Summertime Sippers

BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON S ummertime S i pp ers

With our hot summers, but often cooler evenings, it’s good to have on hand a number of versatile bottles or cans to keep you covered for any occasion, and there’s no shortage of new releases and old favourites to keep you happy this summer!

Alvear Fino, Montilla, Spain We just don’t drink enough dry sherry. The aromas wafting from the glass immediately transport me to the Spanish coast, sitting in the shade and watching the sea crash against the rocks. And I have to ransack my kitchen for green olives, serrano ham and Marcona almonds to snack on with this delightfully tangy, salty, and mouth-watering wine. Bring it on! CSPC +112771 $18-$20 Amaro di Angostora, Trinidad It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a company like Angostura, with eons of distilling bitters, would eventually produce an Amaro, and their latest innovation is a triumphant new world classic. When the fire pit’s starting to die down, bring out this bottle and indulge in sensuous cinnamon and chocolate with back notes of liquorice, sipped slowly over ice. Alvear Medium Dry, Montilla, Spain Medium dry sherry is a conundrum to many – it’s a warm amber colour, is it sweet or is it dry? It’s definitely related to fino, but it also seems related to Olorosso too? Yes, it’s the best of both - still salty and tangy, with distinct toasty almond notes, but then softening mid-palate to a little dried fig flavour, before a lonnng, dry, lip-smacking finish.

CSPC +112789 $19-$21 CSPC + 802195 $34-$38

Pink Gin, Confluence Distillery, Alberta Just the thought of pink gin is so appealing; it evokes a different era, a more elegant time of sophistication and little black dresses. Confluence’s new limited production pink gin will surprise you with its ginger and chilli flake nose that follow to the palate, and the secondary hint of chamomile. Take your pick – with or without tonic, it’s a pleasure either way. $48 at the distillery

Northern Keep Vodka, Canada Made from winter wheat and Canadian rye, this is a new addition to the vodka scene. A little boozy and heady on the nose, but very agreeable and very smooth on the palate with a good approach to mild characters. I mean, vodka should never be aggressive – right? A superb sipper, but also good in any number of mixed drinks. CSPC +829752 $27-32

Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask, Scotland A returning favourite on the Scotch scene, the 12 year old from Macallan was traditionally about a clean and pure expression of quality spirit with expressive sherry cask characters. Toasty and cereal-driven with mild fig and raisin sweetness. Delicious, and well suited for summer sipping. CSPC +1170715 $130-140

Nonino L’Aperitivo, Fruili, Italy As a big fan of Nonino’s “Quintessentia” Amaro, expectations were high with this “botanical drink”, and they were still exceeded - one sniff and I’m sold. The Nonino sisters infused 18 botanicals for this new, allnatural, summer tipple and you’ll taste citrus, rhubarb and gentian. It’s fresh and bright, just add ice or for a special treat – your favourite prosecco! CSPC +828409 $45-$48 Caorunn, Scotland The first gin from the Scottish Highlands conjures a romantic vision of small batch craft at Balmenach distillery in Speyside, using an antique Copper Berry Chamber and five local, wild foraged botanicals: rowan berry, bog myrtle, heather, dandelion leaf, and coul blush apple. I’m captivated by the earthy nose, yet bright and complex flavours and rounded, slightly oily mouth-feel. CSPC + 802100 $43-$48

Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, Scotland The distillery master calls this “front of cabinet” whisky - a classic, old school, dense, fatty, rich, layered Speyside – whose founding team worked through the night to release a cask for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. And you’ll be glad they did for it’s everything you want from a Speyside, a clean crowd pleaser with just a touch of lemon and toffee. CSPC +813425 $56-59 Scapegrace Gold Gin New Zealand This is heady stuff: a Navy strength 57 percent ABV, wheat-based gin - softer than corn or rye and much more expensive than corn - in an antique Geneva-style bottle from New Zealand! There’s noticeably juniper, and orris root – do you know the taste? Think parma violets… and citrus, with a very long floral finish. Add just a touch of tonic! CSPC +814733 $65-$75

Sheringham Distillery Rhubarb Gin Sooke, British Columbia We’re privileged to have a sneak preview of this summer sipper, and we’re grateful as we can let you know about it too. Sheringham have developed a new, traditional London Dry-style gin base for this gin, and added B.C. rhubarb and a touch of sweetener. It’s balanced and not too tart, just add a splash of soda for a simple and delightful summer cocktail. 375 mL $25, 750 mL $44 Amalfi Aperitivo Spritz, Canada You can’t miss this brand new spritz on the shelf! It’s orange, it’s really good value, and it’s from Canada’s Crazy Uncle, who already make cans of very popular hard root beer and hard cream soda. Bright and bittersweet just like the Italian original, this is one for deck days or to start your evening on the deck. CSPC + 832640 355 mL 5% ABV, 4-pack $13-15 Village Brewery Hooch, Alberta We love to be able to support local businesses and enjoy cool drinks at the same time! The new Hooch natural hard seltzers come in three flavours – Mango, Grapefruit, and Lime, and are perfect for summer 2020 – they’re clean, crisp and only 95 calories and 2 g of carbs. Available in individual flavours or try a 12-can variety pack for 4 of each flavour!! Eau Claire Distillery Flourish Gin Look what happens when distillers have to stay home – they still play with botanicals, and develop a brand new gin, one designed for you to play with too to create your own cocktails! Eau Claire’s Flourish Gin is easy-going, aromatic and distinctly juniper-forward on the nose with mandarin notes. Perfect with tonic but ready for far more interesting mixes.

CSPC + 8338213 $37-$40 Sofia Rosé Brut 2016 Mini, California From the Francis Ford Coppola Winery comes this delightfully refreshing, salmoncoloured sparkling blend of pinot noir and chardonnay. Flavours of tart redcurrants and crisp green apples abound, and it comes in a purse-size can. Sofia Rosé is a food wine that will have you salivating for CSPC + 802601 187 mL, 11% ABV, $7-8

your meal – bring on the charcuterie! CSPC +831578 355 mL, 5% ABV, $25

Oro Bello Light, California If you gained isolation weight in lockdown, then you’ll be spoiled for choice this summer with the new low-calorie, low- carb, and low-alcohol drinks available. Oro Bello Light is a bright, dryza bone, meyer lemon tasting chardonnay from California with only 85 calories and 3.5 g of carbs – as the can says, “grapes, yeast, & SO2”. CSPC +831742 375 mL, 9.3% ABV, about $7