Thursday, December 03, 2009

You Are Definitely on The List - Please Join Us

holiday gift sign
Happy Holidays
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
Greetings from New London,

Its been a great busy week here - thanks for all of the excitement. Parties, reunions, poetry readings, and secret rendezvous.

Just a couple of very quick notes this week.

Remember all of the Cheese andcheese display 3 Specialty Foods at
Brie & Bleu are available Seven Days A Week -
From 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. right through the holidays.
The entire department is now open at Thames River Greenery.


The full assortment of cheeses, breads, imported nuts, charcuterie, and specialty foods are all on display.
goodies for everyone

We will even deliver them right to your front door with the
centerpiece you have ordered for the holiday.


Please stop in and take a look at our new gourmet department.


Or call us with any questions that you might have.

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

******

Please Join Us red wine orange background
Friday December 4 2009
6 - 9 p.m. - No Charge



susan balboa










1 - Crios Torrontes 2009 $15

Winemaker Susana Balbo has been a winemaking powerhouse in Argentina since the early 1980's - we're a fan of all of her "Crios" table wines, but this Torrontes may be the most compelling. Sourced from 30-year old Torrontes vines situated at 5,800 feet elevation in Cafayate, Argentina, the wine is unoaked and meant to be enjoyed young. A remarkable floral and fruity nose, with citrus similar to Sauvignon Blanc, yet weightier and more aromatic. Torrontes is truly it's own delicacy, and Balbo is widely considered to be the master of the varietal. Sublime paired with light cheeses, and stunning paired with crab or lobster!

2 - Domaine de la Solitude Cotes-du-Rhone 2007 $14

From the Lancon Family, situated near Chateneuf-du-Pape for five centuries, comes this elegant, affordable old-school Rhone. Syrah and Grenache, loads of plummy fruit and smoke, silky mouthfeel and a bright ruby color. A beautifully rounded full-bodied French red, this wine also will mature and integrate nicely over the next five years.

3 - Diemersdal Pinotage 2007 $14

Often affordable Pinotage tastes like it got a spoonful of barbeque sauce in each bottle - this is NOT one of those numbers! From the Durbanville Region of South Africa, this wine displays remarkable harmony and balance. With a nose of coffee and dark chocolate, the palate is full-flavoured and smoothly textured with dark fruit, Asian spice and roasted flavours. Yes, one can percieve it's heritage with that touch of smoke, but we've found it to be an extremely enjoyable table red if you'd like to try something different!

tres picos borso4 - Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2008 $18

This old vine Grenache comes to us from the Campo de Borja region in Northeastern Spain. The yields of these vines are extremely low (less than 2 tons per acre), resulting in a wine of serious concentration and structure. Purple lavender in color, lush and smoky with flavors of blackberry, strawberry and tones of leather and vanilla from the oak. This wine will age and mellow beautifully. It's always a favorite around here and represents a great value - we just got the new vintage in and have a stack of it!he 2007 offering is sourced from a thirty-five year old vineyard on the south side of Calistoga. A gorgeous dark ruby color is pleasing to the eye and the deep black cherry aroma paired with a long complex finish will thrill your other senses as well. This robust Merlot will continue to develop in the bottle for at least 5-8 years. Enjoy this with red pasta dishes, meats and your favorite cheeses.




The response to our new gourmet selections at The Greenery has been beyond our expectations.
Thank you.

And as always thanks for the suggestions and comments - we will use them to better serve you during this holiday season.

AAA.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thanksgiving Tasting & News 2009

Thanksgiving Table

Happy Thanksgiving
We have solutions galore.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
Greetings from New London,
This week we have more wine than you can shake a stick at. TWO big tastings to satisfy all of your Thanksgiving needs. Details are below.

Next, we have to remind you that all of the Cheese andcheese display 3 Specialty Foods at Brie & Bleu are available Seven Days A Week - From 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. - right through the holidays. The entire department is now open at Thames River Greenery.

We ask you: What holiday table is complete without the full assortment of cheeses, breads, imported nuts, charcuterie, and specialty foods that we are known for?
goodies for everyone

We will even deliver them right to your front door with the
centerpiece you have ordered for the holiday.


Please stop in and take a look at our new gourmet department.


Or call us with any questions that you might have.

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

******

Thanks for a great turn out last Friday for our book signing reception with Marci Alborghgetti in our wine cellar. Her new book The Christmas Glass is available at City News.
marci Alborghgetti Book Signing
Read the article in the Day Paper HERE

*****

Fifth Annual
Jonathan Edwards Winery
W I N E T A S T I N G

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25
STARTS AT 3 P.M.

jonathan edwards 5th annual
The Fifth Annual Jonathan Edwards Winery Thanksgiving Tasting - this Wednesday starting at 3 p.m.

This Wednesday we are proud to present our 5th Annual Jonathan Edwards Pre-Thanksgiving Wine Taste-a-thon!

It's the day before Thanksgiving - did you get maple syrup for the yams? Shallots for the mushroom gravy? Foil pans for the extra stuffing?? No worries!! Our favorite Connecticut winemaker will set up shop in the cellar starting at 3PM, so there will be plenty of time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for these four lovely, local, Jonathan Edwards creations:

2008 Estate Connecticut Gewurztraminer
This wine was harvested in October, fermented at cool temperatures to enhance the bouquet and aged for 6 months in stainless steel to preserve its crisp characteristics. A crisp, dry finish follows fragrant aromas of grapefruit and lemon zest. Enjoy on its own or with spicy dishes such as Thai food or Sushi.

2008 Estate Connecticut Chardonnay

Enjoy the bright citrus bouquet of green apples and lemons, framed with smoky vanilla oak from large French barrels. This silky smooth, easy-drinking wine pairs perfectly with seafood and fresh cheeses or is excellent all by itself on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel

The Zinfandel is harvested from low yielding 50 year old head-pruned vines. Up-front, jammy blackberry/raspberry fruit is followed by a smooth round easy finish. Pasta dishes are a perfect match for this wine.

2007 Napa Valley Merlot

The 2007 offering is sourced from a thirty-five year old vineyard on the south side of Calistoga. A gorgeous dark ruby color is pleasing to the eye and the deep black cherry aroma paired with a long complex finish will thrill your other senses as well. This robust Merlot will continue to develop in the bottle for at least 5-8 years. Enjoy this with red pasta dishes, meats and your favorite cheeses.
party is over

The Thanksgiving Leftovers Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday November 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

"THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS TASTING"
After all the feasting, anybody still up for another wine tasting? Of course you are - You Are Professionals!

We can't predict what will still be on the shelf Friday, but what's better than leftovers?

We will search out something wonderful, or just ask YOU, our friends and customers, to point out which wines you would love to sample!

Dave says: "Fun is guaranteed."

Get off the couch and come on down - get a little air, it will do you good.

******

P E T I T E F O U R S
Are A Specialty of
You Take The Cake

Don't wait to place your orders for the holidays from You Take The Cake.

Everything from Petite Fours to holiday cakes, Buche Noel's, and Cheesecakes, are just a call away.

Everything is baked from scratch - delivery to your front door is available - all you need to do is take credit for all the hard work.

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

O R D E R E A R L Y

YOU TAKE THE CAKE


bouche noel
Buche de Noel

bouche noel 2
Holiday Petite Fours

german chocolate
German Chocolate

*****

We sincerely appreciate your comments and suggestions.


And of course it is your support that makes all of this possible - it looks like it will be a great holiday season for us - thank you.

The biggest achievement we made this week was relocating all of the cheese and specialty foods to our new gourmet department.
We were still filling the cases when people came in to purchase cheese for Thanksgiving.

We know that making all of the items from Brie & Bleu available everyday was important to you. We will continue to use your suggestions as a guide to serve you better.

AAA.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Special Announcement - Please Join Us

Greetings from New London,
Lots of news this week, special tastings, live music, book signings, and holiday information galore.
Those details are all below this first announcement:

We have had a good deal of comments lately about Brie & Bleu.
Many of them go a little something like this:

"We love Brie & Bleu - you have amazing cheese, great food, and gourmet products - BUT - we never know when you are open!"

AND when you are open - your closed for something private!

"How can we buy cheese and food for the holidays if you're not open?"

" What if I can't get to the store when you are open or not open?"wine and cheese board 5

Well - you are right.

We recognize your frustration - The reason we book the entire space for private functions is economics. And it is especially difficult during the holiday season - which we are heading into right now.
We must take advantage of the holiday functions and private parties that are coming our way.
(By The Way - Book Your Private Party Early -
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3 or 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7)

So - TWO big changes that we hope will address most of the issues.

1 - In order to accommodate all of the requests for private use of Brie & Bleu - we are suspending regular dinner & food service until after the holiday season. Instead we will focus our efforts on the special tastings, beer dinners, win
e dinners, & private functions that we have scheduled.

2 - Beginning TODAY.
cheese Plate4
I mean right now as you read this, we have expanded the gourmet department at Thames River Greenery to include all of the items we sell at Brie & Bleu.

The full assortment of cheeses and gourmet products have relocated just around the corner to 70 State Street.
All of your cheese and gourmet needs are now available all day everyday right here at The Greenery.

Gourmet products from D'artagnan, spreads, jams, jellies and kitchen items from Stonewall Kitchen, imported olives, charcuterie, & imported nuts and olive oil, the full line of Tate's Cookies, tea from Harney & Sons, coffee & espresso from Illy, and fine chocolates from Moonstruck, to name just a few. We really encourage you to visit the store here to see the changes first hand - it looks amazing.
stonewall basket

So we invite you to rediscover what a great gourmet department can be. Please visit us at 70 State Street and have a look around, you are going to like what you see.





****

Marci Alborghetti Christmass glassDon't Forget that this
Friday November 20th
Local Author Marci Alborghetti will be signing copies of her new book
"The Chrismas Glass" during the wine tasting in our store.

If you missed the article in last Sunday's paper about Marci and the book CLICK HERE to see the full story. Please be sure to say hello to Marci when you stop in for the tasting.

****

Now, if all of this was not enough for a big Friday night - we have one more thing to add - our live performance series "Trabadour Nights" at City News,
continues this week.

Friday Night - No Charge - From 5-7 p.m.

In addition to our "House Band" of troubadours the featured guest will be Rick Spencer.

BIO:
rick spencer

Rick Spencer is known internationally for his work as a singer, songwriter and performer of music in the American folk music tradition.

For over 25 years he has traveled and performed at venues which include concert stages, folk festivals, museums, schools, libraries, pubs and others.

In concert Rick's presentations are always interactive and entertaining. Audience participation is requested and required!
Snappy and spicy guitar or smooth 5-string banjo accompaniment is to be expected and guest artists are likely to join in on stage.

The repertoire includes a good dose of up tempo traditional music, unique arrangements of contemporary songs from a variety of sources, sensitive or amusing original pieces and an unexpected surprise or two.


***

Last Appearence Of The Season:
The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard
is cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine at The Beanery this Thursday the 19th of November. 11:30 - 2:00

MENU THIS WEEKConnecticut Cajun Phil Hubbard

Crawfish Etouffee (AY-TOO-Fay)

This is from the heart of Cajun country, this is a spicy (but not so hot that it's uncomfortable) sauce that is served with white rice.

If you have never had crawfish - start with this dish - you won't regret it!

Cream of Garlic Soup
The secret to this soup is a luscious puree of caramelized garlic and onions tghickened with French bread. This is one of the signature dishes at Bayona in the French Quarter, voted one of the three best restaurants in New Orleans in several polls of food writers and patrons both.

Apple Praline Tarts
Individual little pies with the taste of the Bayou combined with apple and sweet cream.
Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.

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

***

Coming Next Week - Our Annual Jonathan Edwards Winery Thanksgiving celebration - Wednesday November 25 - don't miss the fun - mark your calendars. 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.

wine tasting three glasses

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday November 20 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.


1 - Segura Viudas Cava Segura Viudas Cava $10 / $18 magnums

This is our favorite everyday bulletproof sparkling - from the good people who bring you Freixenet, this is the original Spanish Cava.

Inexpensive, bone dry, perfect for mimosas, brunches, and Thanksgiving celebratory reunions!

What's better than showing up with a mag of bubbly?

A lovely, bready treat, perfect for toasts and kicking off the holidays.












2 - Georges DeBeouf Beaujolais Nouveau $10

Georges DeBeouf Beaujolais 2009
Le Nouveau est arrive!
Yes, the third Thursday in November has come.

Which means flagons of fresh Beaujolais have been delivered directly to us via supersonic air freight.

Light, fruity Gamay - silly, delicious, a seasonal favorite. Perfect for the holiday table too.

Let's try this year's harvest!






3 - Calera Pinot Noir $26

Calera Pinot Noir
From our friend Josh Jensen, the Pinot pioneer of California.

This is Josh's vineyard blend, 100% Pinot Noir, from Monterey and San Benito Counties.

Seeing eleven months in French Oak, this Pinot is a Burgundy-styled classic with plentiful West Coast fruit.

Delicate, earthy, a perfect match for turkey time or casual sipping.










4 - Chocolate Block $36

chocolate BlockFrom our friends at Boekenhoustkloof in South Africa, a perennial favorite of ours, this is their take on Chateauneuf de Pape.

A Rhone-styled blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet.
Hard to obtain - but we've stocked up on it!

This is not some South African smoke bomb - it's an elegant full-bodied red, glowing with dark plum and cherry, and yes, a hint of cocoa on the finish. If this is your first time trying this wine - it will open your eyes, it really is something special. We liked it so much that we flew to South Africa to talk with the wine maker. To watch our interview click HERE- and scroll to the bottom of the page.





P E R F E C T P I E S
& PERFECT CAKES

Listen - its time to place your orders for Holiday Cakes & Pies from You Take The Cake.

Everything from Pumpkin Cheesecake to the most sublime Coconut & Pecan Pies are just a call away.

Everything is baked from scratch - delivery to your front door is available - all you need to do is take credit for all the hard work.

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

O R D E R D E A D L I N E
for Thanksgiving
Sunday November 22nd.
YOU TAKE THE CAKE


pumpkin cake
Four Layer Pumpkin Cake

coconut layer cake
Coconut Layer Cake

german chocolate
German Chocolate

*****

All of the changes and additions announced this week come directly from your input.
We sincerely appreciate your comments and suggestions, it is how we stay ahead of the pack.


And of course it is your support that makes all of this possible - thank you.

And we know that some people will not be entirely pleased with all of the changes - we ask only that you give it a chance to work.

If it needs fine tuning we will make adjustments -
One thing is for certain - the best is yet to come.


AAA.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Your Holiday Checklist Starts Right Here

turkey dinner
Your Holiday Checklist - Starts Right Now.
We have solutions galore.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
Greetings from New London,
This week the tasting falls on Friday The Thirteenth.
This might bother a typical package store - but not us. We have the perfect cure for Triscadecaphobia. Please Stop in on Friday Night so we can share it with you.

***

New London In the news again
The New York Times Article featured a photo
of our store - (that's us in the background)

NYTImes New London photo
If you missed the story read it HERE

***

Thanks to everyone for coming out to support
the inaugural session of "Trabadour Nights" at City News.
The next performance date will be added soon.

****

Marci Alborghetti Christmass glassMark your Calendars For
Friday November 20th

Local Author Marci Alborghetti will be signing copies of her new book
"The Chrismas Glass" during the wine tasting in our store.

Also - look for the profile in The Day newspaper coming on Sunday November 15th.

****

Our annual Jonathan Edward's Thanksgiving tasting is just around the corner more details next week.

***

Hot Dogs
Wednesday Beer Tasting - Continues.


Great Beer, Great Food, No Charge.

Does It Get ANY Better Than That?
Stop By After Work.
84 Bank Street New London

***

Remember - Just Two Weeks Left:
The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard
is cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine at The Beanery on Thursday the 12th, and Thursday 19th of November.

MENU THIS WEEKConnecticut Cajun Phil Hubbard
Chicken Creole

This is the classic chicken dish in Creole and Cajun country. The diced chicken dish is made with a classic roux as well as a mixture of veggies, brown sugar and lemon - It's served with white rice and is soooo good!
This is the first dish Phil learned to cook in New Orleans.

Shrimp, Creole Tomato and Corn Bisque

This is a real treat! It's an elegant first course or a hearty main dish - either way - you will want more!!!

The bisque has a blend of peppers, shrimp and cream along with spices and veggies that can easily become habit forming.

SWEET POTATO PONE

If you have never had this classic Southern dessert you are in for a treat. This is the recipe that Phil got from Leah Chase, the 87 year old owner and chef of the famous Dookey Chase's in New Orleans.

This has been the favorite dessert for years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) - and for good reason!


If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.

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


***


Please join us.
wine tasting three glasses

The Triscadecaphobia
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday November 13 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.




1 - Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Blanc Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Blanc $16

Our friend Michael Kane from Rosenthal Wine Merchants possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of wine and a boundless, infectious enthusiasm. Example:

"The 20 hectares of Chateau La Rame are set on a clay-limestone soil blessed with an exceptional substratum marked by a bed of fossilized oysters dating from the Tertiary era."

From vines averaging 45 years old, this sublime Sauvignon Blanc Sec is one of our perpetual favorites, with lemon laser clarity and a touch of brine.
That's a lot going on for $16!







2 - Consenso Cabernet Sauvignon $12

italy mapThis little Italian Cab comes from Valeggio sul Mincio, near Lake Garda in Northern Italy.


From the small family vineyards of Luigi Rizzi, this is a soft, velvety red with dark plummy tones and an unmistakably Italian touch of smoke and leather.

The price makes it a fantastic deal - but would you expect anything less? From the people that bring us Per Marco & San Sole - this is another great choice.




Muga Rioja Reserva $27

Muga Rioja ReservaBodegas Muga have been making their wines in the same facility in Haro, Spain, for two centuries.

This 2005 Reserva is bright ruby in color, with plenty of dark cherry, with coffee and char notes from the ancient, arid vineyards.

The wine is aged starting in large oak vats, then continues for 24 months in small barrel for the development of fine tannins. Elegant, perfectly balanced, an affordable classic.









4 - McLaren Vale "Squid Ink" Shiraz 2006 $34

McLaren Vale squid ink sharazThis is a very low-production Shiraz from a tiny cooperative near Adelaide in Southern Australia.

2005 was a dry season, and the Shiraz grapes grown here were tiny, blue-black and stained the fingers - hence the name (no squids were harmed in the making of the wine).

Ripe berry nose, firm tannins and a long finish - winemaker Brian Light declared it, "The most intense wine we have bottled."


It's become a cult favorite around here, but now is sold out worldwide - we've got TEN bottles and plan to crack one for you, the eager drinking public- please join us.








P E R F E C T P I E S
& PERFECT CAKES

Listen - its time to place your orders for Holiday Cakes & Pies from You Take The Cake.

Everything from Pumpkin Cheesecake to the most sublime Coconut & Pecan Pies are just a call away.

Everything is baked from scratch - delivery to your front door is available - all you need to do is take credit for all the hard work.


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

O R D E R D E A D L I N E

Sunday November 22nd.
YOU TAKE THE CAKE


pumpkin cake


*******

This edition is dedicated to the memory of
Dr. John Caltabiano.

He really made a difference.


AAA.

Monday, November 02, 2009

The Wine Diaries - Drink Away The Pain

troubador poster
City News Presents
Troubadour Nights - A Series of Live Performances
Starting This Friday From 5:00 - 7:00 p. m.
No Charge
Stop by on your way to or from our weekly Wine Tasting or your
Dinner at Brie & Bleu.
Greetings from New London,

Thanks to everyone for the tremendous support that you have been showing to us at Brie & Bleu.
Remember Kitchen is now open until 10 p.m. - Please Reserve Early.

***

This Friday night is the inaugural session of
"Trabadour Nights" at City News. In an effort to rekindle the "Bohemian Experience", our friends at Little Red Tree Publishing are organizing the same kind of entertainment that you might find if you were sneaking around the West Village after midnight.

Join us for a little wine, a little cheese, and some great performance. No Charge - and the early start time makes it a perfect stop on your way to dinner or our weekly wine tasting. Please join us - 5-7 p.m.


****
Connecticut Cajun Phil Hubbard

Remember:
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.

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

***

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

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

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.

******

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.

Please Join Us 3
Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday November 6 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.



Verdejo














1 - Verdejo Bottle Martinsancho Verdejo $18

La Seca in the heart of D.O. Rueda. Now widely renowned for its fresh white wines made from Verdejo, in the 1970s, the Verdejo grape was practically wiped out by more prolific varieties such as Viura and Palomino.

Visionary Angel Rodríguez realized the treasure in his 17th-century Martinsancho Verdejo vineyard and refused to uproot it.
For his untiring efforts in reestablishing Verdejo's prominence in its region of origin he was officially honored by King Juan Carlos.

Like an old friend stopping in from out of town, one of our favorite Spanish whites has returned again - Martinsancho! Light, bright and ethereal with a briny finish. A classic varietal from coastal Spain, perfect for salads, shellfish and cheese courses.


2 - La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux $9

La Vieille Ferme Cotes du VentouxThe color is a medium deep crimson, as usual, with good brilliance. Aromas and flavors are bursting with raspberry-tinged garrigue, ripe and inviting.

Big, full bodied presence - all fruit and a yard wide. Spice and peppercorns are showing already but only as a backdrop to the fruit. Loads of garrigue; this is what garrigue is all about.

The more I drink, the more I want. "The Old Farm," also known as "The Chicken Red," this bargain-priced French beauty is a Granache-based light, fine Rhone - an everyday favorite around here and we also have it in jumbo mags at $18.





3 - Costozza Cabernet Sauvignon $16
Costozza Cabernet Sauvignon
No that's not a typo - this wine used to go for $26 on the shelf, but our guy Mark in Northern Italy has put it on deep sale as we move towards the next vintage.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Veneto region (better known for the world's finest Pinot Grigio), this is a big, dark earthy Cab.

The Costozza "fire sale" has been an in-store secret, but now the secret's out - we're pouring it on Friday, available as long as the 2003 vintage lasts!


4 - Syzygy Cabernet Sauvignon $40

SyzygyPeople come into the store and ask for this wine by name! No, but seriously - we think it's pronounced "Shedjee."

What we really have here is an incredibly voluptuous Cabernet from Washington State's Columbia Valley.

The high-altitude and endless winds of the region produce some of the best wines of our West Coast.

As a cult favorite, Syzygy stands out as a big red blockbuster, but still resonably priced.

Please drop in and sample it!




Cider Cocktail
Cider "Cocktail" Anyone?

Classic Combinations
Great Wine & Beer
Affordable Indulgence.

Rediscover A
Great Night Out.

Brie & Bleu
New London's
Waterfront Bistro


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

Thank you all for the many comments and emails about the changes and additions we have been making.
We love your feedback - good and bad - it is important to us.
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.

Monday, October 26, 2009

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Wine


Autum Leaves New London

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

Beer In Glass 2

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.


****
Connecticut Cajun Phil Hubbard

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.

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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.

Please Join Us 3
Wine Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday October 30 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.



1 - FELSNER 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

cono sur pinot noirThis 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 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

Gaja Ca'Marcanda PromisThe 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

Sauerbraten
with potato DUMPLINGS.

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


Sweet Potato & sausage soup
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
Tomas Lochem

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.