Whether it’s the newest products to hit the shelves, staff picks to get you prepped for the season, tips on how to select your next favourite, or just the latest news coming out of JAK’s, here is where you’ll find everything you need to know about beer, wine, and spirits, courtesy of our in-store experts and service champions!
Want to hear more about a particular topic? Let us know! Leave a comment on the post that leaves you wanting more, and we’ll do our best to fill in the blanks (or fill up a glass)!
Every April 17 we celebrate Malbec World Day! Click through to discover the history of this grape and some great pairing ideas of this versatile red.
While single malt Irish whiskeys are not the norm, there are still several great options coming from Ireland, and most of them carry on the Irish tradition of triple distillation.
Irish whiskey typically undergoes triple distillation, whereas in Scotland double distillation is more common. A combination of both pot and column stills may be used, as well as a combination of grains including both malted and unmalted barley.
What makes Irish whiskey, Irish whiskey? It’s more than just being produced on the island of Ireland! Today, we’ll explore what literally goes into making this spirit, how pot and column stills play its role, as well as the rules and regulations that must abided. Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey connoisseur or a curious newcomer, join us on this journey to discover what makes Irish whiskey so special.
What sets Irish whiskey apart from the others, besides the inclusion of the “e” in the spelling, is a long-standing tradition with unique distillation procedures and a characteristic selection of grains.
Whether you’re doing Dry January because you wish to cut down on your intake or to start off the year in a clean state, you don’t have to be limited to water and juices. And at JAK’s, we’ve got you covered with 5 non-alcoholic product recommendations!
RUN for your life to the nearest JAK’S store and we’ll protect you with one of these spooky spirits to soothe your nerves!
Check out some of our bone chillingly and delightfully terrifying picks below!
Pairing a wine to a Thanksgiving dinner can be hard to navigate. Whether it be ham, turkey or tofurkey, there are so many different flavours that go into a traditional feast.
In recent years the wine market has seen a significant increase in the demand for sustainable and minimal intervention wines, such as Organic, Biodynamic, and Natural Wines, however the differences might not always be clear at first glance. We’re here to explore them!
Grenache is everywhere, but not necessarily widely recognized as it is often enjoyed incognito even though it takes a starring role in many blends.
There really is a gin out there for everyone, and here are some “Coles” notes on some of the styles we can find in the market today
Shiraz is known to produce dark, inky wines full of plump, black fruits from blackberry to black cherry and blueberry along with notes of violet.
Lambrusco is now a symbol of quality and food-friendly bubbles. In fact, a glass of this iconic red sparkling wine from Northern Italy can be great as an aperitif as well as with structured second dishes as braised meats.
The rosé revolution is here to change minds. Most rosé wines are elegant and dry with nuances of summer berry fruits mingled with black pepper and spices. They are an ultimate food pairing match.
Cinco de Mayo is annually celebrated every May 05th to honour the Mexican army victory over the French empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 05th, 1862.
Argentina is the world’s largest producer of Malbec. With over 109,000 acres planted, Malbec represents close to 40% of the total red varieties. There is no question of a doubt it is the undisputed heavyweight here. Malbec reveals its true potential in Argentina showing a range of styles from the elegant and refined to the rich and opulent.
International Riesling Day is soon upon us this Sunday, March the 13th. In celebration of all things Riesling, we have a few below that you will not want to miss out on!
Let’s raise a glass to International Women’s Day and to the women on our team! This year, we reached out to some of our amazing leaders and asked them why this year’s theme, #BreakTheBias, is important and how they tackle it.
February 1st is the 2022 Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. It is regarded as the most important occasion for Chinese families to gather for an annual reunion dinner. There will be wines opened for celebration, but Chinese liquor like Huangjiu and Baijiu remain the top choices for the Chinese palate. Read on for more of these asian spirits!
The memory of Robert Burns lives on, so dive into some haggis this Monday the 25th to celebrate his birthday with a healthy dram to wash it all down.
October 1st is World Sake Day. This event is celebrated annually as a national event in Japan and now worldwide as a tribute to this classic Japanese beverage.
You say amaro, I say amari, I love aperitifs but you love vermouth. What’s the difference anyway? The bitters are back baby! Not only are they being enjoyed in their range of eclectic styles, but they also provide some seriously refreshing cocktail pleasures in these summer months.
It’s National Wine and Cheese Day today and to celebrate we’ll give you a few tips to enhance your experience. Everyone loves the idea of wine and cheese but pairing the correct wine to the correct cheese can be difficult with the cheeseboard starting to look somewhat like a minefield!
We are so grateful to the community of Mission for warmly welcoming us this past week. On Friday July 9th, we officially opened the doors to our newest location, JAK’s Mission!
July 10th is World Rum Day so let’s honour rum and its myriad of styles. No spirit can transport you to the beach like rum, from tiki bar Mai Tai’s to sipping by the pool on a cool Mojito, rum invokes one of tropical beach paradises and Caribbean pirates.
JAK’s Gives Back returned for the third year at JAK’s Beer Wine Spirits stores across the province on June 19 th . Customers were enthusiastic with their support helping to raise $26,000 for community food banks in areas serviced by JAK’s.
The World of Sour Beer is just now getting the comeback it deserves! You're bound to see them across store shelves this summer and they are ideal companions for the summer as they are refreshing and typically low in ABV.
First of all, the term “Sour Beer” isn’t a great term to describe the styles as a whole. Yes, they are more sour than other beer styles, but compared to other beverages like White Wine and Cider, they are actually quite similar. One of the biggest factors that can affect the perceived sourness is the amount of residual sugar left in a drink.
Just a month ago it was Chardonnay Day – arguably the Queen of white grapes. Now we are exploring one of the coolest food-friendly varieties with Chenin Blanc. Fresh fruited, mineral, and floral in its youth, Chenin Blanc is also capable of producing ageworthy wines due to its naturally high acidity. As it matures it will gift you with honeyed stone fruits combined with a smoky minerality.
September 2nd is International Cabernet Sauvignon Day… so today we pay a tribute to this magnificent king of grapes. It hails from every corner of the world and is deserving of a red carper entrance with booming yet refined music to match for this power hitter. Read on for more!