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
We have a great list of wines for Friday - they are listed below.
But first a few items of interest.
• A veto by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has corked a measure that would have singled out zinfandel for recognition as the “historic” wine of California. California produces many fine wines from different grape varieties, the governor noted in his veto message this past week.
“It would be a shame to recognize only one as 'California's historic wine,”' Schwarzenegger wrote.
• Cigars & Cognac this Tuesday September 5th - 6 p.m. - Four Amazing Cognacs - Three Amazing Cigars - on the deck at Brie & Bleu.
• This Friday & Saturday New London hosts a Jazz, Blues & Arts Festival - NO CHARGE
We have TWO great shows lined up for you - FRIDAY NIGHT - 6 p.m. - André Danford leads a group of musicians that have all made their marks in the business. Many of you know that André has been part of the regions music scene for almost 30 years. He has recorded in New York with noted studio session players and he brings his talent and connections to our stage on Friday Night - Please Join Us for Wine Tasting and Music.
SATURDAY NIGHT - 6 p.m. - NO CHARGE
Mr. Chris Leigh brings his "AXE" to town and sets up shop at 84 Bank Street. A recognized guitar superfly Chris plays on our stage as the Jazz, Blues & Art Festival continues. Please Join Us for a great night of wine, music, art and more - downtown New London is jumping.
• Wednesday Night September Dinners - are posted and filling quickly.
Please don't hesitate to call early if you are interested - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.
YES - it is true we are adding another night of dinners - specifically geared for Italian wine & food.
Menu will be posted on the calendar of events page - first come, first served.
This Week at Brie & Bleu -
Our Cheese Miester Colleen McNerney has this to say about her pick of the week:
Bica de Quiejo usually $21/lb is $19/lb this week.
Bica is a farmhouse cheese from Portugal made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep's milk. Bica has a distinctive yet mild, buttery flavor and a satiny texture. Like most Portuguese cheeses, Bica has a slightly salty flavor because its milk comes from animals that graze on land that sits by the sea. Enjoy it with a medium-bodied red wine before the meal, or with a glass of sherry for dessert. For an additional 10% off the cheese pair with Altana douro Red only $8 a bottle at Thames River Wine and Spirits.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASTING PLEASE JOIN US
Friday September 8 - 6 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Cape Mentelle - SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON -$15
In the far off land of Western Australia one can find the Cape Mentelle Vineyards, established by David and Mark Hohnen and now part of the Moët Hennessy Wine Estates. This is a specialist producer of premium wines in Margaret River in the south west corner of Western Australia. One of the country's finest wine regions, Margaret River enjoys a maritime location, with the added advantage of a long dry growing season. These folks harvest at NIGHT. They say its because of the cooler temperatures - I think its because they get to wear those funny miner's helmets with the lights on them. At any rate they take great care in vinification and fermentation in new French barrels - thats what really contributes to this stylish wine. Fresh fruit characters with the oak adding a fine structure, are the hallmarks of this crisp and complex style, ideally enjoyed within two years of release. Please try it this Friday.
2 - Pascual Toso 2004 Malbec - $10 - http://www.bodegastoso.com.ar/
Pascual Toso emigrated from Piedmont to Argentina in 1880. During his first ten years there, he realized that there were good winemaking prospects in the country. Toso founded his estate in 1890, and it grew over the next several decades into a thriving wine enterprise. Unfortunately, the upheaval of the 1980s saw Argentina's wine business dry up. Despite some stumbles, the management team at Pascual Toso - comprised of owner Mario Toso and winemaker Rolando Luppino - adapted to the new market realities. Among the changes was bringing in California guru Paul Hobbs as a consultant to help breathe new life into the wines. Toso and Luppino are still at the helm, continuing to produce some amazing wines. The matter-of-fact Luppino is the yin to the yang of director Mario Toso - He is a big, affable bear of a man who tours the vineyards on horseback with a cell phone on his hip. This Malbec is another great value - at $10 you will want it by the case - This is a great everyday wine - Let me sum it up for you in just four words: airy, light, easy and juicy! This great quaffing wine shows bright raspberry and cherry flavors.
3 - Col Des Vents 2003 Corbières - $12
The Corbières have been known in the past for cheap, uncomplicated red wine produced in vast quantities to quench the thirst of northern France. However, over the past twenty years things have been quietly changing. The producers have organised themselves and and adopted new technology while still retaining the best of their old traditions; poor quality vines have been pulled up and replaced. The best Corbières wines can now hold their own with the classic French vintages of Bordeaux and Burgundy, and prove it by regularly snapping up prizes at national competitions. Some of the very best wines, by their nature, are produced in very small amounts. Lots of aroma of black fruits and just a hint of anise in this one. Great with grilled red meats and cheeses like goat cheese or cheddar - Ask one of our girls at Brie & Bleu to pick a nice one out for you.
4 - Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras $30 - http://www.sangdescailloux.com/
It's no secret that we love the wines of Vacqueyras, in the Southern Rhone. This wine is perhaps the crown jewel of this tiny appellation that sits nestled against it's much larger and more famous neighbor Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Old vines - 50+ years grow in soil that is packed with stones of all sizes - in fact they run the gamut of grape size pebbles all the way up to softball sized bombers. - I am not kidding I have seen it with my own eyes. All of these stones filter the rain and trickle it down to the roots of these magnificent vines. Run by the energetic Serge Ferigoule, this domaine whose name translates to "Blood of the Stones" has been raising the bar for the quality and power of Vacqueyras wines for the past 15 years. This wine is dark. It has a big and appealing aroma - plums and raspberries with floral and subtle black-pepper notes. This is a cheap way to visit France and we hope you will try it on Friday night.
The summer has gone by quickly - no need to tell you that.
Our store has become a meeting place for old friends and so many new ones too.
One thing that does need to be repeated is to remind everyone what an impression you all make on the countless winemakers, chef's, authors, artists and other visitors that pass through our doors. They all comment of the quality of our customers - The energy, interest, and support that you show is the "X" factor that makes it all possible. Thank you all for making it so much fun - the best is yet to come.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and great way to start your weekend.
AAA
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