Wednesday Night Wine Dinners

Wednesday Night Wine Dinners

Our Secret Weapon - We Listen
You wanted better wines & food pairings - you got it.
Wine with every course & the best value in the business.

6/27/07 - Orange & Ginger Rack of Pork with grilled pineapple & peppers.

7/11/07 - Lollipop Rack of Lamb with blue cheese grits, juliene of spring vegetables & fresh herbs.

7/18/07 - Grilled Shrimp on Watercress salad with curly scallions and sesame dressing.

7/25/07 - Roasted lamb with Moroccan Couscous & mixed heirloom tomato Salad with goat feta.

8/1/07 - Horseradish & Herb Crusted Roast Beef with grilled summer vegetables and raosted potatoes.

$65 plus tax & service - Seating is limited.
Please Reserve Early - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

Susana Balbo, Crios, Torrontes, Pancho Sanchez

Greetings from all of us in New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
IMPORT - 860-443-68117

A special line up of wines for Friday night awaits you.
All four wines are from Susana Balbo - Argentina's leading female winemaker.
The line-up is listed just below these items of interest.


• Last week's Duckhorn wines by the glass at Brie & Bleu - was an instant crowd pleaser - thank you for making it work.





• The Garde Theater continues it's Legends of Jazz series with Pancho Sanchez. Please check it out at: https://tickets.gardearts.org/show.asp
The Garde is working with Kitchings Productions to bring this caliber of entertainment to New London - they are proving that there is an alternative to the casino scene when it comes to seeing a great show. Take a look at their schedule: www.gardearts.org

• Our very own "Rock Star" Dave Anderson has taken it upon himself to launch a new Monday feature: "Dave's Fave's."
A monday afternoon tasting that will showcase his personal favorites & always be under $20. He said it will be a way to beat the Monday Blues.
When he came to us with the idea - we grabbed him by the lapels, shook him thoroughly, and said: "Anderson, you magnificent bastard! This is just what we need on a Monday afternoon."
This week - Dave picks Langhe Rosso Cino 2005 - $12 - Direct from a sold-out engagement in Piedmont, this light bodied Italian red is a perfect everyday food wine. Really, give it a try - it would mean a lot to Dave.

• A reminder from our friends at the Golden Street Gallery that their new Summer Hours are: Thursday - Saturday 6-9 p.m.
Also - you can see Greg Bowerman's "mural's in progress" at Lucca's the new bar & grill on Bank Street - be sure to say hello to Lucky, the proprietor of the newly opened restaurant. He has put a lot of work into the space.

• Hygienic Art Galleries Presents - Exhibition Opening Saturday June 30th, 7-10 - June 30-July 28 - www.hygienic.org
"Possessions" - New Works by Michael McNabney, Michael Galaburri, Sarah Harford
Wine Tasting Please Join Us Friday June 15 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

You have seen the name Crios here before. The trouble has been that we sell every drop of it before the tasting starts and we are forced to offer substitutions. The wines we have at the tasting generally arrive 2-3 days before the "show". In the case of the Crios wines from Argentina, we had barely gotten them out of the box before people started to snap them up. They are that good, and they are a real bargain at their current prices.

We had the opportunity to talk with Susana Balbo last week at a reception held at the Argentinean Consulate in New York. The entrance is pictured in the photo on the left. I highly recommend attending embassy and consulate functions - no expense is spared to make the guests feel at home. But we did have some technical difficulty on location - mainly they did not want us taking photos or recording video - so we had to be careful - the last thing we needed was to create another scene at an Foreign Consulate.

Susana Balbo is Argentinas leading female winemaker. Her Crios wines have just been named Argentina's Brand of The Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine. We are featuring her wines this Friday and I hope that you get the chance to try them.

Crios means "offspring" (as in children). Susana selected a word to express the notion that these are wines that haven’t quite "grown up" to the same level of quality and maturity as her more expensive Susana Balbo label wines, but they receive the same loving care and attention throughout the winemaking process. The label features a series of three connected and overlapping hands, an image inspired by a Mayan artifact. The three hands represent Susana and her two children.

Crios de Susana Balbo:

1 - Torrontes $15
Enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, flowers, and orange citrus fruit. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with enticing fruit flavors that keep you coming back for another sip and plenty of body for a wine that showns such delicate aromas and flavors. Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry, this wine has to be tasted to be believed. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, and seafood. Keep one in the fridge at all times!

2 - Rose of Malbec $12
Voted one of the 25 best wines for summer by Food & Wine.
Susan seems to have "cracked the code" with this rosé of Malbec.
It is a lush, velvety wine that absolutely puts the debate of rosé wines being too fruity or sweet to rest. A beautiful, deep, vibrant rosé color. Has a surprising amount of glycerin and body for a rosé wine, and beautiful aromas of ripe wild strawberries. On the palate, the flavors of strawberries and cherries come rushing in, accompanied by some spice notes and a clean, dry finish. This is the wine to serve with warm-weather meals when there is a mix of traditional white & red wine foods. Keep one in the fridge at all times and you’ll always have a delicious wine to enjoy with light snacks and cheeses. Best consumed in its youth.

3 - Cabernet Sauvignon $15
Rated 90 points by Wine & Spirits Magazine, this wine is great with grilled meats. Intense ruby color with enticing aromas of ripe plums and red currants. The richly textured flavors are joined by accents of dark chocolate and spice. The ripe, vibrant tannins give the wine beautiful structure and an amazingly long finish. Drink it now or over the next few years to enjoy the fruit flavors at their best. It will pair well with traditional Cabernet-friendly foods like grilled or roasted meats.

4 - Syrah-Bonarda $15
Dark reddish/purple color. Intense aroma of black raspberries. This medium-bodied, very lively wine has loads of ripe red plum and black raspberry flavors with a slightly spicy character and a long, juicy finish. This 2005 vintage has a depth of flavor and intensity on the palate that is almost unheard of for wines at this price. It's a winner both before and during a meal. Certainly enjoyable in its youth, but it will age beautifully. A fun wine to try with a wide range of red wine-friendly foods, and one that will delight even the most pretentious connoisseur.



Thanks to everyone that took time to send email and call to make comments - we are listening.
And we want you to know that we appreciate all of your support - the best is yet to come.

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




AAA.

Wine By The Glass, Duckhorn, Montes Purple Angel

Greetings from New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
www.thamesriver.com

We are running a little bit late this week. So just a few items of interest before the list of wines for Friday night.


Last Friday night was a gas - the streets were busy, people were out and all of the new shops and restaurants had a nice easy beat that was easy to dance to. So come on, get out of the house and come down to the historic waterfront - there is a lot to see.

NEW:

• Muse - Shoe Store on the corner of Green & Golden is open.
If you happened to be there last Friday for the opening you saw about a hundred people dancing and singing. The make-shift bar was packed and the music was grooo-vey. People walking by didn't know if it was a nightclub or a gallery. "It's a shoe store?" people kept saying - "this is really hip."
A lot of work went into renovating the space - stop by and take a look.

• I can't tell you how many people have asked us to offer wine by the glass at Brie & Bleu. It has been one of the most common questions over the past couple of years. Well, we've been listening - we now offer some remarkable wines by the glass.
And we will not be using the typical restaurant mark-up either - we will keep everything as approachable as possible.
For example - this coming Friday night we will feature by the glass:
Duckhorn Merlot - $12 - Duckhorn Savignon Blanc - $8

Buying a fifty or sixty dollar bottle of wine is a beautiful thing.
But sometimes a nice glass of the same wine is all you really want. - Where else can you find a wine by the glass formula like this one? In addition we will try to match them up with the dinner special's that are being served that night too. Give these wines a try - you might be surprised.


Wine Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday June 8 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

This week we are pouring the wines of Montes Vineyards - From Chile.
Wine Makers Notes:

From the beginning of times, viña Montes centered its efforts in producing wines of excellence. The high standards attained by the wines, have taken the Montes name to the most elevated standing of acknowledgement and recognition globally.

It has been attained with sacrifice and hardship as well as with great care; we have wanted to transfer our viewpoint to every corner of the world. Our intent is for every good restaurant, hotel or wine store in any part of the world to carry Montes wines. Over 75 countries already supply our wines and the list is yet to be exhausted. We wish to continue introducing new markets internationally, no matter how small hoping to add new wine lovers to our extensive list of regular Montes wine consumers worldwide.

1 - Montes Sauvignon Blanc $12
A clear, crispy and fruity wine with light yellow-green color, bright and transparent. The aroma shows its power and super Sauvignon Blanc character, also showing the full potential of its cold zone origin, with morning fogs, low temperatures and long hanging period. Denomination of Origin: Leyda Valley.

2 - Montes Merlot $12
Elegant, refined and a marked fruitiness almost irresistible to Merlot lovers and to those who sample it for the first time. Strong, spicy black pepper, full of harmony and soft to the palate. We decided to blend 15% Cabernet Sauvignon with this Merlot, to better marry with the oak, and give structure and finesse that will also permit long term ageing. Denomination of Origin: Colchagua Valley.

3 - Montes Cabernet $12
Intense ruby-red color. The nose is packed with layers of caramel, cinnamon, candy and hints of mint, with a prevalence of fruit over oak. A spicy, full-flavored wine, with good body, fruit and firm tannins. An engaging and strong finish. Well recommended for ageing. Denomination of Origin: Colchagua Valley.

4 - Montes Purple Angel $54 www.monteswines.com
Montes pioneered the Chilean wine scene by creating super-premium wines, including the Montes Alpha range, and icons such as Montes Alpha M and Montes Folly. Montes also led the way to quality by planting on steep mountain slopes. But Montes, Chile's wine pioneer, also knows when to wait –Aurelio Montes preferred to take his time and develop the Carmenère variety until he was satisfied that it could be a top contender, the very best Montes could possibly produce. It was worth the wait...this new beauty (a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, with 18 months in new French and American oak barrels) is touched by the wings of an angel... a PURPLE ANGEL.


Thank you for all of the emails and for your support - we appreciate it.
Please Join Us - It's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.



AAA.

Root 1, Crios Rosé, Bodegas Bernabe Navarro Beryna, Beckman Cabernet

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
www.ThamesRiver.com


We hope you are enjoying a beautiful holiday weekend.


We have delicious and temptable wines lined up for Friday night - the list is just below these few items of interest. For all of the people that STILL think that there is nothing new in New London - get out a pencil - there are a few things to put on your list - it is going to be a busy weekend in New London - we hope to see you here:

• Sunday night was the opening of the new Outdoor Pavillion at the Bulkely House. Eight To The Bar played on the big stage and the dance floor was hoppping. The bar was packed and the people were pretty. A big round of applause should go to Lou Mase for the tremendous effort he put into this project. The Summer nights will be filled with music and the arts - be sure to visit the Bulkeley House to take a look - it's right across the street from us.

• Thanks to everyone who attended our Spirits and Smoke night.
Especially Alan Hall who has never missed one of these events in the three years that we've been doing them - Thanks for the support.
And, as predicted by our own Jim Morrison, the Michters Single Barrel Rye swept the table, even against Scotches that cost $20 dollars more a bottle.

• Friday June 1st 6pm at 102 green street on the corners of Golden and Green -
just one block from our store.
Last year Frank Lo looked us dead in the eye and said
"If I bring Manolo Blahnik, will they come?"
Friday night we'll find out as he opens MUSE, a shoe store and gallery space.

"It's a a fusion of an up-scale shoe store and ArtGallery created by Denny Rivera and Frank Marchani, opening with new works by owner Denny Rivera. Opening Night Celebration - the curtain goes up at 6pm, and Frank will be serving wine from Thames River Wine and Spirits and beer from Cottrell

AND - Across the street - At the Golden Street gallery -
The New exhibit "WHAT DO YOU SEE" new works by New
London Artists Kat Murphy and Greg Bowerman will open at 6 p.m. too.

• We have added TWO seats for this month's Cult Wine Dinner - The wines of Viader Vineyards.
Robert Parker consistently rates these limited production wines in the 80's & 90's. Prices reach $200+ per bottle.

Robert Parker says:
"Viader is one of the most magnificently situated California vineyards I have ever visited,
Located on a steeply terraced slope on Howell Mountain, the vineyard consists of 18 acres. With a Bordeaux-like mouthfeel the emphasis is on finesse as opposed to power. The beautifully packaged product (a heavy glass bottle with broad shoulders and a designer label) is filled with a wine that is as distinctive as the packaging. All the Viader wines offer compelling evidence that they should last and evolve, hopefully improve, for at least 12-15+ years."
This is a great night for any wine lover - please call early to reserve the last two seats. 860-443-9463

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday June 1st - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Root 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $12
The Root 1 name reflects the fact that Chile is one of the only places in the world where ungrafted rootstock has not been affected by phylloxera. Winemaker Felipe Tosso crafted Root 1: Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown on vines with ungrafted root systems in the Casablanca Valley. As one of the premier Sauvignon Blanc winegrowing regions in Chile, the pre-coastal valley, located just 11 miles from the Pacific Ocean, has sandy clay loam soil and a climate that produces a late harvest. It is hard to imagine that this wine is only $12 a bottle. Please try it.

2 - Crios Rose of Malbec 2006 $12
This wine is made by Susana Balbo, considered to be one of the best wine makers in Argentina.
A beautiful, deep, vibrant rosé color. This has a surprising amount of body for a rosé wine, and beautiful aromas of ripe wild strawberries accompanied by some spice and a clean, dry finish. This is the wine to serve with warm-weather meals when there is a mix of traditional white & red wine foods.
Keep one in the fridge at all times and you’ll always have a delicious wine to enjoy with light snacks and cheeses.

We have been invited to a private reception for Susana early next month at the Argentinean Consulate in New York - we will have her as a guest on our show that afternoon. So if you have a question or two that you would like us to ask - bring them on Friday night. We will put her in the hot seat, with your questions.

Embassies and Consulates can be tricky territory.
The last thing I remember about a previous trip to the Argentinean Consulate was drinking champagne from a crystal flute - across the room, a beautiful woman looked up and smiled at me. I was already composing my letter to the Penthouse Forum when she started to walk towards me.
She stopped, and then leaned in, to whisper in my ear:
"Be careful," she said, "that first step can be a doo-zeee." Then she bit my earlobe - and that was it.
When I woke up, I was face down in the pampas grass of an estancia about three hours outside of Buenos Aries.

It all worked out in the end - and I see no reason to hold a grudge.
But I won't be letting my guard down this time around.


3 - Bodegas Bernabe Navarro Beryna 2004 $22
2004 is proving itself to be a stellar vintage all over Spain and Alicante is no exception -
This one drinks like Pure Silk. It goes beyond well balanced, with wonderful notes of sweet blueberry, black raspberry, black cherry and creme de cassis. Rich and lush, and smooth the whole way through, this is a great wine for everyone, not just Spanish wine lovers. And it is a great value - be sure to try this on Friday night.

4 - Beckman Cabernet 2004 $24
This is the best California cabernet that we carry for under $25, all of the fruit concentration that you expect from California, with better structure than normally seen at this price point. We've been selling this wine for three years, and we've been waiting for this guy to become "the next big thing" only to realize that maybe it's better if he doesn't get too much press.
When was the last time you could buy a top quality California Cabernet with a production of only 1500 cases for $24?
Try this on Friday - you will be glad you did.


The season is upon us - thanks so much for all of your support, comments, and suggestions - We appreciate it.
We have a big line up for the summer - the best is yet to come.

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


AAA

Cloudy Bay, Claar Cellars, Alto Moncayo, Don Melchor

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 www.thamesriver.com

We have a great lineup of wine for you on Friday – they are listed just below these items of interest. An especially busy week here in New London – Let me break it down:

• Just take a look at the grueling schedule that we had to keep this past week.

Monday: Drive to Greenwich Meet our friends Mario Batali & Lidia Bastianich at Lidias house for a wine party. Eat Lidia’s & Mario’s food and try all of their new wines.
How could we refuse an invitation like this – when Lidia calls – we go.

Take a peek at our video of Mario & Lidia - scroll down to the last blog entry and click play.

Tuesday: Drive to Norwalk Attend the pre-release tasting party for the 2005 French Burgundy that will be available early September – This is a luncheon for big wigs and industry insiders – I don’t know how we got on the list. It might have been the crisp hundred that Jim was able to press into the correct palm – once inside we sat shoulder to shoulder with the experts. Glass after glass, bottle after bottle, we tried about 45 wines – no exaggeration. The whole thing started at 11am sharp. By 12:30 everyone is holding hands and singing Frère Jacques.

Then the food was served – Roast duck club sandwiches, lobster quiche, grilled salmon – the pace was killing us – but getting to try wine that would retail for hundreds of dollars a bottle – which of course they hold back until the end – made it all worth while. Sure you are rolling your eyes and slapping your hands on the table - saying – come ON your talking to us! Ladies and gentlemen of the jury – I implore you, we must have more respect for the people that eat and drink professionally. :-)

Wednesday: Shake off French wine hangover & prepare for Food Stroll in New London. Thanks to everyone who braved the weather and came out for Food Stroll, we had over four hundred people join us for the wine tasting in the cellar.

Thursday: Continue to shake off French wine hangover & host Rosé Wine Dinner at Brie & Bleu. A beautiful selection of Rosé wines served with dinner. And hopefully we proved once again that rosé is the perfect wine for summer.

Friday: Wine tasting 6-9 p.m. – in The Cellar.

We had to spend the rest of the weekend in a steam room – swatting each other with eucalyptus branches and sipping green tea – Jim looks much better now.

• There are only a few seats left for the Spirits & Smoke tasting on our deck. 6 p.m. Thursday 5/24 $40 – Super premium spirits, a light menu, and a nice cigar round out this popular series.

• There are only two seats left for the Viader Cult Wine Dinner 6 p.m. Thursday 5/31. By now the secret is getting out – These dinners are feasts that are unparalleled in all of Connecticut. Falstaff would be proud. $100, plus tax and service.

Wine Tasting Please Join Us Friday May 25 – 6-9 p.m. – No Charge

1 - Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $28 - www.cloudybay.co.nz This is by far the most famous Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Highly allocated, we have only two cases and will be pouring this wine for the first time. First come, first served. Exceptional richness, with ripe flavors and a powerful, crisp finish.

2 - Claar Cellars Merlot 2003 $15 - www.claarcellars.com Now widely recognized as one of the premier growing regions in the world, the Columbia Valley has been producing great wines for far less than their Napa equivalents. Delicious. It’s time to give merlot another visit.

3 - Alto Moncayo Veraton 2004 $24 We were able recently to put the Veraton 2003 up against the Veraton 2004 and if it's possible, the 2004 was even better than the much beloved 2003. When the wine came in , we bought deep. We have a few dozen cases, but that is it for the year. The wine is supple and luscious, very approachable, yet complex enough to keep even the most jaded collector spinning. Please try this on Friday – you will be glad you did.

4 - Concha y Toro Don Melchor 2004 $55
The best wine produced in Chile period. Always in the Wine spectator top 100.Produced in the Bordeaux tradition, the wine drinks like a 2nd growth. Tremendous structure and aging potential. We will decant this wine for 5 hours and have one bottle ready to sample at 6pm.
Only 11 bottles available for sale – period.

Thanks for making all of this so much fun.
We are invited to these events and are able to hobnob with all kinds of exciting people because of your support. Time and time again we hear from our suppliers and guests that the quality and genuine interest of our customers is rarely seen – give yourself a nice round of applause.

Please Join Us. It’s fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend. Please say hello the next time you are in the store.

AAA.

Fun With Mario and Lidia

Click To Play

Bastianich Family Wine Party
A quick visit behind the scenes with two of the worlds great chefs.

For the second year in a row we were invited to spend an afternoon with Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich. Lots of food, lots of wine, great people, it reminded me of our nights at Brie & Bleu. Take a couple of minutes to peek behind the scenes - WineRadio Takes You There.

Viader Wine Dinner, Domaine Fournier, Domaine LaFond Tavel, Waterstone, Flora Springs Trilogy

Greetings From All Of Us In New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits – 860-443-9463
www.thamesriver.com


We have a tasty selection of wines for you to try this Friday evening – we really hope that you can join us. The list is just below a few items of interest.

• Many thanks to Joe Mascaro for hosting the Italian wine dinner last Thursday night -
And thank you to Mr. Rob Mackin, for providing the wines and the fly-on-the-wall insight into the great estates of Italy.

It was something like 18 wines, but nobody was able to get a final count.
It went a little something like this:
Brunello – Barbaresco – Barolo - cha-cha-cha.

Remember – all you have to do is ask, and we can put a private affair together for you too. – cha-cha-cha.

• Rosé is the underdog of the wine world. Wine lovers who enjoy sitting down with a full-bodied glass of red have a hard time taking something pink seriously. But rosé is moving up fast, powered by rising quality and an inherent food-friendliness. With the warm days of summer just around the corner, there's no time like the present to enjoy rosé's fresh, fruity pleasures. And that is why we are presenting an evening devoting to this luscious treat - We have a few seats left for the Rosé dinner Thursday 5/17.
It will feature boutique rose Champange and wine from Domaine Ott. Lets put the perception that rosé is just a lot of sweet crap to rest, once and for all.
Reserve early – 860-443-9463.

• Please join us for Spirits & Smoke on the deck Thursday 5/24
Along with some of the fantastic single batch bourbons that we carry we have quietly been building our Rye Whiskey selections. Rye is being rediscovered and recreated as a super premium spirit and we will offer it along with a nice cigar. It is a match made in heaven – seating is limited please call to reserve your seats. 860-443-9463

• There are just a few seats left for our next Cult Wine Dinner.
Thursday May 31 – 6 p.m. - $100 plus tax and service.
The wines of Viader will be served – including Magnums of “V”.
This is a great night to share with someone special – and a must for all wine lovers that want a chance to try some of the most sought after wines that are nearly impossible to find.
Reserve early.


• A special note about Saturday night - Brie & Bleu will be closed for a private party.
It’s Brenna's Graduation Feté.
Remember – you can have your party here too – just call and ask about the details.


Wine Tasting – Please Join Us
Friday May 18 – 6-9 p.m. – No charge

1 - Fournier Sauvignon Blanc 2005 $9
Hiers to several generations of wine-growers, Paul (the father), Claude and Jacques (the sons) are running the vineyards handed down by their ancestors, with an unfailing respect for tradition, and a guarantee of quality. This pale golden colored wine is a perfect everyday wine for your summer tables. A case or two at this price is a very good deal. Please try it this Friday.

2 - Domaine Lafond Tavel rose 2005 $14
Tavel along with Bandol comprise the two great rose Villages, this is classic French rosé,
and truly remarkable. Domaine Lafond's Tavel is a forceful, rich, personality-filled rosé, offering strawberry and cherry fruit with a whiff of the famed "herbes de Provence. Winemaker:
"The culminant aromas are complex, red and white fruits mixing with floral tinges.
With time, these fruity aromas tend to turn mellow adding touches of spice and plums.”

Taste for yourself what the French have known for decades – Rosé wine is a great match with food, and should be part of your summer tradition.


3 - Waterstone Cabernet 2004 - $30
Waterstone Napa Cabernet is made from grapes sourced from one of the most acclaimed estates in Napa - if not the world. Under agreement with our distributor we cannot reveal which estate. Suffice to say, when not selling grapes to Waterstone they are producing a wine that is unattainable. (Bob- please take note).
This is a chance to sample one of the great Napa terroirs at a fraction of the price.

4 - Flora Springs Trilogy 2003 $60
This wine is ranked #7 in Napa Valley’s 50 Best Cabernet’s for quality to price ratio by Wine Spectator. It has a deep delicious color and a smooth elegance.
You may have seen our interview with Sean Garvey, 3rd generation family member when he stopped by the store. – if not take a minute to visit our calendar of events page: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Scroll down to the WineRadio section and listen to him talk about this wine.
Of course you can see it on iTunes too.


Thanks for all of the feedback and your support– we are listening. And we will keep you posted with additional changes and updates for the coming summer season –
it’s going to be a lot of fun – cha-cha-cha.

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


AAA

Marc Perrin, Matthieu Perrin, Quilceda Creek, Viader, Cenit Tinto

Greetings from all of us in New London,

We have a great line up of wine for Friday night the list is just below these items of interest.

• It has been a busy week here in New London with lots of excitement. Our remodeling job at Brie & Bleu was finished ahead of schedule and under budget – someone get the studio chiefs on the phone – I think we are ready to direct.

• Our dinner with Marc & Matthieu Perrin from the Chateau Beaucastel last Thursday night was a real joy. There are some wines that have a magic to them - from the instant they touch your lips to the memories that linger for days after their consumption. These wines are more than the sum of their parts, as if someone added two and three and got six - they shine brighter and deeper than it seems possible for a simple splash of liquid in a glass. Beaucastel is one of these wines.

We sat with Marc and we drank Beaucastel '78,'81,'83,'89,'96,'03,'04 - & that was just the REDS. Believe me when I tell you that sitting arms length away from the man that made the wine and listening to him tell the stories that only he can convey, it is a very special experience. When we say “Private Dinner & Meet The Winemaker” – we mean it.

A very special note of thanks has to go to Hank Mann – a good friend and clubhouse regular, for helping to make our vertical tasting possible. Even though he was unable to attend the feté – he provided the 78, 81, 83, 89, from his own cellar. These wines are painfully hard to find and even caused Marc Perrin to raise an eyebrow – “How did you get these?” he asked. We all raised our glasses to Hank on that night – and I do so again right now.

You can watch brief highlights of the dinner and our full interview with Marc Perrin on our website, on our blog, and of course – on iTunes. It should all be posted by late Monday or Tuesday.

• Quilceda Creek 2004 $225

We have it.

Last year Wine Spectator ranked this wine as the best American wine, Robert Parker gave the '02 and '03 100 points, and this wine has the highest average Parker score of any wine in the world. This year Wine Spectator rated this wine 95 points collectable , which is consistent with their assessment of previous vintages. Wine writer Stephen Tanzer indicates he will rate this vintage between 93-96 points.
12 bottles for the year – period. First come first served.

• Our summer menus and dinner series are almost finalized – here is a First Look.
If you see something that you like please call to reserve – seating is limited:

Rosé Wine Dinner Thursday 5/17 - $60
Featuring Rose Champagne and Domaine Ott.

Smokes & Spirits Thursday 5/24 - $40
On The Deck, ladies don’t be shy – Compare for yourself the subtleties of fine Rye’s and Whiskey. Add a nice cigar to top it off. Possible side effects may include euphoria, sudden bursts of laughter and a lingering sense of savoir-faire.

“Cult Wine” Series continues
Viader Vineyards - Thursday 5/31 $100


Wine Tasting – Please Join Us
Wines for tasting Friday May 11 – 6-9 p.m. – No Charge

1 - Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $8
A delicate and crisp pale gold Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. This subtle wine shows complex citric and herbal aromas and hints of tropical fruit as pineapple and passion fruit. At the palate is elegant, fresh and with a long finish. Delicious as an aperitif, or with poultry, seafood, salmon, and salads.

2 - Zeni Pinot Grigio Ramato 2005 $17
The northeastern Italian regions of Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia were historically referred to as the "Tre Venezie"(three Venices), and represent the vast chunk of territory once associated with the great city of Venice. Today, these regions are more politically distinct, but their wines converge on the tables of Venice, where the incomparable array of seafood - cuttlefish in their ink; scampi (shrimp) dressed in olive oil and lemon juice; flaky branzini (sea bass) baked in salt crust - is perfectly complemented by the Tre Venezie¹s minerally, crisp, fragrant white wines. - This wine is a classic of the Tre Venezie: A powerful pinot grigio with a slight pink tinge due to some skin contact during fermentation.
This is the kind of wine you'll see in Venice all the time but rarely does it make it Stateside. (the term "ramato" means "coppery," in reference to the coppery color of the wine due to the skin contact). Give this one a try - you might decide to keep a case around the house all season long

3 - Col Des Vents Corbieres 2004 $12 Languedoc France
"Col des Vents" refers to the hills of the Corbières region which are swept by night winds coming off the sea and cooling the vineyards. Ripe blueberry and cherry flavors. A real value – that deserves your attention.

4 - Cenit tinto 2003 $45 - Tempranillo from Zamora Spain (near Toro),
You may have heard Faith Middleton rave about this wine on her NPR radio show this past week. “Very intense cherry, potent aromas, rich in ripe fruit, spices from the oak well-integrated, with minerals (dry earth), spirituos but the fruit keeps its freshness. Full mouth, bold, rich with ripe fruit, big, spiritous, tasty but not sweet tannins" 95 points by Jose Penin, Guia Penin. “ This is a powerhouse, that is worth the price. Give it a try on Friday night.


Thanks again for all of the kind words and emails – it is your support that makes it all happen.
We are implementing most of your requests and will reveal even more in next week’s update.
Please Join Us – it’s fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.


AAA

Marc Perrin Private Tasting & Dinner, Brie and Bleu Renovations

Greetings From All Of Us In New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits
Thames River Greenery
Brie & Bleu
IMPORT

This is a special abbreviated version of the weekly update - just a few quick important items - then the wine list for Friday night.


First - Brie & Bleu ONLY
Many of you know that we are making a few remodeling changes to Brie & Bleu - a push here, a pull there, a little paint.
We will be closed during the week - Monday thru Thursday.
We will open Thursday night, May 3rd, to accommodate a Special Dinner with Chateau Beaucastel's Marc Perrin.
And then - if all goes as planned - we will be open Friday & Saturday night as usual.

This Does Not Affect The Wine Store At All - Open As Usual.

NOW - if anyone out there has so much as remodeled a closet - you know that it sometimes take a bit longer than planned.
We will keep you posted - If we cannot open on Friday & Saturday as planned - we will send out another email to let you know.
OR - Please call us to make sure we are open - 860-443-9463

The planned specials for Brie & Bleu are:
Friday: Caribbean Seafood Bouillabaisse
Saturday: Crab-cakes with Mango Salsa



** THURSDAY NIGHT **:
We Have Added 4 seats for the Chateau Beaucastel Dinner.
We call it our "Chefs Table" - those of you that are familiar with Brie & Bleu know it as the Table in the front window. A great opportunity for two couples to share a very special night.


Look at this amazing line up:
Chateau Beaucastel Ch. Neuf du Pape:
1978, 1981, 1983, 1989, 1996, 2003 - $94 and 2004 - $97
Plus the astoundingly rare Chateau Beaucastel Rousanne VV 2002 and 2003 - $155

You may never have the opportunity to try this vertical tasting again -
AND you will be drinking with the owner of the vineyard himself, fifth generation wine maker - Marc Perrin.
All wines paired carefully with food.
A very rare chance to drink fully mature Ch. neuf du Pape from one of the best wine houses in the world.

Thursday May 3rd 6pm $100 plus tax & service -
Please Call for the last four seats - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.
First come, First Served.


Wine Tasting - Please Join Us - Friday May 4th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence Rose $10
Exhibits fruity and floral notes, good structure and a nice combination with food.
Freshness and good acidity for this dry rose.
Domaine Houchart is today owned by Geneviève, the wife of Jérôme Quiot, having been originally acquired by her grand-father. During the period the 1850's, Aurélien Houchart was an energic proprietor and negociant in wine, and created one of the largest domain in Provence. This domain has been farmed since Roman times, when it must have been a "Villa", patrician home of the period, some distance away from the "Via Aurelia". Amongst the friends of Aurélien Houchart was the famous painter Paul Cézanne, who frequently came to visit.

2 - XYZIN 10 year old Zinfandel $18 www.xyzinwine.com 10yr old vines
Winemaker's Notes: A juicy, forward, medium-bodied Zin,XYZin 10 bursts with upfront fruit. Notes of clove and anise spices, typical to Zinfandel, underscore the wine’s bright Rainier cherry and strawberry flavors, which carry the palate from beginning to end.

3 - XYZIN 50 year old Zinfandel $32 50 yr old vines
Winemaker's Notes: XYZin 50 is an elegant, plush Zinfandel with a ripe, raspberry palate. Boysenberry and Bing cherry flavors add complexity,while aging in French oak has developed the wine’s creamy texture and contributed a lovely vanilla,crème-brulée note.

4 - Flora Springs Cabernet $30
Winemaker's Notes: Aged for almost two years in French oak, this wine exhibits all the classic characteristics of a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley – full, forward, mouthfilling black cherry fruit with cassis and cocoa. The big, ripe, sweet fruit characteristics in the front of the mouth move right into a smooth and lingering finish – a nicely balanced wine with oak undertones.

If you have not seen our interview with Flora Springs' Sean Garvey - take a look.
You can see the video on our calendar page - under the WineRadio section - OR - on iTunes. Just type in "WineRadio" in the search area hit enter. Our familiar green logo will appear - click on that and you will see a list of all our shows.

Thanks for all of your comments, suggestions and support. The remodeling at Brie & Bleu is a direct result of your feedback.

We hope to see you on Friday Night in our cellar- It's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.

AAA.

Dave Guffy - Hess Collection Nappa

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Meet Dave Guffy the Director of Winemaking at The Hess Collection. A typical Thursday afternoon in New London - Dave stopped by the store to see our cellar for himself, and to share his thoughts on Napa winemaking. The Hess Collection is owned by Swiss financier Donald Hess, they have long made excellent Cabernet and Chardonnay; prices have always been fair, even when it was de rigueur for Napa Cab to cost $75.

Under Guffy, Hess is turning out truly great wines -- three are among The Chronicle's Top 100 Wines of 2005 -- and developing a portfolio that shows not only Guffy's skill but also the company's commitment to replanting diseased and underperforming vines on its 300 acres on Mount Veeder, and feeding its Chardonnay program with fruit grown in American Canyon, just south of Napa.

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.

iTunes, Joseph Drouhn, Staglin, Penalolen, De Martino Organic, Silver Lizard, Domus Aurea

Greetings from all of us in New London,


We have a beautiful line up of wine this Friday.
We are featuring the wines of Chile - and as many of you know this part of the world is delivering huge value for your wine buying dollar. The list is just below these items of interest.

It has been a very busy week - So lets get started -

• We are now available on iTunes - all of our WineRadio interviews, special guests, and much more - now we can travel with you on your iPod. Simply go to the iTunes store - type in WineRadio for the search field and hit enter. You will see our cool green logo pop right up.
OR - Here is a direct link:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=251715986

Can you name another wine shop that is pushing the envelope this hard?

• We attended a private tasting of the Joseph Drouhn 2005 Burgundies - this is a very difficult job, and it must been done each year whether we enjoy it or not, to select the Burgundy that's just right for you. If you are interested in ordering early please call the store - supplies can be limited - 860-443-9463

• The cast & crew of "Inclusions" spent an entire day shooting scenes in our cellar -
you can see a sneak peek of the film at this address: http://crlvideo.com/inclusions3/
Cast and crew commented that this was their favorite location - Can you dig it?

• The Staglin Vineyards Cult Wine Dinner is sold out - thank you very much for your support.

• Connecticut Lyric Opera - Friday April 20, 8 pm - Presents Romeo & Juliette by Charles Gounod. Romeo and Juliet has inspired countless retellings in opera, ballet, theatre and cinema, yet none can rival Gounod’s sumptuous combination of sensual 19th-century French music and the Bard’s emotional honesty. All additional information including tickets can be found here - http://ctlyricopera.org/boxoffice/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=16


This Week At Brie & Bleu Featured Specials:
Friday - Sliced Sirloin Dijonaise
Saturday - Lamb Cassoulet

Featured Cheese This Week
Wensleydale cheese - http://www.wensleydale.co.uk/

Traditional, hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a shape of cylinder with natural rind. Wensleydale can be used as table cheese and is very tasty with apple pie. This cheese is based on the recipe that can be traced back to the Cistercian monks who came over with William the Conqueror in the 11 century. There are two types of the British classic Wensleydale: White, a flat disc that is highly-pressed and has a honey flavor to it and Blue or Yorkshire, which has blue veins, double cream and is a cousin of Stilton - the blue variety comes in large drums. Good Wensleydale has a supple, crumbly, moist texture and resembles a young Caerphilly. The flavor suggests wild honey balanced with a fresh acidity.


Wine Tasting - Please Join Us Friday April 20th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge The Great Wines Of Chile



1 - Penalolen Sauvignon Blanc $12
You have seen this name in our cellar before. They produce one of my favorite Cabernet's, and it comes from one of the most remarkable wine regions in the world - Chile. This part of the world is so exciting that we are planning a long overdue visit to the region in the coming months.

The Peñalolén winery was founded by vineyard owner Ricardo Peña and his wife Isabel with the objective to produce unique Chilean wines, full of personality and verve. The wines are made by winemaker Jean-Pascal Lacaze, well respected for his deft hand in producing memorable wines. All grapes are grown and hand harvested with meticulous care to guarantee the integrity of the fruit, and picked early in the morning when the weather is coolest. Peñalolén is truly a family-owned, boutique winery committed to making wines of distinction.

This Sauvignon Blanc comes from Chile's two most prestigious appellations for cool climate white grapes: the Limari and Casablanca valleys. With this wine, Penalolen demonstrates how impressive Sauvignon Blanc can be when grown in the right place and guided by a talented winemaker. The use of pure, ripe fruit gives this wine a powerfully rich and complex flavor free from oak or residual sugar. The aromas of orange and flowers, combined with good acidity, make this Sauvignon Blanc a classic partner for food. I think you will really enjoy this wine.

2 - De Martino Organic Cabernet $15 - rated 90 points Wine Enthusiast
There is a distinction between Organic & Bio-Dynamic that should be mentioned. Bio-dynamic farming is a type of organic agriculture. Both organic and biodynamic methods seek to sustain ecosystems, but biodynamic farmers adhere to unique philosophical principles, as well as to guidelines more stringent than those required by the USDA for organic certification.

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "(Inky ruby. Primary, grapey aromas of blackberry and candied plum. Youthful and tightly wound, with pure, sweet cassis and dark cherry flavors nicely supported by solid tannic structure. This should be interesting in a year or so." (Mar/Apr 06) According to the Wine Spectator: "Solid red and dark berry fruit with loam and smoke notes on the finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases made." (12/05)


3 - Maquis Lien $17 "Silver Lizard"
The Rivadeniera-Hurtado family has owned the Viña Maquis vineyard for more than a century, but it wasn’t until ten years ago that the family decided to make their own wine out of the terrific grapes in their own backyard. They built a gorgeous, state-of-the-art gravity flow winery and set out to make a “Super Chilean” blend using the vineyard’s best red grapes. In Chile's native Mapuche language, lien means “silver metal”—a reference to colonial Spanish coins that were once melted to make fine jewelry, like the lizard on the Maquis label. You may have seen this distinctive label before in our cellar.
The Maquis Lien is made from a finely tuned blend of 50% Syrah, 23% Carmenere, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, and 7% Malbec. It is a generous red wine that reflects the character of the Hurtado family’s special plot of land. To make this fruity and concentrated blend, winemakers Ricardo Rivadeneira Hurtado and Alejandro Jofré have developed vines that bear no more than 12 bunches of grapes per vine. Only the ripest grapes are picked, then sorted by hand at the winery. The Lien is barrel aged for 12 months in French oak. This is great wine and another example of the value coming from this part of the world. Try it - it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase draining the lizard.

4 - Domus Aurea Cabernet $50
Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range, Clos Quebrada de Macul is recognized as one of the finest vineyards in the Maipo Valley. It is here, on the gravelly slopes of a 45-acre single-vineyard, that owners Ricardo and Isabel Pena produce their award-winning Domus Aurea Cabernet Sauvignon. The Peña family is committed to extremely low yields. The family’s vineyards are divided into five blocks that follow the depth and stoniness of the soil, which are further divided into upper, middle and lower rows. The harvest is not determined by block or row but vine by vine. The winery also utilizes open-top fermentation and personalized oak aging cycles, selecting lots with the most character to be the first wines into French barrels. A brilliant red and a rich, berry nose. This vintage has strong, round tannins with an elegant body and vibrant flavors of blackberry and cassis.

Thanks very much for your support - we all appreciate it.
As the warm weather approaches we have some great surprises for you - they will be announced in the next couple of emails and of course on line at our website and the blog. And, our formal listing on iTunes will allow us to add all kinds of content that will travel with you - like wine lists, and perhaps hard to remember items that we have had in the store. That's in addition to all of the food, recipe and paring information that we are working on.

The best is yet to come, and we sincerely appreciate your support - it is why we are growing and why we are able to bring in the types of celebrities and other special guests and offer the kind special events we do.

Please Join Us.
It's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend - please say hello when you visit the store.




AAA

Sean Garvey Flora Springs Wine

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Meet Sean Garvey - Third generation of the Flora Springs wine family. Sean is the son of Patrick and Julie Garvey who, along with Julie’s brother, John Komes, started Flora Springs winery in 1978. At that time, the Garvey and Komes families were a part of a small group of visionaries who followed their passion for wine to the relatively unknown soils of the Napa Valley. Named after Sean’s Grandmother, Flora Komes, the winery is a true family business.

WIneRadio, it's fun, informal, and a great way tolearn about wine.

Terry Theise - "UnPlugged"

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Food & Wine Magazine's Man of The Year Terry Theise sits down with us and speaks candidly about wine, and the future of the world - AAA.

French Apache Dancer, Herbie Hancock, Wilhelm Walch, K-Vintners, Perrin Vacqueyras, Maculan Fratta

Greetings from all of us in New London -

Thames River Wine & Spirits -
860-443-9463 - 84 Bank Street
Thames River Greenery -
860-443-6817 - 70 State Street
Brie & Bleu -
860-437-2474 - 84 Bank Street
An exciting tasting is planned for you this week - Look for the
French Apache Dancer (pronounced Ahh-po-shay) on the list.

Our line up is just below these items interest:

• A big thank you to the Pfizer Wine Group for last Thursday's special tasting of
The Wines of Italy.
We poured eighteen wines - here are just a few of the bottles that were opened:

Verdicchio Riserva "Cambrugiano" Belisario 2003 $24
Vernaccia di S Gimignano "Fiore" Montenidoli 2004 $21
Barbera D'Alba Fratelli Alessandria 2003 $27
Chianti Classico Villa di Geggiano 2003 $24
Brunello di Montalcino 1999 Vitanza $54
Brunello di Montalcino 2001 Le Prata $58
Barolo 2001 San Lorenzo Fr Alessandria $60
Barbaresco 2001 Ovello Cantina Del Pino $ $50
Amarone 2001 Roccolo Grassi $105

Remember - all you have to do is ask -
If you have a wine club, or an office group that is interested in having your own special tasting - or if you have a special occasion in mind,
give us a call. We will make it happen. 860-443-9463

• High praise from a couple visiting from New York City: "If we were looking for a party in New London, where we didn't need an invitation, we would come straight to this store." - Thank you to everyone that helps to make this a great party each and every week.

Mark Your Calendar:
• Garde Arts Center Presents - Mr. Herbie Hancock -
Wednesday May 30th 8 p.m. There are few artists in the music industry who have gained more respect and cast more influence than Herbie Hancock. And, he is coming to New London and the Garde Arts Center. You can plan your entire evening around this performance. A little wine, a little food, then settle into your seats in the first row of the loge - (keep your feet off of the railing please) and then listen to a world class show - For More Information check out the websites:
Garde Arts: http://tickets.gardearts.org/show.asp
Herbie Hancock: http://www.herbiehancock.com/


• Golden Street Gallery of New London, Connecticut present -
"MAKING CONNECTIONS"
Exhibition runs April 28 - May 19, 2007 There will be a special "meet the artists" reception and artist talk on Saturday May 12, 2007 from 6-9pm,
Golden Street Gallery "where the gold meets the green"
94 Golden Street
New London, CT 06320
860-444-0659
e-mail:goldenstgallery@yahoo.com
web: www.goldenstreetgallery.com

This Week At Brie & Bleu Dinner Specials:
Friday - Long Island Duck Empanadas -
Saturday - Stuffed Cornish Game Hen

The featured cheese for this week is
Valdeon - $17/lb - Named best blue cheese in Spain's 2003 national competition, Valdeón is a rich, creamy, intensely flavored semi-soft cow/goat milk blue that's saltier than Stilton yet less wild than Cabrales -
I have said many times: I don't know about you, but I like my cheese as wild as I can get it.
Made in Spain's remote Valdeón Valley in the northern region of Asturias, Valdeón is wrapped in Sycamore leaves, giving it a distinctive appearance and lending to its complex flavor. Valdeon pairs well with wines made from the gamay grape, such as Beaujolais and with Muscat. It is delicious with smoked and cured meats and is excellent melted on top of a steak


Wine Tasting Please Join Us Friday April 13 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Wilhelm Walch Pinot Grigio 2005 $14 - http://www.elenawalch.com/eng/
The Alto Adige region of Italy is stunning in it's beauty - In the shadow of the great snow-covered Dolomite Mountain's it is hard to imagine a more magnificent setting. It is also the home of wine that our own Jim Morrison declares "redefines what you can expect from Pinot Grigio." This wine is made by Elena Walch, a former architect who became a wine producer in 1985 after marrying into one of the oldest established wine families at Tramin - Alto Adige’s best-known wine village. This wine is a real discovery, please try it on Friday. We also carry the Elena Walch, Cru Pinot Grigio - "Castel Ringberg" - The greatest Pinot Grigio I've ever tried - Jim Morrison.

2 - "House Wine" red Magnificent wine company 2005 $14 - http://www.kvintners.com/
Many of you have discovered this wine with the plain white label that reads simply "House Wine." This is a second label of the great K Vintners and has been a store favorite of ours for years. It's popularity has allowed K vintners to focus on their small production Syrahs, which are among the best in the world. Unfortunately, when a brand becomes very successful it often gets sold, as has happened here. The new owners intend to vastly increase production, damaging quality. If you've never tried this wine now is the time, if you know the wine, enjoy it while you can, for this is the last vintage of it we will carry. You may want to grab a case while it is still available.

3 - Perrin Vacqueyras 2005 $25 - http://www.perrin-et-fils.com/
Always eagerly awaited, this is the wine we get from our friends at Chateau Beaucastel. It comes from just to the north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The wine is a blend of 80% Granache and 20% Syrah making the wine a simpler, more rustic version of the famous Beaucastel. Whereas Chateauneuf-du-Pape was and continues to be the export wine, Vacqueyras has always been wine of the people. Less polish makes the wine seem - more french, intense and agressive . Think French apache dancer, black and white striped shirt, beret, and the stub of an unfiltered cigarette clenched tightly between his teeth. Close your eyes and take a sip - you just might hear the faint sounds of a bistro accordion wafting through the air.

4 - Maculan Fratta 1998 $65 - http://www.maculan.net/index1.htm
Wine Spectator rated this 91 points and said "A new-wave Cab-Merlot blend, with loads of fruit and structure. Extremely ripe berry, currant and Indian spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, superfruity finish..." - This wine is a Tre Bicchiere Bordeaux blend from Veneto Italy. When this wine is feeling generous, when it feels like revealing itself to us - it drinks on par with a 1982 Chateau Latour - that's what Big Jim Morrison has to say about this wine.

This will be a great Friday Night Tasting - we hope to see you all there -
And thank you all for the email and comments and especially the support that show week after week. We appreciate it.

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


AAA

Vina Robles, Humboldt Fog, Rediscover a Great Night Out

Greetings from all of us in New London,
www.thamesriver.com


This Friday night we are featuring the wines of Vina Robles. The lineup is listed just below these items of interest and information.


• Thanks to everyone that attended the South African Wine Dinner, it was a lot of fun. Who knew that Wild Boar would taste so good?
Lots of new faces, lots of shared stories about Africa - Maps, photos, and the spices and flavors of a remarkable place - a great night.

• We have been reminded recently that many people do not know about our BLOG - http://newlondonwine.blogspot.com/
There is also a direct link from our website.

We call it - Wine Fever. The blog is essentially the same information that you get right here - BUT - it features photos, some of the video interviews with winemakers, color, and occasionally additional postings of information that is not included here in the weekly newsletter.

The reason we do not offer all of that here in the newsletter is because many of our readers receive email in places that do not allow attachments of any kind. So we keep this version stripped down to the bare essentials and we add a bit of pizazz on the blog.

You are also able to search on the blog - for example - you tried a wine a few weeks ago at the Friday night tasting - you loved it but cannot remember the entire name - but you think it had the word "whiskers" in it, and maybe it had a blue label.

On our blog you may type in the word "whiskers" and search to see what you get.
All of our newsletters are archived on the blog - everyone of them since 1953, when this show first went on the air, so take a look - you might enjoy it.

• We received a lot of email about our "Celebrity Wine Rating Scale." This is the system that we have been using behind the scenes here for quite a while. For example - Robert Parker might say this about a wine: "This is a mature wine that is bold and assertive on the palate."
We might say: "This one drinks like a 1966 Richard Burton - think "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf." It's fun, give it a whirl, and let us know what you come up with. Maybe we will list a few on the website.

• There are some interesting additions to our shop-on-line page. If you have a minute take a peek - http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html

This Week At Brie & Bleu
Remember, there is no need to reinvent a great night out. You can rediscover one right here at Brie & Bleu.
Dinner for two and a great bottle of wine - selected from our cellar - and just the right match for the food.
Restaurant prices for wine can push the limits - not here. You can save enough to take a 2nd bottle home.

Dinner Specials:
Friday: Corn Meal Crusted Flounder
Saturday: Fire Grilled Chicken

Featured Cheese of the week is Humboldt Fog at $20/lb. As Americans have developed a deeper appreciation for great cheese, a change in American cheese making has occurred. Across the country, small-scale dairy farmers and cheese makers are making wonderful cheeses to rival those of Europe. One of these cheeses is Humboldt Fog. With a central layer and outer covering of ash, this goat’s milk tome ripens with a soft, white interior. When cut, it is reminiscent of the early morning fog. Humboldt Fog is made by Cypress Grove Chevre, which is owned and operated by mother and daughter team, Mary Keehn and Malorie McCurdy, in Humboldt County, California, among the towering redwood trees. American farmstead cheeses often command a hefty price due to their limited production, but one bite will convince you that the luxury is worth the cost.
Pairs well with a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Enjoy,
Colleen


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

This Friday we will be featuring the wine of a single producer. This, as many of you know, is not typical.
But we had the opportunity to visit with our good friend Mark Laderriere - he was visiting from the West Coast and made time to talk with us on a typical Wednesday afternoon in New London. One of California's best producers Vina Robles sets the bar rather high.
Take a look at the video we shot on Wednesday - meet Mark and learn a bit about this famous vineyard.

The video is in two easy places - on the Calendar of Events page (scroll down to WineRadio) : http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Or on the Blog: http://newlondonwine.blogspot.com/

The Wine of Vina Robles is the realization of a long-held dream. It is the collaboration of international talents and recognition of an area of exceptional viticultural promise. It began as the world-wide search by Hans Nef, a Swiss restaurateur and developer, for the perfect place to grow Bordeaux and Rhone varietals.

With the help of California-based friend and business partner, Hans Michel, Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast was selected, as it was rapidly becoming known for the production of wines of noteworthy quality. Paso Robles is located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the northern part of San Luis Obispo County. Thirty miles inland, its warm climate is due to the Santa Lucia Mountains that block out most of the cooling Pacific Ocean influence during the day. The Templeton Gap is a saddle in the range that channels the moderating late afternoon breezes and cool air at night across the region.

The appellation of Paso Robles is geographically diverse. Numerous soil types and elevation changes, together with diverse valleys and canyons, account for varied climates and sites that yield high quality production of a diversity of varietals, notably reds.

We think that you will enjoy trying these wines side by side. Here are the wines and the winemakers notes.


1 - Vina Robles Chardonnay $18
Medium, golden straw in color with aromas of fresh ripe fruits, primarily pineapple and apples, with hints of honeyed citrus, and minerals combined with subtle notes of jasmine and toasty oak. Lush and rounded on the palate with flavors of baked apples, baking spices and hints of tropical fruits; a crisp, clean and lengthy finish.

2 - Vina Robles Cabernet $18
Deep garnet. Intense aromas of plums, blackberry and cherry with a hint of spice, cedar and vanilla. Ripe, rich, dense fruit with full body and great concentration; juicy plum, black cherry and red current flavors with hints of tobacco and baking spices. A long finish with ripe tannins and good structure.

3 - Vina Robles Red $16
Deep purple-black with intense aromas of dark berry fruits including notes of blueberry and plum as well as chocolate powder are complimented by vanilla and toasty oak. This full-bodied wine is juicy and concentrated on the palate with ripe, firm tannins; blackberry, plum and blueberry fruit with a touch of bittersweet chocolate; long pleasant finish.

4 - Vina Robles Signature $27
Deep, saturated inky purple, almost opaque with intense aromas of dark berry fruits including notes of blueberry and plum, violets and allspice as well as earth are complimented by vanilla and toasty oak. This full-bodied wine is juicy and concentrated on the palate with ripe, firm tannins; blackberry, plum and blueberry fruit; pie crust, graham cracker with a touch of spice; long pleasant finish.



It has been a great week - lots of excitement and also a week of new discoveries.
Thank you for your support and for spreading the word.
We have been invited to participate in special events - because you have made an impression on the professionals that visit our store. We constantly hear comments about the quality and interest of our customers. We appreciate it. And the best is yet to come.

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


AAA.