The Mighty Wurlitzer, Tramin Pinot Grigio, Chateau De Coulaine, Can Blau Monstant, Alto Moncayo Veraton, Antoine Vincent on WineRadio

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

The heat and haze have lifted - at least for the moment. Thanks to everyone that came out this past week - it was quite the scene. Coming this Wednesday night - our Summer Grilling Series continues - Anne Haviland will be presiding over the mighty Wurlitzer and she will be pulling out all of the stops. Check out the full menu on our calendar of events page.

Last night we spent hours in the tony recesses of Bird-Land. Thank you to our hosts - Jenny, Steve and family.
We were wined and dined and treated to some of the best authentic South American cuisine one could imagine.
And we drank some of the most amazing wine - Trapiche single vineyard Malbec's from Argentina.
Take a look - http://www.trapiche.com.ar/2bodega.html

Due to overwhelming popular demand - we are adding a new feature to the website - and it goes a little something like this...
Our new dinner series begins in just a couple of weeks. We will be adding the ability to reserve your seating online.
We hope that this will allow so many of you that have asked for the chance to grab your seats as soon as you want.
Reserve on line and print out your confirmation. No more phoning in to the store to find out that you just missed the last two seats.

Also - there is an all new episode of WineRadio featuring Antoine Vincent - from the legendary Chateau Fuissé.
It is right there on the calendar page as well.

Up & Coming -

• Sunday, August 13, 1-4 PM - Fish Tales, Tugs & Sails, a children's party on the pier, takes place at Waterfront Park, City Pier. Features include two tugboats, the Patricia Ann and the John Paul, sponsored by Cross Sound Ferry and Thames Towboat Company. Children will have a chance to meet the captain and crew of each tugboat

• Mr. Kyle Dandurand from Ameriprise Financial Services is hosting a reception on Tuesday August 15th from 6-9 p.m.
Spanish wines, cheese, and Tapas will be served. It will be a very informal evening to introduce Ameriprise services.
All are welcome. For more information contact: kyle.h.dandurand@ampf.com - or call 267-664-5711.

• Thursday, September 7 - Saturday, September 9, 2006 New London Main Street will host Books, Brushes, Jazz & Blues, a new festival, in the downtown Historic Waterfront District. More than 20 downtown clubs and restaurants will offer performances in the evening and at various times during the day by popular blues or jazz artists, many who hail from the region.


FEATURED THIS WEEK AT BRIE & BLEU -
Colleen McNerney - our little old cheese monger - has made her selection for this week:

Halloumi Cheese usually $8 a packet at Brie & Bleu is $6 a packet this week.
For centuries a staple in the diet of the captivating mediterranean island nation of Cyprus, Halloumi has now gone beyond these borders to be loved worldwide.

Traditionally it is made by a women in the village, from a mixture of sheep's and goats' milks. Every few days, once sufficient milk has been collected, it is heated in a large cauldron, and then rennet is added to start the curdling process. Once the curds are set into a soft cheese they are cut and removed from the whey and pressed. The halloumi is then re-cooked, which results in its firm, almost rubbery texture. Whilst still warm the cheeses are sprinkled with a mixture of salt and dried mint and folded and stored in brine.

Combining the texture of mozzarella with the briny moisture of feta, Halloumi is easily one of the world's most versatile cheeses. Instead of melting when cooked Halloumi browns beautifully, especially when grilled. Alternatively, this lively 100% pure sheep's milk cheese can be served fresh in a salad or sandwich. The versatility of halloumi is such that it can be used in pies and pasties, it can be cooked with chicken or with fish, or grated and served with pasta. Halloumi is excellent with beer or wine and can be served at any meal of the day.

Enjoy an additioanal 10% discount when pairing with a nice Sauvignon Blanc such as The Crossings from New Zealand purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits.

WINE TASTING - PLEASE JOIN US
FRIDAY AUGUST 11 - 6-9 p.m.
No Charge


1 - Tramin Pinot Grigio - $14 - http://www.tramin-wine.it/
This is an exceptional white wine from the Alto Adige part of Italy. Made from 100% Pinot Grigio from a single vineyard. Careful selection of the best grapes, combined with maturation in small oak casks makes the wine into something special. The color is gold-yellow. The fine elegant aromas are reminiscent of honey and tropical fruits. Pleasant hints of vanilla round out the palate. Balanced acidity and sweet fruit make drinking this wine pure pleasure.

2 - Chateau De Coulaine Chinon Bonaventure - $18
Wine Spectator rated this wine at 89 points - The family has owned the land and vineyards since 1300 - They know what they are doing. It is Juicy, with dark cherry flavors and a light smoky finish. 100% cabernet franc grapes give this a silky feel. And all of their vines are grown and maintained organically. They know what they are doing. Please give this a try on Friday you might be surprised.

3 - Can Blau Monstant - Spain - $18 - http://www.domontsant.com/
A fabulous value from the other side of the famed Priorat appellation, this dense ruby/purple-colored 2004 exhibits wonderful minerality along with beautiful raspberry and blueberry fruit characteristics. Medium-bodied with gorgeously pure fruit, this blend of Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache is ideal for drinking now and over the next 5-6 years. Robert Parker rates this at 90 points - Give it your own rating on Friday.

4 - Alto Moncayo Veraton - Spain - $24
Australian winemaker Chris Ringland oversees the winemaking at this estate. This full-throttle, robust, exuberant, super-concentrated 100% Grenache offering may be the finest wine to ever emerge from this backwater Spanish appellation. This is a real sleeper - in short order, when the critics begin to write about this wine and it becomes even harder to find - you will be able to say to your friends "Oh, I've been drinking this wine for E V E R ! " Meet your new favorite wine - this Friday.


Thanks for all of the emails, comments, and suggestions - we appreciate all of them.
I have said it before - but it needs repeating - we get compliments all of the time on you - our customers.
The winemakers, the authors, the chefs - all of the guests that pass through - without exception they comment of the quality of our customers.
Thank you for making this place one of a kind - we appreciate your support.



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