It's Official

It's Official - The Countdown Begins. Top 100 Wines Make A Great Gift Shafer Relentless - Wine Of The Year - 96 points WS.  Fontodi Flaccianello - Rated 96 Points Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir - Rated 93 Points Can Blau Monsant - Rated 91 Points - SOLD OUT  Nyers Caneros Chardonnay - Rated 93 Points - SOLD OUT  Mollydooker Shiraz - Rated 94 Point We even have a couple of 100 point  wines on the shelf. Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. Madonna del Piano Riserva 2006 - Wine Spectator  practically weeps over this when they describe it - and a 2009 Jean Louis Chave Hermitage.  This Friday Night    Maria Garcia-Izquierdo - 3 Castillos Importing & Charles Lebel - Monsouier Touton Selections present PradoRey Crianza - Rated 90 Points Robert Parker PradoRey's history dates back to 1503 when the Earl of Ribadeo sold the Real Sitio de Ventosilla estate to Queen Isabella I of Castile, belonging to the Crown of Castile until 1521 when King Charles I bestowed the estate to the 2nd Marquis of Denia. The Crianza shows a cherry red color with strong bluish shades, brilliant and intense color. Intense nose with dominance of ripe red fruit, and a touch of sweetness derived from its time in oak barrels. Rich in the mouth with round tannins and pleasant freshness on the palate. Velvety rich finish with strong fruitiness. One of the great Crianza's of all time. This wine is a must try on Friday. Remarkable on its own or with your holiday menu.  LAN - Rioja - Rated 90 Points Wine Spectator #44 On the Top 100 list in 2010 Lan Reserva is brilliant ripe black cherry red color with good depth. Fruity aromas with elegant nuances of fine wood. "Fresh and balanced, this red brims with cherry, spice and licorice, with light, firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The texture is generous yet delicate. Not heavy, but vivacious. It shows good balance on the palate coming from the sweet and elegant tannins. The wine is delicious paired with cold starters, pasta, cheeses. Also perfect as a wine by the glass." WS. Roureda Llicorella Seleccio - Rated 93 Points - RP Robert Parker: "Llicorella Seleccio raises the bar significantly. It is a blend of Garnacha Negra, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah aged for 12-14 months in French and American oak. Dark ruby in color, it has a fragrant bouquet of pain grille, leather, mineral, meat, blue and black fruits which jumps from the glass. The wine has terrific grip, a racy style, and intense, sweet fruit. The finish is long and pure. Drink this beauty over the next 10 years." Robert Parker. Deluxe - it is full, deeply layered, and a standout for serving with big holiday meals. We will pair it up with a full bodied cave aged cheese for you to try ion Friday night. Please join us. Also Available Moonstruck Holiday Truffles Have Arrived. Perfect For The Chocolate Lover On Your List. Events Calendar There Is No Charge For Any Of The Following Events This Wednesday 12.12.12 - Doug Rankin / Brooks Wines FULL  - WAIT LIST ONLY RSVP - 6PM  - 12.12.12. - 860-443-6817 Oregon Super Wines - Doug Rankin of Fountainhead Selections & Janie Brooks of Brooks Wines. Doug Rankin will be here in the studio, and we will be joined via Skype by the owner of Brooks wines. FOUNDED in 1998, Brooks is a reflection of the visionary Portland native, Jimi Brooks.  His reverence for the land and vines made him a practitioner of organic and biodynamic farming.  "One of the best wine stories in the Northwest is how excellent wines continue to be made under the Brooks name..." - Cole Danehower, Northwest Palate Magazine It doesn't get any better than this if your looking to discover the wine of the Great Northwest and to meet with one of the most knowledgeable people in the wine business - Doug Rankin. We will be pairing these remarkable wines with a selection of cave Aged Cheese from Artisinal in New York and we are looking forward to a great night. Please Join Us. FRIDAY 12.21.12 - No Reservation required. Eric Bellnier will be pouring from one of the best Italian portfolios in the business. This pre-Christmas bash will include some very cool wines. And if we know Mr. Bellnier there will be a taste of something special. The last time he was here the 1979 Barberesco was generously sampled with you. Who knows what he has planned this time. BUZZ - News & Events          We have to thank everyone for the comments and kind words about the holiday atmosphere here in the stores. The lights, the trees, the Good Will Toward Men... We appreciate the support you have been showing to us and to all of the small businesses here in New London. It really does make a difference. We hope to see you this week. Drink Different.

ThamesRiver.com Please Join Us On Friday Night. It Is Fun Informal And A Great Way To Start Your Weekend. Wine & Cheese Tasting Every Friday 5-8 PM - No Charge

Special Guest - This Friday

In addition to our regular Friday night salute to the grape - we have a special guest joining us and pouring one of a kind wines from Italy in our "Back Room."

1. Zeni Pinot Grigio 2010
2. Sardus Pater Is Solus Carignan 2007
3. Caruso and Minini Sachia Perricone 2007
4. Cascina Chicco Bric Loira Barbera D’Alba 2008
5. Icardi Barbaresco 2006
6. Sapaio Volpolo 2006
7. Monte Faustino Amarone 2006


Please Join Us

One Hundred Years Old!

GREAT GIFT IDEAS: For those of you that have been in the store - you know that its hard to describe the various ways that we can combine all of the goodies that we have. Flowers, cheese, gourmet specialty items, beer, fine wine and spirits, premium cigars, and the list goes on. We encourage you to visit downtown New London, visit the local shops and if time allows please stop in to say hello here at The Greenery. There are samples to try, ideas to discover, and fine holiday wishes in the air.

Our wine list for Friday is just below these gift ideas.
Here are just a few interesting items that are available.

A Case of the Winning Wine
Red, White and Bubbly.
Anyone who entertains often or occasionally needs a red, white and sparkling wine that will reliably please a range of palates. Here are three that are consistently good from year to year.

William Fevre Champs Royaux Chablis is the basic bottling of a well-regarded Chablis producer.

Vietti Tre Vigne Barbera is a lithe, bright food-friendly red from Piedmont.

Roederer Estate Brut NV, is a perennial favorite sparkling wine from California by way of the famous (French) Louis Roederer Champagne House.

All about $19 per bottle.
They also make a very affordable gift basket for the wine lovers in your life.



Shackelton Never Left Home Without It.
Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland - "Shackleton Series" - $159

A Sip of History

Shackleton Whiskey. When British explorer Ernest Shackleton abandoned his journey to the South Pole during a blizzard in 1908, he left behind a bunch of gear and a few bottles of Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt Whiskey.

In 2007, those bottles were dug out of the ice and the spirit was copied through a mix of science and artful blending. Bright with citrus notes and a smoky-peppery finish, the result is a high proof (47.3% ABV) warmer that will battle the worst of winter.


One sip and your giftee will see why Shackleton carried
25 cases of the stuff on his journey.


Just Six Bottles Available - First Come First Served.


Pillows & Posies - From Pinc! & Thames River Greenery - $45
Delivery Included

Our flower shop teams up with The Head Mistress at Pinc!

Pinc! is a unique boutique located just a few doors down at 52 State Street.

Kim Petty is the "Head Mistress" at Pinc! and the creator of must have items for your home.



White roses and red spray roses, evergreens and berries in a red glass holder are delivered along with a handcrafted Christmas pillow. The duo is perfect on a mantle, coffee table or any small spot that needs a dash of color.
The pillow is soft red velvet trimmed with vintage ribbon and matching buttons.


Cheese - Glorious Cheese

Cheese is, in our humble opinion, one of the most wonderful foods in existence, and we've been fortunate to find the finest varietals available.

Of course, when we find something truly fabulous we can't wait to share it with you,
great things like Humbolt Fog, Cato Corner Farms,
Roaring Forties Blue, Cotswald,
and Parmigiano-Reggiano just to name a few.

And we have all of the accompaniments like Raincoast Crisps. A perfect marriage of sweet and salty, crispy slices of artisan bread are flavored with things like Kalamata olives and succulent Adriatic figs. Enjoy them on their own or paired with a soft cheese like chèvre, Brie or a good triple crème variety. Cheese and wine baskets make beautiful gifts.




Christopher Radko
ornaments are known all over the world. He has done it again - simply and wonderfully. Topped with sparkling snow, this cheerful red ceramic Radko ornament jar is filled with flowers & truly a gift of the season.

This red ceramic ornament jar, designed by Christopher Radko, is from the phenomenally popular series from Teleflora's Flowers-in-a-Gift collection.



Perfect for flowers, candy or just displayed alone.




Moonstruck Chocolates
In 1993, a simple but remarkable concept took root in Portland, Oregon.

That concept was to handcraft superior chocolates - chocolates that would not only taste exquisite, but that would look exceptional, as well. The result would be a chocolate indulgence for all the senses.

It all makes for a chocolate experience without compare, and we invite you to share in that experience yourself. Our chocolate case is full of holiday truffles. Please take a look - they are quite special.

This Friday Night

Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon - $48
93 points - Robert Parker's "The Wine Advocate"
Voted Best Nappa Winery 2 Years In A Row


While Frank Family Vineyards may be better known for their buttery, rich Chardonnay, they make a lovely Cabernet too. The 2008 vintage blends in small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, whch give the wine added complexity aromatically and structurally. The bouquet spills out of the glass with licorice, briar fruit and vanilla aromas, with subtler tones of honey, roasted nuts and cocoa powder. Full-throttle briar fruit on the palate is complemented by flavors of cinnamon and toast, dried currants and cherries, with cedary spice on the finish. Velvety tannins and good acidity make this a delight in the glass now and one you'll enjoy for years to come.


Winemaker Notes:
The 2008 Frank Family Vineyard's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense inky purple color. The aromas are abundant; expressing ripe briar-berries juicy black cherries and wild blueberries. Notes of cassis, roasted chestnut, sandlewood, and earth intermingled throughout, followed by espresso bean and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is lavish and vibrant bursting with juicy black-raspberries, cranberry marmalade and a touch of watermelon rind. The lively fruit is balanced by well structured tannins providing a plush, yet structured mouthfeel that is elegant and supple with lasting grip."

A great special occasion bottle for your holidays - please try it this Friday night.




Chateau Clos du Moulin - Bordeaux - Regular Price $18 / Special $14
Wine Spectator 92 Points - Classic French Medoc


The first activity recorded in Saint-Estèphe goes back as far as the Middle Bronze Age, the first vines date from the Roman Occupation. But it was the Bordeaux merchants who by aging and selling Saint-Estèphe wines themselves were largely responsible for this appellation's fame. And in the nineteenth century, noted for its prosperity, the great estates of today were created. The movement continues today with the merging of small estates.

A land of great wines, Saint-Estèphe is situated almost in the centre of the Médoc, close to the Gironde Estuary. The appellation is equal distance from Bordeaux and the Pointe de Grave.

The beds of soil are characterized by their remarkable diversity, the result of their undulating relief and excellent drainage. Quartz and well-rounded pebbles mingled with light, sandy surface soil are found everywhere, giving the wines a distinctive finesse. And the subsoil is made up of the famous Saint-Estèphe limestone, which outcrops on the west of the commune.



Tasting Notes
"Thanks to ideal conditions of climate and geology, Saint-Estèphe wines are characterized by their sturdy qualities and robust constitution. Accordingly, they can be laid down for a very long time while yet preserving their youth and freshness. Distinguished by a subsoil which is more clayey than that in the other communal appellations which lie by the river, the wine here attains a distinctive individuality : a very rich tannic structure, a fine deep red color and an exceptional backbone with aromas of great finesse."


Botanica Chenin Blanc South Africa - $22
Rated 5 Stars Platter's 2011 Wine Guide To South Africa
Rated 92 Points Tanzier's International WIne Cellar

One of only two examples of Chenin Blanc out of 58 wines to be rated 5 Stars in Platter's 2011,
Botanica is worth seeking out.

"What is striking about this wine is just how subtle and understated it is: there's stone fruit on nose and palate, pure but not exaggerated, while a slight sweetness and bright acidity play off against each other to good advantage."

This wine was absolutely beautiful. Its ranks up there as being one of the best Chenins that we have ever tasted.
Big and lush with green apple and honey notes melded with soft undertones of lemon grass, and sweet almond.

Wonderful mouth feel. This wine is for someone who wants something more than the quazi high volume Chenin blancs that every store has.

There are only 350 cases of this wine produced. We have 2 of them. If you have time to try only one wine this week - please try this one. And try it with the cheese and fondue that we are also tasting - it will open your eyes.

Sant'Elena Pinot Grigio 2007 - regular price $23 / Very Special Price $14
91 points - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
92 points - The Wine Spectator

Situated in Friuli, Sant' Elana is in northern Italy, south of Austria and bordering Slovenia to the east. It is known for stunningly good white wines.

What sets this Pinot Grigio apart from most traditional Pinot Grigios is its vibrant color and structure. While most immediately face the soft press and bottling after the harvest, this Pinot Grigio is macerated for thirty-six hours to obtain deep color and then left on the lees for six months.

A delicate and complex process usually not reserved for the variety, it vaults this wine into the top tier of the world's Pinot Grigios.

It is the estate's mission to produce small amounts of exceptionally flavorful, healthy fruit from its vines.
To reach this goal, high density vineyard plantings, rigorous canopy management and green harvesting are employed, as are a team of experienced grape harvesters who pick by hand only ripe, undamaged fruit. Only one bottle of wine is produced per plant!

If you choose just one white wine to serve to your friends and family this year - this is it. At this special price it is first come first served - supply is limited.


Our new location has been getting rave reviews from you. Your suggestions, comments, and remarkable support have exceeded our expectations. So this week and for the upcoming holiday season we will be sharing some very special items. We hope that you will join us and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Very Best Wine Under Twenty - Thanksgiving 2011

New London The Bountiful

Follow The Title Link For The Full Story

Revel With A Cause!

Size May Matter After All
Click The Title Link
To Read The Full Issue

Thanksgiving Special Edition 2010

Click The Title Link To See The Full Edition

Why Limit Happty To An Hour?

We Have Great Cards
Stop In And Take A Look.

8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7

Think of us as Wine - "with benefits."

A fantastic list of wine this week for the tasting - including a hundred dollar blockbuster.

The list for the weekly tasting is just below a few items of interest.

First

Beer, Burgers, Baked Potatoes, and even Merlot.
A good cheddar makes the world go round.

If you still have not seen our expanding cheese & gourmet department - what are you waiting for?We have an amazing selection of cheese and we love to sample them all. Please stop in and have a taste.


NEXT

This Wednesday - April 21st - is Administrative Professionals Day.



We have thoughtfully put together a number of options that will help you to say Thank You.


Flowers, chocolate, gourmet, wine, and combination's to grab and go.


Your team works hard making you look good all year - remember to order early for timely deliveries.








NEXT
In 1993, a simple but remarkable concept took root in Portland, Oregon. That concept was to handcraft superior chocolates - chocolates that would not only taste exquisite, but that would look exceptional, as well. The result would be a chocolate indulgence for all the senses.
We are proud to be an authorized retailer of Moonstruck Chocolates.

Do You Know A Chocoholic?
Our assortments from Moonstruck make for an experience without compare. Handcrafted, using the finest ingredients. Decadent chocolate with fresh flavors found in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Our case is full - but it goes quickly.

A Great Gift For Mother's Day.

Friday April 23 - 6-9 p.m.
No Charge Please Join Us

Diehl Halbtrocken Riesling $12

This is a refreshing, bright, "half-dry" Riesling from the high-altitude vineyards of Pfalz, Germany. Light and citrusy, with a bit of a sizzle on the tongue - would pair beautifully with salads, cheese and fruit. Comes in a convenient one liter bottle!

Santo Cristo "Za-Za" Rose $12

Yes, it is time to roll out the pink wine, but never fear - we're fans of the old-school dry varieties, not mass market sugar pills. This rose of Grenache is from Campo de Borja Spain, grown in the chalky and clay soils on the slopes of Moncayo. Tremendous raspberry and strawberry fruit combine with cinnamon and a creamy finish. A lovely addition to a warm spring afternoon.

Chateau Soucherie Anjou $20

Great Loire Valley reds seem to be harder to find, but well worth it - this one is a stunner. Cabernet Franc from northern France, light alcohol and rich roasted beet flavors combine with hints of smoke and leather. A very pretty red, not overpowering, but with enough muscle to combine with hearty beef or lamb dishes. Orsini sausage with spinach and white beans? Or wood-grilled chicken thighs and mushrooms!

Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006 $100

We have a good stash of these simmering in the cellar, and figured we should just reaquaint ourselves. From the Perrin family comes this benchmark, gorgeous Chateauneuf from the heart of France's Rhone Valley.

This may be Our Favorite Wine of all time.
A bottle for the ages - winemaker Marc Perrin might call drinking these too young "infanticide," it is true they will develop the most extraordinary flavors at around the dozen-year mark, and continue to smolder well into their twenties. But we need some reference point, non?

Please come and get a sip - we will only open ONE, so arrive early. (We also have half bottles at $55)

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

AAA.