Staff Picks

Jason MacPhee

Wine Category Manager

Beach books + bevies: Wine for Dummies

I’m sure you could tell by my lack of pigment and soul that beach is not my job, nor is it a hobby I take part in. However I often find myself in the sand on a golf course.

Triple Bogey Azalea has been the cause of me being at the “beach” regularly this summer. It is a take on the unofficial drink of The Masters. A blend of Vodka, Pineapple, and Lemon is deliciously refreshing and will keep you hydrated as you cruise down the fairways in search of your ball, or a ball that you can claim is yours. 

For those looking for a wine recommendation. I will be back to my regularly scheduled Lambrusco promotion next month.   

Lucas Mader

Category Manager for Beer, Refreshment, & Spirits, Cicerone

Beach books + bevies: ABCs for Toddlers, Cow’s Edition

Having a toddler and a 9 week old, I’m not getting to the beach this Summer as much as i’d like to. But, we have managed to get out a couple times this Summer, and while I used to bring grown up books to the beach, I now find myself reading my toddler his books. 

Like for instance, the Cow’s (like, PEI Ice Cream Cow’s) edition of the ABCs. He loves it, and (proud parent) he can nail every letter and tell me what image the letters match with. 

During this exercise of patience, you’ll find me sipping on a Lone Oak Light Lager, also from PEI, Lone Oak is just over the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton, and they make really nice beers. Like the Light, a no frills, easy drinking crisp lager that’s only $4.00 a can. 

Moooooooo to that!

Kathryn Harding

Director of Customer Experience, Sommelier

Beach books + bevies: The Paris Novel

I’ve chosen Ruth Reichl’s delicious Paris Novel paired with the elegant Casa Nostra Il De Beaute Rosé from France. The book immerses you in a rich, sensory experiences of French cuisine. Pair this light read with the Casa Nostra Rosé, featuring fresh notes of strawberry and pink grapefruit and you have the perfect sunny day pairing! Add some French creamy brie, tangy chevre, and savory charcuterie and you are set for the afternoon. Neither the book nor the wine is too serious, making them ideal for the beach!

Alanna McIntyre

Product Specialist, Sommelier

Beach books + bevies: Laura & Emma

Gaby McCotter

Retail Manager

Beach books + bevies: Elle magazine 

There’s something utterly sophisticated about reading magazines on the beach while sipping on Cava. It’s the perfect blend of high culture and sandy chaos. It allows for chatting with friends and allowing yourself to get distracted in a mindless way.  One minute, you’re deep into an article about the latest fashion trends, the next, you’re using your magazine as a shield against a rogue seagull eyeing your Cava like it’s the last bottle on earth. But hey, nothing says ‘I’m on vacation/relaxing’’ quite like balancing a glass of bubbly and trying to turn pages with one hand while fending off beach obstacles with the other. Cheers to living the high life, one sandy sip at a time!

Ryan Almeida

eCommerce Manager

Beach books + bevies: The Sun Also Rises

I’m not one for reading at the beach but I suppose if the right situation struck like a no-responsibilities-all-inclusive-vacation sort of scenario, 1 could find myself re-reading The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. It’s his first novel and heavily influenced by his time in Paris which seems appropriate given my wine choice and the current Olympic games in Paris.

Pop a squat on a (private) beach and (discreetly) pour yourself a glass of Domaine Longere’s Beaujolais blanc, made entirely of Chardonnay. Nuanced, subtle, and complex, the region’s sun
provides perfect ripening conditions, producing stone fruit and floral characteristics while maintaining tons of refreshing acidity.

Kate Fraser

Retail Supervisor, Spirits Specialist

Beach books + bevies: Skeleton Crew

I’ll say right off the bat that I am not a beach person, I am much more of a lake dweller. Beaches have too much sand and people. Currently I am reading Skeleton Crew, a collection of short stories by Stephen King. To combat the existential dread that comes with these stories, I drink a super fruity cherry spritz drink. The perfect balance of sweet and sour, with just the right amount of fizz, these cold cans are ideal for the dog days of summer.

Stefan Nielsen

Retail Supervisor, Sommelier

Beach books + bevies: The Wheel of Time

Recently, I set myself the goal of reading ‘The Wheel of Time’ series. For those unfamiliar, it’s similar to The Lord of the Rings but way longer (literally 4.5 million words in its entirety). Light beach reading it is not, however now that I’ve finished Book 2, I’m hooked! I’ve decided I’ll pair Massolino Barolo with these books. Hear me out; a 2019 Barolo is young, though it is enjoyable now with aeration and a long decant. By the time I finish this series in 2026 or 2027, this wine will be SINGING. Even in its youth, this wine delivers sour cherry, rose petals, soft vanilla, and deep earth notes – with more years of development I’m expecting cigar box, tobacco, leather, game, and more.

Matt Hodgson

Retail Supervisor

Beach books + bevies: The Dark Tower

Let’s be honest: the beaches in Nova Scotia don’t quite measure up to those in PEI. However, with the right beer and a good book, you might not even notice the rocks, the ice-cold water, and the lack of sand. 

Boom, Nova Scotia beaches roasted (just like I am within five minutes of being there).

I’m a big Stephen King fan and recently started rereading what might be my favorite of all his works, the Dark Tower series. While Hollywood may have let us down with its adaptation of the series, Lone Oak’s Hollywood West Coast IPA is here to make everything better. With notes of caramelized oranges, dank and piney flavors, and just the right amount of bitterness, it’s incredibly well-crafted.

Genny

Customer Service Sales Associate, Sommelier

Beach books + bevies: Station Eleven

Nothing says “casual summer reading” like post-apocalyptic meta-theatrical fiction and red wine! But truly, I loved Emily St. John-Mandel’s writing style. It’s understated but nuanced. I thoroughly enjoyed the Cave Spring Pinot Noir for similar reasons, so why not!

Fernando

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: Kafka on the Shore

It might be no surprise that I’m a fan of the Pink Piquettes, NA version especially. Light, floral, berries, and a touch of salinity make this my drink of choice this month.

You might spot me on the beach drinking one while reading a copy of Kafka on the Shore, a recent recommendation that I look forward to diving into.

Daniela

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: Five Little Pigs

This summer I’m taking to the beach to read while getting tanned one of my favourite books by Agatha Christie: Five Little Pigs. While the title sounds endearing, this is a murder mystery where the detective needs to find the culprit of a crime that happened over 20 years before! Nothing better to match the excitement of this thriller than a high acidity Austrian Riesling- enter Ott Kabinott, with notes of freshly squeezed limes, green mangoes and a refreshing zippiness balanced by a slight touch of honey given by its residual sugar, much as the happy ending of the book, when the bad guy is finally put away for good!

Allie Barter

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: TMZ

When I am lucky enough to get a chance to go to the beach the last thing I do is read. I can typically be found playing spikeball, throwing a football, or pretending I am a mermaid. If I find myself needing a little relaxation from the sun I will be scrolling the hottest gossip on TMZ.

The Barkeep Espresso Martini is much like TMZ gossip, it starts off as a nice treat then soon enough you are begging for more. Barkeep uses fresh ingredients, which makes the can taste like it uses freshly brewed coffee.

David

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: The Da Vinci Code, Foucault’s Pendulum

When you’re at the beach on a hot sunny day, leafing through your new favourite intellectual Italian mystery, what should you be drinking to ease the pain of your inevitable sunburn?

Though little grown outside of Piedmont, the Cortese Grape can produce wines of incredible nuance and complexity. Villa Spadina’s Gavi di Gavi’s bracing acidity and underlying mineral backbone reflect the rich limestone soils of the region and the expressive nature of the grape.

Whether you’re reading The Da Vinci Code or Foucault’s Pendulum, the floral, peachy, and freshly herbaceous Gavi di Gavi is your perfect beach side companion.

Sam

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: A Brief History of How We F***** it All Up

I recently purchased a shiny new copy of Humans: A Brief History of How we F***** it all up. Juicy title right off the bat, I’m gonna need an even juicier drink to go with it. Speaking of shiny new things, we recently brought in Candid’s Electro lite mango sour. A deliciously juicy sour beer brewed with mango purée and a liiiittle sea salt. Light, tart, and refreshing, perfect match for a salty ocean breeze. In August you can catch me half buried in sand, cracking the spine of my new book and cracking open a cold one of these bad boys.

Tianjun

Beach books + bevies: Where the Crawdads Sing

Just like the book Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, a nature-infused romance with a killer twist, this non-alcohol mojito is not going to disappoint this summer. A wonderful mixture of lime juice and a mint essence. The palate is crisp and dry yet refreshing, offers you a truly delightful experience, like the breeze from the sea that cools you down and makes you appreciate the sunshine even more.

Ireland McDonald

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: The Diary of a CEO

My beach tote bag includes; sunglasses, towel, a good hardcover book and Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde Rose! Aside from reading some material in preparation for the upcoming school year, I am currently enjoying The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett. Who doesn’t love learning the ins and outs of business and law while drinking a fresh chilled Rose to promote motivation and hydration. Not only does this wine have a lower alcohol content perfect for this 30 degree weather, but it’s simply the best company for anyone who enjoys a spritzy finish. Picture a blend of fresh strawberries and raspberries accompanied by a zippy acidity and satisfying finish! 

Erica Priolo

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies

Peach purée and Prosecco, pre-made in a tiny portable bottle sounds like an excellent drink for a day at the beach. Even better, Giuseppe Cipriani Sr created this cocktail himself so you’re tasting it right from the source! With my drink, I would most likely bring a book with me for the aesthetic, but end up too preoccupied making sand castles and running in the water to crack it open. Nonetheless, a little Bellini pairs excellently with hot fresh air and cool breezy waves. 

Michael Kamras

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies: Children of Dune

I was introduced to the Dune series way before it was (currently) cool, but also well before I could appreciate all the intricacies and dynamics that were unfolding in the story. That didn’t keep child me from imagining I was on Arrakis every time I went to the beach, or (infinitely more nerdy) reciting the Litany Against Fear when I got a little bit nervous… Now that I’m older and worry a little bit more about what my beach neighbour might think, I’ll settle for reading the books and being transported with the feeling of sand between my toes. 

While reading, I want something elegant, ripe, with a perfect balance of structure and acidity. Il Principe Langhe Nebbiolo offers all that and a hint of Spice on the nose. Just like the Spice in the book, the Il Principe must flow.

Maida

Customer Service Sales Associate

Beach books + bevies

When I think of a beach day, I think of great drinks, suntanning and good books. That being said, 2 crows jamboree would make the perfect beach day drink! Not only is it carbonated, refreshing and has juicy, tropical fruit tartness that is perfect to beat the heat but it is also made with real fruit purée. So it’s definitely a must to grab some to chill out on your next beach trip 😉