbonation and an excellent bitter sweet finish.

The year was 1865 in Mexico City.  A beautiful girl named Vicky was born.  Today, 146 years later Vicky has just come to the United States and she is as beautiful as ever.  She is winning the hearts of her fellow country men (and women) as well as those of countless others.  Truth is that she has been in this country illegally for many years, but she is now a legal resident of the United States and ready to take her rightful place in the United States beer scene.  Her full name is Victoria and she is a spectacular Vienna Lager produced by Grupo Modelo. Victoria is the oldest beer brand in Mexico where the beer's been sold since 1865. It is a Vienna-style lager beer that combines a unique copper color with a perfectly balanced taste and a smooth, crisp finish.

Absolut Orient Apple

Absolut Orient Apple, an infusion and exotic blend of all-natural green, red, and yellow apple with fresh ginger, was first called Absolut Brooklyn benefited and paid tribute to Spike Lee‘s boyhood home and neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, and now its ready for sale around the globe

Infinitely mixable, Absolut Orient Apple is the 13th distinct flavor blend to join the Absolut   portfolio. It represents the next generation of flavor and continues the Absolut legacy of leading the way by creating exceptional cocktail experiences.

Available now in the spirits section at Sun Singer.

ABSOLUT GINGER SMASH

2 parts Absolut Orient Apple

½ part simple syrup

1 part soda water

2 - 3 lemon wedges

4 - 5 pieces of mint

In a rocks glass, muddle simple syrup, 

lemon wedges and mint.

                          Add ABSOLUT ORIENT APPLE and ice.

                          Top with soda water and stir.

Mexico's Best Kept Secret Now Available at Sun Singer

Victoria beer, touted as "Mexico's best-kept secret," makes it debut in central Illinois this week, a year after its first stateside release in Chicago. While Victoria hasn't yet cracked the beer aficionado market, it's immensely popular with immigrants from Mexico, where the beer's been sold since 1865. Described as "a Vienna-style lager beer that combines a unique copper color with a perfectly balanced taste and a smooth, crisp finish," Victoria was available only on the black market until last year.

In Illinois's ever-expanding beer scene, this newest kid on the block is actually an old-timer hoping to become as familiar as Corona or Dos Equis. Victoria is a brand that resonates in the Hispanic community primarily because of its long history in Mexico where it's been one of the most popular beers in for decades.

Shortly after the American Civil War, the Victoria brand launched its brewery in Mexico about 165 years ago - much older than Corona or Dos Equis. Cesar Martinez, Victoria beer brewmaster, says part of the reason ex-pats will be clamoring for it is due to the beer's exceptional malt and its balance.
"In Mexico it's a very important beer, because it's very traditional and historic because this is the oldest beer brand in Mexico," said Martinez.

Stone Brewing Pre-Buy

If you've been awaiting the arrival of Stone Brewing to Central Illinois, then why wait in line on the day it's released. Build the anticipation and share the excitement by participating in the Stone Pre-Buy program at Sun Singer.

How does it work?
Download the pre-buy sheet here or pick one up at the front register at Sun Singer, place your order and make your payment with the cashier and then relax, knowing that your beer will be held for you and a Sun Singer staff member will contact you upon arrival. Of course, as an alternative, but no where near the fun, just swing on by on April 6th and see if there's anything left after the stampede!

Stone Brewing in Central Illinois!
Over a year ago, Stone kicked off distribution in Illinois with "Stone Beer Week in Chicago". Now a year later, California's Stone Brewing Co. has signed a deal with Illinois wholesaler Marketplace Selections that, starting April 2011, will bring the craft brewery's beers to Champaign/Urbana and other parts of central Illinois. Regional brewery representative Aaron Tyrell is expected to be at various local bars and retail shops April 6-7 for official rollout events.

BeerAdvocate's "All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth", Stone Brewing has been available in the 8 counties in and around Chicago since April of last year. Stone Brewing invaded Chicago just before the city hosted American Craft Beer Week with "Stone Beer Week-Chicago" held April 1st - 8th, 2010 featuring a slew of events at Chicago bars worthy of Stone beers. Stone CEO Greg Koch and Brewmaster & President Steve Wagner were on hand to meet fledgling Stone fans and share some rarities from the darkest depths of their archives.

Now it is central Illinois’ time to celebrate the arrival of Stone Brewing's nine year-round beers -- Stone Pale Ale, Stone Smoked Porter, Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone Cali-Belgique IPA, Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Stone Ruination IPA and Stone Levitation Ale -- will be headed this way the first week of April. In the future, Central Illinois can also look out for future special releases like Double Bastard Ale and Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, as well as Stone Imperial Russian Stout and its "Odd Beers for Odd Years" counterpart, which was brewed with a Belgian yeast strain and star anise.

With the addition of Illinois, Stone beers will be available in 35 states and 4 countries.Stone is working hard to meet the ever-increasing demand for its beers in new states and territories. Stone recently purchased a $6.2 million, 57,509 sq. ft. building to allow for further expansion of brewing and distribution operations. The building, which was officially opened on Friday, February 19th 2010, features 23,400 sq. ft. of cold storage, nearly tripling Stone's capacity to store beer.

Take advantage of the Sun Singer Stone Pre-Buy click here.

Deli Additions

Here's a trio of new items you'll find starting this week in the Sun Singer Gourmet Deli.

First, from Daelia's Food Company where they're passionate about complementing, never overwhelming the many wonderful flavors of cheese. Whether it's from a local dairy farmer or a family-owned producer in the European countryside, Daelia's want to ensure that every taste of cheese is enhanced with our toasted, flavor-filled biscuits.

Prepared in small batches close to home, their biscuits are made with all natural ingredients. Almonds, figs and raisins from California growers. Choice flour from the Midwest. These essential flavors combined with a golden-crisped texture to create an experience like no other.

Our biscuits pair well with many different cheeses so don't be afraid to pair with your favorite cheese. We do have some favorite pairings for each biscuit.

For more on entertaining with cheese.

Almond with Raisins pairs very well with creamy goat cheeses, aged cheddars, aged sheepsmilk cheeses and blue cheeses. Lateley we have enjoyed it with Capriole O'Banon,
that lucious aged goat cheese in bourbon soaked chestnut leaves.

Hazelnut with Figs pairs best with salty blue cheeses such as Blue D'Auvergne, Stilton, Mountain Gorgonzola, Bayley Hazen Blue, Point Reyes Blue and Cashel Blue.

Les Trois Petits Cochons, maker of award-winning pâté and charcuterie, started in 1975 as a small charcuterie in the heart of New York. They offer a complete line of all-natural pates, terrines, mousses, cornichons, petits-toasts, mustards, saucisson, and other French specialties. Their products are all-natural, crafted with high-quality ingredients and made in small, handmade batches.

Spicy Paprika Rich Spanish-style Chorizo
This traditional Spanish style cured sausage, handmade in the USA from a time honored European recipe, provides an intense flavor with just enough heat for a pleasing finish.

Wine for Passover

Passover, an eight-day springtime festival, commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage. Based on the injunction against eating or possessing leavened bread for eight days, Passover involves a unique set of kosher laws. Kosher consumers are most careful about what they eat on Passover. In fact, people who do not observe kosher year-round do so on Passover. According to some accounts, 40% of the kosher market revolves around the Passover holiday.

Passover’s restrictions guard against eating food products containing any edible fermented grain products known as chometz. Included in this category are wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye which have been leavened due to contact with water. People of the Jewish faith are expected not to derive any pleasure or benefit whatsoever from chometz. Furthermore, they may not own chometz or have chometz in his possession.

Ensuring that foods are kosher for Passover is even more difficult than during the rest of the year because many of the ingredients that are routinely used and produced under kosher supervision are not kosher for Passover. Barley, wheat, rye, oats, and spelt are permitted only for the baking of matzoh and matzoh meal products. Flour of these grains is mixed with water and baked in less than eighteen minutes under rabbinic supervision. Furthermore, American Jews of Eastern or Western European descent avoid legumes such as soy, peanuts, and peas, as well as corn and rice.

Not only do foods require special preparation in order to be acceptable for use during Passover, but all equipment used for the production of kosher for Passover items must also be kosher for Passover. Even foods and household products which meet the strict, year-round dietary regulations, and are considered kosher, are nevertheless often unacceptable, or require special preparation for Passover use in the Jewish home in order to be kosher for Passover.

In order for a wine to be kosher, it must be created under a rabbi's immediate supervision, with only Sabbath-observant Jewish males touching the grapes from the crushing phase through the bottling. While all wines require some sort of mold (yeast) for fermentation, kosher for Passover wine must be made from a mold that has not been grown on bread (such as sugar or fruit) and must exclude several common preservatives, like potassium sorbate. Sometimes the label will say "mevushal" or "non mevushal." Mevushal means the wine has been flash-pasteurized to 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79.44 C) and may be opened and served by a non-observant person.

He'brew for the Holidays

If you haven't heard of the colorful Schmaltz Brewing, the it's about time you did. Schmaltz produces both HE'BREW: The Chosen Beers and CONEY ISLAND LAGERS. Shmaltz Brewing Company is an American craft brewing company based in San Francisco, California and Brooklyn, New York. Founded as “a Jewish celebration craft beer” by proprietor Jeremy Cowan, HE'BREW Beer has incorporated quality, community, and schtick since 1996. "This is a beer to celebrate the Jewish community," says Cowan. "The product is primarily for the Jewish community, but the beer's humor is appealing to lots of people." The company's second brand, Coney Island Craft Lagers, was introduced in 2007 in partnership with Coney Island USA, a non-profit organization that runs the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and Museum in Brooklyn. Shmaltz is known for blurring beer styles and using puns, art, history, and pop culture in every aspect of their products. All HE'BREW beers are certified by Kosher Supervision of America under the strictest Orthodox standards.

HE'BREW ORIGIN
Celebrating our second decade of brewing, Shmaltz Brewing presents ORIGIN Pomegranate Ale. A renewal of our original HE'BREW Beer covenant, brewed once again after 10 years with the juice of over 10,000 luscious Pomegranates. ORIGIN is a
complex, rich and balanced Imperial Amber Ale with a truly unique character. The only Pomegranate Strong Ale in the country!

HE'BREW GENESIS
Crisp, smooth and perfectly balanced between a west coast style pale and amber ale, with a supple malt sweetness and a pronounced hop flourish.

HE'BREW MESSIAH BOLD
It's the Beer You've Been Waiting For! A deep, bold nut brown ale beautifully balanced with rich dark malts and a complex hop character converging to reveal a simply enchanting elixir.

HE'BREW VERTICAL
Vertical Jewbelation® is the latest release is Shmaltz's barrel aged series, and recently took home a Gold Medal at the World Beer Championships 2011. Vertical Jewbelation® is a very rare brew as it is a blend of all seven recipes of every past anniversary offering of Jewbelation® (8 – 14) barrel-aged in Sazerac 6-year rye whiskey barrels throughout 2010. Beverage Tasting Institute, the host of the World Beer Championships, states, "Vertical Jewbelation® is a delicious beer to savor." 10.5%ABV

Candles Won't Be The Only Thing
Getting Lit This Season!