The Ultimate Thanksgiving Wine

Greetings from New London,

Many Thanks to Lisa Sanseverino from Iberia Wines. She poured and poured and poured some more at our weekly tasting last Friday. Thank you all for the great turnout - she loved your comments and questions. And the great wines of Portugal were a true delight.

This week at Brie & Bleu we will be featuring some Fall classics on the menu. Sauerbraten with real Potato Dumplings - From a very old family recipe.

Try it with a nice glass of red like maybe a Muga Rioja, or perhaps a favorite Octoberfest Beer. Remember Kitchen is now open until 10 p.m. - Please Reserve Early.

***

Speaking Of Beer

Last Wednesdays Beer tasting was a great success. Thanks to all of our Beer Aficionados for the great turnout.

Due to popular demand we will be extending the program right through the month of November.
We will be offering a new selection of beer every week, paired with appetizers & cheese that will make you appreciate beer in a whole new way.

No Charge - starts at 5:00 p.m. - This is a perfect after work stop over - we hope you will join us.

****

Now - we want to announce to you that Lunch Time in November just got VERY interesting. The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard - will be cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine at The Beanery on the
5th, 12th, and 19th of November.

If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.
If you had no idea that we even had a busy lunch time scene going on at City News & The Beanery - this is a great opportunity to make plans and meet your friends downtown for something special. We have lots of seating and the mood will be festive - we hope you can join us. Questions:
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7 - Option # 2 for The Beanery

***

We mentioned last week a special announcement for Scotch & Cigar Lovers. We received a lot of email about it - so we are including the information again this week. This will be a great night out - please pass the word along.

City News in Conjunction with the Thames Club will be hosting an Ashton Cigar
"Taste Of Excellence" Dinner.

Ashton only does this event a few times a year and only with approved merchants like City News.

Saturday November 14th - 6:00 p.m.

The venerable Thames Club will be the site for an evening of great food, amazing whiskey, and award winning cigars from Ashton. There will also be a door prize of Ashton Cigars & Humidor valued at over $150.
Ashton Ambassador Mr. Andrew Green will be on hand to keep it lively.

$65 includes E V E R Y T H I N G.
Drinks, dinner, cigars, and the chance to win the big prize. If you have been waiting for a special occasion to get out of the house - this is it.

Seating is very limited for this event. You must reserve early with your credit card - which will be billed by the Thames Club directly.

Call the Thames Club - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 5 5 0 4
Ask for Club Manager Paula Guido - Explain that you are a guest of City News and would like to make a reservation. It is just that simple.

If you have been wondering just what goes on at the Thames Club this is a perfect opportunity to take a little tour. It is the second oldest private club in the United States - and it is right here in New London.

Please Join Us For A Great Evening.

******

Other Highlights for the coming season include:
Wine dinners, beer dinners, guest chefs, authors and holiday surprises.

New food & wine series coming to Brie & Bleu.

New wine dinners & special events coming to City
News, Brie & Bleu, and our one of a kind cellar.

Please join us.

Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday October 30 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.



1 - Felsner Gruner Veltliner $13

Here's a favorite sight around here - a big green one-liter bottle with an Austrian flag bottle cap on it.

From the Felsner family estate overlooking the Danube river, this light Gruner shows bright, fresh fruit with a mellow peach and apricot finish.

A perfect pairing with antipasti, light cheeses and seafood, and just a fun bottle to have around!



2 - Cono Sur Pinot Noir $12

This little hit from Chile features a bicycle on the label - the "Bicycle Pinot" (people ask for it by name).

Honestly, at this price point it's the best Pinot Noir we've found, made by a small farming collective committed to sustainable agriculture.

Classic Pinot wild berry tones mingling with a touch of smoke and a long finish - we've stocked this wine before but believe this is their best vintage yet. It blows the doors off mass-produced brands at the same price!















3 - Tenuta Vitanza Chianti Colli Senesi $18

On the subject of sustainable farming, tiny Vitanza runs a fossil-fuel free estate (wow).

They also are the producer of some of the best Brunello de Montalcino in the world (check this space as the holidays approach).

This is their gorgeous, old-school Chianti - fine, elegant, not overblown, with classic Italian leather and smoke tones.
A great food wine - this would pair perfectly with a lamb chop, but is silky enough to match with pork and mushrooms.

An impeccable wine from Tuscany.

Speaking of which:

4 - Gaja Ca'Marcanda Promis 2006 $50

The myth, the legend - for winegeeks everywhere, you only have to say the one word: GAJA.

Angelo Gaja is an extraordinary winemaker and Italian gentleman - in The Pantheon of Major Dudes, we put him up there with, say, Enzo Ferrari - In idle moments, we gaze with longing at the magnum of 2005 Gaja Barbaresco resting in the cellar - but that particular bottle is $500.

So let's call this "entry-level" Gaja, a wine the rest of us can spring for on special occasions!

Promis is made from a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese, from the loam and clay soils of coastal Tuscany. Gorgeous, round and musical with an endless finish - made with the care and genius of all Gaja wines. Please come early to try a sip!

BRIE & BLEU:
Octoberfest Anyone?
This week - A true Classic.
Please Reserve Early

Sauerbraten
with potato DUMPLINGS.

Perfect with a nice glass of red wine OR a great OctoberFest Brew.


Sweet Potato &
Sausage Soup

Classic Combinations
Great Wine & Beer
Affordable Indulgence.

Rediscover A
Great Night Out.

C I T Y N E W S
NEW LONDON


Congratulations To Cigar Master Tomas Lochem on the great story in The Day newspaper.
If you missed the article by Anthony Cronin
CLICK HERE

We are proud to offer the entire line of Lochem
Cigars at City News.

***

We have to take a minute to thank everyone for turning out last Sunday for the second installment of the Red Tree Poetry Series at City News. The last Sunday of each month will host a new author at a wine & cheese reception at City News. A reading by the author followed by Q&A is all part of the fun - from 2-4 p.m.
There is no charge for these readings - we hope you can join us.

City News is a great place to have a lunch, meet friends, or for just buying the daily papers. All in the original 1900's architecture that we uncovered almost a year ago.

And as always - thanks for your support we appreciate it.

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


AAA.

Portuguese Royalty - Special Announcement

Card Available At City News

Greetings from New London,

A Special Guest This Friday.

Friday will be a special night featuring a lineup of four great new finds from Portugal - our guest, Lisa Sanseverino - direct from her sold out engagements in Lisbon - will be here to help out and answer your questions.

We'll be tasting both rustic and modern styles, and although the names are different, the varietals are familiar - local versions of grapes such as Tempranillo and Grenache. Please come by and try these outstanding values from this ancient region!

And Brie & Bleu will be offering menu items to compliment these delicious wines.

***

NEXT UP -
For all of our Beer Aficionados - mark your calendars for this Wednesday - 10.21.09
We are presenting a beer tasting at Brie & Bleu - No Charge. Hosted by our own Matt Spring, we will be offering a selection of beer paired with appetizers & cheese that will make you appreciate beer in a whole new way.
It starts at 5:30. This is a perfect after work stop over - we hope you join us.



We are listening to all of the comments you have given us and I can assure you right now that we will make every effort we can to bring as many of the beer requests to our shelves in the coming weeks as we can.

****

Now a special announcement for Scotch & Cigar Lovers. City News in Conjunction with the Thames Club will be hosting an Ashton Cigar
"Taste Of Excellence" Dinner.

Ashton only does this event a few times a year and only with approved merchants like City News.

Saturday November 14th - 6:00 p.m.

The venerable Thames Club will be the site for an evening of great food, amazing whiskey, and award winning cigars from Ashton. There will also be a door prize of Ashton Cigars & Humidor valued at over $150.
Ashton Ambassador Mr. Andrew Green will be on hand to keep it lively.

$65 includes E V E R Y T H I N G.
Drinks, dinner, cigars, and the chance to win the big prize. If you have been waiting for a special occasion to get out of the house - this is it.

Seating is very limited for this event. You must reserve early with your credit card - which will be billed by the Thames Club directly.

Call the Thames Club - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 5 5 0 4
Ask for Club Manager Paula Guido - Explain that you are a guest of City News and would like to make a reservation. It is just that simple.

If you have been wondering just what goes on at the Thames Club this is a perfect opportunity to take a little tour. It is the second oldest private club in the United States - and it is right here in New London.

Please Join Us For A Great Evening.

******

Other Highlights for the coming season include:
Wine dinners, beer dinners, guest chefs, authors and holiday surprises.

New food & wine series coming to Brie & Bleu.

New wine dinners & special events coming to City
News, Brie & Bleu, and our one of a kind cellar.

Please join us.

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

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

1 - Alvarino Vino Verde $16




Yep - that's the same grape as "Albarino" in Spain, a bright coastal white with buttery smoothness. This actually reminded us of dry Rieslings from Alsace.

Something different and immaculately balanced, suited best for grilled seafood, oysters, smoked meats and cheeses.












2 - Grou 2 Vinho Tinto $12

Here's a great big chewy red - Aragones (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, and Syrah grapes - this is clearly related to Port flavors, robust, dark and plummy, unfiltered and unoaked.

This would pair well with red meats, robust cheeses, or just an evening on the sofa with your feet up.

An excellent value please try it this weekend.












3 - Herdade do Pombal Alentejo $14

Again, Aragones, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet, plus Cabernet Sauvignon to add tannin and structure.

Refined, elegant and balanced - the price was a real surprise.

A mature, harmonious wine with daily red affordability. This would match perfectly with a beef or lamb entree next door at Brie & Bleu.

4 - Quinta Das Baceladas $21
Rated 90 Points by Wine Spectator.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon plus the traditional Baga grape from the Bairrada region. Blackberry, chocolate and plum notes, this sees one year in French oak, adding smokiness and balanced tannins.

A beautiful full bodied red with lots of detail, made in very limited production - just like our special guest.

Please be sure to try it and please take a minute to say hello to our special guest Lisa Sanseverino - it is her first time in New London, and we would like to make a nice impression.

A quick note about our Coffee Bar - The Beanery - located at City News & Thames River Greenery at 70 State Street.

We are completing many of the additions, upgrading the menu, and welcoming new staff members to our team this week. We are excited about the improvements and hope that you will stop in to take a look if you happen to be downtown during the week.
City News is a great place to have a lunch, meet friends, or for just buying the daily papers. All in the original 1900's architecture that we uncovered almost a year ago.

And as always - thanks for your support we appreciate it.

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


AAA.

Is That A Corkscrew? Or are You Just Happy To See Me?

Rediscover A Great Night Out At Brie & Bleu
Great Food And Delicious Wine By The Glass
Reserve Early - 8 6 0 - 4 3 7 - 2 4 7 4
Greetings from New London,

It was a great turnout for the Fall Food Stroll - thanks for stopping in.

Brie and Bleu has been getting new "rave" reviews. The attention to the menu is based on your comments and suggestions. Chef Andrew has been listening carefully and we are adding a few more classic dishes. Some might call them Comfort Food - we think that they are truly traditional bistro items, and we hope you enjoy them.

Also - coming next week we will bring back beer tastings hosted by our own Matt Spring.

They will be held at Brie & Bleu and we hope that all of our Beer Lovers will join us.

Time and day will be in next weeks email.

******

Other Highlights for the coming season include:
Wine dinners, beer dinners, guest chefs, authors and holiday surprises.

New food & wine series coming to Brie & Bleu.

New wine dinners & special events coming to City
News, Brie & Bleu, and our one of a kind cellar.

Please join us.


*******

Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday October 16 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.



1 - Gruet Blanc de Noirs $18

This is a sparkling methode champenoise, made by the great Gruet family from Champagne, who, once upon a time, went on vacation to Albuquerque.

They took one look at the high chalky mesas of New Mexico and decided on the spot that they could grow French vines and make a worthy
Champagne-style sparkler in America.

Why are we breaking out the bubbly? Just because - because it's what we want to have with lobster tomorrow night, and because we want to celebrate all our friends in New London as the autumn turns chilly.





2 - Domaine La Manarine Cotes du Rhone $15

This is a light Rhone with an interesting story, sourced from a family vineyard of young winemaker Gilles Gasq, an understudy of the great winemaker Paul Jeune from Domaine Montpertuis.

When Gilles mentioned his family's hilly plot of Grenache vines, Paul Jeune inspected the site and declared it deserved its own bottling!

100% Grenache - a rarity in the Rhone - without any other blending grapes it could not be given a "village level" status, and had to be labeled with the generic "Cotes du Rhone" name. The winemakers didn't care - the wine is so fine and elegant it speaks for itself. Light and mellow, a big favorite here at the shop.





3 - Lucien Crochet Sancerre Rouge
"La Croix du Roy" $38

The town of Sancerre in France's Loire Valley is best know for its Sauvignon Blanc, considered by many to be the best in the world - but they also grow Pinot Noir.
This is a wine that would make me get up off the couch and come to a wine tasting - beautiful French Pinot Noir that rivals great Burgundy at half the price.

Only six hectaires of the Crochet family estate is planted with Pinot. Light, elegant, with minty flavors of wild raspberry. With fall flavors at the dinner table, a perfect complement to pork, turkey or salmon.

4 - Bogle Phantom 2006 $24

The flagship of the Bogle portfolio, a deep ruby California blend of Petit Syrah, Zinfandel and Mourvedre. Rich, smooth, and detailed - we highly recommend it.

But around here we call it "The Phantom of the Bogle" because of its frequent disappearing acts. This is a hard wine to get a hold of! First, the delivery truck came and The Phantom was on the invoice, yet the wine had vanished - "The truck driver did it!" said they - Days later, I was informed that The Phantom was gone, only for it to mysteriously appear. But one Phantom had broken, spilling its contents onto the surviving bottles like some kind sacrifice. Creepy! Taste it before it's too late!




We want to thank you once again for the tremendous support and all of the comments we have been getting over the past couple of weeks..

We are committed to the qualities that brought many of you through our doors from the beginning - great wine and service, a friendly approachable staff, and a place where beginners, experts and collectors alike will feel right at home.

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


AAA.

The One Bottle A Day Wine Diet

Photo is from the commercial currently running in Prime Time.
Thanks for all of the great comments.

Greetings from New London,
Thank you all for the many emails and calls about the commercial currently running in Prime Time that features Brie & Bleu in the CL&P promotional campagin.


Click on the photo to
see the profile



If you have not seen it here is the link to the video.
Clink on the link and then click the video window to play.
Brie & Bleu On TV

*******

We want thank everyone that turned out for
ChessFest IV held at City News Last Sunday. A great afternoon was had by all. If you are interested in joining the weekly City News Chess Society - please call Bryan Desautell for more information - 8 6 0 - 4 4 9 - 3 6 6 7

*******

Berkshire Brewing is back. We again offer a large selection of our favorite microbrew from Deerfield, Massachusetts in Bomber and Growler sizes!

In other news, Pawcatuck Rhode Island's own Cottrell Yankee Ale and the new, much-trumpeted Mystic Bridge IPA are now a fixture at Brie & Bleu - New London's original bistro.

And as if all that was not enough - we are adding a nice selection of "Hard Ciders" to choose from.
The Fall is officially here.

***

Other Highlights for the coming season include:
Wine dinners, beer dinners, guest chefs, authors and holiday surprises.
New food & wine series coming to Brie & Bleu.
New wine dinners & special events coming to City News, Brie & Bleu, and our one of a kind cellar.

Please join us.

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

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.



1 - Pares Balta Blancs de Pacs 2008 $11

We've always loved this bottle - from the grapes one finds in sparkling Cava, but vinified as still wine.

We're all familiar with these varietals, yes class?
Macabeo, Parellada and Xarello - can't you taste that note of Xarello?

The new label has a bright yellow B on it to make it easy to spot from 100 yards, plus a cute ladybug which means it's all organically farmed

This is a very affordable indulgence. Great with food or just sipping with friends.













2 - Louis Latour Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2007 $15

"We Take Under-$20 Pinot Seriously" Part 2.

Last week we poured Culley from New Zealand - This week we pour a familiar friend.

This earthy French jewel has been a fixture around here for years. Our delivery driver John pointed out that this a new vintage so let's find out what the 2007 bottling is all about.

The Domaine de Valmoissine is located on the site of the ancient monastery and university of Valmoissine at 500 metres above sea-level which guarantees sunshine during the summer months whilst remaining cool and limits the possibility of spring frosts. The grapes are entirely hand-picked before being fermented in stainless steel open-vats for a short period of 4-5 days.


Another great food wine from Latour - It tastes like it should be priced a lot higher - please try it this week.



3 - Chateau Valcombe Cotes du Ventoux 2005 $14

The terroir of Valcombe is situated at an altitude of 1000 feet on the lower slopes of Mont Ventoux, one of the most majestic sites in Provence known as the "Giant of Provence".

A big, complex Rhone from the slopes of Mount Ventoux. Grenache and Carignan with a touch of Syrah and Cinsault from vines averaging 60 years old.
(I thought I tasted a hint of Cinsault, didn't you?)

Peppery and dense, a perfect match for steak and potatoes or deep conversation over matters of great importance.



4 - Goretti Montefalco Rosso Le Mura Saracene 2006 $16

The Goretti Family of the Umbria region of Italy creates this Montefalco Rosso at Fattoria Le Mura Saracene from a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Merlot. The process begins in stainless steel tanks, then 12 months in oak barrels followed by 8-10 months in bottle.

To start the experience, deep ruby and purple coloring followed by intense aromas of blackberries and a floral bouquet.

Their website adds:

"With hints of cloves and roasted red peppers, flavors of black cherries and toasted oak, then a bit later lilacs mingle with a pleasantly bitter plum. Bright tannins combined with all these wonderful flavors and aromas weave a rich vibrant wine that leaves one with a lingering finish."

Made from Sangiovese with a bit of Sagrantino, this lovely red from Umbria (right in the calf of the Italian boot) can mimick old-school Chianti without pickling your tongue.

We say that it's lush and herbal, great pairings would be roasted lamb or fresh fettucine with pesto - I've been reminded that Sagrantino wines were traditionally used in exorcisms in Italy - I haven't been to a good exorcism in years - This could be a good bottle to have around as we approach Halloween. You be the judge - give it a try this Friday.

*******

"Old World European Charm - it reminds us of home."

That was the comment a couple from France made this past week about Brie & Bleu. They were sipping wine nibbling on cheese and watching the rain drip on the couple at the table next to them.

We have tried many times over the years to address the leak issues we have. The best minds in the business have put in their two cents worth of wisdom, and in the end most say - "its an old building - and New London has a lot of leaks downtown."

Well - this week a full union crew has installed a seamless membrane roof "system" on the building.
All new, latest technology. We are hoping that this will do the trick. If not - I think we will settle for the Old World European Charm - there is nothing left to do.
Unless of course we try a good old fashion Italian exorcism - hey, that may not be such a bad idea.

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


AAA.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Director Jim Collins gets us ready for our close up.
A crew of 25 and 8 actors moved into Brie & Bleu last Friday night.



New London selected for
Connecticut Light & Power's new promotional campaign.
Begins airing on Labor Day.

860-443-6817
Greetings from New London,

Lots of excitement last week - many of you saw the film crew setup in the street as you arrived for the tasting. "Whats this all about?" people were asking.

New London was selected by Connecticut Light & Power for part of its new promotional campaign.

The producers liked what they saw and included us in all of the action.

Thanks to all of you that had to work around them, we appreciate it.

Please join us at the weekly tasting - the list of wine is below these words of interest.

*****

SUMMER MOVIES
Get your wine & cheese from us and then walk across the street to the Art Park for
free summer movies

MUPPET MOVIE TRAILER

Hygienic Art Park
Across From The Wine Store
Summer Flickers
Wednesday nights June 24 - September 9 at 8pm.

August 12: The Muppet Movie (1979)
August 19: Coffee & Cigarettes (2003)
August 26: Faire Harbour Film Fest
September 2: Double Indemnity (1944)
September 9: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

For more info, visit hygienic.org

Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday August 14 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2005 August sale price $10 a bottle

The fruit for this wine comes from the Leyda Valley, located just south of the prestigious Casablanca Valley. Leyda is quickly building a reputation for producing some of the best Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit in Chile.

Unlike Casablanca, which is protected from the Pacific by a mountain range, Leyda enjoys a maritime influenced, cool climate throughout the growing season, with morning fog and afternoon breezes.

The low-yielding vines are picked early in the morning by hand to keep the fruit cool before pressing. The vineyard is farmed with sustainable practices, and the care taken in the fields is echoed in the meticulous winemaking in the cellar. The wine displays fresh gooseberry and citrus aromas, with distinctive notes of green Serrano pepper and freshly cut grass.




2 - Crios Rose of Malbec $12

A very big Rosé, done in the tradition of big Argentine wines. The wine maker Susana Balbo bleeds the Rosé off as she makes her old vine Malbec.

And as you might imagine, the Rosé mirrors the Malbec, bone dry with lots of fruit and exotic spices. The wine is so big and dry, that it's closer to a light bodied red than any other Rosé I know.

Remember, only mad dogs and Englishmen drink red wine in the noonday sun, and summer will come, and you will need a good, dry Rosé to serve at your backyard barbeque.

















3 - Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence 2006 $16

(Pronounced:
"Mmm, yum")

I've always been charmed by this spicy red in the tubby bottle. I've poured it Monday before, but the new 2006 vintage has arrived and needs to be sampled!

From a small, beautiful vineyard of grape vines and olive trees in Provence, Gourgonnier produces even-handed wines of Rhone varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon, and some of the most prized olive oil in France.

And they are the modern model of a fully organic and biodynamic agricultural producer. Wild rasberry tones with touches of smoke, nutmeg and black pepper, defined by ripe round tannins (translation: "Mmm, yum"). Get It Now.



4 - Beryna Tinto Alicante $18

60% Monastrell, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Tempranillo

Rafael Bernabe and Olga Navarro own 40 hectares of vineyard, planted predominantly with the Monastrell variety.

They also cultivate Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, with different clones, root-stocks and age of vines. The vineyards are near the town of Villena, in the western portion of Alicante which is relatively cool and offers lower humidity which reduces disease pressure and leads to sound grapes.

Perhaps most importantly, be tween veraison (grape coloring) and harvest there is slightly higher air humidity which burns off by the afternoon leading to reduced water stress on the vines.

Water stress is controlled through the use of leaf pressure chambers and measurements of leaf temperature and has proved to be important for increasing aromatic characters in all of their different red varieties.

Winemaker Joaquin Galvez, one of the most respected Spanish professors in wine tasting, is the first Spaniard to take the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine courses. In 1996 he released his first wine, made in Jumilla. Finally in 2003 he obtained not only a Gold medalat the prestigious International Wine Chal lenge in London, but also the Red Wine Trophy for the best Spanish Red Wine in the UK, for the Altos de Luzon 2002. He explains his goal as "something that in the late 90's seemed to be unthinkable for Spanish southern Mediterranean wines; my intention is to produce elegant wines, seeking for finesse, aromatic fruit expression and freshness."

The wine is harvested in small boxes of 20 kg. In the vineyard only the best bunches are harvested. At the winery all the bunches are sorted again eliminating leaves and all inferior bunches. Given the careful farming, dis carded material is significantly below 1% of total mass. Varietals are fermented separately with only free run juice proceeding to aging for 12 months in 1/3 new and 2/3 1 and 2 year old oak. The wine is fined with egg whites and bottled unfiltered. The wine is an expression of the vineyard, aiming to make it more and more delicate, balanced and with intense fruity aromas.

"Inky purple. Explosively aromatic nose offers a seductive bouquet of blackberry, pungent flowers, oak spices and minerals. Red and dark berry flavors display impressive depth and purity, building in sweetness with aeration. Supple tannins add gentle support but don't dis tract from the deep berry flavors. Finishes silky and persistent." - IWC

As always - thanks very much for your support - we appreciate it.

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


AAA.

Sixty Dollars A Bottle - try it on us

New London Mentioned in the Top 20
Outside Magazine Available At City News
860-443-6817
Greetings from New London,

Well what do you know - New London makes it to the pages of Outside magazine and listed in the Top 20.
But all of us already knew that - right?
Remember - you read it here first.

Please join us at the weekly tasting - the list of wine is below these words of interest.

OPENING:
Saturday August 8 - September 7
Golden Street Gallery, 94 Golden Street, New London, CT 06320
Located in the ever so thriving Downtown District of New London and an easy line-of-site walk from Brie & Bleu & the Wine Store.


Serial Fiction: an exhibition of visual narratives by Christine Shank, Jake Saunders, John O'Donnell and Brad Guarino.

A little wine & food and then a walk to the gallery for the opening - nice.

*****

SUMMER MOVIES
Get your wine & cheese from us and then walk across the street to the Art Park for
free summer movies

MOVIE TRAILER

Hygienic Art Park
Across From The Wine Store
Summer Flickers
Wednesday nights June 24 - September 9 at 8pm.

August 5: Blazing Saddles (1974)
August 12: The Muppet Movie (1979)
August 19: Coffee & Cigarettes (2003)
August 26: Faire Harbour Film Fest
September 2: Double Indemnity (1944)
September 9: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

For more info, visit hygienic.org

Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday August 7 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Domaine La Hitaire sauvignon Blanc and
Semillion 2006 $12

Armin and Remy Grassa are brothers in life and in their work. Sons of Yves Grassa, the famous Gascon wine grower, they have naturally grasped and grown up with modern wine growing methods. Together they bought the Domaine La Hitaire in 1999 where they have transformed and restructured this 110 hectares wine estate.

Different grape varieties that are not so common in the region (Sémillon, Chardonnay, Chenin ...) have found their place alongside the precious Petits Manseng that grow opposite the terrace at the entrance of the Castle.

The wines of character produced by Armin and Remy Grassa are created to provide a conviviality which is so close to their hearts.

Beside a magnificent lake surrounding this superb XVIIIth century Château, the Domaine La Hitaire vineyards spread out over the hills of Eauze, the capital of the Armagnac region.

Mainly planted with Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Sémillon, Chenin, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng, our vineyards benefit from a very favourable sub soil (tawny coloured sands), for those who appreciate elegant, fresh and very aromatic white wines.

Our Domaine is situated in the "Côtes de Gascogne".

The meticulous upkeep of each vine, the careful monitoring of grape maturation and the great care taken during harvesting coupled with the sun and the oceanic climate of the South-West contribute to producing wines of the finest quality.



2 - Rose des Tourelles 2007 $21
From the vineyard of Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron, a second growth classified estate in Pauillac.

The wine is the exsanguination, or bleeding off of juice during the production of their estate wine.

Comprised of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This is Second Growth Rose.

3 - Hopler Pinot Noir 2005 $21

A Dark red burgundy with characteristically fine strains of marzipan and wild berries. A refined, velvet elegance defines this wine as an excellent representative of the variety.

Pinot Noir presents a unique test for the soil, climate and the winegrower. The wine ripens on the east slopes of the Leitha hills, the perfect environment to achieve the best quality.

Most pleasurable when enjoyed with lightly fried chanterelles or delicacies with duck.



4 - Alonso del Yerro
Ribera del Duero Maria 2005 $60
Rated 95 points - Robert Parker

The 2005 Alonso del Yerro "Maria" was aged for 18 months sur-lie with batonnage. It is a bit layered,and immediately pleasurable.

Aged completely in new French oak, with malolactic in barrel and aging sur-lie for 18 months, with a bit of batonnage, this is Stephane Derenoncourt's 'La Mondotte treatment' in Ribera del Duero.

A super-heady, flamboyant, exuberant nose of sweet, peppery black cherries, plums, and espresso roast is followed by a voluptuously textured, full-bodied, pure wine with wonderful sweetness, definition, and vibrancy.

This is a stunning wine to drink now as well as over the next decade.

"There is plenty of ripe tannin and a long finish. Vinedos Alonso del Yerro was purchased in 2002 and Stephane Derenoncourt was hired on as consultant.

This will go quickly so start your evening early and please be sure to try this on Friday night.

Brie & Bleu
New London's
Bistro

Featured This Week:

Gazapacho

Classic Hot Lobster Roll
on a toasted bun, served with fresh cole-slaw and
Poore Brothers chips.
(great with a glass of
Sancerre or Rosé)

D'artagnon Duck Breast
with couscous

Dessert
Homemade Coconut Macaroons

Illy Coffee & Espresso

Please Reserve Early
8 6 0 - 4 3 7 - 2 4 7 4

It has been a busy week - lots going on, and some very cool things coming up - very juicy news in the next week or two - stay tuned.

And as always - thanks very much for your support - we appreciate it.

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


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