1. Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc: Pretty much our go-to celebrate anything big or small sparkling wine for the past 20 years. It is a vibrant and refreshing Californian sparkling known for its rich complexity and crisp apple notes. $35.99
2. Filipa Pato 3B Sparkling Rosé: A Portuguese gem, this sparkling rosé delights with its berry flavors and elegant, balanced acidity. Bonus points for the label. $18.99
3. Alma 4 Almacita Brut: From Argentina, this brut stands out with its fine bubbles and harmonious blend of fruit and lovely toasty character. Huge value for the price found here. $14.99
4. Avinyo Cava: A classic Spanish cava offering a perfect blend of freshness and subtle citrus aromas. Also perfect for day after Mimosas. $17.99
5. Santa Marina Prosecco: An Italian favorite, this Prosecco charms with its light, fruity, and effortlessly bubbly character. (Available in a Rosé as well)Can’t beat it for the price! $9.99
Bonus Pick
Underwood The Bubbles 250ml Can: Any sparkling list of ours would be remiss without mentioning this wonder in a can. The Bubbles is a refreshingly casual sparkling wine that works well when paired with life😃. $4.99
Have a very happy holiday season!
Monroe St., Middleton, Fitchburg & Old Sauk
Christmas Eve: 7:00am - 4:00pm
Christmas Day: Closed
New Years Eve: 7:00am - 6:00pm, 4pm @ Fitchburg
New Years Day: 8:00am - 4:00pm
West Wash & University
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day: Closed
December 26th: 6:30 - 4:00pm
New Years Eve: 7:00am - 2:00pm
New Years Day: Closed
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Friday, November 24
Monroe: 8am - 7pm
Middleton: 6:30am - 7pm
Fitchburg: 6:30 - 8pm
West Wash: 8am - 6pm
Old Sauk: 6:30am - 6pm
University: 8am - 6pm
Moletto Tomato Gin - Should be on any gin lovers ‘must try’ list. From the Vento region in Italy, the distiller will tell you it is smooth tasting, and the sharp juniper berry note is followed by the enticing note of the original botanical features of the tomato. A ripe tomato that finally invigorates the palate with its fragrant, refreshing and citrusy notes. Forget Bloody Mary’s, think Bloody Molly! | |
Matsui Hakuto Gin - Japanese Gin? Just say yes to this explosion of nine botanicals including juniper berries, coriander seed, orange peel, Yuma peel, Japanese ginger green tea, cherry blossom and black pepper. Include in place of your ‘regular’ gin and be prepared for the refreshing citrus and spicy Japanese pepper that will level up your favorite gin-based cocktail. | |
Eden Mill Love Gin - Since it first hit our shelves we’ve been huge fans. The recent bottle redesign put our love in to overdrive. Pink, of course, and per the distiller tastes of rhubarb spice and sweet strawberries with vanilla, finishing with green apple citrus and a hint of rose water. Perfect for your favorite Gin Sprtiz. |
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Our cafe hours for the 4th of July:
Monroe St., Middleton & Fitchburg - 6:30 - 6pm
West Wash & University - 6:30 - 2pm
Old Sauk - 6:30 - 4pm
Lulumi Rosé - 2022 - Produced just off the French Mediterranean coast. This wine is light, lively, and full of fresh fruits that zip across the palate with a crisp, dry finish. Patios, picnics, people, the Lulumi is perfect for all of them.
Underwood Rosé 250ml Can -Uber-drinkable, unpretentious and travel-ready, this Oregon Rosé is the perfect wine for action lounging by the pool and has been spotted being consumed by several two-wheeled commuters on the southwest bike path. Don't worry, we're definitely not judging!
Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé - Ok, plain talk here. The 2022 vintage of the Villa Wolf kicks *bleep* over last years edition. It's light and refreshing, with delicious bright berry aromas and it's character defining snappy acidity which distinguishes the vintage of this Barriques favorite.
All three are available for sale online or at a neighborhood Barriques near you.
]]>Saturday, December 24
6:30am - 2pm: Old Sauk, Monroe St., Fitchburg, Middleton
Closed: University & West Wash
Sunday, December 25
All Locations Closed
Saturday, December 31st
All Locations Normal Hours
Sunday, January 1st
8am - 2pm: Old Sauk, Monroe St., Fitchburg, Middleton
Closed: University & West Wash
Thursday, November 24
6:30 - 2pm: Old Sauk, Monroe St., Fitchburg, West Wash
6:30 - 4pm: Middleton
Closed: University
Friday, November 25th
Normal Hours: Old Sauk, Monroe St., Middleton, Fitchburg
Closed: University, West Wash
Decaffeinating
Identifying caffeine was one thing, removing it required almost another 100 years of work by scientists before they were able to extract it and still have a beverage left over that tasted somewhat like the real thing. In 1906, Ludwig Roselius, a German coffee salesman, patented the first decaffeination process for commercial use which involved steaming green coffee beans with water and various acids and then using Benzene as a solvent to dissolve the caffeine. Roselius’s method is no longer in use because Benzene, an organic chemical compound, is now recognized as a carcinogen by the American Cancer Society. Instead, companies using this solvent-based method have switched to other substances, predominantly ethyl acetate and methylene chloride, although there has been some controversy about the latter because exposure to high amounts of the substance can be toxic and lead to damage of the central nervous system. The US Food and Drug Administration has determined that neither of these solvents poses a health risk, but many claim that coffee decaffeinated with a solvent-based method has less flavor and depth than coffee decaffeinated by other means.
Pro-tip #1: If you see the words “naturally decaffeinated” when you buy decaf coffee online or at the store, it is likely that coffee was decaffeinated using Ethyl acetate.
Another German chemist, Kurt Zosel stumbled upon an alternative decaffeination method while working with supercritical carbon dioxide at a coal research institute. He realized that when the gas is heated and put under a lot of pressure, it enters a supercritical state that can be useful for separating different chemical substances — including separating caffeine from coffee when it's pumped through the beans. He patented this method in 1970 and it is still widely used today including to salvage the caffeine during the process and then using it in energy drinks, sodas and other products.
And finally we come to the Water Process decaffeination method. Although it was developed in the 30’s, it took more than 40 years before the Swiss Water Process method was used commercially on a large scale. The process works like this. First, a batch of green coffee beans are soaked in water. That water becomes saturated with all the soluble components found in coffee including caffeine which is then filtered out w/ carbon. This uncaffeinated liquid, called green coffee extract, is then added to columns of new, rehydrated, green coffee beans that still have their caffeine. The caffeine migrates from the beans to the green coffee extract as the beans and liquid seek equilibrium, until the beans are almost entirely caffeine-free. This 100% chemical free decaffeination method helps retain more of the beans flavors and aromas and it is the process that is used for all the decaf coffees we sell at Barriques. You may see it referred to as Mountain Water Process which is just another trademarked name for the same decaffeination process that takes place in a state of the art facility in Mexico vs the Canadian facility that produces Swiss Water decaf.
Pro-tip #2: None of the decaffeination methods remove 100% of the caffeine. However, where you might expect to enjoy 180 - 200mg of caffeine in your typical regular cup of coffee, decaf may contain 2 - 4mg per serving. The USDA requires that decaf coffee have 97% of the caffeine removed.
Barriques Water Processed Decaf Coffees
All of the decaf coffees we roast and all of the decaf blends we create are done with water processed decafs, either Swiss or Mountain. You’ll sometimes see this listed as MWP on our labels for Mountain Water Process. These coffees come to us at considerable cost given the significant amount of processing and transportation that is involved in getting them to our roastery. In addition, the producers and importers will generally select a higher quality of coffee to send through water process decaffeination given that it leaves more of the bean's character intact, resulting in a better cup of coffee for you. In fact, we think our chemical free decaf coffees are so good, you’ll have a very hard time distinguishing them from their caffeinated counterparts.
Monroe, Middleton, Old Sauk, Atwood, University: 7am - 6pm
Fitchburg: 6:30am - 2pm
West Wash: 7am - 2pm
Tuesday, May 26th Update
We have reopened our West Wash location, with plans to open our remaining locations (Park St, Atwood, and University) by the end of the week. Furthermore, we are now offering carry-out service for all of our locations, without the need to call ahead. If you'd prefer not to enter the store, call-ahead, curbside pickup, and online ordering are also still available options.
All stores are still operating under 7am - 6pm hours.
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Monday, April 27th Update
All cafe hours have been extended to cover 7am - 6pm daily. All store are still only open for curbside pickup. Please place your coffee drink, bakery and food orders via our mobile ordering site or for wine, beer or spirits at barriquesmarket.com.
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Friday, April 17th Update
Tuesday, April 21st we will be re-opening our Old Sauk location from 8 - 2 for curbside pickup of wine, coffee, bakery and more. Monroe St., Middleton and Fitchburg locations are also still open from 8am - 2pm daily for curbside pickup. Please place your coffee drink, bakery and food orders via our mobile ordering site or for wine, beer or spirits at barriquesmarket.com. All other locations remain closed until further notice.
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Monday, March 30th Update
Effective immediately Monroe St., Middleton and Fitchburg locations are now open from 8am - 2pm daily for curbside pickup. Please place your orders via our mobile ordering site or call the store directly. All other locations remain closed until further notice.
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As of Friday, March 20th, we have made the decision to shut down all our cafes until further notice.
Thank you all for you support and understanding.
]]>Our first Spring Drink Special is the Fiery Spring Italian Soda. This drink is sparkling water, flavored with a combination of hibiscus syrup and house-made Jalapeño simple syrup. Sweet and sparkling, with just a touch of spiciness, this is the perfect thirst quencher as the weather starts to warm up.
Our second Spring Drink Special is the Pretty in Pink Tea Latte. We combine Rishi's Jade Cloud Green Tea with steamed oat milk, and add in some hibiscus syrup for sweetness. Then, for an added decorative floral touch, we top it with a candied hibiscus flower. Rich and sugary, this is a luxurious beverage that will make you feel as fresh as a flower in bloom.
Our final Spring Drink Special is the Iced Hibiscus Americano. This is our classic Iced Americano, flavored with hibiscus syrup and topped off with cold milk foam of your choice. If you're looking for a coffee drink with a spring twist, then this is the drink for you.
All these beverages are available at all our locations, while supplies last!
]]>All of the decaf coffee we sell at Barriques is decaffeinated using the chemical-free water process method of decaffeination. You see this noted on our single origin bags by the ‘MWP’ in the name for ‘Mountain Water Process’ or SWP for 'Swiss Water Process'. The decaf blends we make from these coffees are also all water processed decafs as well. Potential health effects aside, we have always felt the water process method resulted in a coffee that wasn’t stripped of flavor. It may cost a bit more, but there is no question it is worth it and certainly has us feeling better when the FDA has come out and said that methylene chloride is carcinogenic in animals when inhaled and may be carcinogenic to humans. The Clean Label Project put it best when they wrote, “While this chemical is currently considered acceptable to the FDA, is the presence of a banned active ingredient in paint stripper in your decaf coffee acceptable to you?”
]]>On top of that, we're offering you the chance to sample this coffee liquor, as well as Doundrins' Immature Brandy and Honey Liquor. The schedule for these samplings will be as follows:
Friday, Feb. 7th, 5:30-7:30pm at Fitchburg
Saturday, Feb. 8th, 3:00-5:00pm at Monroe
Friday, Feb. 14th, 5:00-7:00pm at Middleton
These events will be completely free, so we hope to see you at one of them!
]]>On March 13th, from 5:30 to 7:30pm, we'll host another Wine 101 tasting. This one will be at our Monroe St location. If you couldn't make the previous one, then you have another shot to learn about the basics of wine tasting. Admission is $12, and you can RSVP here. SOLD OUT
On April 10th, from 5:30 to 7:30pm, at our Fitchburg location we'll be hosting a tasting of Tuscan wines and Italian cheeses. This is another sit-down tasting, and will be limited to approximately fourteen people. Admission is $17, and you can RSVP here while seats last. SOLD OUT
On April 17th, from 5:30 to 7:30pm, we'll be pouring some American whiskies, specifically bourbon and rye, at our Monroe St. location. While you don't need to RSVP online to get into this tasting, it is highly recommended, as these whiskey tastings fill up fast. Admission is $15, and you can RSVP here.
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The schedule is as listed:
Middleton:
Nov 23 - Wine Tasting with Left Bank
Nov 30 - Chocolate Tasting with Sjolinds
Dec 7 - Hard Seltzer Tasting with Stray Forth
Dec 14 - Hard Cider Tasting with The Cider Farm
Dec 21 - Beer Tasting with Hop Haus
Fitchburg:
Nov 23 - Hard Seltzer Tasting with Stray Forth
Nov 30 - Beer Tasting with Giant Jones Brewing
Dec 7 - Hard Cider Tasting with The Cider Farm
Dec 14 - Wine Tasting with Left Bank
Dec 21 - Chocolate Tasting with Sjolinds
We couldn't be more excited for JD, Liza and the entire Mighty Peace crew. Supporting the good work that the folks at Mighty Peace are doing is simple. Grab a bag or two of the true fruits of their labor. Our Congo Idjwi coffee is world-class coffee we medium roast to pull out all of its rich, nutty, sweet chocolaty goodness. Available online and at your neighborhood Barriques.
]]>On Friday, December 13th, we will host a tasting with Italian wines featuring the noble Nebbiolo grape. This tasting will be held at our Fitchburg location. Nebbiolo grapes are included in such wines as Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, and Bramaterra, and to sweeten the deal, we'll pair these wines with fine cheeses from Emmi Roth. This tasting runs from 5:30 to 8:00pm. We're limiting this one to thirty people, so RSVP here while seats last!
Then, next week on December 20th, we'll have a Champagne tasting! Come find the perfect bottle of bubbly for your holiday gatherings. This tasting will be at our Middleton location, and run from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. RSVP while seats last!
]]>In the case of the Hello World Cabernet Franc, there is not only much to love about the label, but the entire presentation of the label, bottle and enclosure are all top notch. These folks clearly care and it is easily the best wine packaging we've seen this year. Let's start with the label.
There is a healthy dose of 'cute' with the Hello World branding featuring a baby owl popping its head out of its shell. Say what you want about cute, cute sells. I might remind you that Cabernet Franc is not exactly one of those grape varietals that the majority of the wine drinking public go looking for, you need to make an impression. In this case, the added detail of shininess of the owls eyes which seem to follow yours as you walk by it and the speckled, gleaming, raised texture of the owls shell really stand out. The shell affect begs you to reach out, grab the bottle and run your finger across it. Once you do that, game over, you will be taking this home with you tonight, guaranteed. After you get it home, you are really in for a surprise that will having you buying another bottle of the Hello World the next time you are shopping for wine. Let's talk about the enclosure.
It is notably unusually for a still wine to have its cork protruding out of the top of the bottle. It again is one of those things your eye will catch when it is on the shelf. But there is more genius to it that you'll see in a minute. The cork is held into place by clear plastic shrink wrap that is integrated into the black necker. There is a small gold tag where the two come together that obviously is meant to be pulled. Put the silly foil cutter away folks, one pull of that gold tag and off pops the shrink rap. From there, you will realize there is also no need for a wine opener here, just grab the cork, and twist the bottle(not the cork) and it will pop right out. Look mom, no tools needed!
The final feature that really set this bottle apart and told us the producer was thinking of the end consumer when they made their choices is the construction of the inside top of the bottle and the cork itself. Just inside the top of the bottle are raised glass ridges in a spiral pattern. These are designed to hold the cork firmly in place both before you open it and if you want to recork it for further drinking later. When compared to a standard cork and bottle setup, once you open it, replacing the cork back into the bottle is not always easy and sometimes, if you push it back in too hard, you are going to need to get that opener back out to reopen it. Is that the end of the world? No, but the choice made w/ the Hello World packaging is non-intimidating, easy and extremely consumer friendly.
Let us finish by saying that you will be as delighted with the wine as you were with the packaging. This isn't a case of putting lipstick on a pig. At $11.49 a bottle, this is well made Cabernet Franc that is full bodied, smooth and full of varietal character. Check it out the next time you stop by your neighborhood Barriques.
]]>With the last of the summer heat burning away, it's time to look forward to cool temperatures, changing leaves, and of course, pumpkin spice. Here are our drink specials for fall.
Our first specialty drink is a twist on an autumnal standby, the Maple Pumpkin Latte. This year, we've added a little bit of maple syrup to our pumpkin spice mix, which adds a touch of rich sweetness to the mix. Available hot or iced, it's a fresh take on the fall standby you know and love.
Our second seasonal special is our Hot Apple Cider. This is a perfect autumnal treat for when you want a hot drink, but not necessarily a caffeinated one. Steamed with cinnamon sticks, this drink is warming, with just a touch of that cinnamon spice.
And the last fall drink is our Rosemary Ginger Latte. This latte is a returning favorite of ours. The savory rosemary and the kick of ginger play remarkably well off each other, creating a unique latte that warms you to your core on a rainy fall day.
All of these drinks are available at all locations while supplies last!
]]>1. Inert Gas: Private Preserve is our favorite tool to extend the life of partially consumed bottles of wine. True story. 15 or so years ago when the first case of Private Preserve was sent to us, we immediately called our sales person to let him know they sent us empty bottles! We quickly felt like complete idiots but later realized we might have been in good company when they began printing “Full Can Feels Empty” directly onto the bottle. Indeed it does! To use, simply pop the cap off and squirt two or three short bursts of this inert gas(nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon) into the bottle of wine and quickly recork. The gas displaces the oxygen, shielding it from the harmful effects of oxidation. The bottle comes with a slim tube that attaches to the nozzle to allow it to place the gas deeper into the bottle but we generally don’t use it.
LONGEVITY: Seven days is typically the maximum time we find a wine stays fresh enough to not warrant pouring the rest down the drain and just opening opening a new bottle. Commercial inert gas systems might get double that or more.
PROS: Super, super easy to use. No parts to lose. Superior results vs pumping in our unscientific tests.
CONS: More expensive over time. The can says you get 120 full uses which is alot. Possibility for humiliation if you send it back telling them that your bottle is empty. :)
2. Vacuum Pumps. The Vacu Vin brand is the one you might be most familiar with. This solution is cheap, reasonably effective, and easy to use. The standard kit comes with the pump and a wine stopper. Simply place the wine stopper into the top of the bottle and then place the pump on top of the stopper. With one hand holding the pump on the stopper, start pumping w/ the other hand. This will pull air out of the bottle, thereby reducing the gases that can help oxidize the wine and make it taste bad over time. Modern models actually click while pumping to indicate you have removed the maximum amount of air the system can extract.
LONGEVITY: Three or four days is typically the maximum life we get from a wine w/ the vacuum pump.
PROS: Easy to use and very durable. Relatively in-expensive. Additional stopper kits available for purchase.
CONS: Possibility of losing the stoppers. Our unscientific tests lead us to think it is not quite as effective as using inert gas. While easy to use, you do need to expend several calories while pumping.
3. So we are going to cheat on this one a bit. How about inviting a friend over to help you enjoy the bottle so that you don’t have any left over to begin with! Lol. But seriously, wine is always meant to be enjoyed. When people come in and tell us about their favorite bottle of wine, a big part of why they thought it was so awesome was the company in which they drank it. A good friend will make any bottle taste better.
LONGEVITY: NA, nothing left to preserve
PROS: No need for storage solutions. Wine tastes better with friends.
CONS: May delay getting out of bed the next morning. ;)
Let us know in the comments below what your favorite way is to preserve an open bottle of wine or if you have any questions?
]]>First, the continuation of our March Specialty Drink, the Mint Matcha Frappe. This is a delicious combination of Pistachio Monin syrup, almond milk, fresh mint, matcha powder, white frappe powder, and ice, all blended together and topped with whipped cream.
Next is an Orange Spiced Iced Coffee. First, we infuse our cold brew coffee with cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Then, we top it with a little cold frothed milk with orange extract.
Last of them is the Sunburst Steamer, which is similar to a Golden Latte. We take turmeric and maple syrup, and combine it with the frothed milk of your choice. Rich and spicy, this drink is sure to bring up your spirits on those drizzly spring mornings.
All these drinks are available at all our cafés, while supplies last.
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