Prum, Perrin, Lagunitas, Humbolt Fog, Nickel & Nickel, Chalk Hill, B.R.Cohn, Bernardus

Greetings from New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463 (443-W I N E )
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817

Calendar of Events: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html

Featured Items: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html

Featured Items Greenery: http://www.thamesriver.com/trg/featured.html

Blog: http://newlondonwine.blogspot.com/

We have a great lineup of wines for Friday - they are highlighted in RED just below the news and information.

FIRST a big thank you to Raimund Prüm - the great German winemaker that stopped by last Thursday night.
He had flown all day from his home on the Mosel took a cab from JFK airport to Penn Station and then took a train to New Haven where he was scooped up by a "handler" and driven to our store. He rolled in as fresh as a daisy and proceeded to meet and greet our friends and customers as if he had just casually dropped in from his apartment upstairs. - http://www.sapruem.com/home3.0.html


And then there was the visit from Marc Perrin - from the Cheateau Beaucastel - http://www.beaucastel.com/
We tried some amazing wines and Marc spoke passsionately about food, wine, travel, and the secrets of redeeming frequent flyer miles.
His interview can be heard on our "podcast # 8" - and for a sample of what he said click here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Scroll down to January 18 - and click the play button under his picture.

We would like to remind everyone that the reason these world famous guests stop by to visit us in New London is because of YOU.
We continue to receive compliments from all of our guests about the quality of our customers - Thank you all.

Lots going on in New London - The Hygienic Art Show is just around the corner: http://www.hygienic.org/
Don't forget "Night Kitchens" - restaurants will be open late for the gallery showings. - More info: http://newlondonmainstreet.org/

COMFORT FOOD DINNER - Tuesday - January 24 - 6 p.m.
Classic Roasted Chicken with rice Pilaf - matched with 3 wines.

This Thursday 1/26/06 - BEER TASTING starting at 5 p.m. - No Charge
Senior Beer Correspondent George Whitehouse has discovered the Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma California.
Say "LAH-GOO-KNEE-TUSS" - it's fun - try it a few times. Check them out at: http://www.lagunitas.com/

1 - Lagunitas IPA India Pale Ale -
This is a unique version of an ancient style. A style as old as the ocean trade routes of the last centuries Great Ships.
Made with 43 different hops and 65 various malts, this redolent ale will likely float your boat, whatever planet you're on.

2 - Lagunitas PILS- Saaz Hopped Czech Style Pilsner
In The beginning, there were ales. As far as anyone knows, the first beers made were 'top-fermented', which is longhand for 'Ale'. Sometime long before the 1860's, beers became popular that were made in Northern Europe with a bottom fermenting yeast strain that liked the colder temperatures. Because they had to spend weeks aging before they tasted their best, they were known as 'Lager' beer. Lager is the German word for 'storage'.

3 - Lagunitas Amber Ale
In This hoppy sweet amber was the original ale brewed at the first Lagunitas brewery in West Marin. The original, actually, was a fair example of 'Odious Ale-ism'. Sometimes it was wonderful, sometimes it took the enamel off your teeth. Well, we are better brewers now, and it has become a tasty Cal State Fair award winner!

4 - Lagunitas IPA Maximus - CAUTION - this brew has possible side effects - apart from the normal light headiness and noisy discharge.
"At the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh Hops and Malt.
Caution: May remove enamel from teeth - Alcohol 7.5% by volume". - Lagunitas Brewing Co.

BRIE & BLEU - In the cheese shop - here are the featured items:

1 - Humbolt Fog - Goat Cheese - California - $22lb.
From the “Fog City” comes this exciting ash layered fresh goat’s milk cheese. The wheels have a natural rind, weigh about 4 lbs. and have a single layer of vegetable ash throughout the horizontal axis of the cheese. Light, airy and rich with a crisp clean goat flavor. Serve with Apples, Grapes Perfect Wine: Australian Sauvignon Blanc.

2 - Queso Iberico - Cow/Goat/Sheep - $14lb.
This hard, oily cheese from central Spain is made from a mixture of cow, sheep and goat's milk, which is reflected in its mild yet tasty flavor. Sometimes Queso Iberico is mistaken for Manchego. The affinage usually takes from one to six months. It is a table cheese but is easily gratable and grilled. Excellent for cooking or eating, and goes well with Spanish red wines.

3 - Crater Lake Blue - Oregon - $19lb. Crater Lake Blue From the Rogue Creamery in Oregon, Crater Lake Blue is a blend of Roquefort and Danish blue cheese recipes. Robust and sweet with a rich buttery finish, it was awarded a gold ribbon at the 2004 American Cheese Society.

This Friday January 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Nickel & Nickel Tench Vineyard - Nappa Valley - 2002 Cabernet - Rated 92 points - $80 - http://www.nickelandnickel.com/
Wonderfully warm aromas of blueberry, plum, tobacco and espresso and concentrated, exotic flavors of cherry, and bittersweet chocolate with a long lasting finish. Special wines such as this deserve special foods. I'd serve the cab with prime rib, rack of lamb or perhaps roast chicken prepared with black truffles. It is a special occasion wine - give it a try on Friday night.

2 - Chalk Hill - Sonoma County - 1999 Merlot - $55 - http://www.chalkhill.com/
Aged in 50% new French oak for 21 months, and blended with additional Bordeaux varietals that amplify the voice of the estate, the wine brims with red currants, earthy plum, mocha and cigar box aromas. A fine sweetness punctuates the silky, supple, seductive texture that lingers through the finish. This wine is on the list at better restaurants in the big cities - Try it with us without the big city price tag.

3 - B.R.Cohn - Olive Hill Estate - 2001 Cabernet - $54 - http://www.brcohn.com/
This wine delivers fresh refined aromas of intense deep berry, subtle plum and rich chocolate flavors. Extended aging in the highest quality French oak barrels produces a wine with balance, complexity and lush elegant finish. The Olive Hill Estate Vineyards, where soils warmed by underground natural hot springs and gentle coastal breezes create a unique microclimate resulting in ideal growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. This stuff is just plain yummy.

4 - Bernardus Montery County - Pinot Noir - $25 - http://www.bernardus.com/
This 100% Monterey County wine has delicate notes of blueberry and plum that are rounded out with a touch of cinnamon. The lighter fruitier style of this Pinot lends it a wonderful versatility in food pairing. It’s a particularly good selection when choosing a red wine for lunch or a warm evening. Total Case Production: 559 - that's it for the entire United States. Try it with us - it is very hard to find.

Thanks for your support - we appreciate all of the comments, emails, and suggestions.
Please hello the next time you are in the store - we hope to see you this week.
It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.




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