Wine & Chocolate, Chateau Yquem, Don Melchor, Got Beer?

Greetings from New London,

Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474

Calendar of events - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html

A quick bit of news and then on to the wine tasting for this week - highlighted in RED - Below the news.

First - Many, many people have been waiting for the return of "The Don Melchor"
Don Melchor was hailed the best Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile by both the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker.
It is hard to find and I honestly believe that we have the entire allotment for the state of Connecticut.
Don Melchor 2002 - $45 - First Come, first served - http://www.conchaytorousa.com/wines/melchor.html

Next - 2001 Chateau Yquem Rated 100 Points - $900 (that is not a typo) per 750ml bottle.
If you read any of the wine publications that are published each month, you may have seen the story about the Chateau Yquem.
(pronounced eee - Chem)

They recently released the 2001 vintage of their legendary wine. Reviewers where absolutely giddy about it and it received a remarkable
one-hundred-point rating. You can imagine how limited the production is on something like this - you can practically count the bottles on your hands and feet. Well I am here to tell ya that we have TWO full size bottles in the house on on the shelves right now.

Normally this wine is picked up by collectors and crazy people with extra money.
So, here is what we plan to do - we are planing an evening that will include opening a bottle of this elixir for all to try.
That's right - a tasting of the 2001, 100 point, Chateau Yquem.
I think that raises the bar pretty high. Seating will be limited.
If you are interested call the store and speak to Jim Morrison - he will give you the details and hopefully....a spot on the list.
Take a look at their website to get a better idea of what this is all about: http://www.yquem.fr/

Wine & Chocolate at Brie & Bleu -
The wait is over. We took our sweet time to get it right - but the cases have been delivered, the chocolate has been selected and our series of Wine & Chocolate tastings is about to begin - please call early to reserve seating. Our first tastings will feature the famed chocolates of Cocoa Vino. Widely recognized in national publications like Food & Wine magazine we are proud to offer them. If you are looking for something special for Valentine's Day or for your chocolate desires - stop by Brie & Bleu and take a look. You will be amazed.

GOT BEER?
Beer Tasting - Thursday February 9th - 5 - 8 p.m. - No Charge

Our own Señor Beer Consultant Jorgé Casablanca has put together something he calls a "Six Pack Tasting"
He seemed sober when he told us about it - these are the beers for Thursday night. All large format bottles.

1 - Rouge Imperial Pale Ale - http://www.rogue.com/
Above and beyond an India Pale Ale--I2PA is radically hopped with an intense aroma and hop bitterness.
Unfiltered and aged for 9 months before it leaves the brewery--not for the faint of heart.
IPA is brewed with two-row Pipkin Pale malts, Saaz, Cascade and Northwest Golding hops.
IPA is available in a new 750ml Silkscreened black ceramic bottle.

2 - Old Burnside 10 Penny Ale ( in the "growler") - http://www.oldeburnsidebrewing.com/home.html
We can't give you the recipe, but we can tell you that the finest fresh barley malts have been combined with a hint of hops from the Pacific northwest to produce a unique and universally drinkable ale.

3 - Meantime London Porter - http://www.meantimebrewing.com/
Unquestionably Porter was the most important style in the history of beer, if not the most significant beverage in the history of modern civilization.
One of the finest examples you can try.

4 - Meantime India Pale Ale
Much to the chagrin of Burton brewers, the fact of the matter is that IPA was invented in London. George Hodgson established his brewery on the banks of the River Lea, by the Old Bridge, Bow in the east end of London in October 1752, it was perfectly situated for the London docks, a fact that soon dawned upon him, for some time after that date he made the decision to build his business on supplying beer for export to the growing India market. Try it for yourself.


Wine Tasting - Friday February 10 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 -Alexander Valley -Gewurztraminer - $12
A white counterpart to Nouveau Beaujolais. New Gewürz accentuates the inherent, unique characteristics of the Gewürztraminer grape.
To capture and enhance the lively, spicy character of this varietal, they cold-ferment the chilled juice then immediately bottle the wine.
This fruity, spicy white has a trace of residual sugar, a tiny bit of spritz and that trademark floral, brown spice, grapefruit zest and ginger personality. It’s crisp and delicious. This wine is sure to please both the wine geek at your table as well as the beginner.

2 - Michel Torino Torrontes - $17
This is a wine of uncommon flavor that some people will flat-out hate, while others will enjoy immensely. The aromas and flavors are decidedly unique - Bold floral aromas resembling a woman wearing too much rosy perfume will smack you in the face; if you dare taste the wine it will erupt with lychee nut (those little pink, fleshy fruits you get for dessert at Chinese restaurants) and similarly exotic fruit flavors.

3 - Michel Torino Malbec - $17
Delicate aromas of white peaches, apricots and orange blossoms. Fresh and crisp with the expressive character of the Torrontes varietal.
A great accompaniment to grilled seafood.

4 - Perrin Vinsobres -$ 44 - http://www.beaucastel.com/
Many of you tuned in to hear Mark Perrin on our weekly podcast a couple of weeks ago. He stopped by the store and talked for a while about his wines. The Vinsobres was one of them - It boasts a dense purple color as well as a wonderfully sweet perfume of cassis, kirsch, crushed rocks, flowers, and earth. With considerable intensity, tremendous texture, beautiful purity and length as well as sweet tannin, this brilliant offering and in limited supply - only 6000 bottles produced for the entire planet. Mark had a great time at the store and he extended an invitation for us to visit him at the Chateau Beacastel for a dinner and a private tasting at the end of the month. We will record that show on location in France and bring it to you the following week.

Thanks for all of your support we appreciate it.
Please say hello when your are in the stores.


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