Elan Magazine, Chamard Estate, Finca Flichman, Montaribaldi Berbera, Pepperbridge Merlot

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
Now Open: Import - 60 State Street

www.thamesriver.com

From the mailbag this week here is a particular favorite:

Dear TRW&S,
My Dad doesn't know Shiraz from Shinola. He doesn't even know his Alsace from his Elbow.
We can't take him anywhere. Can you help?
Hopefully,
C.B.Vincent

Thank goodness we got to these people in time.
Of course we can help - our weekly wine tasting is the perfect way to introduce your friends, family and even dear old dad to all the wines of the world. It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.

We have a great line up of wine for this weekend - the details are listed below.

First a few items of interest:

• Thanks to everyone that attended the dinner last Wednesday - Authors, artists, personalities of all kinds - Thanks for making it so much fun.

• Thanks to Elan Magazine for the great article in the current issue - Fall 2006 - see it here: www.shorepublishing.com

• Cognac and Cigars Tuesday September 5 - 6 p.m. - On the deck at Brie & Bleu - this is a very popular night. Enjoy a light menu of appetizers, a selection of world famous cognac and fine cigars. Ladies, don't be bashful - Please call to reserve. $35 plus tax - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.

• Our list of September Dinners is now up and reservations are being accepted. Check the calendar of events page for details.

• If you close your eyes and step through the door of Xocolatl at 140 State Street you just might forget where you are. Xocolatl the new Chocolate Café is amazing. This is the perfect place to visit after dinner or a show or anytime you need a chocolate "fix."

• Welcome to our new neighbors! Flavours of Life, the Fair Trade Store on Bank Street, will be moving to their new location at 84 Bank Street. Saturday September 2 - Fair Trade is an international movement which makes sure that Third World artists, artisans and farmers get a fair price for their work on international markets. Flavours of Life, owned by Marcie Boyer, sells exotic, handmade, fair-trade goods from all around the world.
Art, crafts, clothing , jewelry and organic foods (coffee,tea,chocoalte,rice and sugar).

This Week At Brie & Bleu -

Our Cheese Monger Colleen McNerney has selected a cheese this week that has caused quite a commotion at the store.
There is an italian import company named - Cilento and they supply us with this amazing "Mozzarella di Bufala Campana"
This Buffalo Mozzarella is so good that the employees in the store are fighting over the samples! Please try it.
This is what Colleen has to say about it:
Buffalo Mozzarella is the cheese of the week at $5 a packet. Mozzarella, a delicate and mild, milky cheese is soft to semi-soft. Great accompaniments are: Olives; tomatoes; roasted red peppers; crusty bread. It is served best this time a year with fresh tomatoes from the garden - yum! Serve it with lesser-oaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc such as Silverstone or a light-bodied Pinot Noir wine such as Flowers bought at the Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.

WINE TASTING - Please Join Us.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Chamard Estate Chardonnay - Connecticut - $13 - http://www.chamard.com/index.html
Located in Clinton - Wine Spectator Magazine has called Chamard a "gem of a vineyard."
Chamard benefits from a unique micro-climate influenced greatly by Long Island Sound. Located two miles from the sound and six miles from the mouth of the Connecticut River, this maritime climate produces mild winter temperatures and a long, warm growing season. The rich, stony soil, gently sloping land and moderate climate provide an ideal environment for the growing of European wine grapes. A rich, full-bodied wine with complex aromas of ripe fruit, spices and toasty oak flavors. This Chardonnay is well-balanced, has a rich creamy texture and a long juicy finish.

2 - Finca Flichman Malbec Reserva - Argentina - $12 www.flichman.com.ar
In 1873, in the area of Barrancas, Maipú, province of Mendoza, Their first vineyards were planted. At the start of 1910, the Flichman family re-inaugurated the property with the name of Finca Flichman. It was Sami Flichman, a visionary pioneer, who developed the first vineyards in a depression formed by the Mendoza River in ancient times. The grapes come from an old vineyard still on original rootstock in their Barrancas estate. Soft crushing leaves many grapes whole, and the maceration takes 18 days - then it is given a quick touch of oak of not more than six months, to be quickly bottled and stacked for 6-10 months before being sold. Red with a clean, direct aroma of plum, mulberry and nuts and a sustained aftertaste of red fruit on an oak base. This is another example of great value coming from South America - At this price what we have will go quickly. Please be sure to try this one on Friday night.

3 - 2003 - Montaribaldi Berbera d' Alba - Italy -
This beautiful dry red has it all and 2003 was especially hot - producing a huge wine - full & ripe.
You want history? this stuff is loaded with it: The Barbera variety's origins are extremely ancient but the first documents in which it is cited date to only several centuries ago. In fact, the first formal citation of Barbera appears in a document of the 17th century that is now preserved in the city hall of Nizza Monferrato. And it was first officially mentioned in 1798 when Count Nuvolone, deputy director of the agrarian society of Turin, drew up the first ampelography of the varieties cultivated in the vineyards of Piedmont. FOOD -Have the staff at Brie & Bleu cut a nice piece of Parmigiano Reggiano for you and then sit back with a few olives and a glass of this wine. Heaven. Truly - what its all about.

4 - Pepperbridge Merlot - $45 - Washington www.pepperbridge.com
Robert Parker rated this 90 points. Wine Spectator gave it 92 points - Pepper Bridge Vineyard has gained an outstanding reputation with winemakers throughout the state of Washington and especially the Walla Walla Valley. Pepper Bridge Vineyard is one of our two estate vineyards located in the Walla Walla Valley Appellation. The original 10 acres were planted in 1991. Since then, the vineyard has been expanded to almost 200 acres. This Merlot is densely packed with luscious, intense flavors of ripe currants, black cherries and wild berries. Hints of exotic spice with touches of chocolate, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Rich and concentrated, this plush merlot finishes with a smooth, refined elegance. This is one of those real yummy wines. Give it a try see for yourself.


Thanks so much for all of the comments, and your continued support - we appreciate it.
We have many things in the pipeline for you - the best is yet to come.


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