Pre Thanksgiving Specials

The Pre-Thanksgiving Tasting Friday 5-8 PM - No Charge Please Join Us

Drink Different. We say it all of the time. And this Friday night we have a very interesting selection for you to sample. A particular favorite is the story of Monsieur Marcel Deiss. A true character - that makes exceptional wine. Domaine Marcel Deiss is a mid-size estate (27 hectares) located in Bergheim near Ribeauvillé in Alsace. It is a deeply-rooted family estate as the Deiss ancestors can be traced in the village back in 1744. Under the guidance of Jean-Michel Deiss, the vineyards have been gradually turned organic, then farmed along the biodynamic method since 2003. The wines of Marcel Deiss are acclaimed for their terroir differentiation more than their variety characteristics, and Jean-Michel Deiss' passion for this terroir expression led him to reconsider the single variety system which is considered as the rule in Alsace. All of the wines featured this Friday night have genuinely fascinating stories behind them. We hope you can start your weekend with us here in New London. Meet your friends here, try a little wine and cheese, and then head off to dinner at one of the new restaurants that have opened downtown. New London is buzzing. Please Join Us This Friday Presented By Tom Belcher Martin Scott Wines

Marcel Deiss     Alsace is a unique landscape sculpted by both rivers and volcanic events, but bearing the unmistakable and essential traces of a more ancient geological past as the bottom of a wide ocean. It is no wonder that the wines of this region are like nowhere else on earth, and it is no wonder that the winemakers of this region are some of the most unique characters in the world of wine.    Jean-Michel Deiss is one of those characters. Deiss, along with his partner Marie-Hélène Cristofaro, run Domaine Marcel Deiss, started by Jean-Michel's father in 1947. The domaine's namesake, Marcel Deiss, was the direct descendant of a family of winegrowers who settled in the Alsace town of Bergheim in 1744 when it was part of France (arriving before it was part of Germany, and then part of France, and then part of Germany, and then part of France again -- over the next 300 years).   Deiss is quite possibly at once both the "essential" Alsatian winemaker -- for his tireless advocacy of the region's potential and the incredible quality of his wines -- and yet also the black sheep of the region who never quite does things the way anyone else does or thinks they should be done. He's just sort of troublemaker I enjoy and is a magnet for criticism over any number of different things. Deiss' wines defy description in many ways. Their flavors transcend categories and grape varieties, and end up being astonishingly unique expressions of a place and vintage. They are as idiosyncratic as they are delicious, and remain some of my favorite wines in the world. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Please try them this Friday.

Le Bec Fin       Domaine Tardieu-Laurent was established in 1994. It is a partnership between Dominique Laurent, a former pattisier (and with the girth to go with it) and one of the hottest names in Burgundy, and Michel Tardieu, a dynamic young winemaker. Tardieu-Laurent is an extremely unusual operation in that they are a négociant only, buying young wines from growers all over the Rhône, which they mature and blend before bottling. They own no vineyards and don't buy grapes, only wine.   Tardieu-Laurent is very much an "artisan" producer, making between half a dozen and 20 or so barrels of each wine. The majority of the wines are from the southern Rhône although superb cuvees of Cote Rôtie and Hermitage are also produced. The wines are all aged in small oak casks (often 100% new) and bottled with no fining nor filtration. Michel Tardieu proclaims himself as a confirmed terroirist, insisting that his aim with each appellation is to express powerfully the fruit and sense of place, never masking these factors with wood.  "An outstanding Côtes du Rhône, the 2009 Les Becs Fins is a tank aged blend of mainly Grenache, yet with smaller components of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Very fresh and pure, with excellent aromas of raspberry, candied violets, licorice, and mineral, the wine hits the palate with a medium-bodied, silky texture, great acidity, and plenty of length and polish on the finish.

Barco Reale di Carmignano  Barco Reale di Carmignano is a red-wine DOC of Tuscany, Italy's most famous wine region. The title was granted in 1994. Barco Reale means 'the Royal Park' and is a reference to the Barco Reale Mediceo, a 4000-acre game reserve established by the de' Medici family in the 17th century. The park was surrounded by a high wall which stretched for almost 31 miles around its periphery. The relationship between the wine and the park is not entirely clear, however.   The wine's origins can be traced back as far as the 14th Century, when, in 1369, a document was drawn up demonstrating that Carmignano was four times as expensive as any other wine of the time. In the early 1700s the Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici established the area of Carmignano as a nursery for grape varieties, which included the planting of internationally renowned Cabernet Sauvignon imported from France. He also issued a decree controlling the wine's production standards and sales, enforced by the Congregazione di Vigilanza. Take a sip of Italian history this Friday night.

Stuff We Love:

Costiolo - A Quintessential Quaffer    This is one of those wines that make you forget about the concept of the 100 point wine.  for those of us wine lovers that are serious about wine it is nice to find a wine that brings us back to what we first enjoyed about this magical elixir, wine aka- fermented grape juice. A very light and refreshing wine that is slightly sweet and slightly frizzante, aromas of cherry and raspberry fruit with highlights of fresh rose petal, floral aromas.  This wine has a nice freshness on the tongue with an abundance of sweet berry fruit and a nice touch of spritz to leave the tongue refreshed and ready for the next sip.  Serve this wine slightly chilled and watch the bottle disappear.

Roundhouse Spirits - Pumpkin King Cordial    Pumpkin King Cordial is an all-natural artisan liqueur made with fresh roasted Munson Farms pie pumpkins, award-winning Roundhouse Gin, and traditional spices.  Only 5 miles from the fields to the distillery ... that's as local as it gets! The balance between pumpkin flavor, sweetness, and spices is a delicate dance that distiller Ted Palmer successfully achieves with his twenty years of experience.  Ted experimented for three years before perfecting this recipe.  Pumpkin King Cordial is made at 60 proof with enough explosive pumpkin flavor to accommodate non-alcoholic mixers in beautiful cocktails. SILVER MEDAL, 2014 Denver International Spirits Festival

Rain City Spirits - DRIP "Drip" Coffee Liqueur Seattle Coffee + Rain City Spirits = Drip. This unique coffee liqueur redefines what you know as coffee liqueur. "Drip begins with a unique blend of coffee roasted by Seattle's top artisan roasters. We then use a proprietary brew method to extract as much flavor as possible from the coffee while leaving behind the bitterness and acidity. The coffee is then finished with our Rain City Spirits and just a touch of pure cane sugar...that's it. Think of an iced Americano with a kick. At Rain City Spirits we believe in challenging the status quo, we believe it is time for spirits to get back to their roots. We do this by throwing out the traditional "rules" of  Liqueur production, and focusing strictly on quality and keeping to a sense of place." Each step in the creation of Rain City Spirits  is carefully thought out with the end goal of simply producing the best products possible. This philosophy combined with the amazing natural resources Washington provides allows them to create the most unique and amazing Coffee Liqueur you will ever taste."

Gluhwein - Drink this all season long    Glühwein is the German version of what the English call "mulled wine." It's basically a spiced red wine served warm (usually spiced with ingredients such as cinnamon, sugar, cloves, vanilla, and lemon peel). This type of wine seems to be popular throughout Europe and is known by a different name in every country! This is really just the perfect drink for this season as it helps to keep you nice and toasty on the inside and rosy on the outside. Imagine yourself in southern Germany walking through a beautiful Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkts), holding a steaming cup of this wine in your hands as you peruse the market's wares. It comes in a large, 1-liter bottle, and it's best served warm. Honestly, a warm glass of this on a blustery winter day will melt all your troubles away!  What does it taste like? You can definitely taste the citrus in this as well as that generous splash of cinnamon. It's also nice and sweet, it is definitely a drink to sip slowly and enjoy. Enjoy with friends after a night out in the cold or just save it for yourself to drink over several days.

Flowers Perennial - In Stock For The Holidays    "For over 20 years, Flowers has been devoted to and inspired by Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast with a strong commitment to purity and terroir.  Since all of our Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are 100% varietal wines we do not normally have the opportunity to blend varieties.  However, Perennial is a unique and captivating blend that was first introduced with the 1997 vintage and has been consistently crafted with the same dedication as our varietal wines.  It is intended to challenge style and intrigue the mind.  As with our inaugural vintage, in 2010 we have searched out eclectic vineyard sites closest to the California coastline to find the varieties that contribute to our targeted blend style. Perennial is a red blend that is intended to drink a lot like a Pinot Noir with a broader fruit profile but the same balanced acidity, fresh flavors, and soft round tannins.  With Pinot Noir and Syrah at its core, Perennial combines elegance and finesse with spicy depth and complexity.    Pinot Meunier  and Dolcetto, can contribute to the blend as well as Chardonnay which marries flavors, provides a lift to the fruit and extends the finish.   Each plays a supporting role bringing the blend together representing a "Flowers style" for the given vintage - every year unique.    We hope you enjoy and experience the subtle differences from vintage to vintage as the blend will always be a discovery and exploration of flavor." This is a wine that is perfect for a gift or on the holiday table. You can present this to your guest's or host with complete confidence.

The Ultimate Whiskey Cocktails in a Bottle We all love a good cocktail, but sometimes you just aren't in the position to make a cocktail at the drop of a hat. Sure, cocktails have been bottled before, but they haven't ever really been comparable to what your favorite bartender whips up for you. Until now. Fluid Dynamics has released cocktails aged in barrels, and they are pretty spectacular, maybe even more spectacular than the drinks that your favorite bartender makes for you (ingredients have a chance to merge and become a richer whole because of the aging process). With options including The Saratoga, The St. Nick, the Brandy Manhattan, and the 1850 Cocktail there are plenty of options to keep even the biggest cocktail aficionado satisfied too. They come in "cocktail sized" bottles too - super convenient. Ask for a sample this Friday.

Lavender Fromage Blank We just got in a limited run of Nettle Meadow's Honey-Lavender Fromage Blank unsalted goat cheese from Warrensburg, NY. It's a delicious and perfect blend of honey and just a touch of lavender that absolutely melts on your tongue. You have got to try this on Friday night. Epoisses cheese needs five to eight weeks to mature and during this period requires attentive and regular manual attention. It is as Spring finishes that it is especially tasty as it has been made with milk produced when the cows were first turned out to grass, or at the beginning of Winter because it has been made with rich and aromatic milk, produced by cows pasturing on the new growth of autumn... The nose is strong, with a good bouquet and aromas of the undergrowth. In the mouth, its body is supple, creamy, and never too strong. Its taste is straightforward, subtle and balanced, with light notes of dry fruits. When the Epoisses is properly matured and slightly runny, you will really enjoy this inimitable cheese, in the full bloom of maturity. Traditional Chevrot Aperfectly ripe Chevrot could make a convert out of the most reluctant goat cheese eater. Creamy, even molten under the rind, yet firm and velvety smooth at the heart, a Chevrot in its prime is a peak experience. Many people find goat cheese too tart, too chalky or too downright goaty, but Chevrot is none of the above. Made by a century-old cooperative in the Poitou region of western France, just south of Brittany, Chevrot reflects expert cheesemaking.

 

  BUZzzz



CALENDAR 

Friday November 7th
Tom Belcher - Martin Scott Wines

Friday November 21st
Eric Bellnier - M. Touton Selections

Wednesday November 26 - mid day tasting before Thanksgiving 

Ryan Connolly - Michael Skurnik Wines

Friday December 12
John Orfice - Allan S. Goodman Selections

Halloween Tasting Please Join Us

The Halloween Tasting Friday 5-8 PM - No Charge Please Join Us

Located in Sant' Angelo in Colle in the commune of Montalcino, Tenuta Il Poggione was established at the end of the 19th century by Lavinio Franceschi and is still owned today by the 5th generation of its founder, siblings Leopoldo and Livia Franceschi. Tenuta Il Poggione is one of the original three producers of Brunello di Montalcino. The estate covers a surface area of 1,482 acres, of which 309 acres are planted to vine, 173 acres with olive groves and the rest are arable and woodland used for grazing and raising cattle and pigs to promote biodiversity and a natural approach to farming. Many of the vines are grown at more than 1,315 feet above sea level and are among the oldest in the appellation. The estate is also blessed by its proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea (about 30 minutes distance by car) to the west and the Orcia River Valley and Mt. Amiata in the south. Led by father-son winemaking team, Fabrizio and Alessandro Bindocci, Il Poggione's guiding principle is to pay meticulous attention to the vineyards with regular monitoring of vineyard conditions along with constant efforts to preserve the typical characteristics yet improve grape quality through research and selection. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand and the wine is made in the traditional method, though modern, state-of-the-art equipment is used. Total control of the vinification process is guaranteed, thanks to the new cellar built in 2004 and the introduction of extremely advanced technology, but as tradition is important, the company keeps the large Allier French oak barrels used for aging its wines five meters below ground. Please Join Us This Friday  For Halloween Presented By Bob Neville World Wide Wines

Mazzoni Pinot Grigio  A Tuscan Pinot Grigio created by two distinguished winemaking families; Franceschi from Italy and Terlato from the United States. The partnership between Italy's Franceschi family and the Terlato family has flourished for more than 35 years when the Terlato's began importing their world-class Brunellos to the United States. MAZZONI is made from hand-harvested 100% Pinot Grigio and each family brings its expertise to the making of this wine. It is crafted at a state-of-the-art winery in the prestigious Montalcino zone, and is the perfect confluence of old and new world techniques guided by the desire to create world class wine today, and for future generations.    Flavors of citrus fruit and tropical fruit. On the palate it is fresh, with a mineral note which underlines its savory tones.

Il Poggione Rosso di Montalcino      Il Poggione is one of the most highly regarded Brunello di Montalcino producers with a rich history and reputation for stylistic consistency. This is a younger, more accessible version of Brunello, but already very well-developed with a strong character, Rosso di Montalcino is a very important wine for Tenuta Il Poggione.   Produced entirely from Sangiovese grapes from the youngest of the estate's vineyards, Rosso di Montalcino is matured for 12 months in large barrels before undergoing a period of bottle aging. Some have called this a "Baby Brunello."    Very well structured, mellow, long lasting flavor with smooth, velvety tannins.

Nipozzano Riserva    Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina DOCG is on of the historic wines produced at the Castello di Nipozzano.   Nipozzano Riserva is a lovely ruby-red. The nose opens with dark wild berries and cherry, hints of candy floss and pleasant floral notes of lilac and chocolate. The spicy component emerges with nuances of clove and green peppercorn. The palate is characterized by a distinct tactile approach in which the stamp of the terroir is underlined by a lively minerality. The tannin texture is tight but not sharp which is also an expression of the uniqueness of the soils of Nipozzano. The finish returns to the intense fruity notes already identified on the nose. This wine has a silky richness that is hard to describe. Please try it on Friday night.

Stuff We Love: The Ultimate Whiskey Cocktails in a Bottle We all love a good cocktail, but sometimes you just aren't in the position to make a cocktail at the drop of a hat. Sure, cocktails have been bottled before, but they haven't ever really been comparable to what your favorite bartender whips up for you. Until now. Fluid Dynamics has released cocktails aged in barrels, and they are pretty spectacular, maybe even more spectacular than the drinks that your favorite bartender makes for you (ingredients have a chance to merge and become a richer whole because of the aging process). With options including The Saratoga, The St. Nick, the Brandy Manhattan, and the 1850 Cocktail there are plenty of options to keep even the biggest cocktail aficionado satisfied too. They come in "cocktail sized" bottles too - super convenient. Ask for a sample this Friday.

MONKEY 47  Just Another Gin? "Certainly Not! Admittedly, it appears somewhat eccentric to claim that a recipe for gin has the power to unite great British traditions, the exoticness of India, and the purity and nativeness of the Black Forest. And yet it is precisely this eccentricity that defines the enigmatic character of Montgomery Collins, from whom our Schwarzwald Dry Gin originates. MONKEY 47 - Distilled from 47 predominantly unusual but regional botanicals such as lingonberries and blended with natural spring water. Cheers!" Ask for a sample this Friday night - Forget What You Thought You Knew About Gin.

Low Gap Whiskey   Low Gap California Whiskey is made exclusively from malted Bavarian winter wheat, which has a high protein content and is ideal for fermentation. Once the wheat has been malted and mashed, it is fermented into a craft beer with an 8.8% ABV. Following fermentation, the wash is twice distilled in an antique 15-hectoliter cognac still. After distillation, the whiskey is aged in three different types of barrels: new American oak casks, 350-liter French Limousin oak barrels that were previously used to age brandy, and used American oak barrels that were previously used to mature Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. After the whiskey has aged for a minimum of two years, it is brought to proof using rainwater and bottled by hand. The whisky has an oaky aroma, with touches of grain, vanilla and apples. The aroma fades into notes of sweet caramel, red fruits and berries on the palate, and ultimately leads to a finish accented by raisins, prunes and plums. The whiskey earned the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013.

Jasper Hill Moses Sleeper Jasper Hill Farm, the expansive dairy project hatched by brothers Mateo and Andy Kehler, was first established in Greensboro, Vermont, during the summer of 2002. With their small herd of Ayrshire cows, the Kehlers began to make an array of cheeses that would soon bring them renown, including a soft, bloomy-rinded barrel called Constant Bliss and the savory, Stilton-esque Bayley Hazen Blue. Inspired by French Brie, Moses Sleeper is named for a Revolutionary War scout who was killed while helping to defend Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.  The cheese has a thin bloomy-rind and a soft, milky core that offers an array of flavors at peak ripeness: cauliflower, crème fraîche and toasted nuts.   Swiss Nufenen The milk for the Nufenen comes from alpage herds, which is to say that the Braunvieh cows are brought up into the mountains in the summer, to graze on the unique blend of grasses, herbs and other flora found in the rolling alpine pastures, during which time these seasonal cheeses are fabricated.  The flavor is buttery, nutty and fruity, a little bit of a "spicy" personality as the name implies - although it's not spicy in the sense of hot but more of an herbal, complex quality - with meaty, hazelnut and caramelized onion notes and a subtle barnyard pungency on the finish.

BUZzzz CALENDAR  Friday October 31st - Halloween Bob Neville - World Wide Wines Friday November 7th Tom Belcher - Martin Scott Wines Wednesday November 12 Edward Brown - Vinifera Friday November 21st Eric Bellnier - M. Touton Selections Wednesday November 26  Ryan Connolly - Michael Skurnik Wines

Foodstroll Edition

Wine And Cheese Tasting

Every Friday 5-8 PM No Charge

A short week makes for a short email. We hope that you will stop in to say hello during New London's Fall Food Stroll tonight - Wednesday October 15th. We will be sampling beer, wine, and cheese. And at the same time we will be hosting our RSVP only tasting of the Shannon Ridge vineyards portfolio. Presented by Angelini Wines - It starts at 6:00 PM for everyone that signed up - we will see you then.

This Friday Night we welcome Eric Bellnier from Monsuier Touton Selections. 5-8 PM - No Charge

Villa Jolanda Prosecco With the holidays just around the corner you need to think about the perfect way to greet your guests. We think that the moment they step over the threshold of your house you put a glass of prosecco in their hand. It takes the edge off right away and defines you as a perfect host. Villa Jolanda is just the thing. Try it this Friday night. It is very affordable, it is crisp, light, and made by one of the best known producers in all of Italy.   It can be served with with a main course - light sparkling wine goes with everything. But it is a delight on its own. AND it comes in beautiful glass bottles that are worthy of display - consider a magnum sized bottle for only $26.

Seguret Cotes du Rhone Rated 93 points by Wine Spectator: "This mouthfilling red displays unctuous plum and boysenberry fruit flavors that course along nicely, thanks to lively spice and toasted anise notes, with a strong graphite streak. Fleshy, but excellent acidity is well-embedded on the finish." Seguret Terrasse Pavee Cotes du Rhone Villages is a dark, solid rain. It's ready to drink now, and great with hearty fare, be it finger food or a lavish sit-down gathering. The perky spice, toasted anise and graphite notes pair beautifully with meats, roasts, tomato sauces and rich stews alike, or even roast chicken. We're imagining the lovely caramelized edge on grilled or browned racks of lamb, standing rib roasts, or a full beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction simmered with star anise, cloves and bay leaves on the table, and how well any of these choices would pair with this sturdy Cotes-du-Rhone Villages. Grilled sharp cheddar and Virginia ham sandwich bites are a great starter with your first glasses. Or, you could offer a buffet of sliders three ways: beef, lamb and pork with a tangy barbecue sauce. What are you in the mood for? You could consider your options while enjoying a French Reblochon cheese. Or, just have a delicious glass of this Seguret all by itself. It wouldn't be so bad to get lost in a deep, delicious glass of this Wine Spectator's Top 100 Outstanding Values. Please try it on Friday night.

Chateau d'Aiguilhe 89-92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate   "One of the best-run estates in the underrated and undervalued appellation of Cotes de Castillon is Chateau d'Aiguilhe.  The blend is usually 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue, lots of cassis, crushed rock and floral characteristics, a round, generous, savory, broadly textured style and sweet tannins. Drink it over the next decade." 92 points Wine Spectator "Very lush and expressive, with caressing plum sauce, mulled blueberry and blackberry fruit and melted licorice and warm fruitcake flavors, all gliding together through the finish. Offers lovely range and a seductive mouthfeel." All of the critics agree that this is something special - but you are the ultimate judge. This is a killer bottle for a very affordable price.   Please try it on Friday night and rate it yourself.

Fromage de Brebis With a handsomely sweet taste and delicate silky texture, Fromage d'Affinois de Brebis is a decidedly sophisticated sheep's milk brie. Produced in the Rhone-Alps region of France, this fromage has a bloomy, edible white rind that encompasses a creamy, rich paste on the inside. Contrary to the more commonly known cow's milk brie, the use of sheep's milk in this cheese often hailing the name Le Berger de Rocastin, offers a savory taste and texture that builds in complexity as it ages. Saint-Nectaire St. Nectaire is a French semisoft, washed rind cheese from the Auvergne region of France. Made from the milk of Salers cows that feed on rich, volcanic pastures, St. Nectaire is both a fermier (farmhouse) and industrial cheese. Depending whether the processes are artisanal (raw milk) or industrial (pasteurized milk), the texture attributes in St. Nectaire are vastly different.  AOC awarded, St. Nectaire takes six to eight weeks to mature on rye straw mats, imparting a peculiar pungent smell to the cheese. When properly aged, it has a grayish-purple washed rind, dotted with white, yellow and red molds. The creamy, supple, silky textured paste melts in the mouth to reveal flavors of nuts, hay, cellars and mushroom. Do not miss them on Friday night. Try them with a sip of prosecco.

All Wednesday night events begin at 6:00 pm. No Charge - 860-443-6817All events are an opportunity to purchase at special prices      SOLD OUT- Thank You Wait List Only

 

  BUZzzz


CALENDAR 

Friday October 17
Eric Bellnier - M. Touton Selections
NLCPS - in the lounge.

Friday October 24
Damian Chombard - Owner of Chateau Lamothe 

A return appearance - at his request because he loved our customers.
Damian will be in the USA for just 1 week and will make only one stop at a local store. His choice: right here in New London. Please mark your calendar.

Friday October 31st - Halloween
Bob Neville - World Wide Wines

Friday November 7th
Tom Belcher - Martin Scott Wines

Wednesday November 12
Edward Brown - Vinifera

Friday November 21st
Eric Bellnier - M. Touton Selections

Wednesday November 26 

Ryan Connolly - Michael Skurnik Wines

Drink Like A Top Chef

This Friday

Bastianich Adriatico Pinot Grigio   Lydia and Joe Bastianich would not put their name on something that was not top quality. "Perfectly exposed hillside vineyards and rocky soil, located at the crossroads of the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, make all the difference in creating the first Pinot Grigio we are proud to call Bastianich." Round and full-bodied with good mineral and acidic structure. Hints of ripe apple and pear. "Pinot Grigio should be refreshing and delicious,  not thin and acidic! Ripe apple and great minerality on the broad, satisfying palate." A perfect food wine.

CHRISTO - Marietta Cellars Full-bodied yet surprisingly soft, this mouth filling wine offers plenty of thick, juicy black fruits and pepper with intense notes of blueberries, lavender, and dried flowers. There's not a hard edge, but the wine is intense and richly textured. There's an earthy, volcanic aroma of tar, smoke, and juicy, ripe blueberry notes. This is a killer red blend - This blend is full of Rhone varietals such as syrah, grenache, petite sirah and even a touch of viognier. The nose is beautiful and unmistakable with dark, juicy fruit notes, particularly blueberry and hints of lavender. This is a big wine on the palate with its blueberry and black cherry fruit notes and soft, tantalizing tannins.           Chateau Ducasse   - White Bordeaux Hervé Dubourdieu's easy charm and modest disposition are complemented by his focus and ferocious perfectionism. Americans don't drink much white Bordeaux - we favor the reds - but we do like Sémillion-Sauvignon Blanc blends. One thing is for sure: You're not going to confuse this wine with a big, juicy Chardonnay. It doesn't overpower, but for drinking with food, it's hard to beat. Hervé blends a high proportion of Sémillon (60%) and a splash of Muscadelle (5%) with Sauvignon Blanc (35%), creating a rich, full, aromatic mid-palate to complement the clean finish. These are the perfect go-to whites that pair well with anything from fish to poultry, picnic fare to Indian curries. This may be your new favorite weekend white - please try it on Friday night. NEW ARRIVALS     Corsair Triple Smoke   Artisan Whiskey of the Year - Whisky Advocate 2013 Gold Medal San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010 Owned and operated by Andrew Webber and Darek Bell, Corsair Artisan Distillery is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky as well as Nashville, Tennessee.  Corsair "Triple Smoke" is created by smoking malted barley in three different ways - one smoked with cherry wood, the other smoked with peat, and the third smoked with beechwood. Pot distilled and then barreled in new charred oak, "Triple Smoke" has the sweetness and barrel notes of an American whiskey and the rich smoke of a single malt.  Aromas of toasted date bread, smoked jerky, roasted nuts and chocolate lead to nuanced flavors of fruit, toffee and peat. The finish is long and persistent with notes of almond brittle, smoke and peppery spices. Drink Different - if you enjoy a nice cocktail you need this on your bar.      PennyPacker Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey   PennyPacker was developed in the 70s as an export brand to embody everything American; The Penny, Abraham Lincoln and The American Flag. It was the number one selling Bourbon in the European market in the 70s. PennyPacker was introduced to the US market in May of 2013. With 70% corn it has a certain amount of sweetness with a light finish, which makes it ideal for sipping or mixing in cocktails.     Schonauer Apple Liqueur   This product is typical German specialty and ranks among the best selling brands of its kind in Germany. It can be consumed straight, as well as on the rocks or mixed with soda, tonic or in a variety of cocktails. Schönauer Apple Liqueur was popularized by German university students in the 1970s as the only way to start a party. This is a delicious mix of Germany's best apples and grain spirits. In 2003, Schönauer received a Gold Medal and 95 point rating from the Beverage Testing Institute. 2nd place got an 83. You can compare apples to apples but Schönauer is in a class by itself. They stated that Schönauer was sweetly tart, with baked apple flavors, and almost no discernable alcohol taste. For those who claim to love Green Appletinis, think about when you bite into an apple. What color is it? Shouldn't your appletini be the same color? If it's made with Schönauer, it will be the color of real apples. Schönauer contains no artificial colors or flavorings. Put this into the mix this holiday season. Seal Cove Farm Olga (Cow's Milk) Olga is the product of an experiment pioneered by Seal Cove Farm Cheesemaker Barbara Brooks and her Ukrainian intern, Olga. Made from a mix of goats' milk from her own herd and organic cows' milk from a neighboring farm, this cheese has a bright and buttery zing from the cows' milk and followed by the mellow musky flavor of late fall goats' milk. The aging of the cheese gives it a firm and dignified paste, with a lingering caramel-toned sweet finish. Champlain Valley Triple Cream Famous for his all-natural, award-winning cream cheese, Carleton Yoder is at it again up in Vergennes, VT. This time he's crafted a lightly aged triple creme from his neighbor's pastured organic cow milk.  We get them fresh - ensuring that every downy rind is thin and perfectly edible. Enjoy the fluffy, buttery, undeniably creamy treat with a sparkling beverage of choice. Sample them this Friday night - they are glorious.       CALENDAR Friday October 17 Eric Bellnier - M. Touton Selections NLCPS - in the lounge. Friday October 24 Damian Chombard - Owner of Chateau Lamothe  A return appearance - at his request because he loved our customers. Damian will be in the USA for just 1 week and will make only one stop at a local store. His choice: right here in New London. Please mark your calendar. Friday October 31st - Halloween Bob Neville - World Wide Wines Friday November 7th Tom Belcher - Martin Scott Wines Wednesday November 12 Edward Brown - Vinifera Friday November 21st Eric Bellnier - M. Touton Selections Wednesday November 26  Ryan Connolly - Michael Skurnik Wines