THE POUR

Each third Thursday of November, French winemakers release the first wine of the season – making November 21, 2019, Beaujolais Nouveau Day. In fact, under French law, it’s released at precisely 12:01 a.m. each third Thursday of November, making it one of the biggest wine release parties around the world.

So the question begets itself: what is Beaujolais Nouveau? Simply, it’s a young, fresh, fruity wine that’s very low in tannins, made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region in France. How young? It’s released just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested.

Before we go any further, here’s how it’s pronounced: boh-zhuh-ley noo-voh. And if you want to listen to the pronunciation, click here.

Can you have vodka on keto? Whiskey on Whole30®? Peppermint Schnapps on Paleo? Or will you have to cut alcohol completely to go gluten-free? With a little creativity, you can still unwind with some vegan wine (yes, there is such a thing) without putting your success in peril. 

Alcoholic Keto Drinks

There’s not much room for error in Keto so if you’re looking to let loose a little, head straight for the liquor cabinet. Most of your 40% alcohol—think: vodka, whiskey, gin, scotch, brandy, rum, and tequila—contain zero carbs or sugars. And while you can feel free to mix your vodka with water, steer clear of tonic which contains 32 grams of carbs per 12 oz.

• Keto ‘Rita – Yes, tequila (can be) kind to Keto. This simple, no-sugar margarita recipe won't interrupt your hard-earned ketosis.
• Low-Carb Hot Buttered Rum – With just the right rum, this winter rockstar is a classic crowdpleaser.
• Wine – To avoid extra sugars, opt for dry white wines like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, or dry red wines like Pinot Noir, some Cabernet Sauvignon, and some Merlot.

No doubt, it’s fun to go big and buy special bottles of wine for those special occasions. But what about everyday wine that deserves no specific party, holiday, or any reason in particular?

At Haskell’s, we’ve built a relationship with customers like you for decades, and we know everyday value like no one else. We know the importance of those special celebrations, but we also know the day-to-day grind of work and rest and time with family and close friends.

Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to a few members of the Farrell family and our favorite wines right now. We’re honored to connect with so many great customers at Haskell’s, who we like to think of as some of our most valuable relationships — so here’s our personal family list of Farrell favorite wines of the moment.

Remember when rosé was considered passé? Not anymore. Rosé wines have undergone a big transformation in the image of the public. This isn't your old Aunt Alice's rosé – that sweet, awful stuff. Today, they're wonderful, beautifully balanced wines.

Rosé wines now run the table from ultra-sweet to bone dry. And most do not cost very much either. Rosé wines still seem to suffer from seasonal neglect, but more people are now discovering just how enjoyable they can be year-round, especially in the Midwest, where we can always use a bright winter pick-me-up.

The two most famous grape types from the Burgundy wine region are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But sometimes the Burgundy wine and Burgundy region (and, frankly, the color burgundy) get non-wine folks confused.

We're exploring what the Burgundy region is, why Burgundy wines are so respected, and learning a little about how Burgundian wines taste in the process. Read on or scroll down to check out the video below for a brief overview of Burgundy wines.

We’re all familiar with those nagging symptoms after a night drinking with friends, buying a round, and perhaps doing a few more dance moves than usual. It’s the next morning and you’re feeling fatigued, extra thirsty, and experiencing dizziness or a grating headache as well as the general lack of motivation to do anything that involves getting out of bed even though you can’t sleep well. Yep, it’s another hangover.

It didn’t always feel like this. You were young and resilient once. But now that you’re older, you can also get wiser about hangover helpers and your patterns with alcohol in general.

Don’t worry — we’re not going to tell you to chug a glass of pickle juice like some post-workout cramp-reliever. And you can definitely do better than praying to a pot of coffee or a bottle of some supposed cure-all supplement.

For your own health and safety, we recommend hangover helper practices that have been scientifically proven. These are the simplest, most attainable ways to avoid hangover symptoms, in reference to medical studies on the National Institute of Health. And please don’t take our advice as final — check with your doctor about best practices for your body and alcohol consumption.

When it comes to wine packaging, the bottle is just the beginning. 

We are often asked about the different types and styles of packaging that are happening in the wine industry. There are so many different innovations happening with packaging that winemakers are constantly trying different options to see what sticks. (Hint: the canned wine fad is no longer just a fad.)

It could just be that winemakers think people are tired of looking at the old, classic, bottle of wine and would like to try something new, but it goes deeper than that. A lot of the changes that are happening with the packaging of wine has less to do with “looks” and more to do with functionality.

Wine glasses come in all different shapes and sizes designed to bring out the best characteristics and flavors of a particular type of wine. From champagne flutes to all-purpose wine glasses, the options are endless. But chances are you may not have the space in your home to accommodate all of the options available. So which are the best glasses to have at home?

Holiday gift giving is easy when wine lovers are on your list. From wine accessories, to the wine itself, there's a lot on the market for wineos this holiday season. At Haskell's, we have a lot of gift options—stocking stuffers, holiday baskets, and special bottles that will delight just about any taste preference. And, the best news is these gifts won't leave you with a dent in your debit card.

We have a big selection, but will try not to overwhelm you. Since good things come in pairs, we decided to share a couple of items from each gift "category." So here they are—just in time for our annual Haskell's Holiday Sale.

November is a time to give thanks. For wine lovers, it's a time to give thanks for the legendary Hospices de Beaune wine auction that has been taking place in Burgundy, France since 1859. Even Haskell's very own Jack Farrell has been attending this world-renowned annual event for 45 years!