Monday, September 17, 2007

Girls Night Out, Penfolds Grange, Trapiche, Jean-Claude Thevenet, Exaltos, Meerlust, WineRadio

Greetings from all of us in New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
IMPORT - 860-443-6817


Well, I hate to say it but this but, yesterday morning was actually cold enough to put on a sweater. And there was even a customer this week that was remarking on her holiday shopping. - Are there really people that organized?
I'll make that a New Years resolution - "try to shop for the holidays early - like August." That one may have to wait until "09".

Hey - we have a list for Friday that will make people absolutely giddy - again.
It features one of THE most famous wines in the world.
Possible side effects of tasting this wine may include a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness, if this sensation lasts for more than four hours you are one lucky bast....... Well, I'm getting ahead of myself.

The list is just below these few items of interest.


• Ladies - do not forget A Girls Night Out - starting at
The Garde Arts Center this week - Wednesday September 19.
It's a musical, it's fun, and Lord knows that you need a night out. Make a couple of calls, round up your friends, and see what fun you can have in New London. And to help some of you rediscover a girls night out - if you start your evening at Brie & Bleu - enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with dinner.
Learn more about the show HERE: http://tickets.gardearts.org/show.asp


• All New On WineRadio -
Thanks to Gustavo Arroyat from Trapiche Vineyards in Argentina - And Thanks to Chris Williams from Meerlust Vineyards in South Africa.
Both men stopped in and are appearing on our new season of WineRadio. Look for them on our website and of course on iTunes.


• The Magic of Burgundy Dinner - is sold out - thank you.

• The last remaing seats for our "Far East" Asian Cuisine are available now -
Remember this is a Saturday Night - September 29.
Check out the details on our Calendar of Events Page: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html

• Lots of new items on the shop on line page - take a peek here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html

• Thanks to Steve & Jamie for driving all the way from Clinton to join in on Friday night's festivities - "You mean to say that you do this every Friday night?"
Yes, we do.


"Dave's Fave"
Monday Tasting - No Charge
Kaiken Malbec Reserva 2005 $12
Dave Says:
"Sooo, "Kaiken" is the name of a bird that lives on both sides of the Andes - both on the Chilean and the Argentian side. Kaiken wine is made in Argentina, in affiliation with Montes wines on the Chilean side. This Kaiken Malbec blends in 10% Cabernet, and has flavors of dark berries mingling with tobacco and a smooth, long finish. I've got "Malbec Fever" after Gustavo from Trapiche stopped in on Friday - so I'm taking my old friend Kaiken home for its curative and restorative powers. Stop in Monday to see how you like it."


Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday September 21 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Jean-Claude Thevenet Clos de L'ermitage Saint Veran. 2006 $24
Claude Thevenet is a third generation "vigneron" whose winery is located in the heart of the Maconnais in the village of Pierreclos. His grandfather was the winemaker for the Chateau de Pierreclos and his father developed a business as a supplier of rootstock. Between 1950 and 1952, Thevenet's father began to acquire vineyards and in 1971 when Jean-Claude reached the age of 17 they began to bottle their wine. The Thevenets now own 25 hectares of vineyards in the adjoining communes of Pierreclos, Prisse, and Rilly Lamartine.
Not a single drop of wine is sold to negociants.
Chardonnay from Burgundy. This is great white Burgundy at exactly half the price of Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet. At this price it's an everyday white Burgundy.

2 - Cognard-Taluau Cuvee les Malgagnes Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2003 $ 21
Our fascination with the Loire Valley continues with this excellent example of Cabernet Franc from a very ripe year. Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil is a small wine appellation on the northern banks of the Loire river, not too far from Tours. This wine combines the flavor characteristics of Cabernet with the classic stoniness of Loire wines. And we want you to try it side by side with our next wine -

3 - Dominio de Tares Exaltos 2003 $30
From old vines (cepas viejas) 60 yrs old, in Bierzo Spain, this wine is also made from Cabernet Franc. El Bierzo is a small border area which in Medieval times was the object of incessant territorial disputes. Nature has endowed it with particularly favorable conditions for wine growing, excellent red wines have been produced in the region since Benedictine monks settled there from Cluny in the XI century. However, in this remote part of North Western Spain the grape is called Mencia and was probably planted by Pilgrims on their way to the holy land centuries ago. The very hot climate and relative isolation have turned this Cab Franc into something quite different indeed. A rare chance to drink two great examples of the same grape from different regions. See for yourself, that geography is far more important than grape varietal.

4 - Penfolds Grange 2002 Bottle #10906 $255
Every year we open one bottle of Grange from the current release to taste and allow you to taste what is considered one of the greatest bottles of wine in the world . People always ask if Grange is worth the price. That question really misses the point. Is Grange is greatest wine produced on the Australian Continent , yes probably . Is it the greatest example of Syrah in the world? well, one of them anyway. Is it the greatest wine I'll ever drink ? Most likely yes. Is it true that E. Guigal's Cote- Rotie La Turque is now selling for $850 a bottle making Grange a relative bargain for ultra-Syrah .
That's right - think of the money your saving.



Thanks so much for all of the support and for making it so much fun. We appreciate it.

We hope to see you this week, please say hello when you visit the store.


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



AAA.

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