The New London Project, Domaine Houchart, Hayman Hill Pinot Noir, Vincent Morgon Cru Du Beaujolais, Norman Vineyards "The Monster"

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

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

First -
Thanks to everyone that attended our our little féte on the deck at Brie & Bleu on Sunday.
The guest of honor was a man that has been living in the Casbah in Marrakesh for almost 30 years.
The scene was like a gathering of the "beat poets" back in the day.

Next -
Remember that our Summer Dinner Series is on the books -
Check our calendar of events page for menu details and dates.

Also -
It is not too early to mark your calendars for Friday June 23, 2006
for The New London Project -
Joe Standart’s life-size to 20ft. mural-sized portraits of New Londoner’s will transform downtown New London’s museum, galleries, and public spaces, immersing the city’s downtown district in a vibrant photography exhibition throughout the summer of 2006. The exhibition also includes photographs by New London High School’s students.

Live bands and refreshments at the citywide opening on Friday, June 23rd, 2006 at the following venues:

5:00 - 7:00pm ~ The Lyman Allyn Art Museum www.lymanallyn.org
6:00pm ~ Unveling of a 20ft. mural print on the facade of Union Station
6:00 - 8:00pm ~ Alva Gallery www.alvagallery.com

6:00 - 9:00pm ~ Golden Street Gallerywww.goldenstreetgallery.com
7:00 - 10:00pm ~ Hygienic Art Gallery and Art Park www.hygienic.org


Now -
This week at Brie & Bleu- Remember the new menu is in full swing and here is the featured item for this week:

Saint Nectaire at $12/lb is $10/lb this week at Brie & Bleu. This cheese from Auvergne takes its name from Sainte Nectaire, a small mountain village named for the 17th century leading family, Sennecterre. Made from pasteurized cow's milk and traditional rennet, the cheese is mild and fruity with a soft, meaty texture with occasional tiny eyes. A whole cheese is about 8 inches in diameter and weighs about 4lbs. The rind is pale pink with a covering of pale gray mold. St. Nectaire is in the washed-rind category of cheese, yet is almost the opposite of Limburger cheese which you will also taste in this shipment. If you are yearning for a creamy, milky cheese, St. Nectaire is the perfect cheese. It goes extremely well with many things including fruits, raw vegetables, olives, bread and salami. For an additional 10% off the cheese purchase wines that pair well with the St. Nectaire such as Rutz Pinot Noir or Turnbull Sauvignon Blanc.


WINE TASTING Friday June 9 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Domaine Houchart - $9 - www.jeromequiot.com
This wine exhibits fruity and floral notes, good structure in the mouthfor a great combination with food. Freshness and good acidity for this dry rose. Domaine Houchart is today owned by Geneviève, the wife of Jérôme Quiot, having been originally acquired by her grand-father. During the period the 1850's, Aurélien Houchart was an energic proprietor and negociant in wine, and created one of the largest domains in Provence. This domain has been farmed since Roman times, when it must have been a "Villa", patrician home of the period, some distance away from the "Via Aurelia". Amongst the friends of Aurélien Houchart was the famous painter Paul Cézanne, who frequently came to visit.

2 - Hayman Hill Pinot Noir - $14
With aromas of red berry fruit, hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and deliciously curing beef, flavors give way to a long, silky finish.
This is just great wine at a great price. Full of darker black cherry flavors, blackberry and spice with a little oak flavor.
Very polished and smooth.

3 - Vincent Morgon Cru Du Beaujolais - $19
A pretty region just south of Burgundy, Beaujolais makes fresh, fruity but sometimes rather simple red wines from the Gamay grape. Quite deep colored. There’s an attractive meaty, spicy edge to the cherry and raspberry fruit on the nose. Savoury, firm palate shows good acidity and some tannin. A satisfying wine that is perfect with food.

4 - Norman Vineyards "The Monster" Zinfandel - $21 - http://www.normanvineyards.com/
This is one of our most asked about "Zins". True to its name, this deep and complex wine has ripe and jammy aromas of raspberry and black fruit, with spicy notes of molasses and licorice. Full-bodied and loaded with berry and chocolate flavors, it has a silky mouth-feel and a lingering finish of tar and pepper. Perfect with roast leg-of-lamb and Asian or Latin cuisine. Be sure to try this one.

Thanks to everyone for their support and comments during the week - we appreciate it.

Please join us.
It is fun, informal and a great way to learn about wine.

AAA.