Greetings from all of us in New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463 - www.thamesriver.com
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817 - www.thamesriver.com
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474 - www.brieandbleu.com
Before I get to the wines for this week I just have to mention a few things :
The New Menu at Brie and Bleu. There are so many tasty new additions to the summer menu that it is hard to choose.
Take a look and see for yourself at: http://brieandbleu.com/menus.html
This WEDNESDAY JULY 27th - 6 p.m. - ONLY TEN SEATS AVAILABLE - $60
This is A Very Special Evening -
Very probably the only chance we will all get o try these wines.
The Boutique Wines of Spain.
The production is so low and the availability almost non existent.
Take a look at our favorites page to get the details on this wine:
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/instock.html
The wines include:
El Bosque - $140.
Amancio - $135.
El Puntido - $54.
And of course a surprise or two
We will be serving a light menu to compliment the wines - But the focus this night will be inside the bottles.
Do Not Wait To Call for Seats - 860-443-9463
Thursday July 28th - 5 -8 p.m. NO CHARGE
Beer Tastings & Musicale - Buzzards Bay Brewing Company will be on hand for the beer. http://www.buzzardsbrew.com/
And for the "Musicale" part of the evening -
The first person that brings in the Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Taste of Honey Album - in playable condition -
Will get a special prize.
The Calendar of Events is full of information and has just been updated - take a look at:
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
******** BREAKING NEWS *********
The long wait is over! -
Ladies & Gentlemen for the dozens of you that have been requesting and calling to check on the arrival of TXAKOLI - (Shock - oh - lee)
The amazing white wine from the Basque region of spain - It Is Back. This is the wine seen on almost every table last summer at Brie & Bleu.
We have it in stock - case discount will still apply - and it is on a first come, first served basis.
Txakoli Txomin Etxaniz: This is a house favorite and one of the best summer/food wines we have ever had.
"Perfumed, estery aromas of peach, grapefruit, apple, tarragon and ginger.
Offers lovely spicy fruit with atypical ripeness and density, thanks to the superripe year, yet manages to avoid heaviness
(in cool years, this can be distinctly lemony). Finishes very long, spicy and delicious. 89 points.
Now onto this week -
Friday July 29 - 6-9 p.m. - NO CHARGE
1 - Heredad De Aduna - Reserva 1998 $ 27 - http://www.heredadaduna.com
Heredad de Aduna, with a long family tradition, still make their wines in the traditional manner,
thanks to the knowledge and good work of their elders, especially their father and maestro, Jose Martinez Aduna -
Bodegas Heredad de Aduna specialize in a large variety of young red wines, Vintages, Reservas and Grandes Reservas that reach a widely-spread market that knows how to appreciate the quality of the end product, proof of which are the number of prizes they have received since they started out as harvesters. This wine wins gold medal awards all over Europe in blind tastings - you must try this.
2 - Heretat Mas Tinell Cava - BRUT RESERVA - $24
A pure delicacy. Fresh and clean on the palate. Straightforward and scented. Royal Brut, the Cava to be served at any time.
Elaborated with the local varieties of the Penedès Region –Macabeu, Xarel•lo and Parellada- it masterly combines the virtues of Cava and craftsmanship tradition. Pale yellow colour, brilliant appearance. Abundant small bubbles, closely spaced forming the three or four typical columns.
Good intensity of nose, fruity recall ( apple and pear ) and sensation of freshness. Ample palate of adequate acidity.
Extremely well-balanced: it invites to drink. Excellent and persistent final impression.
This is the sparkling wine that the King of Spain - chose to serve at HIS wedding - Trust me, price was not the issue.
This is great wine - please try it. It's good to be the king.
3 -TERRA DO GARGALO 2003/04 (Monterrei) $18.
From a relatively new, state of the art winery in south central Galicia, built and planted from scratch by Spanish fashion guru Roberto Verino, this Catalan wine gets regular wow Parker reviews and it is easy to see why: dark cherry in hue, it is lively, vigorous and aromatic with vivid red cherry fruit flavours and attractive, spicy, slightly resinous overtones. Partner with full-flavored food.
4 -Godello, Dona Blanco 2003 - $18
This is a good example of why Godello is beginning to emerge as a very strong contender in the Spanish white wine sweepstakes.
The color is light straw. Apple, pear and mineral scents open the evaluation. On the palate, there’s crisp acidity, a medium body and a velvety mouthfeel. Lemon and apple flavors together with some background minerality predominate in the long finish.
As far as food pairings, fish and shellfish would be fine…now, as to the question, who’s number one among Spanish whites?
Thank you for your support - it is allowing us to redefine what this type of store can be.
You should have heard the "nay sayers" when we first started - ".....what do you mean, no scratch offs or 1/2 pints"?
You have proved them wrong - and it is onward and upward from here.
Please join us - it's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
August Events
8/3 - Pan Asian Dinner - Featuring the wines of S.A. Prüm & J.J.Prüm - $50.
8/5 - Jonathan Edwards Connecticut release party and tasting.
Try their first ALL Connecticut wine before it hits the stores. - No Charge.
Beltane Farm - Lebanon, CT - first release of their newest cheese.
8/11 - Wines of Mara & Kosta Brown. Meet Charles Mara and try his highly rated & allocated wines - $50
Featuring: Kosta Brown, Conn Vineyard Russian River 2002 - $52, Mara Dolinsek Ranch Zinfandel 2002 - $40, Mara Cabernet Reserve 2001 - $40, and surprises.
8/12 - "BACCANALIA" - at the Hygenic Art Galleries - open tasting AND Connecticut's Sharpe Hill Vineyards in our Cellar.
Featuring: Ballet of Angels $11. - Cabernet Franc $17. - Red Syrah $12.
8/17 - The Great Rums of the World & Cigars - $25.
8/19 - Italian White Wines - Open Tasting - No Charge.
Featuring : Gavé D' Gavé and Fontana Freda Arneis
8/24 - Spanish Wine Dinner - $50.
Featured Wines : Morgandio Alberino, Museam Real, Don Pedro 1972 classic Sherry
9/27 - Premium Italian Wines & Dinner - $50.
Featured Wines: Brunello, Barolo, Amarone, Ripasso
8/5 - Jonathan Edwards Connecticut release party and tasting.
Try their first ALL Connecticut wine before it hits the stores. - No Charge.
Beltane Farm - Lebanon, CT - first release of their newest cheese.
8/11 - Wines of Mara & Kosta Brown. Meet Charles Mara and try his highly rated & allocated wines - $50
Featuring: Kosta Brown, Conn Vineyard Russian River 2002 - $52, Mara Dolinsek Ranch Zinfandel 2002 - $40, Mara Cabernet Reserve 2001 - $40, and surprises.
8/12 - "BACCANALIA" - at the Hygenic Art Galleries - open tasting AND Connecticut's Sharpe Hill Vineyards in our Cellar.
Featuring: Ballet of Angels $11. - Cabernet Franc $17. - Red Syrah $12.
8/17 - The Great Rums of the World & Cigars - $25.
8/19 - Italian White Wines - Open Tasting - No Charge.
Featuring : Gavé D' Gavé and Fontana Freda Arneis
8/24 - Spanish Wine Dinner - $50.
Featured Wines : Morgandio Alberino, Museam Real, Don Pedro 1972 classic Sherry
9/27 - Premium Italian Wines & Dinner - $50.
Featured Wines: Brunello, Barolo, Amarone, Ripasso
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Great Summer Wines / Best Party in Town / Smutty Nose
Greetings from New London -
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie and Bleu - 860-437-2474
www.thamesriver.com
www.brieandbleu.com
Last week was Hazy - Hot - Humid - Oh yeah - but NOT in our cellar! - because it's "KEWL". Maybe that's why it was so busy.
Or maybe it was because of the show that featured the photographic art of Mr. Joe Standard and the New London Project.
Or maybe it was the deck at Brie & Bleu - full of action, well dressed chattering people hopping from one table to the next.
Or maybe it was because our regular open tasting featured some of the best Australian wines this side of the Pecos.
Or maybe it was simply because it is a beautiful scene.
And do you know who is responsible for all of the fun & excitement? - YOU.
This is your clubhouse and we will keep the party going as long and as loud as you want.
This is how we have responded to your requests:
Weekly Wine & Beer Tastings? DONE.
Cellar Club & Special Events? DONE.
Wine Dinners? DONE
Private Tastings & Parties? DONE.
Hot Stone Massages and a Full Seaweed Wrap?
Talk to us privately. We will look into it on a case by case basis.
I have to take a minute to thank all of the wonderful guests that attended our French Wines and Dinner last Wednesday.
It was a lovely night - such great conversation and shared stories. And a special thanks to Mr. Roger Hoadley.
Roger "Officiated" & spoke eloquently about the wines and answered all of the questions - and kept our glasses full.
Bravo Roger.
The dinners that we have every week now - are like going to a great party with really cool people.
And I'll tell you what the secret is - we keep them small. That's what makes it so much fun - thank you all.
Remember we have a dinner every week at Brie & Bleu with wines and food matched and prepared - with love.
Our next French Dinner is on Wednesday August 10 at 6 p.m.
- Italian Wines & Food on Thursady July 21st
- Pan Asian Dinner & Wines on Wednesday July 27th
And an updated list of all dinners with wine lists & menus can always be found on our website:
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
It changes often so remember to check it every now and again.
THIS FRIDAY JULY 22 2005 - 6-9 p.m. - NO CHARGE
1 - St. Urbans - Hof Riesling 2004 - $12 - http://www.urbans-hof.de/index.htm
This wine, typical of Mosel Rieslings, is almost as pale as water, showing just a light greenish-straw color. Its initial aroma impact speaks more of earth than fruit; it's worth pouring the wine with vigorous aeration a half-hour before serving, though, as these aromas blow off to reveal appetizing juicy, limey citrus fruit. Limes and lemons show on the palate, too, with hints of peach, and light fresh-fruit sweetness fully balanced by steely "minerally" acidity. Gentle 10 percent alcohol makes this an obvious candidate for aperitif quaffing, but its exceptional affinity for food earns it a place at the dinner table.
2 - La Craie Vouvray 2003 - $13
When I suggest a Vouvray to some of my friends, I often get a response like, "Sounds "kewl", but what is it?"
Vouvray ( VOOve Ray ) is sexy, but it is often not understood by wine drinkers because it can come in so many styles, ranging from very dry to slightly sweet. Vouvray is the appellation for wine that comes from one of eight villages in the Loire Valley of France, including the village of Vouvray.
It is made from the chenin blanc grape. The dry wines can be rich, full-bodied and intense, while the sweeter wines can be very fruity and full of flavor.
Vouvray can accompany a wide range of foods. The dry wines can pair with chicken and white sauces or fish and seafood. The sweeter wines may be matched with spicy Asian food or Indian curries.
3 - Chateau Sansey Graves Blanc 2002 - $12 - http://www.vins-graves.com/?page=VinsGravesLayout
It seems like it’s tougher than it should be to find good Bordeaux blancs, and this position has remained unfilled for a few months.
Enter this delightful Graves, a pretty blend of 60% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon, and 20% Muscadelle, hand-picked and aged in oak.
The nose is fresh, floral, and has the expected underpinning of minerality, there is plump, juicy melon and passion fruit flecked with some ‘Gravesy’ stones, and enough acid for brightness and not get in the way. Delicious, easy-going, and nicely priced.
4 - Huber Gruner Vettiner Alte Setzen 2003 $24
For people who are not familiar with Gruner Veltliner, Austria’s most widely planted grape, we liken it to Sauvignon Blanc.
They’re not always the same because Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t have the white pepper note that Gruner Velt-liner does, for example.
But we tell people that if they like Sauvignon Blanc, they’ll generally like Gruner Veltliner. This is a great way to try it.
Another thing Gruner Veltliner has in common with Sauvignon Blanc is an affinity for food.
The lighter styles make good aperitifs and excellent partners for vegetables, seafood, even caviar.
Richer versions can go with white meats.
Also this week -
Wednesday JULY 20th - 6:00 - p.m. - $35.
Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch:
Port Wood -Sherry Wood -Madeira Wood - Bordeaux Wood
The evening will include the "BOMBSHELL"
Scotts Selection - 1964 North of Scotland ($180) 39 years in the barrel!
AND on the deck - The Hand Crafted Cigars of Moore & Bode.
http://www.mooreandbode.com/quotes.htm
Cigar Aficionado Magazine said:
"There are cigars, and there is the art of the cigar.
Moore & Bode cigars are the foremost exposition of the roller's art, expressed in the highest possible quality of construction."
The factory has prepared a special gift for each of our guests. - Limited Seating.
THURSDAY - 5-8 p.m. BEER TASTING - NO CHARGE - http://www.smuttynose.com
The Granite State's leading craft brewery, located in the historic seacoast city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Smuttynose was founded in 1994 by the folks who started the Northampton and Portsmouth Breweries.
The beers - Shoals Pale Ale, Old Brown Dog, Portsmouth Lager, IPA, Robust Porter, and The Big Beer Series - are distributed throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic.
1 - SMUTTYNOSE OLD BROWN DOG ALE
Winner of a Silver Medal at the 1989 Great American Beer Festival.
AWARDED BEST BROWN ALE IN THE NORTHEAST - 8th Annual US Beer Tasting Championship
Old Brown Dog has been cited as a classic example of the "American Brown Ale" style of beer. Compared to a typical English Brown Ale, Old Brown Dog is fuller-bodied and more strongly hopped. Old Brown Dog has been around for many years. It was first brewed in 1988 at the Northampton Brewery. In 1989 it won a silver medal in its category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
2 - SMUTTYNOSE SHOALS PALE ALE
GOLD MEDAL WINNER - Best American Beer 2003 Great British Beer Festival.
"...the closest thing to an English ale in an American bottled beer." - Boston Globe, September, 1999.
Their interpretation of a classic English beer style is copper-colored, medium-bodied and highly hopped.
Its flavor is delightfully complex: tangy fruit at the start, with an assertive hop crispness and a long malty palate that one well-known beer writer has compared to the flavor of freshly-baked bread.
AND from the UK
3 - Old Speckled Hen http://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/
This is the flagship beer of the Oxfordshire brewery, named after the vintage MG car rather than the popular farmyard animal.
The beer is a rich reddish golden-brown colour with a solid, bubbly head, but very little aroma (perhaps a hint of malt).
It is remarkably smooth on the palate, with a fairly heavily hopped bitter flavour and a strong element of maltiness.
The finish is long and bitter. Altogether, this makes a beautifully balanced, session beer - a little on the strong side for a long session, perhaps.
4 - Old Peculiar
This is the best known of Theakston's beers. It is dark coloured with a tight, fairly long-lasting head. It has a hoppy aroma but with a distinct underlying doughy tinge, very much like partially baked bread. There is some sweetness, becoming more pronounced in the finish. Aftertaste is of sweetish malt, but rapidly fades. An interesting and distinctive beer and worth a try if you have ever wondered what this type of beer is like.
Our own George Whitehouse - the President of our beer division - takes great pride in the SIXTY beers that we now carry - he would love to see you on Thursday night - please stop by if you can.
Thanks for your support - we love hearing from you -
Please join us - it's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
TRW&S
AAA.
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie and Bleu - 860-437-2474
www.thamesriver.com
www.brieandbleu.com
Last week was Hazy - Hot - Humid - Oh yeah - but NOT in our cellar! - because it's "KEWL". Maybe that's why it was so busy.
Or maybe it was because of the show that featured the photographic art of Mr. Joe Standard and the New London Project.
Or maybe it was the deck at Brie & Bleu - full of action, well dressed chattering people hopping from one table to the next.
Or maybe it was because our regular open tasting featured some of the best Australian wines this side of the Pecos.
Or maybe it was simply because it is a beautiful scene.
And do you know who is responsible for all of the fun & excitement? - YOU.
This is your clubhouse and we will keep the party going as long and as loud as you want.
This is how we have responded to your requests:
Weekly Wine & Beer Tastings? DONE.
Cellar Club & Special Events? DONE.
Wine Dinners? DONE
Private Tastings & Parties? DONE.
Hot Stone Massages and a Full Seaweed Wrap?
Talk to us privately. We will look into it on a case by case basis.
I have to take a minute to thank all of the wonderful guests that attended our French Wines and Dinner last Wednesday.
It was a lovely night - such great conversation and shared stories. And a special thanks to Mr. Roger Hoadley.
Roger "Officiated" & spoke eloquently about the wines and answered all of the questions - and kept our glasses full.
Bravo Roger.
The dinners that we have every week now - are like going to a great party with really cool people.
And I'll tell you what the secret is - we keep them small. That's what makes it so much fun - thank you all.
Remember we have a dinner every week at Brie & Bleu with wines and food matched and prepared - with love.
Our next French Dinner is on Wednesday August 10 at 6 p.m.
- Italian Wines & Food on Thursady July 21st
- Pan Asian Dinner & Wines on Wednesday July 27th
And an updated list of all dinners with wine lists & menus can always be found on our website:
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
It changes often so remember to check it every now and again.
THIS FRIDAY JULY 22 2005 - 6-9 p.m. - NO CHARGE
1 - St. Urbans - Hof Riesling 2004 - $12 - http://www.urbans-hof.de/index.htm
This wine, typical of Mosel Rieslings, is almost as pale as water, showing just a light greenish-straw color. Its initial aroma impact speaks more of earth than fruit; it's worth pouring the wine with vigorous aeration a half-hour before serving, though, as these aromas blow off to reveal appetizing juicy, limey citrus fruit. Limes and lemons show on the palate, too, with hints of peach, and light fresh-fruit sweetness fully balanced by steely "minerally" acidity. Gentle 10 percent alcohol makes this an obvious candidate for aperitif quaffing, but its exceptional affinity for food earns it a place at the dinner table.
2 - La Craie Vouvray 2003 - $13
When I suggest a Vouvray to some of my friends, I often get a response like, "Sounds "kewl", but what is it?"
Vouvray ( VOOve Ray ) is sexy, but it is often not understood by wine drinkers because it can come in so many styles, ranging from very dry to slightly sweet. Vouvray is the appellation for wine that comes from one of eight villages in the Loire Valley of France, including the village of Vouvray.
It is made from the chenin blanc grape. The dry wines can be rich, full-bodied and intense, while the sweeter wines can be very fruity and full of flavor.
Vouvray can accompany a wide range of foods. The dry wines can pair with chicken and white sauces or fish and seafood. The sweeter wines may be matched with spicy Asian food or Indian curries.
3 - Chateau Sansey Graves Blanc 2002 - $12 - http://www.vins-graves.com/?page=VinsGravesLayout
It seems like it’s tougher than it should be to find good Bordeaux blancs, and this position has remained unfilled for a few months.
Enter this delightful Graves, a pretty blend of 60% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon, and 20% Muscadelle, hand-picked and aged in oak.
The nose is fresh, floral, and has the expected underpinning of minerality, there is plump, juicy melon and passion fruit flecked with some ‘Gravesy’ stones, and enough acid for brightness and not get in the way. Delicious, easy-going, and nicely priced.
4 - Huber Gruner Vettiner Alte Setzen 2003 $24
For people who are not familiar with Gruner Veltliner, Austria’s most widely planted grape, we liken it to Sauvignon Blanc.
They’re not always the same because Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t have the white pepper note that Gruner Velt-liner does, for example.
But we tell people that if they like Sauvignon Blanc, they’ll generally like Gruner Veltliner. This is a great way to try it.
Another thing Gruner Veltliner has in common with Sauvignon Blanc is an affinity for food.
The lighter styles make good aperitifs and excellent partners for vegetables, seafood, even caviar.
Richer versions can go with white meats.
Also this week -
Wednesday JULY 20th - 6:00 - p.m. - $35.
Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch:
Port Wood -Sherry Wood -Madeira Wood - Bordeaux Wood
The evening will include the "BOMBSHELL"
Scotts Selection - 1964 North of Scotland ($180) 39 years in the barrel!
AND on the deck - The Hand Crafted Cigars of Moore & Bode.
http://www.mooreandbode.com/quotes.htm
Cigar Aficionado Magazine said:
"There are cigars, and there is the art of the cigar.
Moore & Bode cigars are the foremost exposition of the roller's art, expressed in the highest possible quality of construction."
The factory has prepared a special gift for each of our guests. - Limited Seating.
THURSDAY - 5-8 p.m. BEER TASTING - NO CHARGE - http://www.smuttynose.com
The Granite State's leading craft brewery, located in the historic seacoast city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Smuttynose was founded in 1994 by the folks who started the Northampton and Portsmouth Breweries.
The beers - Shoals Pale Ale, Old Brown Dog, Portsmouth Lager, IPA, Robust Porter, and The Big Beer Series - are distributed throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic.
1 - SMUTTYNOSE OLD BROWN DOG ALE
Winner of a Silver Medal at the 1989 Great American Beer Festival.
AWARDED BEST BROWN ALE IN THE NORTHEAST - 8th Annual US Beer Tasting Championship
Old Brown Dog has been cited as a classic example of the "American Brown Ale" style of beer. Compared to a typical English Brown Ale, Old Brown Dog is fuller-bodied and more strongly hopped. Old Brown Dog has been around for many years. It was first brewed in 1988 at the Northampton Brewery. In 1989 it won a silver medal in its category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
2 - SMUTTYNOSE SHOALS PALE ALE
GOLD MEDAL WINNER - Best American Beer 2003 Great British Beer Festival.
"...the closest thing to an English ale in an American bottled beer." - Boston Globe, September, 1999.
Their interpretation of a classic English beer style is copper-colored, medium-bodied and highly hopped.
Its flavor is delightfully complex: tangy fruit at the start, with an assertive hop crispness and a long malty palate that one well-known beer writer has compared to the flavor of freshly-baked bread.
AND from the UK
3 - Old Speckled Hen http://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/
This is the flagship beer of the Oxfordshire brewery, named after the vintage MG car rather than the popular farmyard animal.
The beer is a rich reddish golden-brown colour with a solid, bubbly head, but very little aroma (perhaps a hint of malt).
It is remarkably smooth on the palate, with a fairly heavily hopped bitter flavour and a strong element of maltiness.
The finish is long and bitter. Altogether, this makes a beautifully balanced, session beer - a little on the strong side for a long session, perhaps.
4 - Old Peculiar
This is the best known of Theakston's beers. It is dark coloured with a tight, fairly long-lasting head. It has a hoppy aroma but with a distinct underlying doughy tinge, very much like partially baked bread. There is some sweetness, becoming more pronounced in the finish. Aftertaste is of sweetish malt, but rapidly fades. An interesting and distinctive beer and worth a try if you have ever wondered what this type of beer is like.
Our own George Whitehouse - the President of our beer division - takes great pride in the SIXTY beers that we now carry - he would love to see you on Thursday night - please stop by if you can.
Thanks for your support - we love hearing from you -
Please join us - it's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
TRW&S
AAA.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Cocktails / Taylor Farm / Spirits & Cigars / New London Project
Greetings from all of us in New London
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-4439463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - Cheese & Specialty Market - 860-437-2474
www.thamesriver.com
www.brieandbleu.com
Well it goes without saying that this past week was a whirlwind in New London.
It was a short week to begin with and then the annual SailFest took center stage.
One of my personal favorites of the past week was the Sherry Dinner that we hosted on Thursday. The food prepared at Brie & Bleu by Anne Haviland was fabulous. www.brieandbleu.com
The Sherry was perfectly matched with each course and the room was full of laughter and conversation. For those of you that joined us thanks for making it so much fun. We were joined by industry "legend" Mr. Fred Segerman. This guy has forgotten more about sherry than any of us will learn - He has been crawling around the cool dark sherry bodegas of Spain for over 40 years and he brought us about six or seven of his favorites. I'm telling you - some of this stuff is better than a morphine drip.
And to the folks that joined us on Saturday - on the deck at Brie & Bleu - to watch the fireworks - thank you, it was a wonderful night.
Before I give you the line up for THIS Friday - I want to direct your attention to our Calendar of Events Page on our web site :
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
We have lots of interesting things taking place - The list is updated often - and it is the best place to see items of interest before the email goes out. Several people have commented that by the time they get the email - it is too late to reserve seats or learn about limited quantities on certain things. I hope this is helpful.
THIS THURSDAY - July 14th - 5-8 p.m. - NO CHARGE
Nantucket Off Shore "Cocktail Party" - www.nantucketoffshore.com
This is the company that produces all of those great drink mixers in those bright colorful bottles - we sell them in all of our stores - Apple Martini, Mojito, Cosmopolitan are just a few of the cocktails that will be served up for you to try.
ALSO ON THURSDAY NIGHT
Thursday 14th - MEET THE CHEESE MAKERS - Brie & Bleu - NO CHARGE
Taylor Farm - from Vermont - www.taylorfarmvermont.com
For the past seven years the Wrights have hand-crafted award winning Gouda cheeses using raw, fresh, sweet milk from their herd. This creates cheeses with a depth of flavor not found in others made with pasteurized milk. Currently about 1,000 pounds of cheese are produced each week
AND I cannot forget to mention in advance our second Spirits & Cigars night coming on Wednesday JULY 20th - 6:00 - p.m. - $35.
Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch -
Port Wood -Sherry Wood -Madeira Wood - Bordeaux Wood
The evening will include the "BOMBSHELL" Scotts Selection -
1964 North of Scotland ($180) 39 years in the barrel!
IN ADDITION
The Hand Crafted Cigars of Moore & Bode.
http://www.mooreandbode.com/quotes.htm
Cigar Aficionado Magazine said - "There are cigars, and there is the art of the cigar.
Moore & Bode cigars are one of the foremost exposition of the roller's art, expressed in the highest possible quality of construction."
The factory has prepared a special selection just for our evening! - Limited Seating.
THIS FRIDAY - July 15 - 6-9 p.m. - NO CHARGE
The Australian Wines of d'Arenberg AND The New London Project
http://www.darenberg.com.au/
1 - d’Arenberg 'The Stump Jump' White - $11.
The Stump Jump White is a great summer wine - a real crowd pleaser.
An unoaked blend of premium varietals which changes from vintage to vintage, but always conspires to create an excellent crisp dry, lively white, proudly named after an important South Australian invention - the stump jump plough.
2 - d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original Grenache Shiraz - $20
Well cellared, d'Arry's Original becomes, soft, generous, full flavoured, velvety long & seamless in bottle, with no particular component standing out, as more than four decades of previous vintages have shown. Serve at room temperature. Now or over the next 3 – 20 years with grilled or barbecued meats, potato based dishes, dishes with noodles, rice pasta, cous cous, served with beef, veal or lamb. Roast meats and mature cheese.
3 - d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne Viognier - $16
The Hermit Crab McLaren Vale Marsanne Viognier has a green, brilliant mid-straw colour and exhibits fresh and tropical fruit with a strong emphasis on stone fruits, pineapple, mango and honeysuckle. Great with a large range of foods from lightly flavoured, through to full flavoured poultry, veal, lamb and pork as well as desserts and cheeses. Also good as an aperitif.
4 - d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz - $19
(previously known as the Old Vines Shiraz)
The Footbolt Shiraz undergoes minimal processing and as such may throw a deposit in the bottle. This is a wine which will benefit from further bottle age, as will most of d’Arenberg’s reds. The young Footbolt Shiraz has a deep red-purple, then the immediate hallmarks of spicy, ripe mulberry and blackberry fruit aromas.
Good now or cellar for the next 2- 20 years. Serve with especially hearty stews, rich pasta dishes, roasted and grilled meats including poultry and other white meats. Also goes well with slightly hot or spicy dishes and with hard- pressed cheeses. Serve after decanting as an older wine.
Now if all that wine was not enough fun for one night - remember that it is also a night to see the amazing "Portrait Of A City" - The New London Project.
These are larger than life size portraits of New London residents and business people - you have to see them - please stop by.
OPEN STUDIO & WINE TASTING
Come talk with artist Joe Standart - http://www.joestandart.com/
about his monumental public art exhibition/event The New London Project,
while sampling The Wines of D'Arenberg
And visit his studio a few doors down at 24 bank Street
There is detailed information about this in a
more Informative Brochure in pdf format:
Click here to Download project Brochure.
Thanks for your comments and email - we appreciate all of your interest.
Please Join Us - it's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA.
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-4439463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - Cheese & Specialty Market - 860-437-2474
www.thamesriver.com
www.brieandbleu.com
Well it goes without saying that this past week was a whirlwind in New London.
It was a short week to begin with and then the annual SailFest took center stage.
One of my personal favorites of the past week was the Sherry Dinner that we hosted on Thursday. The food prepared at Brie & Bleu by Anne Haviland was fabulous. www.brieandbleu.com
The Sherry was perfectly matched with each course and the room was full of laughter and conversation. For those of you that joined us thanks for making it so much fun. We were joined by industry "legend" Mr. Fred Segerman. This guy has forgotten more about sherry than any of us will learn - He has been crawling around the cool dark sherry bodegas of Spain for over 40 years and he brought us about six or seven of his favorites. I'm telling you - some of this stuff is better than a morphine drip.
And to the folks that joined us on Saturday - on the deck at Brie & Bleu - to watch the fireworks - thank you, it was a wonderful night.
Before I give you the line up for THIS Friday - I want to direct your attention to our Calendar of Events Page on our web site :
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
We have lots of interesting things taking place - The list is updated often - and it is the best place to see items of interest before the email goes out. Several people have commented that by the time they get the email - it is too late to reserve seats or learn about limited quantities on certain things. I hope this is helpful.
THIS THURSDAY - July 14th - 5-8 p.m. - NO CHARGE
Nantucket Off Shore "Cocktail Party" - www.nantucketoffshore.com
This is the company that produces all of those great drink mixers in those bright colorful bottles - we sell them in all of our stores - Apple Martini, Mojito, Cosmopolitan are just a few of the cocktails that will be served up for you to try.
ALSO ON THURSDAY NIGHT
Thursday 14th - MEET THE CHEESE MAKERS - Brie & Bleu - NO CHARGE
Taylor Farm - from Vermont - www.taylorfarmvermont.com
For the past seven years the Wrights have hand-crafted award winning Gouda cheeses using raw, fresh, sweet milk from their herd. This creates cheeses with a depth of flavor not found in others made with pasteurized milk. Currently about 1,000 pounds of cheese are produced each week
AND I cannot forget to mention in advance our second Spirits & Cigars night coming on Wednesday JULY 20th - 6:00 - p.m. - $35.
Cask Finished Single Malt Scotch -
Port Wood -Sherry Wood -Madeira Wood - Bordeaux Wood
The evening will include the "BOMBSHELL" Scotts Selection -
1964 North of Scotland ($180) 39 years in the barrel!
IN ADDITION
The Hand Crafted Cigars of Moore & Bode.
http://www.mooreandbode.com/quotes.htm
Cigar Aficionado Magazine said - "There are cigars, and there is the art of the cigar.
Moore & Bode cigars are one of the foremost exposition of the roller's art, expressed in the highest possible quality of construction."
The factory has prepared a special selection just for our evening! - Limited Seating.
THIS FRIDAY - July 15 - 6-9 p.m. - NO CHARGE
The Australian Wines of d'Arenberg AND The New London Project
http://www.darenberg.com.au/
1 - d’Arenberg 'The Stump Jump' White - $11.
The Stump Jump White is a great summer wine - a real crowd pleaser.
An unoaked blend of premium varietals which changes from vintage to vintage, but always conspires to create an excellent crisp dry, lively white, proudly named after an important South Australian invention - the stump jump plough.
2 - d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original Grenache Shiraz - $20
Well cellared, d'Arry's Original becomes, soft, generous, full flavoured, velvety long & seamless in bottle, with no particular component standing out, as more than four decades of previous vintages have shown. Serve at room temperature. Now or over the next 3 – 20 years with grilled or barbecued meats, potato based dishes, dishes with noodles, rice pasta, cous cous, served with beef, veal or lamb. Roast meats and mature cheese.
3 - d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne Viognier - $16
The Hermit Crab McLaren Vale Marsanne Viognier has a green, brilliant mid-straw colour and exhibits fresh and tropical fruit with a strong emphasis on stone fruits, pineapple, mango and honeysuckle. Great with a large range of foods from lightly flavoured, through to full flavoured poultry, veal, lamb and pork as well as desserts and cheeses. Also good as an aperitif.
4 - d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz - $19
(previously known as the Old Vines Shiraz)
The Footbolt Shiraz undergoes minimal processing and as such may throw a deposit in the bottle. This is a wine which will benefit from further bottle age, as will most of d’Arenberg’s reds. The young Footbolt Shiraz has a deep red-purple, then the immediate hallmarks of spicy, ripe mulberry and blackberry fruit aromas.
Good now or cellar for the next 2- 20 years. Serve with especially hearty stews, rich pasta dishes, roasted and grilled meats including poultry and other white meats. Also goes well with slightly hot or spicy dishes and with hard- pressed cheeses. Serve after decanting as an older wine.
Now if all that wine was not enough fun for one night - remember that it is also a night to see the amazing "Portrait Of A City" - The New London Project.
These are larger than life size portraits of New London residents and business people - you have to see them - please stop by.
OPEN STUDIO & WINE TASTING
Come talk with artist Joe Standart - http://www.joestandart.com/
about his monumental public art exhibition/event The New London Project,
while sampling The Wines of D'Arenberg
And visit his studio a few doors down at 24 bank Street
There is detailed information about this in a
more Informative Brochure in pdf format:
Click here to Download project Brochure.
Thanks for your comments and email - we appreciate all of your interest.
Please Join Us - it's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Sherry Dinner / Columbia Crest / SailFest
Greetings from all of us in New London.
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu Cheese Market - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
www.thamesriver.com
We hope you had a fabulous holiday weekend.
It a short week so I will keep it brief.
A very busy week in NL - as everyone prepares for SailFest. - http://www.sailfest.org
Thanks to everyone that made all of last weeks events such a great success and so much fun.
We could not do it with out you.
Before I tell you about Friday's "SailFest Tasting" - here are a couple of updates:
Please Join us
Thursday July 7 2005 - 6 p.m. - $50
Sherry Dinner
Meet Mr. Fred Segerman - a true living legend of the wine world.
The original founding partner of Slocum & Sons - He is an expert on the great
sherries of the world and travels each year to visit the finest boutique producers in Spain.
He will be on hand to answer your questions and explain away the mysteries of this great wine.
From the greatest sherry bodegas of Spain we have selected a remarkable range of wines.
Manzanilla, Oloroso, Amontillado, and Moscatel. Each one paired with the perfect dish.
Limited Seating - Please Call Early
The menu includes:
- Manchego Cheese & Baguette
- Ham & Cornichon Crostini’s
- Paella with:
Prawns, Chicken & Andouille Sausage
- Gazpacho
- Sauteed Artichoke Hearts with Chipolte aioli
- Chocolate orange tart with walnut crust
- And of course - a surprise or two
This Friday July 8 2005 - 6-9 NO CHARGE
Our regular tasting and the beginning of Sailfest share our center stage.
We will feature two award winning wines from Columbia Crest. www.columbia-crest.com
And we will open some "special wine" as a surprise.
Some of you may recall that we opened the Nickle & Nickle wines last year on the spur of the moment.
You just never know what might happen.
1 - Columbia Crest’s Two Vines Shiraz (2001
THE Top Scoring Value From Around the World
Wine Spectator has rated Columbia Crest’s Two Vines Shiraz (2001)
Number one on their “Best Red Wine Values From Around The World” list, awarding it with a stunning 90 points.
2 - Columbia Crest Two Vines Gewürztraminer
Wonderful floral, spiced apricot and citrus aromas also trail across the palate, finishing with a delicate spicy-sweet flavor.
ALSO - Please visit us on the Amistad Pier FROM 6-9 p.m. - PIRATE NIGHT! - http://www.sailfest.org
This is a "gated" event is hosted by the SailFest Organization. An evening of Pirates and Caribbean Fun.
We will be under the Rum tent -helping everyone into the pirate spirit with fresh frozen drinks topped with fine rum.
You must be 21 years old or older. tickets are on sale now or available at the gate.
Tour the the tall ship "Providence" just back from shooting Pirates of the Carribean II with Johnny Depp.
There will be music & food and ....Pirates!
Saturday Sailfest will be in full swing -
Downtown will be buzzing. And the world famous Grucci family will be setting their fuzes for the big event.
Fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Many people have asked about our deck for Fireworks -
here is the story:
Brie and Bleu will be open for business until 6 p.m.
THEN - we will clear out the store and the deck and close for the night to the public.
There is a private party on the deck that night.
Thank you for all of the interest.
Please check our website calander for updates, additions, and items of interest - it changes often:
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
Please call us anytime with your comments or questions. We love to hear from you.
860-443-9463
Please join us - its fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA.
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu Cheese Market - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
www.thamesriver.com
We hope you had a fabulous holiday weekend.
It a short week so I will keep it brief.
A very busy week in NL - as everyone prepares for SailFest. - http://www.sailfest.org
Thanks to everyone that made all of last weeks events such a great success and so much fun.
We could not do it with out you.
Before I tell you about Friday's "SailFest Tasting" - here are a couple of updates:
Please Join us
Thursday July 7 2005 - 6 p.m. - $50
Sherry Dinner
Meet Mr. Fred Segerman - a true living legend of the wine world.
The original founding partner of Slocum & Sons - He is an expert on the great
sherries of the world and travels each year to visit the finest boutique producers in Spain.
He will be on hand to answer your questions and explain away the mysteries of this great wine.
From the greatest sherry bodegas of Spain we have selected a remarkable range of wines.
Manzanilla, Oloroso, Amontillado, and Moscatel. Each one paired with the perfect dish.
Limited Seating - Please Call Early
The menu includes:
- Manchego Cheese & Baguette
- Ham & Cornichon Crostini’s
- Paella with:
Prawns, Chicken & Andouille Sausage
- Gazpacho
- Sauteed Artichoke Hearts with Chipolte aioli
- Chocolate orange tart with walnut crust
- And of course - a surprise or two
This Friday July 8 2005 - 6-9 NO CHARGE
Our regular tasting and the beginning of Sailfest share our center stage.
We will feature two award winning wines from Columbia Crest. www.columbia-crest.com
And we will open some "special wine" as a surprise.
Some of you may recall that we opened the Nickle & Nickle wines last year on the spur of the moment.
You just never know what might happen.
1 - Columbia Crest’s Two Vines Shiraz (2001
THE Top Scoring Value From Around the World
Wine Spectator has rated Columbia Crest’s Two Vines Shiraz (2001)
Number one on their “Best Red Wine Values From Around The World” list, awarding it with a stunning 90 points.
2 - Columbia Crest Two Vines Gewürztraminer
Wonderful floral, spiced apricot and citrus aromas also trail across the palate, finishing with a delicate spicy-sweet flavor.
ALSO - Please visit us on the Amistad Pier FROM 6-9 p.m. - PIRATE NIGHT! - http://www.sailfest.org
This is a "gated" event is hosted by the SailFest Organization. An evening of Pirates and Caribbean Fun.
We will be under the Rum tent -helping everyone into the pirate spirit with fresh frozen drinks topped with fine rum.
You must be 21 years old or older. tickets are on sale now or available at the gate.
Tour the the tall ship "Providence" just back from shooting Pirates of the Carribean II with Johnny Depp.
There will be music & food and ....Pirates!
Saturday Sailfest will be in full swing -
Downtown will be buzzing. And the world famous Grucci family will be setting their fuzes for the big event.
Fireworks start at 9 p.m.
Many people have asked about our deck for Fireworks -
here is the story:
Brie and Bleu will be open for business until 6 p.m.
THEN - we will clear out the store and the deck and close for the night to the public.
There is a private party on the deck that night.
Thank you for all of the interest.
Please check our website calander for updates, additions, and items of interest - it changes often:
http://www.thamesriver.com/site_2/wine/calendar.html
Please call us anytime with your comments or questions. We love to hear from you.
860-443-9463
Please join us - its fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA.
Friday, July 01, 2005
El Bosque / Amancio / El Puntido
These AMAZING wines are just in and very limited in supply.
Thames River Wines & Spirits - 860-443-9463
www.thamesriver.com
El Bosque is spectacular.
RATED 94 POINTS by Parker / 93 POINTS by Wine Spectator
Sadly, there are only 50 cases for the USA - 40 Bottles for Connecticut
We have FOUR bottles - $140 each 7/1/05
It spent 16 months in new French oak, and was bottled unfiltered.
An opaque purple color is accompanied by a gorgeous bouquet of graphite, black currants, licorice, espresso, and chocolate.
This full-bodied, dense, concentrated red requires another 2-3 years of cellaring because of its elevated tannin, but it should last for 10-15 years.
It is very impressive.’ -Robert M. Parker, Jr.

AMANCIO SIERRA CANTABRIA
RATED 96 POINTS by Parker & WS.
ONLY 116 bottles in Connecticut.
We have 4 bottles - $135 ea. 7/1/05
If you want to be ravished by a red wine, this is your chance.
It dominates the palate, with muscular tannins and mouthfilling flavors of plum, blackberry, coffee and dark chocolate.
It has it all: ultraripe fruit, lavish oak, heady alcohol and a finish that just won't quit.
Quite a departure from the bashful elegance of traditional Rioja.

VIÑEDOS DE PÁGANOS Rioja El Puntido 2001
RATED 95 POINTS by WS - ONLY 100 cases for the United States
We have 6 bottles $54 ea. - 7/1/05
Almost syrupy, but this red never loses its balance.
It's dense and thick, with blackberry, currant, mineral, dark chocolate and espresso flavors that build on each other through the long finish.
Yet it remains graceful, and brings you back for another sip. Best after 2007.
Thames River Wines & Spirits - 860-443-9463
www.thamesriver.com
El Bosque is spectacular.
RATED 94 POINTS by Parker / 93 POINTS by Wine Spectator
Sadly, there are only 50 cases for the USA - 40 Bottles for Connecticut
We have FOUR bottles - $140 each 7/1/05
It spent 16 months in new French oak, and was bottled unfiltered.
An opaque purple color is accompanied by a gorgeous bouquet of graphite, black currants, licorice, espresso, and chocolate.
This full-bodied, dense, concentrated red requires another 2-3 years of cellaring because of its elevated tannin, but it should last for 10-15 years.
It is very impressive.’ -Robert M. Parker, Jr.

AMANCIO SIERRA CANTABRIA
RATED 96 POINTS by Parker & WS.
ONLY 116 bottles in Connecticut.
We have 4 bottles - $135 ea. 7/1/05
If you want to be ravished by a red wine, this is your chance.
It dominates the palate, with muscular tannins and mouthfilling flavors of plum, blackberry, coffee and dark chocolate.
It has it all: ultraripe fruit, lavish oak, heady alcohol and a finish that just won't quit.
Quite a departure from the bashful elegance of traditional Rioja.

VIÑEDOS DE PÁGANOS Rioja El Puntido 2001
RATED 95 POINTS by WS - ONLY 100 cases for the United States
We have 6 bottles $54 ea. - 7/1/05
Almost syrupy, but this red never loses its balance.
It's dense and thick, with blackberry, currant, mineral, dark chocolate and espresso flavors that build on each other through the long finish.
Yet it remains graceful, and brings you back for another sip. Best after 2007.
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