Greetings from New London -
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463 - 84 Bank Street
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817 - 70 State Street
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474 - 84 Bank Street
Coming Soon: Import - 60 State Street
The TWO Most asked questions this week:
1 - Are you still looking for help?
Yes we are still accepting applications for the wine store.
Remember - this is physically demanding work as well as being an exciting environment.
If you think you know someone that might fit in - have them stop by the store and speak to Jim Morrison.
2 -Is the 100 point tasting sold out?
SOLD OUT - there are no seats left for the "100 Point Tasting"
please watch for the next one.
Next -
It's no secret that we have been trying to get Celebrity chefs Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich to come to New London for an event at our stores.
The trouble we have been having is that they are booked WAY out and we are trying to coordinate schedules.
But they like what we are doing and they are interested - So, last Monday the phone rings and it's Mario Batali -
"Hey, what are you guys doing - do ya wanna come down and have lunch with us?"
Mario says that he is with his friends and business partners - Joe and Lidia Bastianich at the Bastianich house in Greenwich
So what can we do? - We go to Greenwich and have lunch at the Bastianich home.
When we get there Mario is already at the grill on the patio. He is tossing a little salt through the air and onto a row of sizzling lamb chops.
The kind with the long "french style" bone attached to make it easy to hold with your fingers.
Lidia is stirring a large pot of risotto and Joe Bastianich gives us a warm greeting by handing us wine glasses right away.
"You have to try these new wines from our vineyard - they just arrived."
The Bastianich family owns a vineyard about an hour and a half north east of Venice.
"Try this - its your new favorite wine" He poured from a bottle of their new Tocai - from across the room Lidia raised her glass and called out "Salute!"
Well, that's how our Monday went - Great food, great wines, new friends - it's the way it should be.
We will serve the Tocai this Friday night - Please join us.
For pictures of our afternoon look here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
This Week At Brie & Bleu -
The New Menu is here! Look for it starting on Tuesday.
The Featured Cheese this week is choosen based on the weather. Due to the rain that has been falling for the last couple of weeks, the cheese is from England were it seems to rain quite a bit. Red Leicester which is $12/lb is $10 this week. Even though it's called Red Leicester, there isn't any white or purple or yellow Leicester -- all Leicester is red. Red Leicester is a version of cheddar that has a flaky texture. It's a firm cheese, made from cow's milk coloured with annatto. Although Red Leicester can be young or "old, aged anywhere from 4 to 9 months, the young Leicesters at the start of that range will be very mild: they really want at least 6 months to develop a tang. The cheese is great when eaten with fruit. It also makes a good partner for beer or a nice chardonnay. For an additional 10% off the cheese purchase at he same time as Four Vines Naked Chardonnay from Thames River Wine and Spirits.
Thursday - BEER TASTING - SPECIAL ADDITION - May 25 - 5-8 p.m. - NO CHARGE
Bon Voyage Party for George Whitehouse with SPECIAL GUEST - Tim Cotter from The Day Newspaper.
When a young man boards a train and heads out west there usually one or two reasons behind it -
The love of a GOOD woman or the results of a confidential test. However in George's case we can confirm it is the latter.
George began his work with us by carrying a big shovel and following the elephants around the compound - Then he moved up to the small shovel.
Soon, he was selling peanuts and in short order worked his way up to the beer division. We will miss him.
Please Join us to bid a fond farewell & safe travels to him -
Great beer and a special selection of GW's favorite music - The "Captain & Tennille.
1 - Names like Franziskaner need no further introduction to most Europeans. They are at the absolute top of German brands and have been there for literally hundreds of years. If you are only used to drink "main-stream beer" you should do yourself a favour and try these and you will see why they are something different and the favorite of so many.
2 - Pilsner Urquell - Noted for it’s golden color, soft body imparted by the unique local water, crisp Czech malt character, and bitter Czech Saaz hop finish, Pilsner beer soon was copied all over the world. If you drink Beck's, Budweiser, Miller Lite, Heineken, or many other light golden lagers, chances are you are drinking a beer fashioned after Pilsner Urquell, which means “Pilsner from the original source”.
3 - Sierra Nevada SummerFest - http://www.sierranevada.com/
Incredible smoothness comes from an extra-long lagering period. Lighter in body than our ales but just as complex in character, Summerfest quenches your thirst with big aroma and a tangy hop bite.
4 - Brooklyn Lager - http://www.brooklynbrewery.com/
From the most modest picnics to the country’s finest restaurants, Brooklyn Lager is enjoyed with everything from salads to steaks.Brooklyn Lager is at home with pizza, burgers, Mexican food, roasted chicken, barbecue, fried fish, pork, and Chinese dishes
WINE TASTING - Friday May 26 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Bastianich Tocai Fruliano - $17
This Tocai has a nose that is ripe and powerful, yet fresh and zesty, full of flowers and almonds. The rich, full-bodied flavors ooze pears and melons, tinged with almonds in the long and impressive finish. As Lidia would say - Salute!
2 - Chateau Flaugergues Rosé - $13
Beautiful. Aromas of blackberry and lavender with balanced spice notes. There is some earthiness and interesting smoke nuances as well.
Don’t be fooled by the wines color. There’s some weight and structure here with good fruit intertwined with refreshing crisp acidity.
A summer chiller, enjoy with fresh salmon, light pastas or by itself.
3 - Cantina Fratelli Monte Falco - $18 - http://www.cantinapardi.it/
The Bianco, Rosso and Sagrantino Passito wines produced in the historical winery are marketed all over Umbria, and the most prestigious buyer is the Vatican. Great with food and worth your time to try.
4 - Costozza Cabernet 2003 - $35
"More Bordeaux than Bordeaux" - rated "two glasses" by Gambero Rosso - you must try this wine.
Costozza has been documented as a winemaking center since at least 1250, but archaeological excavations indicate it's possible that wine was being made in the Berici Hills thousands of years earlier. From a place that you probably never heard of this wine is a show stopper. Please give it a try.
Thanks for your support - we really do appreciate it.
Please Join Us. It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
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