Craft cocktails are driving liquor demands upwards

With the popularity of craft cocktails on the rise, Riley's has responded to the increased demand with a new specialty liqueur display at the front of the store

First and foremost, we’ve added about 100 feet of shelf space to our liquor department! This is the biggest addition we’ve made since adding about 50 feet of shelf space to our main liquor wall, and it gives us the opportunity to have more products on the main floor and more stock on the shelf for those high-demand products.

Previously, many of these products were tucked away in our wine loft area, which made them less accessible to the casual shopper. Now, we have brought the craft cocktail focus to the front of the store and feature a wide array of specialty liqueurs for the creative bartender. We have yet to fully take on re-tooling our upstairs liquor selection, where our focus will turn to high-end Scotch whiskey, American bourbons and whiskey, tequila, and mezcals.

Cyclists take a front seat on savings

Shoppers who opt to bike to the store will receive a 10% discount on any purchase of wine or Wisconsin beer

Riley’s recently partnered with the sustainability-focused and cycling advocates, Bicycle Benefits, to bring potential savings to our customers. Those customer who make their way to our store via bicycle and wear their helmet featuring the Bicycle Benefits sticker, will receive 10% off any purchase of wine or Wisconsin beer (excluding already discounted items). If you don’t yet have a Bicycle Benefits sticker, you can purchase one from us for $5. And we are definitely not the only place in town where you can get a discount just for moving your butt on two wheels. Check out the Bicycle Benefits website for more business listings!

That’s all for now! We’ll be back to introduce some new products to you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, happy Valentine’s day to everyone!

Ah so!

The “Ah So,” or two prong wine opener, is one the most under-rated and often unheard of tools in the bartender’s toolkit and is something every wine enthusiast should own. Without it, you risk punishing yourself with broken corks and ruined wine experiences. It may look a bit intimidating or confusing to use but we assure you, it’s just as easy to use as a traditional corkscrew and comes with the security of knowing the cork with come out cleanly every time. Check out this video of a bottle of 1986 Ridge Monte Bello being opened, which highlights the process of using an Ah So:

Easy, right? And best of all, you won’t have to spend nearly as much as that great vintage because Riley’s sells these wonderful wine openers for just $4.99! You’ll find these handy little devices up at the checkouts and up in our wine loft near some of our cellared wines as a friendly reminder to have an Ah So! moment the next time you uncork a valuable bottle of wine.

RumChata: It's not milk, it's GOLD!

There has been an explosion of interest in RumChata over the past few months and we have been dumbfounded as to why this is happening. Typically when a new product hits the market, it is accompanied by a slew of advertisements in various media sources and often a lot of on-premise promotions. But RumChata isn’t backed by a multi-billion dollar portfolio holder like Diageo, and thus lacks almost all of these promotional features. It’s imported by a small company with a rather intimate portfolio, AHardy USA, which operates out of Des Plaines, IL, and is produced by Avage Loco, an even smaller company who’s headline product sounds like liquid fire. It seems like all of this is just some stroke of luck.

So why the hype? As Drinking In America points out, it could just be the stellar name, “Rhum-Chahtah.” It’s sexy. It’s fun to say. And before you finish saying it, the party has already begun.

RumChata does have an ad, though we haven’t seen in anywhere besides online. It’s funny, though it looks like it was made on the cheap. But as viral ads go, cheap is probably better. Take a look for yourself (don’t worry, it’s SFW):

Naked Larry – RumChata (YouTube)

And there are recipes, and an iPhone app (that only displays these recipes on your phone). But there is barely a whisper in terms of online buzzing. There’s only a chirp every now and then on Twitter, and there is absolutely no sign of RumChata on Google trends. Part of the reason for such a staggering lack of online activity, compared with it’s on premise success, may just be due to it’s lack of a solid nationwide distribution. Most comments are originating from either Wisconsin or Illinois.

Whatever the case may be for its success, RumChata is definitely getting solid word-of-mouth advertising and that is the best thing that could happen to any brand. So long as our customers keep clamoring for it, we’ll keep stocking it. Since the holidays are coming up, why not pick up a gift pack too? You get a 750ml bottle of your favorite liqueur, and a rock-solid coffee mug to drink it out of.

—————–

Can you tell us more about why you love RumChata? Let us know on Twitter! We’d like to hear what other people think about RumChata, and maybe crack the code to its success… or, just revel in all its milky glory.

Craft beer has been growing steadily over the past 10 years, and while overall beer industry sales have gone down, craft beer continues to rise. This is great news for all consumers as there is more support for the smaller brewers which may lead to continued expansion, experimentation, and widened distribution. Riley’s has been expanding our craft beer selection as more and more products become available. We’ve gone from around 100 different craft beers (mostly local) around the first part of the millennia to well over 500. We’re even more excited that all of this beer keeps finding its way into the hands of our customers, now more than ever.

For our wine segment, we focused on wines that featured screwcaps, an important feature in terms of ease-of-access. With beer, this is less of a concern, as bottle openers are almost always on hand, and if not, can be purchased on the cheap. So we will instead focus our attention on large-format beer bottlings which are more conducive to sharing. Without further ado, here are our top picks:

#1: The Bruery

The Bruery has continually impressed us with their family of Belgian-Style ales and earns our top recommendation. The Trade Winds tripel, Orchard White, and Saison de Lente all offer refreshing options for under-the-sun consumption. All of the Bruery’s offereings come in 750ml bottles, which will serve up to four people, depending upon how generously you decide to pour.

#2: Brewery Ommegang

Brewery Ommegang was one of America’s first micro breweries to devote their attention solely to the art of Belgian-style ales. The former head brewer for Ommegang now leads the laboratory operations at New Glarus Brewery, but the quality of beers coming from Ommegang has not suffered one bit. For a stronger, maltier beer, look for the either the Three Philosophers Quadrupel, or the Ommegang Abbey Ale. For a more summery session beer, pick up either a bottle of Hennepin Saison or the Witte (Belgian Witbier).

#3: New Glarus Brewing Co.’s Fruit Beers

Consistently rated as two of the best beers in the world, both the Raspberry Tart and Wisconsin Belgian Red are both tremendous beers and are certainly worthy of being poured at Concerts on the Square. You will want to share these beers with friends, as they are on the sweeter side. Both also pair well with chocolates, cakes, and other sweets.

#4: New Belgium’s Lips of Faith Series

New Belgium has been releasing a steady stream of beers under the Lips of Faith series of bold, and over-the-top beers. We recommend picking up one of the sour beers produced in this line. Sour beer? Yes. For the same reasons that white wine tastes so good outside on a hot summer afternoon, sour beers are also excellent options and pair very well with a variety of foods. Riley’s has both Le Terroir, a dry hopped sour ale, and Vrienden, a sour ale brewed with hibiscus flowers, and each are outstanding impressions of what sour beers can, and should be. Soft cheeses are your best pairing options here, and we know you love cheese.

#5: Fantôme Saison

In the world of Belgian Saisons, we have always looked at Fantôme Saison as the gold standard. Rustic in appearance, yet immaculately defined in character, Fantôme Saison delivers a torrent of nuanced flavors and aromas ranging from wildflowers to peppery spice. You won’t want to pass this beer up. It is a gem to hold in your hand, and a delight to savor. Best of all, Saisons are quite versatile and can be paired with just about anything, making this a great choice for a picnic beer.

#6: Goose Island Fleur:

Finally, Goose Island’s Fleur, a Belgian [pale] ale brewed with hibiscus flowers provides yet another complex and elegant option. Tart and tangy, complete with some musky flavors and aromas, Fleur delivers a solid dose of acidity which is a great way to keep your palate fresh and ready for the next picnic dish. The addition of hibiscus flowers turns this beer a pinkish orange color, a unique feature in the realm of beer.

Once again, we hope you’ll take us up on a few of our recommendations and try some of the excellent beers we have on hand that are hoping to find their way up to the Capitol lawn. We’re always here and ready to offer up other recommendations as well, should your taste differ from ours.

]]> http://rileyswinesoftheworld.com/blog/2011/07/06/concerts-on-the-square-beer-edition/feed/ 1 http://rileyswinesoftheworld.com/blog/2011/06/27/wine-tasting-boeger-wines-friday-july-1st/ http://rileyswinesoftheworld.com/blog/2011/06/27/wine-tasting-boeger-wines-friday-july-1st/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:34:45 +0000 rileyswines http://rileyswinesoftheworld.com/blog/?p=602

Riley’s will be having a free tasting of four wines from Boeger, located at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains in California. Join us between 3 and 6pm for a taste of the following wines:

2007 Boeger El Dorado Zinfandel

“Black pepper, prune, raisin, oak and blackberry dominante the aroma profile of the 2007 Boeger El Dorado Zinfandel. Soft and supple throughout”

2008 Boeger Barbera

“The 2008 Barbera is dominated by aromas of fig, clove, black pepper and blackberry”

2008 Boeger Tempranillo

“A wonderful Rioja red wine.” Dry, spicy, with flavors of cherry, vanilla, and black pepper.

2009 Boeger Sauvignon Blanc

“The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is brilliantly clear with aromas of peach, apricot, pear, honey, nectarine, banana, orange and lemon.”

We hope you’ll stop by and taste these wines with us. The Tempranillo and Barbera are two unique varietals that we don’t see out of California too often, and both are excellent wines.

Check out this sweet ride!

There’s no word yet as to when our next prize will find it’s way onto our storeroom floor, but keep checking back with us as more great prizes are sure to turn up!

Today we will be focusing on wine, but next week we will shift to beer. Stay tuned for that. [Concerts on the Square: Beer Edition]

What is the #1 most feature in a wine that our customers often forget to consider when selecting a wine? The cork. It’s probably happened to you: you bring a bottle of your favorite wine, find your 5′x5′ section of turf, set up, go to open the wine….and you don’t have a corkscrew! This is why we will be focusing our selections on wines that feature screwcaps.

The debate on screwcaps in the wine industry has been going on for decades. Entire wine-producing countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have already abandoned the traditional cork in favor of screwcap enclosures. Many wineries across the globe are following suit, and to be honest, we couldn’t be happier. Screwcaps ensure consistency across every bottle from each vintage since there is no interaction between natural or synthetic cork and the wine. Our customers need not worry about purchasing a wine that has already gone bad well before it ever found its way onto our shelves.

On to the picks….

#1: 2010 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier

This blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier from Pine Ridge is now one of the top selling wines at Riley’s—and for good reason. With the crisp and flowery notes of Chenin Blanc harmoniously blended with more fruity Viognier, which not only lends flavors of peach and apricot, but also the silky smooth body that this wine stands on. What’s more, this wine is competitively priced at only $11.99 a bottle! Robert Parker likes this wine so much, he gave it a 90 point rating and put it in the top 50 for value wines. We like it just as much, but this wine makes the top spot on our list.

#2: Wines from Charles Smith: Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Eve Chardonnay, Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon

Charles Smith hails from Walla Walla, Washington, and is one of the top wine producers in the country. Food & Wine named Charles Smith the 2009 Winemaker of the Year. And while he makes a lot of wine, there is no lack of quality when it comes to his line of wines under his own name. These wines not only make our list because of their top-notch quality, but also because of the all-important screw cap feature. Whether you want to savor the semi-sweet, fruit-driven Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12.99), the crisp and apple-ly Eve Chardonnay ($12.99), or the defiantly smooth and balanced Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon (21.99), you can do so with the greatest of ease and confidence. We assure you, you will love these wines!

#3: Wollersheim Prairie Fumé

No list would be complete without mentioning Prairie Fumé, the best selling Wisconsin-made wine in Wisconsin. This wine lends just a touch of sweetness and delivers lush tropical fruit and citrus highlights. You’ll want to pick up this year’s Concerts on the Square edition bottle, which should be hitting the shelves very soon. Your purchase goes to supporting the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and ensures they will keep coming back year after year. And as of last year, this wine is also available in 4-packs of mini-bottles. Whichever you choose, this wine will only set you back $10.99.

#4: Domaine du Tariquet Rosé de Pressée

There is something about the warmer days of summer that just screams, “Rosé!” While Riley’s is never short on our selection of rosés, summertime is always the best time to find hot new vintages. One of our favorites, and our customer’s favorites, is this fine rosé from Domaine du Tariquet. Tariquet, who not only produces wine but also Armagnacs and appertifs, delivers a beautiful bouquet of raspberry, strawberry, and a delightfully floral nose. Make no mistake, this is no 80′s style white zinfandel, this is the real deal. A blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Tannat, this wine is pressed and spends only a short time in contact with the skins, delivering the bright strawberry-pink color and elegant dry fruit flavors. The trip across the Atlantic from France brings this wine’s price tag to $9.99, a shockingly inexpensive wine of tremendous value.

#5: Grooner Grüner Veltliner

Not many people think of wine when they think of Austria, but Grüner Veltliner is one of the nations top grape varietals and puts on quite a show. Crisp, dry, and herbaceous, Grooner lends flavors of green apple, pineapple and pepper. It’s the sort of wine that makes water seem like a less-than-preferable source to quench your thirst. At only $12.99, this wine is easily affordable and is a quick window into the world of Autrian wine.

#6: Saintsbury  Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir

In the world of Pinot Noir, there are lots of wines that will make you blush with their fruit-driven, highly-concentrated flavors. But, these aren’t really the kinds of wines you always want to have. Some might argue, that these Pinots are actually inferior for their over-the-top fruitiness. While we make no claims one way or the other, we will tell you that Saintbury Garnet is not one of these Pinots. Garnet is a light, easy-drinking Pinot of good complexity and character, rendered from the grapes of several different lots in the Carneros district. You’ll find bright fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry, but none of the jammy, diabetic-coma inducing blasts of fruit flesh you might find elsewhere. Just light, casually-assertive Pinot. The cost? $20.99. Not a bad deal at all considering the premiere fruit held within.

So there you have it folks. Our best recommendations for your next six weeks of Wednesday wine wonderment. In case you’re stopping in at the last minute, we will have all of these whites stocked in the wine cooler and ready for you to pour. We hope you’ll give some of our recommendations a shot, but if you’re thinking of something else, just let us know. We’re full of great ideas.

Of all the bottles on all the shelves in our store, it’s hard for any one wine to stand out against the others. The wines from Orin Swift (winemaker Dave Phinney) however, do stand out. Not merely because of their fashionably artistic labels, and stout, hefty, black glass bottles, no, but because of the experimental and expertly blended wines held therein.

Take Machete, for example, the latest wine from Orin Swift. A blend of 49% Petite Sirah, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, this wine is beautifully complex and elegant. Rich and smoky, bright and fruity, the wine highlights each grape held within.

“Machete, like Abstract, is born out of the wine Dave has been enjoying in the Pyrénées-Orientales of the south of France. This blend is similar to Abstract, however, there is more influence on the Petite Sirah portion giving this wine the “big brother” status. Machete is a limited production coming from some of our favorite vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino including Dark Horse, Durell, Eagle Point, Fulton, Hudson, Las Madres, and Stones Throw. Low yields and small berries contribute to the concentration and dark inky color.”

The Prisoner, which is a blend containing mostly Zinfandel (51% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 3% Charbono, 1% Grenache, 1% Malbec), and puts forth the deep, rich, fruit-forward flavors 0ne might expect from a Zinfandel. But beyond this is an intense, and well-balanced wine with bright acidity, and a powerfully lush mouthfeel.

“This vintage [2009] has a deep ruby hue that is nearly opaque. The aromas elevate from the glass starting with black currant, dark blackberry, cherry, and cassis rounded out by subtle hints of seasoned French and American oak. The entry of the wine is massive and leads into a lush middle framed by bright acid and supple tannins. The finish is long, lingering and filled with soft velvety tannins lasting for nearly thirty seconds.”

Finally, D 66, another new release from Orin Swift, this hailing from their new winery in Maury, France, a small village nestled in the Pyrénées-Orientales.  A blend of 80% Grenache, 12% Syrah, and 8% Carignan, D 66 is a deeply concentrated wine with clear structure and incredible balance.

“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.”

If you’re looking for a wine to gift, or just something new and fresh to taste, we can’t recommend these wines from Orin Swift highly enough. Perhaps not priced to be an everyday drinker, these wines certainly won’t break the bank and are affordably priced considering the quality, experience, and dedication that goes into each and every bottle.

Orin Swift Machete – $39.99 750ml

Orin Swift The Prisoner – $35.99 750ml

Orin Swift D 66 – $41.99 750ml

Riley’s has just received the newest beer from Lake Louie, Mosquito Beach. This is the first new beer from Lake Louie in many years, and is a delightful new edition to their seasonal lineup of ales.

Mosquito Beach is brewed in the style of a California Common (think Anchor Steam), and packs a solid punch of hops. Amber in color with a refreshingly soft body, this beer boasts a dense array of aromas and flavors, piling on the nutty maltiness and lush grassy hops bitterness. This is not your ordinary light, fizzy, summer beer. No, this beer has the depth and character that you’d expect from a great brewer like Tommy Porter.

No word yet as to whether or not this will be a mainstay in the Lake Louie lineup, but we hope this one keeps coming back because it is a beauty.

Lake Louie Mosquito Beach – $8.99 6pk, $1.99 each

As Madison finds itself in the middle of a week-long beer frenzy, Riley’s is adding fuel to the fire that is Madison Craft Beer Week. For the past couple of years, Riley’s has been carefully selecting and setting aside a few select age-worth beers and placing them into our temperature-controlled cellar.

We’ve only yet done one release of some of these beers during the 2010 Great Lakes of the Midwest, and got a good response back from our customers. Now that we have a good supply of beers that are ready to be released, we are bringing the contents of the cellar to our storefront area.

You’ll find the small cooler containing bottles from the cellar right by our singles cooler. Each bottle is marked with the date of bottling, a six digit code referring to the year and month (YYYYMM). We are limiting the amount of beers that will go into this cooler, but you should find a steady stream of beers coming in from now on.

Currently in the cooler, you will find 2008 bottlings of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, Bell’s Expedition Stout, New Glarus Alt (this stuff is fantastic!), Southern Tier Cuvee one, Stone Smoked Porter, and Stone 08-08-08 Vertical Epic (both Stone beers are no longer available in Wisconsin). Of course, there is much more to come as time goes on, and you’ll probably see some extra awesome beers come August.

Lastly, we hope you’ll join us this evening for a beer tasting event with Upland Brewing Co. who will be pouring samples of many of their beers. Hope you all have an enjoyable week during Madison Craft Beer Week!