Private Orders

 
Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation has just announced a new program:   Shop the World.  Under this program, the NSLC will attempt to order on behalf of any Nova Scotia resident of legal drinking age any beverage alcohol product from any producer, anywhere in the world.  The minimum order quantity is one case (generally 12 bottles).

This is an excellent way for consumers and licensees to get products not otherwise available in NSLC stores.  We heartily applaud the NSLC for this forward-looking initiative.

To order, simply call the NSLC (1-866-292-3030) or visit the NSLC website and type in your order.   The NSLC will track down the product you want (from either another Provincial liquor board in Canada or direct from the producer) and call you with a price quotation (which includes all of the usual markup and taxes).  Then you decide whether you want the product at that price. If you do order, the product will be delivered to any NSLC store you specify.

The only difficulty that we can foresee is that, if the product is not available elsewhere in Canada, some brewers, distillers, and wineries may not be prepared to ship single case orders.   Thus they will either not ship at all or will insist on larger order quantities.

Here is what Mainbrace is doing to overcome this difficulty and help you take full advantage of the Shop the World program:

                            *   We will consult with our clients around the world to see which will ship single cases
                            *   We will publish that information, together with tasting notes on available products and an estimate of the                                      NSLC price per case
                            *   If you decide to place a private order from our list, contact the NSLC as set out above, and please                                      contact us so that we can follow-up with the supplier to make sure that your order is shipped in a timely                                      way.   You can get us by phone (902-422-6193), by fax (902-423-4367) or by e-mail                                      (mainbrace@mainbrace.ca).

Wines Available

Mirassou Vineyards (added September 4, 2001)

The Mirassou family began making wine in California in 1854. Through six generations, the family has combined experience with innovation which helped shape the California wine industry.

They have many firsts: the first to introduce Pinot Noir to California, the first to pioneer wine growing in Monterey County, the first to develop and use mechanical harvesting, field-crushing, vineyard pressing, and cold stainless steel fermentation.  Today, the family's renowned San Vicente and Mission vineyards in Monterey County provide the fruit that has enabled Mirassou to make the list of the most awarded wineries in the United States for ten years in a row.

More information on Mirassou Vineyards can be found at their website, mirassou.com

Here are the wines available to you in single case minimum orders through the NSLC:

Mirassou Harvest Reserve Chardonnay (1998) 100% Chardonnay from the Vicente and Mission vineyards was night-harvested and field-presses to maintain ultimate varietal flavours and quality.  Look for ripe tropical fruit flavours, complemented by apple and citrus notes.  A creamy mouthfeel and toasty oak and vanilla nuances are balanced by refreshing acidity.  Drinking well now, but suitable for aging for 2-4 years.  Excellent with richly sauced poultry and seafood dishes. (Estimated price per case $408CDN)

Mirassou Harvest Reserve Merlot (1997)  Almost all of the grapes for this wine come from the San Vicente vineyard, night-harvested, fiels-crushed.  After a lengthy period on the skins to pick up additional weight and complexity, this special Merlot was aged for sixteen months in French oak, and given a year in bottle before release.Enticing black cherry aromas are set against an exotic backdrop of cedar and spice.  Hints of coffee, chocolate and rosemary join plum and vanilla flavours on the palate.  The supple, soft-tannin, long finish on this wine make it enjoyable now but suitable for short term cellaring.   This versatile wine pairs well with a range of foods from pizza and burgers to elegant beef, lamb and game dishes.  (Estimated price per case $420CDN)

Mirassou Harvest Reserve Petit Syrah (1997)  The 1997 vintage of this wine is a dedication bottling in honour of Edmund Mirassou (1918-1996), fourth generation winemaker and beloved family patriarch.  A blend of 92% Petit Sirah and 8% Syrah, this wine has very forward, attractive blackberry and cherry characters interwoven with notes of pepper and allspice.  The long finish is complemented by a delicate touch of vanillin-oak. The wine's integrated tannins provide drink-now appeal while promising further development in the bottle.  This is a perfect accompaniment to hearty beef and lamb dishes, barbecued ribs, and flavourful cheeses.  (Estimated price per case $420CDN)

Mirassou Harvest Reserve Pinot Noir (1997) Made from San Vicente vineyard fruit, aged in new and seasoned Limousin and French oak, then aged in bottle for a further year.  Complex black cherry and plum aromas are echoed on the palate and joined by notes of cedar, anise, and clove.  The fruit and spice components combine seamlessly with warm, vanillin-oak character in the long finish. Ready to enjoy now, this fine wine will continue to develop in the bottle for a further two to three years.  This is a very versitile food wine that can be paired with beef, lamb, roast poultry, veal, and venison - as well as being a classic accompaniment to many fish and seafood dishes including salmon and scallops.   (Estimated price per case $470CDN)

Mirassou Coastal Selection Chardonnay (1998) An elegant, stylish Chardonnay made primarily from grape grown in the San Vicente and Mission vineyards, night harvested, vineyard pressed, and vinified partly in oak innerstave and partly in cold stainless steel.  The result is a wine with Monterey County's trademark rich, tropical fruit flavours balanced by crisp acidity. Apple, banana, and pineapple elements meld seamlessly with vanilla to linger in the long, integrated finish.  Excellent with a wide variety of foods including grilled salmon, veal, chicken, turkey, and cream-sauced pasta dishes.  (Estimated price per case $335CDN)

Mirassou Coastal Selection Pinot Blanc (1998) Made from fruit grown primarily in the Mission vineyard, this traditional Burgundian varietal shows a delicate balance between rich fruit and subtle oak. It is dry and medium bodied with an exceptionally creamy texture.  Ripe tropical fruit aromas of pineapple, pear, and bananas are highlighted by background notes of vanilla, cloves, and allspice. The finish is crisp and well-balanced.  Try it with chicken, ham, pork, seafood, and cream-sauced pasta.  (Estimated price per case $335CDN)

Mirassou Coastal Selection White Zinfandel (1999) Brilliant light coral in colour, this popular varietal bounds from the glass with an inviting nose of fresh watermelon, papaya, and strawberry with a light hint of spice. Mouthwatering flavours of watermelon and strawberry are backed by food-friendly acidity and a long, well-balanced finish.  Delightful as an aperitif, this lovely blush wine also pairs well with a wide variety of dishes including seafood and pasta salads, lightly sauced poultry, smoked ham, sushi, smoked salmon, and spicy Asian cuisine.   (Estimated price per case $240CDN)

Mirassou Coastal Selection Merlot (1997) Based primarily on fruit from the Mission vineyard and in French and American oak, this Merlot has a gorgeous nose of plums and berry fruit with hints of clove, pepper, and vanilla against a backdrop of toasty oak.  The mouth has complex black cherry, berry, and plum flavours with vanillin-oak and cedar undertones.  Well balanced tannins lead to a long, lingering finish.  Excellent with elegant entrees such as Beef Wellington, rack of lamb and roast duck as well as more informal fare such as hamburgers, tomato-sauced pastas, and pizza.  (Estimated price per case $335CDN)

Mirassou Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (1997) This is a racy, stylish Cabernet, ready to enjoy now or to be cellared for up to four years.  It was aged in French and American oak and includes a small amount of Merlot in the final blend to add complexity and elevate the long-soft finish. The nose features aromas of black cherry and plum with hints of mint, chocolate and pepper against a background of vanillin-oak.  The taste is complex black cherry, plum, and cedar with well-integrated, medium tannins and a long finish of fruit and toasty oak.   Excellent with Beef Wellington, rack of lamb, roast duck and other elegant entrees.   (Estimated price per case $360CDN)

Mirassou Family Selection Pinot Noir (1997) The grapes are drawn principally from the San Vicente and Mission vineyards.  Aged 30% in stainless steel and 70% in Limousin oak, the resulting wine strikes a perfect balance between oak and fruit which should improve with up to three more years in the bottle.  Lush cherry aromas are accented by a touch of clove and vanilla with background notes of plum and ginger. Forward cherry flavours join plum and spice components in a very drinkable style.  Creamy oak textures contribute to the rich mouthfeel and long finish.  Pairs well with traditional red wine dishes based on beef, veal, lamb, or game, as well as with traditional white wine fare such as roast chicken, salmon, and monkfish.  (Estimated price per case $335CDN)

Mirassou Family Selection Monterey Riesling (1998) Cool climate Riesling grapes, harvested at night and pressed in the vineyard are then quickly cold fermented in stainless steel to lock in attractive fruit flavours of fresh peach, pear and apricot. 10% Sylvaner is added to the final blend to enhance the floral qualities of the wine and accent the bright, food-pairing acidity of the finish.   Off-dry and medium-bodied, this versatile wine pairs exceptionally well with lightly sauced chicken, scampi, scallops, and spicy Pacific Rim cuisine.  (Estimated price per case $292CDN)

Montresor Vineyards (added October 2, 2001)

Montresor is one of the great wine houses of Verona in Northern Italy.   A recent wine tour out of Halifax visited Montressor and was much taken by one of the Montresor sparkling wine which is now available for special order:

Montresor Regina Nera Sparkling.   Regina Nera is made from Pinot Nero and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that undergo the Montresor Long Charmat Method.  The wineis put in a special registered bottle, black coloured to better protect its quality.  It then rests in a cellar at naturally controlled temperatures for at least three months.  This wine is enjoyable as an aperitif as well as with the most refined dishes of international cuisine. (Estimated price per case $279CDN)

New Brunswick

Residents of New Brunswick can place special orders through any NBL store in the province.  NB Liquor will source the product you want, and will confirm prices with you before any order is placed.

Minimum order quantities are:        Beer   10 flats (i.e.240 bottles)
                                                    Wine and spirits sourced in Canada (perhaps from another liquor commission)  1 case
                                                    Wine and spirits sourced outside of Canada   5 cases

More information can be found on the NBL website

Last updated April 18, 2002