Sunday, April 22, 2007

San Solé Chardonnay, Seiterre Rosso Toscano, Villa La Prata Rosso di Montalcino, Coppo Barbera d'Asti "Pomorosso"

Greetings from New London,

Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463

Coming to you live - from the fabulous Historic Waterfront in New London -
The home of America's Tall Ship - "The Eagle." - This majestic ship can be seen from our deck every day. The views of the harbor could be the reason that so many people grab a bottle of wine from the cellar and then "set up shop" on the deck. I don't think that there is a better view in New London - Come on down.

Spring is here - we have a great selection of wine to share with you on Friday - including a real Show Stopper. The list is just below these items of interest.

• Our "Cult Wine" dinner series is a real joy.
Thanks to everyone that attended the Staglin Vineyards dinner last Thursday.
Here are the wines that were featured:
Lieb Cellars Blanc de Blanc - $34
Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay - $50
Staglin Estate Cabernet and - $145
Chalk Hill Botrytised Semillon - $125

The next dinner will be announced soon -
if you are interested please call the store - 860-443-9463
Seating is very limited and we will only take reservations by phone - ask for Jim.



• Thanks to all who have discovered us on iTunes. If you missed it - all of our WineRadio interviews, videos, special guests and more are being added to the main Apple iTunes site. Simply type in "WineRadio" in the main search field and hit enter - we pop right up. New material is being added each week. And remember that you can "subscribe" to our show there and new stuff will be sent to you auto-magically.
Direct link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=251715986

• Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 3-7 p.m.
Trunk Show with wine,cheese & chocolate.
Dr. Elizabeth McMunn - Advanced Eyecare - in East Lyme is having a little Wine & Cheese party to show off her latest "shades" for the summer season. We are providing the wine & cheese - you can provide the "cool" factor - Visit their website for details (www.eastlymeeye.com) or call for more information - (860) 739-9900.


This Week At Brie & Bleu
Dinner Specials
Friday 4/27 - Bourbon & Molases Glazed Pork, with Cheddar Grits -
(wow, save me some of that!)
Saturday 4/28 - Horseradish Crusted Roast Beef with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Featured Cheese:
New England is a beautiful place in the spring time, which is the best time to get goat cheese. The pyramid shaped goat cheese, Valley View Topsfield Highlander is made in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The Highlander is a pyramid shaped semi-ripened or surface-ripened goat milk cheese with a bloomy, white, wrinkled, velvety exterior. Aged at least one month the cheese develops a creamy interior, brie like in texture and mold. More tangy near the rind and progressively richer and creamier toward the center. Serve at room temperature to allow the full diversity of flavors to come forth. Priced at $15 a package. Enjoy an additional 10% discount, when purchased with Pascal Jolivet Sancerre from our wine store.


WINE TASTING PLEASE JOIN US
Friday April 27th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - San Solé Chardonnay - Veneto Italy - $10
Estate bottled by Cantina di Monteccia, Monteccia di Crosara Italy.
This wine comes from a small area about 60 miles west of Venice Italy. For those of you that have been to the area you know that it is a "post card" version of Italy that is ... enchanting. This wine is as common a sight on the tables of restaurants and cafés in Venice as are bottles of sparkling water. It is a perfect food wine.
And for those of you that say "I don't like chardonnay" - you must try this.
The only thing that it has in common with those other chards - is the name.

After just a sip or two, you may imagine yourself under the garden arbors at Locanda Ciprianni on the tiny island of Torcello - one of the islands in the great lagoon of Venice. And as long as you are dreaming - It will be served with a small plate of simple greens that have somehow been perfectly coated - each and every leaf - with a delicate olive oil infused with fresh lemon. Perfecto. A case or two of this wine should be on your list for the summer. It has it's own light citrus and tropical fruit notes and makes just the right addition to grilled vegetables, seafood, chicken and light pork dishes - and of course salads. At this price - it is perfect. Take a look at Locanda Ciprianni: http://www.locandacipriani.com/

2 - Seiterre Rosso Toscano 2005 $14 - Sangiovese 50% Cabernet 50%
If history interests you - this wine has it in spades. The area where the grapes come from dates back to before the year 1000. Charlemagne donated the territory to Pope Adrian I.

Just imagine the look on the faces of your family and friends when you repeat this information while filling their glasses. They will all be thinking to themselves -
"You know, I was all wrong about this person."
And before the spell wears off, they will taste a soft, velvety and easy drinking wine with wonderful flavors of plums and dark cherries. This is a very flexible, easy drinking wine that goes well - very well - with food. Absolutely a steal for the price - grab a case or two - if you don't have the space - we will store it in our cellar and you can pick it up as you need it.

3 -Villa La Prata Rosso di Montalcino "Tirso" 2004 $27
Estate bottled - this is essentially declassified Brunello.
Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes from a specific clone called "Brunello" in the town of Montalcino.

The Villa Le Prata is a winery that was created around a villa constructed in 1862 for Count Carlo de Vecchi as a hunting lodge. Left to the church, it then became a summer home for the bishop of Montalcino. In 1982 today's owners came into possession and in the following years created a small winery; above all a result of the women of the family, constantly dedicated to the research of the quality of the product. The first hectare was planted in 1989. Today the winery has two hectares of Brunello in production and a third hectare that is to be planted. The terrain is widespread, some around the villa and others in the zone of Castelnuovo dell' Abate

This region produces wines with rich body, deep ripe cherry to plum flavors and lots of earth and spice - and Villa Le Prata consistently produces wines with more breadth and richness in every vintage. If you enjoy the pricey big brothers of this wine - the true Brunello's - you need to try this one. It is an excellent alternative at an approachable price.

4 - Coppo Barbera d'Asti "Pomorosso" 2003 $70
Rated - "Tre Bicierre"(three glasses) - "the height and truest expression of the Barbera varietal."
by the prestigious Gambero Rosso journal.

Piero Coppo founded the Coppo winery in 1892 in the town of Canelli, in Piedmont.
In 1984, his grandson's decided to focus on Barbera, releasing on the market their own interpretation of this local grape. The prestigious Pomorosso was born, emerging as the model of the “Modern Style” Barbera, aged in oak and with unmistakable personality.

This family is considered to be THE "Barbera Specialists” worldwide. The family has been making wine in Piedmont for generations – their single-vineyard Barbera, Il Pomorosso - is a show stopper. Toastier oak elements with touches of smoke and earth and the more usual dark cherry and blackberry aromas. It’s a rich, full-bodied wine, with a long, somewhat spicy finish. Of course, show stopper's do not come cheap. It is an expensive bottle - but it is also a bargain, when you consider it's the real McCoy. Please be sure to try it on Friday night.

We are getting ready for a great season - thank you for all of the comments and suggestions - we are listening.
You will see changes and additions in the coming weeks.

And thank you for your support, we appreciate it.

Please Join Us - It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.


AAA.

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