Show Us Your Grapes,The Rolling Stones,L'Olivette Bandol Rose,Luigi Baudana,Zeni Pinot Noir Rose,Tenuta Montebello,Caparsino Chiant

Hey - thanks to everyone that participated in the "Show Us Your Grapes" contest. What a night it was. (note to the visitors from Madison with the blue "Jag": we still have your keys to the beach house.)

Now onto this week - As usual our team at the wine store and at Brie & Bleu have great line up for you this week. Please join us and take part in the longest running social event in New London - The Weekly Tasting. Every Friday night from 6 - 9 p.m. - no charge.

And remember, New London is hopping, live music, art galleries, movies, and much more. Start your evening with us, and then rediscover New London.

Coming Soon - New London's source for Big City newspapers,

magazines, candy, personal necessities, and fine tobacco.

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On The Big Screen - Garde Arts Center

Don't Forget: The New London Summer Film Festival Is In Full Swing.
Tuesday 8.12.08 - 7:30 p.m. - Shine A Light - The Rolling Stones in concert. Martin Scorsese assembles a legendary team of cinematographers to capture the raw energy of the Rolling Stones like you've never seen them before.
See The Trailer HERE
Festival runs: August 6-17. FILM SCHEDULE HERE

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3rd Annual Celts & Currachs Festival - Waterfront Park (off Water Street):
Sat, Aug 23, 2008: 10am to 7pm. New London Main Street hosts the annual Celts & Currachs Festival. Come see how fascinating Celtic culture can be! From traditional dance, musical performances, currach races, Celtic food vendors and artisans to hands-on educational activities - there will be something for all ages! Call Tracy at New London Main Street 860-444-2489 or email her at promo@newlondonmainstreet.org for more information!

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Brie & Bleu News:
The new summer menu at Brie & Bleu has just what you need to get the old man off of the sofa and out for a date night.

We have added things like Short Ribs and Roasted Chicken to our regular bistro style menu.

Add to that our signature potato and cheese dishes and a great wine and beer list - and even the biggest appetite will be satisfied.

Please Join Us.

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Dave's Fave
The Monday Tasting

Click on the photo to order it now

Domaine de L'Olivette Bandol Rose $15

Hey this is one of my favorite French wines of the summer and we haven't even poured it yet! Bandol is a beautiful spot located southeast of Marseilles, with a glacial sediment ridge to the north and bountiful Mediterranean sunshine to the south. Domaine de l'Olivette blends Cinsault, Mourvedre and Grenache, grown with very low yields in soils which have been tended for millenia.

A rose for "red-wine drinkers," with classic Provencal orange rind tones, a good amount of heft and red berry fruit. I would serve chilled with a grilled trout, a pan-fried red snapper or cracked crab claws. Some new potatoes, a pile of arugula, baby red and yellow beets...oh baby!!
(Well, at least I'll have the WINE here Monday) DA.

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday August 15 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

Can't Make It To The Tasting? - click on the photos

1 - Luigi Baudana Langhe Chardonnay 2007 $18


The Baudanas tend a 4.5 hectares estate planted to Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and a mere .5 hectare of Chardonnay.
You may remember us pouring their delectable 2000 Barolo a few weeks ago. If you were here that night you know their wines are magnificent examples of craft and typicity.

The estate produces just over 2000 cases a year, and represents one of the best values in Piedmontese wines.

If you're asking yourself "Chardonnay from Italy?!" , think of it this way, why the hell not.



2 - Zeni Pinot Noir Rose $12

The Zeni Pinot Grigio Rose is our best selling Rose, but is coming to an end for the vintage. We hope that this slightly more robust brother, the Pinot Noir rose will do the job and carry us through to the fall.

While others in Trentino use Lagrein and Lambrusco for their roses, Zeni prefers the Noble grape, believing it creates a rose "of great quality, silky pink, the smell fresh, fruity, tasting kind which commemorates the cherry" . I couldn't have said it better myself.



3 - Tenuta Montebello Barbera del Monferrato 2004 "Per Marco" $18


The story goes like this. Our dear friend and importer, Mark was trudging through Piedmont barrel tasting and looking for wine to import.

At Tenuta Montebello he stood over the barrel with the winemaker tasting the soon to be released 2004 vintage. One sip and he exclaimed " That's it, that's the one, that's for me" .


To which the winemaker replied, " Si, Si Per Marco" He bought it, had it bottled and sold it to us and we've loved it ever since. Fruit driven and structured, a wine to chew on and drink with big grilled meats



4 - Caparsino Chianti Classico Riserva 2004 $30

From Radda in Chianti, the Caparsa wine estate produces Caparsino from Sangiovese grapes carefully selected from a vineyard of the same name.

The wines are unfiltered, and the estate practices what it calls an "independent organic method".


The emphasis is on authenticity and finesse, with fruit, acidity and tannins balanced to create a wine that is approachable in it's youth, yet capable of maturing for years.

Please Call Us Anytime With Questions
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

Thanks for making this so much fun every week - we appreciate your interest, comments, and your support. We hope to see you this week.

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

AAA.