It Is Happening, Domaine Paul Blanck, Gruet Rosé, Root 1, Allegrini Valpolicella

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
Now Open: Import - 60 State Street

Last Saturday in New London was something to see -
• There was a movie being shot at the Buckley House.
• The Saturday Market at Union Plaza was crowded.
• An Evening in Paris was being hosted at the Hygenic - Participants strolled through the botanical gardens in the Art Park while enjoying a basket of French goodies, including wine, cheese and a baguettes, and works by local artists were on display.
• An evening of White Linen & Cold Drinks - hosted by our own Jim Morrison was happening at the Thames Club.
If you are still waiting for something to happen downtown - it is happening.

• Thanks to everyone that attended an evening of vintage rum & cigars at Brie & Bleu last Thursday.
• Thanks to our own Anne Haviland for producing yet another beautiful wine dinner last Wednesday - fabulous! Recipes are available on the website.

THIS WEEK:

BRIE & BLEU -
Our very own cheese monger, Colleen McNerney, has brought back a favorite this week - by popular demand.

The cheese of the week is - a Smoked Jarlsberg usually at $10/lb - this week is $8/lb.

A little history about the cheese is in 1830, the Swiss came to Norway’s Jarlsberg and Laurvig County (known as Vestfold County today) to teach the Norwegians to make cheese. These foreign master cheese makers were famous for making cheese with holes. There was active production in Norway until 1832. The cheese disappeared but the tale of its delicious taste was still in memory.

In 1956, the academic community at the Agricultural University of Norway at Ås undertook the task of reviving the cheese recipe from 1830. The new cheese was named Jarlsberg after the county, where the earlier version had been made at the beginning of the 19th century. Jarlsberg is famous around the world for its distinctive sweet and nutty taste and large, round holes. Jarlsberg is available in rinded and rindless varieties and is ideal for cheeseboards and as a topping for salads and hot dishes. Smoked Jarlsberg characteristic taste si made by being dipped in a special smoky liquid. It gives the cheese a brown-coloured surface and a piquant, smoky taste. Smoked Jarlsberg is an excellent sandwich filling and is a taste sensation in many hot and cold dishes.

Save an additional 10% off the cheese when purchased with a Sauvignon Blanc such as Santa Rita Reserva from our Thames River Wine and Spirits located next door.

Cheers,
Colleen

BEER ME DADDY!
Beer tasting Thursday July 20 - 5-8 p.m. - No Charge

Kristin Webers has reached into our vintage cooler - did you know it was made in 1954?
Did you know that it proudly served at a New London landmark for over a half century before we rescued it from a dumpster?
Our 1954 Peerless refrigerator was in continuous use at "Patsy's" market until the new ownership renovated the building.
We had to save it - we had no choice.
ANYWAY
Kristen has reached into the cooler and this is her line up for Thursday - AND - she wants to assure everyone that a beer dinner is very close to being announced - please stay tuned, she is working hard to make it right. - Please ask her about it on Thursday - she needs to know that we care.

1 - Brahma Desde 1888 - http://www.brahma.com.br/sitebrahma/
From Rio de Janeiro, this beer claims "no aftertaste." While that's not wholly true it is a very light beer for summer with a hint of papaya.
Corona beware! Some people actually call this a great belly-button beer. At least that's what Kristin calls it - But Perhaps I've said too much already.

2 - Sapporo - http://www.sapporousa.com/
This is a clean, crisp, beer, with hints of citrus and some herbal flavors. The original Japanese rice lager.
Many of you may have tried this beer at the Singapore Grill - Across from BlockBuster Video - heading out of town towards Waterford Stop & Shop. And if you STILL have not eaten there you need to make the trip.
Be sure to ask for "Sonny" - he is the owner and will take care of you.

3 - Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout-$4/550mL
Sweet dark fruit and oatmeal, chocolate, and roasted malt aroma.
A true favorite of stout lovers and a converter of those who decided that stout was too heavy.

4 - Royal Extra-The Lion Stout-$8/6pk - http://caribbeer.com/
From Trinidad - The brewing of beer in Trinidad and Tobago was inherited from the British. The first commercial brewery was founded just after World War 1 although there had been legislation as early as August 1899 concerning the regulation of brewing.
Royal Extra stout is a rich, dark, fairly sweet stout. In Trinidad, Royal Extra is immediately identifiable as the “black bottle” drink, embodying the personality of the “lion” – majestic, powerful and potent. Among the emerging young adult male and female drinkers in Trinidad, Royal Extra is the stout that they identify with for confidence, strength and individuality - I wonder what they think about Bud Light?

Wine Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday July 21 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Domaine Paul Blanck - Pinot Gris - $20 - http://www.skurnikwines.com
This is everything that straightforward, dry Pinot Blanc should be. Rife with both zesty citrus and rich fruits, it’s a clear-voiced tenor of a Pinot Blanc, and a superb value. Fish, sauerkraut, Pâtés, poultry, all great for serving with this wine.

2 - Gruet Rosé - $18 - http://www.gruetwinery.com/
Yes it is TRUE - this wine is from New Mexico - please stop snickering long enough to try this - you will be surprised - honest.
This nearly garnet Rosé, is aged 24 months en tirage. It has a lovely, bright floral bouquet with hints of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. On the palate, it is rich and fruity in a dry, Brut style. The flavor of berries continues on the palate, revealing more strawberry, raspberry, cherry. This sparkler is lots of fun and very festive, but production is limited to 5000 cases per year, so don’t miss out!

3 - Root 1 - Chile - Cabernet - $12 - http://www.root1wine.com/
All of the vines for Root:1 are ungrafted from historic 19th century Bordeaux cuttings. Do not miss trying this wine on Friday.

While phylloxera has devastated most viticultural areas around the globe, forcing vineyard owners to graft phylloxera-resistant American rootstock to their vines, Chile has remained unaffected. Surrounded by natural barriers to pests and diseases, the Andes Mountains to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with the Atacama Desert to the north and frozen masses of Antarctic ice to the south, Chile exists as a virtual Eden.

Vines continue to thrive on their own rootstock, and much of the country’s vineyards can be traced back to the original rootstock imported from historic French appellations. These ideal grape growing conditions have resulted in vines being treated with minimal pesticides, and the purity from root to grape results in a truly magnificent wine.

Deep ruby color, intense aromas of red fruits and cassis, with some hints of vanilla. Well balanced with soft tannins and good structure.
Abundance of red fruit flavors like cherry and plums, with a complex and long finish. It matches well with mature cheese and grilled meats.

4 - Allegrini Palazzo della Torre - Valpolicella
Allegrini represents the highest expression of Valpolicella wines, with passion for elegance, commitment to excellence and a long heritage in refined winemaking style. A smooth, full-bodied cru made in an innovative ripasso style, sacrificing its DOC status by replacing the Molinara grape with Sangiovese. 70% of the grapes picked are vinified immediately. The remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December when they are vinified and then re-fermented with the wine from the fresh grapes. The result is higher alcohol content, rounder style, lower acidity and more extraction than a Valpolicella Classico. A classic accompaniment to grilled or roasted vegetable or meat dishes.


As always - thanks for your continued support - we appreciate it.
It is always fun on Friday night - we hope you can find the time to join us.
It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.



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