Hugues Beaulieu, Mas Delmera, Cain Cuvee, Jackson Triggs, Hank & Carol Mann, Wine Radio

Greetings from New London -
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463 - 84 Bank Street
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817 - 70 State Street
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474 - 84 Bank Street
Coming Soon: Import - 60 State Street

We have great wines for Friday take a look - just below and highlighted in RED.

First -
I can't tell you how many people say -"We can't make it downtown during the week - how come we can't buy stuff online?"
So, by popular demand we are now offering you the opportunity to purchase online.
The favorites & featured page now has a secure shopping cart - you may shop at will.
http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html

In many cases the supply is limited - it is first come, first served.

In fact over the next couple of weeks we will be offering a "Buy Now" section for all three stores.
Special offers, featured holiday items, gift baskets - cheese, coffee - a little something for everyone.
Remember that we can deliver any of these things right to your front door - with Thames River Greenery.

NEXT - Brie & Bleu
If you missed the featured goat cheese from Beltane Farms in Lebanon, CT last week,
Brie & Blue is featuring great goat cheese from Cypress Grove in California at a discounted price this week.

Humboldt Fog originally at $22/lb is $20/lb - The grayish-blue streak running through the white, chalky center of Humboldt Fog is often mistaken for blue mold, but it's actually flavorless vegetable ash, which also lightly covers the soft, exterior rind. Mildly goaty and tangy, often fluffy in the middle with a runny texture and stronger flavor around the rind as it ages. Humboldt Fog is Cypress Grove's signature cheese and must be tried by anyone interested in domestic, artisanal cheese. Pair with a nice Sauvignon Blanc such as Vina Robles purchased at Thames River Wine & Spirits for an additional 10% off the price of the cheese.

Midnight Moon originally at $23/lb is $21/lb - Aged one year, this firm cheese offers loads of flavor, including a hint of salted caramel. Intriguing and addictive, it is essentially a goat's milk gouda. Pairs well with a Syrah such as Clos Mimi Petit Rousse Syrah purchased at Thames River Wine & Spirits for an additional 10% off the price of the cheese.


BEER TASTING - Thursday 5-8 p.m.- No Charge
The President of our Beer Division - George "Jorgé Casa Blanca" Whitehouse - is looking for a few good Hop-Heads to join him this week in the cellar: 'Tis the season to open up the windows, clean out the basement, and ...you guessed it... start drinking India Pale Ales again.

All the Hop-heads in the audience can sample four of the best IPAs from the US, and its ally, Great Britain.
These will include:
Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA: An old favorite.
A session India Pale Ale brewed with Warrior, Amarillo & 'Mystery Hop X.'
A powerful East Coast I.P.A. with a lot of citrusy hop character. THE session beer for beer geeks like us!

Meantime India Pale Ale: - http://www.meantimebrewing.com/
In fact the style originated in London, and between 1780 and 1820 the East London firm of Hodgson had a jealously guarded monopoly of supply to the growing India market. These beers were characterised by pale malts, long maturation, massive hopping levels and high alcoholic strength. The latter were necessary to ensure the beer survived the long months at sea if it was not to be tipped straight into the harbour at Calcutta - a fate not unknown to happen.
Meantime is proud to authentically resurrect this great style, making it the only British brewery to brew a true IPA.

We hope you'll come down to try these great beers, and bring some vinyl! Same Beer time, same Beer place.


Wine Tasting Friday 4/28/06 - 6 - 9 p.m. - NO CHARGE

1 - Hugues Beaulieu - Picpoul Depinet - $9 http://www.kysela.com/
Hugues Beaulieu 2003 Coteaux du Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet
This clear, light-gold wine breathes appetizing aromas of peaches, juicy and fresh, with a back note of lemon-lime. Crisp and tart, white-fruit flavors and lemon-squirt acidity are fresh and cleansing in a very long finish. Not overly complex but bright and appealing, it's a first-rate seafood wine. Excellent with a broad range of seafood; couldn't ask for a better match with a simple Southern-cuisine dinner of shrimp and grits.


2 - Mas Delmera - Tempranillo - $8 - http://www.tarragonawine.com/about_us.html

About one hundred km south of Barcelona Spain is the city of Tarragona. From this area comes one of the best values you will try for a while.
This simple table wine is a great discovery. Fresh, grapey aromas give way to ripe, sweet flavors of plum and vanilla in this juicy red.
It has just enough grip for food and goes well with most dishes. This is the kind of wine that will impress your friends. They will ask how you found it and you can tell them: "Oh I've been drinking wines from Tarragona for years."

3 - Cain Cuvee - Napa Blend - $27 - http://www.cainfive.com/
Cain Cuvée (cue-vay means “blend”) is a new style of Cabernet blend. This wine is bright - lots of aromas to combine with a mouthwatering fresh and a silky finish—just the thing to complement today’s lighter and spicier dishes. Distinct perfumy aromas, delicate spiciness, and a long finish Very versatile with food, and with the complexity of wines at twice the price.


4 - Jackson Triggs - Ice Wine - $21 (187ml) - http://www.jacksontriggswinery.com/en/index.html
Ice Wines have a lot of devoted fans - this is a good example of what converts regular folks into die hard champions. Soft crimson in colour, our 2004 Grand Reserve Cabernet Franc Icewine displays alluring aromas of raspberry and plums with hints of figs. Full in body, the intense flavours of berries and rhubarb marry with a touch of pepper and spice on the extended silky finish. Serve slightly chilled on its own, with fresh fruit, chocolate mousse, rich paté or a selection of fine cheeses.

Finally -
A huge personal thank you to Hank & Carol Mann.
While the rain came down on Sunday - They hosted an afternoon of food, wine and friends that is one for the books.
Here is a quick list of the wines:
1983 -
E. Guigal Hermitage, Jaboulet Cornas, Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapel, Beaucastel.

Then a vertical tasting of Beaucastel:
1978, 1989, 1989-375ml,

And with desert - 1975 Clemens

That's how we spent a rainy Sunday in Connecticut -
I won't rhapsodize about the wines here - it would take too long. But I will say that Hank & Carol are generous, warm and gracious hosts.
They reach into that cellar and pull out bottles of 83 Beaucastel like it was a chilled "white zin" from the rack on the refrigerator door.
The wines were great - but the friendship and camaraderie - even better.

Thanks for all of the calls & email - we appreciate your support.
Please join us - It's fun, informal and a great way to learn about wine.



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