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January 2004

Cru Select Restricted Quantities Varieties Now Shipping!
The Cru Select Restricted Quantities are now starting to ship. We have the British Columbia Pinot Noir in stock and you should have been notified by now for pickup. If you have not been notified please contact our store. Internet orders will be shipped automatically when they arrive at our warehouse. It is still not too late to order your RQ2004 wine kits. Please contact our sales department for more information.

• British Columbia Pinot Noir - released in January'04
• Chilean Cabernet Merlot Syrah - released in February’04
• German Gewurztraminer with Suss Reserve Pack™- released in March’04
• South African Pinotage Cabernet - released in April’04

You can order the RQ2004 kits online at our Clickabrew website.

Click here for a full colour RQ2004 brochure. Acrobat Reader is required to view.

Brew King Selection Limited Edition 2004
Brew King also offers a program similar to the RJ Spagnols Restricted Quantities. The Brew King Limited Edition series consists of five wine kits featuring the award-winning Selection Wine kits. These kits are released in limited quantities as such: Two in January and one each in February, March and April.

Since we are a new Brew King representative we didn't have a lot of time to properly launch the Selection Limited Edition kits this year. Our marketing was limited to in-store customers. There is still a possibility that we may have some kits available by the time you read this newsletter. Please contact us at our sales department for more information and availability.

A list of the Brew King Selection Limited Edition for 2004

JANUARY
Symphony - California
The award winning smash hit of the Limited Edition 2001 program, Symphony, makes a much requested return. A grape that defies tradition and convention, it was created in California as a hybrid of two French grapes, the Muscat of Alexandria, a white grape of intensely aromatic, ‘grapey’ character, and Grenache Gris, a red grape. The resulting wine has incredibly intense aromas of melon, grapefruit, mango, peach, banana and papaya, the fruity character picks up a strong backbone from the good acidity and hint of tannin carried over from the Grenache Gris.

Symphony is fabulous as a social wine, for sitting on the patio with friends, and is excellent with spicy foods like Szechwan or even Mexican. It’s also great with sliced mango and papaya.

Chilean Carmenere/Malbec - Chile
Carmenere and Malbec were once counted among the most important grapes of the prestigious wine region of Bordeaux. Now only grown in limited amounts in Bordeaux, Carmenere and Malbec have had resurgence in Chile. Carmenere was originally added to Bordeaux blends to add deep colour and tannic ‘grip’ to the wine, with its ‘super-Merlot’ character of plummy cherry aromas and tight tannins. Malbec contributed lush fruity characters, making an intense, black wine, echoing the old reputation of Malbec as ‘the black wine’.

Full of colour, tannin and flavour, Carmenere-Malbec is a wine of great power and character, with blackberry, plums, blackcurrant, berries, red pepper, sweet cherry, spice, licorice and deep bittersweet notes, almost like unsweetened chocolate, or espresso. It is great with steaks and chops, barbecue and is hearty enough for winter fare, stews and good hard cheeses.

FEBRUARY
Okanagan Cabernet-Merlot - British Columbia
2003 was a hot year for the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia that provided a very rich harvest, with incredibly ripe, flavourful grapes. Cool Okanagan nights allow the grapes to retain their deep varietal character, while hot days ensure fruity, deep flavours and smooth, luscious tannins.

The Cabernet Sauvignon came from the award-winning Dry Hills Vineyard, on famous Black Sage Road. Intense blackcurrant and blackberry aromas are very prominent. The Merlot comes from the Testa Linda and Stone Acre vineyards, outside of Oliver British Columbia where the fruit retains its firm tannin and acidity and exhibits flowing aromas of black cherry, berry, and plum. To top it off we complement this gem with the beguiling peppery notes of a Cabernet Franc from the Hollensbach Vineyard on Skaha Lake, in northern B.C.

While it will drink well when young, this wine will continue to develop and intermarry its captivating flavours for years. Try with aged hard cheeses, steaks, lamb and beef dishes.

MARCH
Russian River Valley Pinot Blanc - California
Wine growing in the Russian River Valley is built on a long tradition that has recognized the potential of the fog-cooled climate and well-drained soils for producing some of the finest wines in the world. The appellation was formally established in 1983, and is one of the largest in Sonoma County.

The general climate of the Russian River Valley is characterized by warm days and cool nights. The presence of fog during the growing season is the region’s single most important defining feature because it slows the maturation of local wine grapes in a characteristic way creating exquisitely balanced grapes.

Our Limited Edition Pinot Blanc creates a delicious, easy-to-like white wine that is well matched with seafood, pork and chicken. It is also excellent as an aperitif with olives and a little cheese.

APRIL
Sicilian Primitivo/Syrah - Italy
Sicily is a small, roughly triangular island off the tip of the boot of Italy. Small though it is, it produces truly astonishing quantities of wine, making it a powerhouse growing region, with a perfect Mediterranean climate and excellent soils.

Primitivo, the grape Americans know as Zinfandel, is ideally suited to the Sicilian climate produces dark wines of rich power and substance. Syrah, though a recent transplant to Sicily, produces deep red wines, with plum, berry and spice notes.

Together, these two grapes make an intense fruity wine, balanced with vanilla and smoke notes from the oak, exuding rich aromas of plums, berries, tobacco, prunes and red cherries, with the Italian signature of firm tannins and a long, gripping finish. With such a big structure, the wine can stand up to any red meat dish, and is excellent with grilled meats, barbecue and meat-based pasta sauces.

Wine Kit Special of the Month
Every month we feature two Grand Cru wine kits at a fantastic price. This is a great way to try new varieties and to stock up your cellar with a cross-section of interesting wines. Grand Cru are our most popular and best-selling wine kits. Manufactured by RJ Spagnol's, one of the world's leading wine kit producers, you are guaranteed exceptional quality.

This month's featured kits:

Red Zinfandel - Dark in colour, with a firm concentrated flavour, this Zinfandel shows layers of plum and raspberry both in the glass and mouth.

Chamblaise - A blend of Chardonnay and Semillon, this full-flavoured wine is smooth, clean and well balanced. Oaking is not required, but will enhance if aging.

Regular Price $59.95 CAD $45.90 USD*     Sale Price $51.99 CAD ($39.76 USD*)

Please visit Clickabrew to order online.

* US dollar prices are approximate and may be more or less depending on currency fluctuations.

Brew King Changes its Name

Brew King has become a well-known name for its quality wine and beer making kits. Over 20 years ago Brew King began as a manufacturer of beer kits but over time they became more famous for their quality wine kits. To better reflect their position in the marketplace today Brew King has taken a new name. Here is an excerpt from their press release.

We are excited to announce that as of today, we have a new name: Winexpert Inc.

We believe this name fits well with our company. It reflects our clear focus on wine-making products versus our traditional roots in beer. It positions us and our retailers as experts in our industry. Our research confirms that consumers value the quality, expertise, and advice that come with the purchase of our award-winning brands.

Winexpert connotes quality, expert advice, and a commitment to service excellence in all aspects of our business. It is the umbrella brand that will tie together our well-known and trusted brands: Selection, Vintner’s Reserve, Island Mist, and Chai Maison. Retailers, consumers, and others, will recognize Winexpert as the market leader and a trusted brand they want to be associated with. December 17, 2003

Oak and Your Wine

Cru Select, Grand Cru and Cellar Classic wine kits often come with oak powder to enhance their flavour profile. Many varieties and styles of wine exhibit improved complexity and depth with the careful use of oak. But beyond what’s in the kit, are there further options?

The first consideration is whether or not to use oak at all. In general, only full bodied reds and whites with stronger flavours, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, should be oaked. Lighter, more delicate wines such as Riesling or French Colombard can be overwhelmed by even a small amount of oak flavour.

RJ Spagnol’s wine kits are formulated with oak which is appropriate for each style. Different amounts and toasts are used to complement each wine. The more experienced winemaker may choose to add or substitute another type of oak.

Oak for winemaking comes in a number of forms. What’s right depends on cost, convenience, desired flavour profile and availability.

Barrels. Oak barrels are awe inspiring to many wine makers, but are impractical for most home hobbyists. Using barrels means considerable cost (both of the barrel and the wine required to always keep it full) as well as desired characteristics. In general, barrels will appeal only to seasoned wine makers who are fermenting grapes or juice.

Oak chips, shavings and powders. Oak chips and powders are cheap, require no maintenance, transport well and never get sour or infected. Just like barrels, there are French and American chips available with different levels of toasting.

What kind? French and American oak have distinctly different flavour profiles. Neither one is better than the other but one’s taste buds tend to be choosy. A Cru Select Chardonnay could be oaked with French chips for a classic Burgundy style or with American oak for a more Californian leaning.

Which toast? Dark toasted oak is less subtle than light. The often smokier flavour needs a fairly robust wine such as Barolo to remain in balance. Pinot Noir on the other hand, is more delicate and requires a lighter toast.

How much? As with all additives, you can always put more in but you can’t take it out. Anyone new to using oak should do so carefully. One gram per litre is usually a good place to start with most reds but subtle whites may require even less. Add more only after tasting.

When and for how long? Oak powders are generally used during fermentation while chips are put into your carboy post fermentation. It may help to taste the finished wine before adding oak and having a benchmark to start with. Most of the oak flavour will be imparted during the first two weeks of contact.

What else happens? In addition to flavour, all forms of oak add tannin. Though it will soften over time, the tannic astringency could be quite pronounced at first. Chips and powders will sink to the bottom once saturated, but caution should be used when transferring to make sure the spent oak stays behind. Some colour will likely come out of the oak as well, but will not change your wine’s appearance dramatically.

Reprinted courtesy of RJ Spagnols.

Last Month:

Last month our feature article was "Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Winemaking Equipment ". We also announced details of the RJ Spagnols Cru Select RQ2004 wine kits and had a tip on using water for beer making. If you missed these or other interesting articles you can view our back issues at http://www.clickabrew.com/newsletters.html.