We made a new liquor staff make peanut butter cocktails. Here’s what happened.

Fireball has dominated the raucous party scene and image for decades now. Well, a new contender has come on the market with a new flavor: Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. And honestly, it’s not that bad.

We have asked ourselves why this exists (and why so many more are going to be coming to market in the coming year), but we are not moral busybodies concerned about what’s being created and why; we want to embrace the new flavor whiskey trend and see what we can do with it. Skrewball makes a fun replacement for your classic old fashioned or Manhattan, but we wanted to try something a little different.

So, we tasked a new liquor staffer with creating cocktails out of this peanut-butter-newkomer and different cordials at the tasting bar. We tried everything: chocolate, berry, cold brew, bourbon cream–we left no concoction outside of our reach. While many failed miserably, we were able to create a few cocktails that pair great with your Friday night party or Saturday morning brunch. What follows is what the bright-eyed young mixologist discovered.

 

The Lunch Shot

LUNCH SHOT

2 parts Skrewball: 1 part Jahiot Crème de Cassis. Chase with Wonder white bread.

Naturally, the first idea we had with peanut butter was a classic elementary school memory: the PB&J sandwich. Jahiot Crème de Cassis has a nice deep black currant flavor and a thicker consistency. 2 parts whiskey to one part cassis, mix well, and you have a sweet and nutty delight. Chase with a piece of Wonder white bread if you feel so inclined.

 

Brekkie in a Glass

BREKKIE IN A GLASS

1 part Skrewball: 1 part Du Nord Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur

Originally thinking chocolate or cocoa nib would pair well for a Reese’s drink, we found the bitter coffee flavor from Du Nord Café Frieda Coffee Liqueur actually creates a nice contrast from the sweeter peanut butter flavor. Presuming you have no commitments on your Saturday morning, this would be the perfect way to start a carefree Saturday after a week of kale salads and bulletproof coffee you have been choking down for your New Year’s resolution.

 

The Elvis Presley

ELVIS PRESLEY

2 parts Skrewball: 1 part Crème de Banane: 2 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters

Without question, the best cocktail we found. Going for a banana peanut butter pancake, we found this sweet and delectable cocktail was something we could not stop falling in love with. With virtually no alcohol flavor, this is a fun way to start a Friday night before dancing in your blue suede shoes. Garnish with a piece of bacon and the fat taste with the sweet treat will have you saying thank you, thank you very much.

 

Lambrusco for Lovers

Ah, Lambrusco! No longer the sappy-sweet swill of college parties, this infinitely food- and wallet-friendly wine from Italy’s Emiliga-Romana region has seen an explosion of new, stylish bottlings in the past couple years. The most recent addition to our shelf at France 44 is “Pomposa”–a traditional, red Lambrusco from the good folks at the Canti di Carpi e Sorbana co-operative. Regular customers will know this winemaking operation, which has a history stretching back over 100 years, from their ever-popular (and sleekly labelled) “Piazza Grande” sparkling rosé. Darker, richer, and altogether more food-oriented, “Pomposa” is an elegant riff on the best parts of Lambrusco, featuring a core of dark berries wrapped in bright, effervescent bubbles and finishing with lip-smacking acidity and just-enough sweetness. The perfect pairing for the Cheese Shop’s Valentine’s board, this heart-colored wine is the perfect finishing touch for a night with your sweetie this week.

Canti di Carpi Pomposa – $13.99

Make it a double

…IPA, that is.

The seemingly annual tradition lives on. February has low-key become the seasonal month of Double IPA releases. It’s probably because Midwesterners are starting to get sick of winter by now, and need an extra kick in their glass. Whatever the reason, our beer cooler is packed to the gills with Double IPAs and it’s in your best interest to come buy some. Take a gander at some of the best we have to offer:

Lupulin/Surly Operation CoHoperation Double IPA — $15.99/4pk Cans

A collaboration between two local hop-stalwarts, this edition of CoHoperation features fruit cocktail hop aromas from Citra, Sultana, and Lotus hops and a thick, chewy, sweet-ish malt profile to back it up.

Pryes Above The Canopy Hazy Double IPA — $15.99/4pk Cans

Double dry-hopped with Mosaic, Samba, and Amarillo hops, Above the Canopy wafts tropical fruit aromas and a little hint of that resin-y, green green character.

Modist Future Pixels DDH Double IPA — $17.99/4pk Cans

You betcha’, this one is double dry-hopped too! Galaxy, Strata, and Sultana hops join forces to create a futuristically delicious hazy double.

Toppling Goliath Supa’ Sumo Double IPA — $17.99/4pk Cans

This Citra and Mosaic-hopped double IPA will pile drive your taste buds and then sit on them. Juicy pineapple and orange citrus notes with a heavy load of bitterness.

 

Bell’s Hopslam Double IPA — $16.99/6pk Cans

The beer that likely started this whole February Double IPA thing. First brewed in 2004, Hopslam has been the benchmark of this category for well over a decade. Brewed with six different hops and a big dollop of honey for a floral, fruity, sweet and bitter nirvana.

Three Floyds Arctic Panzer Wolf Imperial IPA — $13.99/4pk

As the awesome yet frightening label might suggest, Arctic Panzer Wolf is here to rip apart your palate with a massive 100 IBUs. Certainly an old-school take on the style, it boasts piney citrus hop notes with a rich malty core and lingering bitterness.

When the wine bug bites…

Maybe you’ve been frequenting our weekend wine tasting bar. Perhaps you’ve taken a class or two from us. Hopefully you’ve gotten to know one of our wine staff and gotten some cool recommendations from them. Maybe you just finished reading Jon Bonne’s New Wine Rules, Aldo Sohm’s Wine Simple, or maybe you’ve perused Madeline Puckette’s beautiful Wine Folly book… and now you’ve contracted the wine itch.

Ask any of our staff, and they’ll tell you that the itch doesn’t really go away. In fact, it just kind of intensifies over time: the more curious you get and the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know—and the greater your desire becomes to know more. It’s pretty self-perpetuating: you have an amazing bottle of wine, you learn about it, you want more of whatever it was, you have another amazing bottle…

If you’re hooked and are ready to take the next step, consider enrolling in a wine course through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. Based in London but with schools around the world, WSET provides globally recognized education qualifications in wines, spirits, and sake.

WSET provides a very clear, structured setting for those wanting a classroom-style experience to really solidify and build upon a firm foundation in wine. Many of our wine staff have taken WSET courses and can give great advice from their first-hand experience.

But best of all, you don’t need to be in the wine industry to take WSET courses. Unlike the Court of Master Sommeliers, which is geared towards those already working in restaurants, retail, or distribution, WSET encourages wine enthusiasts from all backgrounds experiences to take courses.

France 44 has teamed up with Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy, Minnesota’s only WSET-approved school, to offer two different levels of WSET!

Level 1 is a beginner-level introduction to wine, suitable for those starting a wine career or pursuing an interest in wine. For those new to wine study, this qualification provides a hands-on introduction to the world of wine. You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings.

Level 2 is a beginner to intermediate level qualification exploring wines for those working in the industry or wine enthusiasts. This qualification is intended for beginners wishing to learn about a wide range of wines or those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with Level 1—although you’re not required to take Level 1 before Level 2. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality, and learn how to describe these wines with confidence.

Check out Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy’s website to learn more information about the upcoming 2020 courses being offered!

Gascony On My Mind (Normandy, Too)

Asking a staff member at France 44 what booze they are currently excited about is a very risky gamble. On any given day, you could get a gushing report of a natural wine, a screed on why you should be buying more rum, rants about the virtues of Madeira, or just a lot of thoughts on why tariffs are dumb. Suffice to say, we’re an animated bunch, and the discovery of something that’s tasty, unique, and affordable is always a cause for celebration. Enter: a bevy of new spirits from the North and West of France that just tickle us pink (brown?) and get our nerd-engines (ehhh) really revving. First up, we’ve got the sublimely-priced Bas-Armagnacs from producer Marie Duffau. New to Armagnac? Consider it catnip for wine nerds and brandy-lovers, alike. Distilled from grapes grown in Southwestern France (near Toulouse, if you’re a Google Maps fiend like us), Armangnac tends to be spicier, fuller-bodied, and more concentrated than its cousin from the north, Cognac. That’s in part from its distillation method—Armagnac typically goes through only one distillation in a column-still, while Cognac is usually subjected to at least two distillations, giving it a lighter, more refined flavor.

 

Marie Duffau is one line of mid-range Armagnac produced by the Delord distillery. Founded in 1925 by Prosper Delord and his wife, Marie Duffau, the company is now run by great grandsons of the original proprietors. Their Napoleon ($36.99) and Hors d’Age ($54.99) Armagnacs both offer incredible values, with the former being aged for 6 years and the latter for 12 years. An entry-level bottle, the Napoleon offers sweeter fruit and a lovely hint of vanilla extract on the nose. The palate continues the vanilla notes, with a good dose of the region’s characteristic spiciness. While this is a perfectly adequate sipper, it would shine in brandy-based drinks that need an extra dose of spice and heat, or in a bracing Hot Toddy for a cold Minnesota winter night. The Hors d’Age presents a more classic nose, with deeper tones of roasted coffee, cocoa, and smoked meat. The palate moves in a more savory direction, with bitter chocolate notes interspersed with flashes of peppercorn, cinnamon, leather, and dried citrus. A complex, concentrated spirit, this is best enjoyed neat in a snifter… preferably with a bar of dark chocolate.

 

Maybe you’re not an Armagnac newbie and this sort of nerding-out isn’t news to you. “Yes,” you might say, “I’ve always known that Armagnac is the near-perfect halfway point between wine and whiskey. I have been enjoying it for years, thanks to the careful selections made for me by the incredibly talented France 44 team.” First of all, thank you, ghost-customer! We love you too. For you, we’ve procured an extra-special bottle: the Domaine du Charron Bas-Armagnac ($119.99). This baby is cask strength, vintage dated (party like its 2004!), aged in new oak for 14 years, and made from 100% Baco grapes. If that means nothing to you, don’t worry; Baco is one the 10 grape varieties authorized for Armagnac production. A hardy grape, it makes sub-par wine, but gives a lovely richness, viscosity, and plush body when distilled. All of that is on display in this vinous, concentrated brandy, which boasts a nose filled with roasted pistachio and pecans, dates, figs, and candied citrus. The palate is velvety smooth (thanks, Baco!), and continues those lovely nutty-fruity notes from the nose. Get this fireside, ASAP.

 

Finally, for all you cider-lovers out there, we’ve also added a new and exciting Calvados to our collection at France 44. Coming to you direct from Normandy, Claque-Pepin Calvados ($44.99) boasts USDA Organic Certification (it’s the first!!) and a very unique blend of both apples and pears in its initial cider-base. Just as Armagnac is distilled from wine, Calvados is the product of distilled cider. Here, the notes of fresh apples and pears carry straight through into the final product. This is brimming with that fresh-cut pear skin goodness, a baked apple core, and some dusty cinnamon notes floating around the top. Apple pie, anyone?

Whether you’re a wine-nerd, a boozehound, or a beer-bro, there’s never been a better time to start geeking out about French spirits. Come to France 44 and let us pour you a sample tout de suite!!!

Slightly-Kind-Of-Dry (depending on the day) January

New year, new you! Hey, you really crushed it in 2019—you accomplished some goals, got a few projects done, hopefully treated yourself here and there. But 2020 brings you a fresh set of downs and you have resolved to make the most of them. Perhaps you will finally save enough to take that trip you’ve been planning; maybe you’re choosing to eat more vegetables and less cookies; you might even be choosing to cut back a bit on your adult beverage consumption—especially in the month of January. We totally respect that.

If you are trying to trim back on drinking without completely giving up your favorite liquid luxuries, we have a guilt-free suggestion for you: Low-alcohol, low-calorie craft beer! An appropriately-timed wave of these beers have landed in the Twin Cities, offering a sudsy solution to those who want to start the year off on the right foot. Check out some of our favorite recent arrivals below.

Fair State Dry January Dry-Hopped IPA — $9.99/4pk Cans

Accomplish your resolutions without complete abstinence from your favorite barley-based beverages. This session-able IPA rocks flavor without knocking you over. Tangerine-like citrus hop notes play atop a crisp, cracker-y malt profile with a lingering oily bitterness. 3.5% ABV. 105 Calories.

 

Odell Good Behavior IPA — $9.99/6pk Cans

This crushable IPA features everything you love about juicy IPAs but tightens a little slimmer at the waist. Fuzzy peach and mango aromas lead to a fresh, zesty citrus palate and pillow-y carbonation. Ooh that’s smooth. 4.0% ABV. 110 Calories.

 

Able Blk Wlf Stout — $9.99/4pk Cans

Blk Wlf is meant to confuse. It combines elements from multiple other stout varieties—Irish, American, oatmeal, and milk—into one dark but very easy-drinking “session” stout. Fresh coffee and cocoa notes on the nose, with flavors of bitter chocolate, nuts and a hint of caramel on the palate. 3.7% ABV. 111 Calories.

 

Sufferfest Repeat Kolsch-Style Ale — $9.99/6pk Cans

Concocted with bee pollen to add a honeyed floral aroma. Repeat Kolsch-style ale has grassy hop aromas with a bread-like maltiness. Hints of citrus and an herbal hop bite round out the balanced finish. 3.5% ABV. 95 Calories.

 

Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher — $5.49/4pk

The product that is a category unto itself. Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher has been a recent favorite of staff and customers alike. It’s an IPA-inspired refreshment with no alcohol, no calories, and no carbs. Citra, Equinox and Centennial hops that have been modified by a hint of brewer’s yeast will trick your nose into thinking that you’re about to drink an IPA. The palate is bright, fresh and invigorating. Try adding a dropper of Modist and Stigma’s collaboration CBD Dream Oil ($59.99/500mg bottle) for a relaxing way to recharge after a long day. 0.0% ABV. 0 Calories.

Our Booze-olutions for 2020

As 2019 ends and 2020 begins, all of us at France 44 have begun reflecting on the past year. Two of our wine staff, Josh and Sam, earned their Level 3 WSET certification. We won a fancy award from the Growler Mag’s 2019 Kind of a Big Deal Reader’s Choice for best bottle shop. And our store turned 60! First off, yes, we do moisturize for great skin. Second, while most stores would be looking at retirement come 65, we are looking at how we can make the next 60 years of serving you even better than the first six decades.

Believing in exploring new territory, discovering new libations to enjoy, and always growing in our knowledge of beer, wines, and spirits, we asked all our staff what subjects and areas we want to pursue in the coming year. Some are in jest, some are of a more serious air, but when it’s all said and done we have a committed staff dedicated to learning more to provide you with better service. Here are the 2020 France 44 resolutions:

Adam | “I am exploring more domestic wines, specifically in Washington and New York. There are a lot of exciting wine happenings outside of California in America, so I am going to dedicate time this year to dig deeper into these wine regions.

Bennett | “In 2020, I want to revisit and expand my knowledge of the Old World beer styles that laid the foundation for modern craft beer. I also plan to continue educational pursuits in the wine and spirits side of our business.”

Sarah | “All things Madeira.”

Tom | “I want to learn more about vermouth, sherry, and port; essentially, fortified wines. Additionally, there are a lot of unique agave spirits coming to market, so this is an area I am excited to explore come 2020. Also, Tommy Bahama makes a bourbon. I might need a new job if Tommy Bahama is now making bourbon instead of shirts.”

Mike | “I am going to drink more white wines, but specifically find food pairings that work well with whites and expand my palate and tastes.”

Dustin | “I spent a lot of 2019 drinking beer, so I am going to go back to wine for 2020.”

Karina | “My New Years Wine Resolution is to get people to drink more sparkling wine, and to get used to the idea of using it as a great food pairing wine—not just for celebrations or special occasions!”

Dylan | “Apparently there is now a Tommy Bahama bourbon. I need to figure out why this is allowed to exist. And whether I want to exist in a world where $80 Hawaiian shirt companies sell $100 bourbon.”

Sam | “I really want to see more of American wines, but also learn more about (and drink more) rum.”

Bill | “My New Year’s Resolution is to get past my hatred of natural wines. But this resolution will fall apart by January, just like natural wine. (Too truthful?)”

Rob | “I’m drinking more crispy bois. More crisp and clean lagers in 2020. That’s it.”

Melissa | “I am going to be continuing my cider education and representing France 44 at CiderCon 2020.”

Josh | “Who says you can’t pop Champagne on a Tuesday, just because? I want to drink more sparkling wines through the year without special occasion.”

Chaz | “Honestly, there’s so much more for me to learn. But really, I just want to get a new Tommy Bahama shirt and drink their $100 bourbon in my Tommy Bahama shirt. I think after 24 years of searching, I have finally found my place in this world.”

So, the drink is in your decanter. What will you drink more of in 2020?

Give the Gift of Education

Ahh, the sweet scent of pine needles in the air, the choking smog on 44th Street from the idling SUVs, the sounds of children laughing from Santa-impersonators and wine clerks crying from large product shipments—it’s the holidays at France 44! And, although this blog has been chock-full of amazing alcoholic beverages you can purchase for your holiday gifts, did you know that France 44 offers a whole range of non-bottle-shaped gifts for 2020? New classes have just been posted on Dojour, and there’s never been a better time to buy your friend, family, or fiancée an entertaining evening of education in our wine classroom.

 

Extended Enological Education!

Do you have a friend who raved about their experience in our “Wine 101” class? Send them to “Wine 102” with our 3-part “World of Wine” series, featuring an in-depth look at the wines of Spain, Italy, and France—the powerhouses of old-world wine production. Led by wine staff members Josh, Karina, and Sam, this is a great way to take the leap into the nitty-gritty of wine: grapes, growers, and geography, oh my!! With one class each month, January through March, it’s a great start to the year.

 

Somm-Studded Study!

If you keep up with the wild world that is the Twin Cities restaurant scene, then (hopefully) you’ve kept up with our “Somm Series” classes, featuring the bright minds behind the outstanding wine programs at some of the best restaurants in Minnesota. The winter will feature classes with Amy Waller, sommelier for the Bachelor Famer, and Scarlett Carrasco-Polanco of Grand Café. They’ll wax poetic on their love of Austrian wines and Cabernet Franc, respectively.

 

Meaty Material!

Give the carnivores in your life an opportunity to put their knife skills to the test with our Pig Butchering 101 class. One of the most popular classes we’ve offered at France 44, this experience gets you up-close-and-personal with a whole hog in our downstairs kitchen. Our butcher, Scott, guides participants through the basics of butchering and sends each student home with over $100 worth of pork and sausages! Follow this class up with a ticket to our “Grilling and Wine” class later in April, where you can learn from our wine specialist, Adam, which wines will pair best with those sausages!

 

History, Hurdles, and Hedonism

In 2020, we’re excited to start offering a range of classes that take our wine education program in brand-new directions. Kicking off a non-traditional year will be “Forbidden Fruit(s): A Prohibition Extravaganza,” which will take participants on a rollicking ride through one of America’s worst ideas. The theatergoer or history buff in your life will love this evening blending wine, theatre, bathtub gin, and anachronistic jokes into a wildly entertaining event.

 

Running with the artistic bent, we’ll be teaming up with Art Girl Minneapolis for a wine and art pairing class in “Around the World with Wine, Art, and Cheese,” featuring the work of Venezuelan-born artist Richard Merchan. Finally, celebrate Women’s History Month with a groundbreaking roundtable with four influential women in the Twin Cities wine scene in, “Winey Women: A Celebration of Women in Wine.” Hear about the journey these women have been on, join in the dialogue of what women bring to wine today, and sip on some inspiring wines chosen by our panelists while we dream big for the future.

‘Twas the Weeks Before Christmas…

‘Twas the weeks before Christmas, when all through France 44

All creatures were stirring, in and out the door

The bottles were stacked around the store with care

In hopes our wonderful customers would soon be there…

In case you haven’t turned on a radio or walked into a storefront since Thanksgiving (or even Halloween), the holidays are upon us! With only a few more weeks until Christmas 2019, we know you’re busy decorating houses, attending office holiday parties, videotaping holiday pageants, and of course, finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones. While we won’t be able to suggest whether you should buy the Frozen 2 Elsa Ice Castle or LEGO Star Wars Episode IX X-Wing Fighter, we can help you find the perfect bottles for Uncle Rico’s whiskey collection or Aunt Debbie’s wine cellar. But before whiskey and wine, let’s start with our favorite barley pops of the season.

With Mama and her IPA, and I with my ale

Had just settled in for a Christmas tale

When from the driveway came a shout

Papa was home! with a new barrel-aged stout

 

Great Lakes Christmas Ale | $11.99/6pk | The more things in beer change, the more Great Lakes stays the same–and we mean that in a good way. Great Lakes’ Christmas Ale is back, and it’s been decades since they’ve disappointed. Not to be mistaken for a hot toddy, this ginger, cinnamon, and honey golden strong ale will be pleasing all season long. Leave one out for Santa–he’s got a long night.

Bent Paddle Double Shot Double Black Barrel Aged Black Ale | $23.99/750ml | Up nort’ in Dulut’, Bent Paddle has released an absolutely wonderful stout year in and year out. Double Shot Double Black is a delectable black ale, actually the top rated black ale on Beer Advocate. Double the vanilla and double the coffee and subtle notes of bourbon and oak, this beer will keep you nice and warm through many a snowstorm.

Pryes Citra Snowcaps | $15.99/4pk | A rising star in the North Loop, Pryes is starts new series “The Cartographer Collection”, starting off with a winter. Themed Citra Snowcaps. This double dry hopped double IPA is as big as it sounds with enormous papaya and pineapple flavor, but laid beneath with a soft bill, it may be closely be compared to falling into a pile of fresh snow and making a nice little snow angel as you sip 16 ounces of unfiltered goodness.

More bubbly than Prosecco were the wine staff today, 

As they shouted the wines as they came in the way:

“Now, Cava! now Pinot–Noir and Grigio!

On, Syrah! on, Sherry! Cab Sauv and Sauv Blanc!”

 

Ken Wright Cellars Freedom Hill Pinot Noir | $49.99 | We wanted to find some more exciting wines–a few things off the beaten path (AKA not California Cabernets, sorry!). This bottle of floral, spicy Pinot Noir blends together fresh mossy, wet earth with dark raspberries and sweet cherry. The minerality and brighter acidity of this Oregon favorite comes through with a juicy, filling mouthfeel. Pairs well with warming up after building a snowman.

Smockshop Band Red Blend | $34.99 | Be bold this Christmas and give one of the finest natural wines on the market. Smockshop Band Columbia Valley Red Wine is not your average red, and not your average natural wine. Higher acidity but not overly funky, the bright fruit on the wine tastes like fresh raspberry and cranberry with fresh earth still covering the fruit. Farmed using no pesticides or chemicals, handpicked fruit, and fermented using ambient yeast, this wine is a gift to your friends and the earth.

Delot ‘Legende’ Brut Champagne | $44.99 | This is no ordinary Champagne, as this wine was made back in 2009. Think about whatever you were doing in 2009, and this is when these grapes were first harvested. The Champagne spent 72 months on the lees, meaning the yeast has been interacting with the flavors and aromas of this wine for 6 years. Apple, limestone, and a hint of almond, this creamy and fruity delight effervesces through the senses for an airy and elegant finale.

La Miraja La Ribota Vino Aromatizzato Alla China | $34.99 | Perhaps one of the most intriguing products in the store, La Ribota comes from the region of Piedmont in Italy. Each year, only 600 bottles of this Italian red are fortified and aromatized into this lovely vermouth-like treat. While a little more than vermouth, this is the perfect way to bring a Manhattan or a Negroni to the next level, or you can simply drink this over ice.

The last of the Belle Meade held tight to his chest

Uncle Rico tried a negroni, one better than the rest

He went to the store for bitter orange and Amaro

For it was Christmas Eve, and the store would be closed ‘morrow

 

Whistle Pig Rye Whiskey “Butter” and “Cherry” | $87.99 | Whistle Pig allowed us to choose not one but two single barrels. It can be hard to decide between the two. Cherry offers some nice dark, rounded fruit and a smooth experience, while Butter has a nice bright spice portrayed from start to finish. But why settle for one flavor or the other? Purchase both and fill a glass with a half pour each for a truly joyous occasion. A beautiful sight on your drink shelf, to help make you feel happy tonight, both of these Whistle Pig Ryes will leave you walkin’ in a whiskey wonderland.

1792 Single Barrel ($37.99) and Bottled in Bond Single Barrel ($44.99) | We’ve decked our halls and aisles with many a single barrel bourbon, but we wanted to specifically give notice to our 1792 bourbons. The first single barrel features an oily-esque mouthfeel, and notes of cola paired with orange and dark fruits. The bottled in bond’s higher proof brings out classic oak flavors of vanilla bean and caramel, but also plantain and banana esters. This is easily one of the most unique bourbons in the Minneapolis market.

St. Agrestis Amaro ($39.99), Bitter Orange ($34.99), Negroni ($6.99/200ml) | We highlighted St. Agrestis Amaro last month, but we wanted to introduce you to their siblings: the Inferno Bitter and Negroni. The Inferno Bitter is a digestif–an after-dinner bitter which pairs well with club soda post-Christmas cookie gorging, or orange juice for Christmas brunch (we won’t tell). The Negroni (and Amaro) now come in 200 ML bottles, which are perfect stocking stuffers for your children and grandchildren over the age of 21. Just make sure to pick out a few for yourself.

And just a quick reminder, we will be open our regular hours from now until December 23rd. On Tuesday, December 24th, we will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM, so everyone can enjoy Christmas Eve with friends and family. But we will be here every day ready to help you find the perfect gift for all your loved ones.

All of Linden Hills came for days until Christmas Eve

Until the clock struck five, we had to ask them to leave

But we all exclaimed as our customers drove out of sight:

“Happy Christmas from France 44, and to all a good-night!”

 

Gifts for the Holidays Made Easy

France 44 is a mecca for taking care of the wine, spirits, beer, and cider holiday gifts on your list. But the gift ideas shouldn’t stop there—give your favorites the full drink experience, complete with a few beautiful accessories! Our accessories department has a wide variety of high-quality bar tools to stock any home bar, and we’ve brought in some holiday-centric stocking stuffers as well.

 

MAKE IT CLASSIC, MAKE IT CUSTOM  |  For the ultimate display of festivity and delight, check out our gift basket offerings. Our Cheese and Wine Basket is our #1 seller, and is the perfect gift for the food lover in your life. Three beautiful half-pound wedges of cheese accompanied by Minnesota honey, single-origin chocolate, and Potter’s Crackers are paired with two bottles of delicious, crowd-pleasing wine.

 

Our Local Craft Beer Basket showcases some of our bestselling and favorite home-grown beers. This is a great gift for the Minnesota transplant who wants a taste of home, or anyone looking for some awesome craft beer that isn’t widely available. France 44 supports the local craft beer scene, and so should you!

 

Looking for the perfect gift for anyone and any occasion, sans alcohol? Our Snack Tote is stuffed with goodies suitable for your brother-in-law, the new family on the block, or for an office full of hungry workers. Sweet, salty, crunchy, this gift includes pretzels, sun-popped popcorn, granola, chocolate pearls, giant corn nuts and giant cheese puffs, Virginia peanuts, and chocolate chip cookies. Comes in one of our environmentally friendly canvas totes, designed by one of our own staff!

And if you’d like to put a custom twist on your basket, we can do that too. Our expert staff can curate a custom basket with your input, starting at $50. Choose from wine, beer, cider, spirits, food, and/or accessories to be included, and let us help make it beautiful for you!

HOLIDAY GIFT BASKET STATIONS  |  Come in on December 8th and 15th from 11am – 2pm to take advantage of our all-star accessories and gift basket team at our Gift Basket Station. Let them help you create the perfect custom gift basket right in front of your eyes. Our knowledgeable staff will work with you to choose your items and create a sure-to-impress gift for anyone on your list, from your boss, to your first cousin, to your kid’s teacher… and everyone in-between. Pricing for boxes and wooden crates with crinkle cut filling and ribbon choices range from $10 – $20.

The France 44 team is here for you, in every department, to help you find the perfect gifts this holiday season. Cheers, and Happy Holidays!