Sunday, November 18, 2007

Thanksgiving Edition - 2007 - Foreau Vouvray, L'Ecole no. 41, Tenuta San Leone Amarone , Buty Winery - Rediviva of the Stones

Greetings from all of us inNew London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
IMPORT - 860-443-6817
City News - Coming Soon

www.ThamesRiver.com

This is the Thanksgiving Edition - and there is so much to prepare for this week - that we will mention just a few items of interest before the list of wine for Friday night.

• First, we have gotten a lot of questions about our schedule for the holiday:
We will be open - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. -
And we are on call for you to bring in your menus and recipe ideas so that we might match it with the perfect wine for each dish. We even have ideas for the perfect "welcome to our home" glass of wine. Of course we have great Kosher selections and a complete selection of beer and spirits too.

• There is no doubt that the Nouveau Beaujolais craze is alive and well - even though it has cooled a bit over the past year or so there are still plenty of us that wait for the new release with excitement and stock up accordingly. There is however something else you should know about. You need to know what the Italians have been drinking instead of Beaujolais for about five hundred years. Our own Dave Anderson has the Italian alternative to share with you this Monday starting at noon. It is a fabulous change of pace at a great price. This is a food wine that you can stock up on and pour with abandon.

Special Monday Tasting with Dave Anderson - Dave's Fave:
Cantine del Colle Novello di Primo Cielo 2007 $9

Dave Says:

"Monday, we're going after a seasonal tradition in our own quirky way - oui, oui "Le Nouveau est Arrivee," but we've also been charmed by Beaujolais Nouveau's Italian counterpart, NOVELLO... Yum out. Bright fruit flavors from this year's harvest in southern Italy. So when big uncle Bob blurts out over the Thanksgiving table, "We're sick of this old stuff, bring us some fresh wine!" BOOM - break out the Novello. We love it, stop by Monday afternoon for a taste!"

• On Wednesday afternoon we welcome our good friends from the Jonathan Edward's Winery in North Stonington. This is our yearly tradition. Our FOURTH annual Jonathan Edwards tasting right here in the store signals Thanksgiving in a big way. The folks at Jonathan Edwards do a fabulous job - we are very happy to continue the holiday tradition with them. Please join us - from 1 - 6 p.m. This year they will feature their Petit Sirah.

• MORE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

Q- Can I still book a private party or wine tasting or have a special menu made up for my Holiday or Office Party?

A- YES. We will accommodate you if at all possible - early, late - even on Monday when Brie & Bleu is normally closed. The easiest way to check the dates and your options is to call - 860-443-9463 - any day after 10a.m.

Q- Will you be offering gift baskets and gift wrapping again this year?
A- Yes. We will have a variety of gift basket ideas to choose from and the ability to combine different items from all of our stores into a single basket or gift delivery too. Wine, cheese, flowers, plants, decorative items you name it. You shop - we will dress it, wrap it, ship or deliver it - no fuss, no muss, no messy mop-up.

Please Join Us - Wine Tasting
Friday November 23 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Foreau Vouvray sec 2004 $32
Philippe Foreau is the third generation of the Foreau family to produce Vouvray from this fabled domaine which his grandfather purchased in 1923.
Wine Spectator - "400 cases imported Gorgeous nose of papaya, peach and cream. This fools you into thinking it's a lush wine, but it's really bone-dry, with nervy citrus peel, mineral and chamomile flower notes. Long, minerally finish is precise and resonant." This is amazingly dense and rich in the mouth, with a remarkable elegance and a nearly perfect balance of fruit and acidity. Please give it a whirl on Friday night.


2 - L'Ecole no. 41 Merlot 2004 $30
L'Ecole Nº 41 is known for producing superior quality wines that are rich, flavorful and full-bodied. Stephen Tanzer rated this 87 points
“Good full, deep red. Currant, game, tobacco, chocolate and nutty oak on the nose. Juicy, leanish and suave, with good lift to the currant and spice flavors. Not especially complex but shows good life in the mouth. Finishes with a light dusting of tannins.” ST. I had a bottle of this last night at Brie & Bleu. Our own Kristen Webbers selected it for me to go with the Braised Beef over noodles special - it was luscious. See if it works for you, this Friday night.

3 - Tenuta San Leone Amarone della Valpolicella 2003 $30
This is a deep ruby red with wonderful aromas of cherry, vanilla, and spice. It has a velvety feel with a great body - like a Super Model. This is for pouring into a large glass and serving with a fine roast. Also it would be an excellent companion for conversation - like a Super Model?

4 - Buty Winery - Rediviva of the Stones 2004 $50
This is their most popular and hard to get wine, very, very, very limited production of this vintage. This small Walla Walla winery (it's pronounced "beauty") is on the cutting edge of quality and innovation. Caleb Foster and Nina Buty Foster founded their family business in 2000, but Caleb's winemaking experience dates back a decade. His résumé includes eight years with Rick Small at Woodward Canyon, winemaking positions at Mount Baker Winery and Glen Fiona, and further experience working crush in New Zealand and South Africa. "We could make 10,000 cases tomorrow and sell all of it," says Caleb matter-of-factly. "The demand is there. But we have a new daughter, and we always wanted a very small winery." Then again, he muses, "every market wants more; and the fruit's there to get. So I struggle with that." While he struggles, I suggest you get a bottle or two of Buty, before someone beats you to it. Try something very special this Friday night - it will go quickly.

As always we take great pleasure in sharing the the great wines and spirits of the world with you. We open bottles that for the most part go to collectors, movie stars and diplomats. Why should they have all the fun? You are the stars of our show. Your support, comments and suggestions make us better everyday. Thank you, from all of us. And we hope that you enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

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


AAA.

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