zeni Ramato, Wagram Cuvee 9, Cantina Parroco, Flowers Pinot Noir

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

It's a short week for us - so the news will be brief -

• We hope to see you at New London's First Annual ChessFest - www.ChessFest.com
• Garde Arts Center presents their Summer Film Series August 2-13 - www.gardearts.org
•Beer Dinner Series begins August 3rd. - 860-443-9463


The cheese of the week at Brie & Bleu:
Coastal Cheddar cheese. It is the summer and time for sitting by the coast with some cheese, crackers and wine, which can be purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese. The cheese is ususally $9/lb but $7/lb this week.
And for the additional 10% pair the cheese with a nice Sauvignon Blanc such as Silverstone.

Now, a little history about the cheese: the Farmhouse Cheddar has been made in the West Country since the 16th century, although the unique cheddaring process has been exported all over the world. Ford Farm cheese is produced at the Ashley Chase Estate in Dorset from milk produced on their own and local West Country farms. This unique partnership has produced some of the finest tasting cheeses in England. All Ford Farm Cheeses are traditionally handmade by a team of dedicated and skilled cheesemakers, guaranteeing an authentic, full farmhouse flavor. The cheeses are all wonderful, all handmade varietals, including Wensleydale, Cheshire, and Double Gloucester. The coastal country of Dorset provides an idealic setting allowing cool breezes and moisture to nourish the soil and create lush grasses on which Holstein Frisian cows graze. These cows supply rich, creamy milk which in turn enables the suppier to create rich, creamy complex cheddar.

Coastal is a Farmhouse Cheddar with one notable exception; the cheese maker starts with swiss cultures giving the cheese a wonderful earthiness. As the name suggests, this cheese has sea salt crystals added during the maturing process to give it a unique sea flavor. It is billed as "rugged mature cheddar" and that seems a perfect description. Aged only 15 months, Coastal Cheddar has a perfect flavor. Great as a stand alone cheese, or with sliced apples and grapes. Coastal will go well with a fine beer or white wine.

BEER ME DADDY! -

The Bad News -
There will be NO beer tasting on Thursday.
Due to a private function - remember you can plan a private party too - just ask a staff member.

The Good News -
Our Beer Dinner Series begins AUGUST 3rd.
More details and information will be in next weeks email AND
on our website - www.thamesriver.com


WINE TASTING
PLEASE JOIN US- Friday July 28 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Zeni Pinot Grigio Ramato "Vigneto Fontane," $17
The northeastern Italian regions of Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia were historically referred to as the "Tre Venezie"(three Venices), and represent the vast chunk of territory once associated with the great city of Venice. Today, these regions are more politically distinct, but their wines converge on the tables of Venice, where the incomparable array of seafood - cuttlefish in their ink; scampi (shrimp) dressed in olive oil and lemon juice; flaky branzini (sea bass) baked in salt crust - is perfectly complemented by the Tre Venezie¹s minerally, crisp, fragrant white wines.
This wine is a classic of the Tre Venezie: A powerful pinot grigio with a slight pink tinge due to some skin contact during fermentation.
This is the kind of wine you'll see in Venice all the time but rarely does it make it Stateside. (the term "ramato" means "coppery," in reference to the coppery color of the wine due to the skin contact). Give this one a try - you might decide to keep a case around the house at all times.

2 - Anton Bauer - Wagram Cuvee 9 - $21
Along the Danube River lie the hills of the Wagram. Its south-facing slopes with terraced vineyards, loess soil, and exceptional microclimate are responsible for producing high quality grapes. Ecological cultivation, bio-fertilization and yield reduction are necessary to guarantee the best possible harvest, and modern cellar techniques are used to ensure that this high quality ends up in the bottle.
The No. 9 denotes this is the ninth vintage of this rich and sexy blend comprised of Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch, Cabernet and Merlot aged for 15 months in French oak. It is juicy and complex and absolutely delicious with violet & licorice aromas, layers of dark berry fruit flavors and spice with a smooth silky finish. Pair with beef, duck, grilled pork, tuna and rich red sauces.

3 - Cantina Parroco Barbaresco - $28
The third most collected wine of Italy is Barbaresco. It is commonly referred to as Barolo’s younger sibling: where Barolo is king, Barbaresco is queen. The later is similar in style, though the wine is generally less full-bodied and the regulations demand less ageing in a cask as a result. The zone of Barbaresco is a tiny area in the Langhe, where the land is divided among a very small number of producers who extract wonderfully reliable wines from the land. Though still in the shadows of its neighbor, this wine can certainly stand on its own merits. Made completely from Nebbiolo, Barbaresco is a complex wine with gripping tannins yet displays impressive elegance.

4 - Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - $50 - http://www.flowerswinery.com/
This is a house favorite of ours. When we need to send a gift or acknowledgment from The Greenery - this is one of the bottles we always reach for. Great fresh fruit aromas of cherry, plum, and raspberry are followed by hints of sandalwood, mineral, and leather. This wine offers crisp acidity upon entry unfolding with flavors of plum, raspberry and spice. Tannins are supple creating a long, soft finish. This is a beautiful wine, it makes a great gift or a nice treat for yourself - please try it.

We are having a lot of fun this summer - thanks so much for your support we appreciate it - and we have a lot more in store for you before the season is over.

Please Join Us - it's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.



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