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 has been a very interesting week for us - filled with wine celebrity encounters - special tastings - new friends, old friends, the concert for Bangladesh and one of the funniest stories about Leon Russell that I have ever heard - actually, it may be the only funny story about Leon Russell that I've ever heard - But lets not get bogged down in the details - here we go -
• A few nights ago we had dinner in Old Lyme - with some old friends and some new friends - BUT our new BEST friends - Dennis & Tami from Massachusetts brought a couple of bottles of Marqués de Cáceres 1985 RIOJA that stopped the show. Dennis said - "I've still got a couple of cases of this in the cellar." - Tammy lived in Spain for a while and got to know the bodegas by visiting them - This was not a stuffy affair with a bunch of wine GEEKS. On the contrary, it was an informal gathering with great food and great conversation - You remember that - it was before they invented TiVo - I tell you all of this because many people still wonder how long they can store wines and I assure you these Spanish wines were magnificent and the highlight of the evening. If you still have any doubts about the great wines of Spain - good, it leaves more for the rest of us that know the secret. Thanks to our hostess - Patricia for a wonderful evening and the Leon Russell story - which on second thought I really shouldn't repeat without her permission....
• WineRadio news: We were invited to interview Doug Shafer - the President of Shafer Vineyards - for our WineRadio show.
The Westport Playhouse was the backdrop and Señor Shafer was full of stories. You can see a preview on the calendar of events page.
• Also this past week - wine personalty Terry Theise spoke with us. Terry has been called the most influential wine personalty of the last 20 years. We caught up with Terry in New Haven at the Union League restaurant. All of the shows can be listened to and watched on our new and improved WineRadio website which debuts in just a few days. Heres the most important thing about our interviews and these people - normally they travel and speak to wine industry people - To The Trade Only - what we offer is opportunity for these folks to speak directly to you - the consumer. It does not happen that often - and I can say that all of the people we speak to seem to appreciate that fact - Our shows are like a master class with the experts. Take a minute and visit WineRadio.com - or at least look at the previews on our calendar of events page.
• The Hygenic Creep Show - Tues Oct 31st in the Hygenic Art Park - 8pm $20
"bands , booze , food, and costume contest" for more information: http://www.hygienic.org/sched23.asp
• Connecticut Lyric Opera will be performing a preview of Figaro at the Atrium on 165 State Street -
We provide the wines and a light menu will be served at 3pm Sunday November 5th.
• Just Arrived - First come, first served - All rated "Tre Bicchieri" ( three glasses) from the Gambero Rosso
Altemasi Riserva Graal 1996 $34
Vitanza Brunello di Montalcino 2000 $54
Coppo Pomorsso Barbera D'asti 2003 $70
This week at Brie & Bleu -
The featured cheese at Brie & Bleu is a brie and blue cheese - Cambozola Blue. This cheese is $15/lb and is a triple-cream, soft, surface-ripened, blue-veined cheese, produced in Germany, soft and white, with splotches of blue mould, and an outer rind of appetizing white mould. It has a creamy, mellow, piquant flavour. Its spreadable consistency makes it very popular as a cocktail cheese, on crackers or rounds of firm pumpernickel. Pair with a Sauvignon Blanc such as Cloudy Bay bought at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday November 3 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Four Vines Naked Chardonnay $12 www.fourvines.com
The people at this winery tell us to "Drink Naked Often!"
We will not tell you any different - This California Chardonnay is famous for NO OAK - so if you refuse to try another California chardonnay because it is like getting hit in the head with a branch from an oak tree - you must try this one on Friday.
2 - Terra Rouge Tete-a-tete $15 www.terrerougewines.com
Located on the Western slope of the great Sierra Nevada Range in California - This winery emphasizes deep color, balanced flavors, full middle palate, and a long finish, with power and finesse. The wines gain a nice complexity with age. Wines that can be placed on the table with the best wines of the world with assurance . Enjoy them with good food and friends - try it this Friday.
3 - Terra Noble Gran Reserva Merlot $16
Vinedos Terranoble was founded in 1993 by six Chileans who, driven by their passion for viticulture, dreamed of producing top quality wines by combining the excellent climatic and geographical considerations of the Maule Valley with the best traditions in winemaking and the most modern equipment. This merlot is fresh and intense, with fruity aromas of plum, cherry and raspberry. In the mouth - considerable fruit, with smooth tannins, excellent balance and a nice long finish.
4 - El nido Clio $45 (rated 96 Robert Parker) http://www.juangil.es/ing/index.htm
I have had the good fortune to visit this vineyard in Jumilla Spain - about 90 mins. outside of Valencia. Valencia will be the host of the Americas Cup Race in 2007. It is an area where Clint Eastwood made a couple of those very early westerns - In fact, one of the best memories I have of that trip was standing at the huge barn like doors of the bodega when a tractor pulling a wooden cart arrived with the first of the grapes that would eventually become the 2005 vintage. We ate the grapes right off of the cart with the vineyard owner. They were sweet and still warm from the sun and thinking back now more than a year later I still can't get over how lucky we were to have done it. The Clio is magnificent wine - it is rated off the charts by the experts and it is a great value at the current price. It is very limited in production and we are one of the only places in Connecticut that it can be found. We have 10 "six-packs" in the store. Please try it on Friday night.
Thanks so much for all of your support - it is your interest and input that makes people like Doug Shafer and Terry Theise sit and share with us. The best is yet to come - Winemakers, food experts, authors - we are putting together an amazing list of guests in the coming weeks. Stayed tuned.
Please join us. It is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend - we hope to see you soon - please say hello when you are in the store.
AAA.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Johnny Depp?, Carl Orsini, Beaucastel, Formaggio Kitchen, Valdivieso, Haan "Hanenhof", Arboleda Carmenere, Remelluri Rioja
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
We are running a little late this week - I'll keep it short - so lets get to it.
• First - Thank you to Carl Orsini for meeting, greeting and serving up the sausage for the fall food stroll last Wednesday night. We met lots of new people and had a lot of fun. Thanks also, to Pat Conair and Kristin Webers for making our Octoberfest dinner a delicious success.
• A gentleman from San Diego stopped into the store on Saturday - he was just passing through and said he had never seen so much Chateau Beaucastel in one place! And it is true - we have a lot of the famed wine - we love them and they love us. These wines make a fantastic gift for the wine lover in your life - and we will cellar them for you until holiday pick up -(no charge of course).
Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape:
We have half and full sized bottles bottles of 2003 -
And then there is the 2004 -Remember that all of these wines are rated at least 96 points.
We even have the White Roussanne “Vieilles Vignes” - 2003
Karen McNeil author of The Wine Bible says this about the Roussanne "VV":
"If ever there was a wine that you'd like to smell for eternity, this is it. The wine is so good it defies description". The Perrin family who own the Chateau drink this with another southern Rhone masterpiece:Perfectly scrambled eggs cooked with the local black truffles.
Listen to Marc Perrin talk about these wines here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html
• There is still time to order your fresh baked pumpkin pies and other goodies from Brie & Bleu for the holiday. I am not kidding when I say this is the greatest Pumpkin Pie I have ever had - our very own "Miss Lisa" creates all of these goodies with love and an expert hand. Please order as early as possible - and if you have not seen or tried her Petit Fours - you don't know what you are missing. 860-437-2474
• Pirates come to New London and the Haunted Waterfront - this week. One of the ships used in the filming of Pirates of The Caribbean will be at the docks and open for tours - fun for the entire family. You may not see Johnny Depp - but it will be a night to remember. More information here: http://www.downtownnewlondon.com/pirates.htm
• Formaggio Kitchen returns to Brie & Bleu on Tuesday 10.24.06 - We will see all of you cheeseheads "on location."
This Week At Brie & Bleu -
Our Cheese Monger Colleen has this to offer:
"The cheese of the week at Brie & Bleu is Grana Padana at $10/lb. A little history: Grana Padana is a highly esteemed table or grating cheese famous all over the world. A product of the Po valley. A fine grained, light to straw-coloured, hard cheese that has a fragrant nose with an intense, though delicate flavour. The perfect enhancement to mediterranean dishes. It is used for all courses, from appetizers to desserts -- as an aperitif, on first courses, as a single dish, with "carpaccio" or accompanied by fruit and vegetables. It may be eaten in slivers, or grated and accompanied by white wines or a nice red such as Barolo. For an additional 10% off the cheese purcahse Bovio Barolo at Thames Wine and Spirits."
Cheers,
Colleen (aka Mrs. Z)
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday October 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Valdivieso Chardonnay reserve 2003 $14 www.valdiviesovineyard.com
There's a nice note of overripe, buttery, slightly vegetal (I just learned that word and had to use it) fruit here, integrated already with creamy, toasty oak. The fruit suggests apple and melon, but into the mouth a much more tropical richness emerges, with pineapple and apricot that is lush and ripe. This is broad and generously-styled, with a background of spice and toasty warmth, and a freshening core of acidity.
Very good.
2 - Haan "Hanenhof" 2004 (merlot cab cab franc) $21 www.haanwines.com.au
Hanenhof is the second label for Haan. The wines are made from 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of crushed blackberry and cassis cascade form the glass, accented by licorice, black cherry and cloves; a vibrant Bordeaux-like expression of fruit and spice thrill the senses, while Barossa Valley richness coats the palate. A very thrilling blend from one of Australia’s pre-eminent producers. Don’t miss out on this exceptional wine!
3 - Arboleda Carmenere $16
Arboleda Carmenère beautifully displays the variety’s characteristic spicy red and black pepper notes with rich blackberry aromas complemented by elegant notes of cedar and tobacco. The taste opens with a sweet sensation and tannins. Fruit, spice, and chocolate flavors unfold with a touch of mint, and a lovely long finish. This Carmenère is the perfect companion to spicy and highly-seasoned dishes.
4 - Remelluri Rioja 2001 $32
Family owned - estate fruit - hand sorted and turned into a very special collection of "reserve" wines.
The 2001 Remelluri Rioja is a suave wine, with earthy, ripe, crushed cherry aromas, which follow through beautifully in the mouth. The wine’s character is polished and soft, yet with a firm fruit structure. Pair this with grilled steak, pork or veal with savory herbs. This is a sophisticated, well-executed Rioja.
Thanks for all of the comments and your support - we appreciate it.
Please say hello the next time you visit the store.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA
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
We are running a little late this week - I'll keep it short - so lets get to it.
• First - Thank you to Carl Orsini for meeting, greeting and serving up the sausage for the fall food stroll last Wednesday night. We met lots of new people and had a lot of fun. Thanks also, to Pat Conair and Kristin Webers for making our Octoberfest dinner a delicious success.
• A gentleman from San Diego stopped into the store on Saturday - he was just passing through and said he had never seen so much Chateau Beaucastel in one place! And it is true - we have a lot of the famed wine - we love them and they love us. These wines make a fantastic gift for the wine lover in your life - and we will cellar them for you until holiday pick up -(no charge of course).
Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape:
We have half and full sized bottles bottles of 2003 -
And then there is the 2004 -Remember that all of these wines are rated at least 96 points.
We even have the White Roussanne “Vieilles Vignes” - 2003
Karen McNeil author of The Wine Bible says this about the Roussanne "VV":
"If ever there was a wine that you'd like to smell for eternity, this is it. The wine is so good it defies description". The Perrin family who own the Chateau drink this with another southern Rhone masterpiece:Perfectly scrambled eggs cooked with the local black truffles.
Listen to Marc Perrin talk about these wines here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html
• There is still time to order your fresh baked pumpkin pies and other goodies from Brie & Bleu for the holiday. I am not kidding when I say this is the greatest Pumpkin Pie I have ever had - our very own "Miss Lisa" creates all of these goodies with love and an expert hand. Please order as early as possible - and if you have not seen or tried her Petit Fours - you don't know what you are missing. 860-437-2474
• Pirates come to New London and the Haunted Waterfront - this week. One of the ships used in the filming of Pirates of The Caribbean will be at the docks and open for tours - fun for the entire family. You may not see Johnny Depp - but it will be a night to remember. More information here: http://www.downtownnewlondon.com/pirates.htm
• Formaggio Kitchen returns to Brie & Bleu on Tuesday 10.24.06 - We will see all of you cheeseheads "on location."
This Week At Brie & Bleu -
Our Cheese Monger Colleen has this to offer:
"The cheese of the week at Brie & Bleu is Grana Padana at $10/lb. A little history: Grana Padana is a highly esteemed table or grating cheese famous all over the world. A product of the Po valley. A fine grained, light to straw-coloured, hard cheese that has a fragrant nose with an intense, though delicate flavour. The perfect enhancement to mediterranean dishes. It is used for all courses, from appetizers to desserts -- as an aperitif, on first courses, as a single dish, with "carpaccio" or accompanied by fruit and vegetables. It may be eaten in slivers, or grated and accompanied by white wines or a nice red such as Barolo. For an additional 10% off the cheese purcahse Bovio Barolo at Thames Wine and Spirits."
Cheers,
Colleen (aka Mrs. Z)
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday October 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Valdivieso Chardonnay reserve 2003 $14 www.valdiviesovineyard.com
There's a nice note of overripe, buttery, slightly vegetal (I just learned that word and had to use it) fruit here, integrated already with creamy, toasty oak. The fruit suggests apple and melon, but into the mouth a much more tropical richness emerges, with pineapple and apricot that is lush and ripe. This is broad and generously-styled, with a background of spice and toasty warmth, and a freshening core of acidity.
Very good.
2 - Haan "Hanenhof" 2004 (merlot cab cab franc) $21 www.haanwines.com.au
Hanenhof is the second label for Haan. The wines are made from 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of crushed blackberry and cassis cascade form the glass, accented by licorice, black cherry and cloves; a vibrant Bordeaux-like expression of fruit and spice thrill the senses, while Barossa Valley richness coats the palate. A very thrilling blend from one of Australia’s pre-eminent producers. Don’t miss out on this exceptional wine!
3 - Arboleda Carmenere $16
Arboleda Carmenère beautifully displays the variety’s characteristic spicy red and black pepper notes with rich blackberry aromas complemented by elegant notes of cedar and tobacco. The taste opens with a sweet sensation and tannins. Fruit, spice, and chocolate flavors unfold with a touch of mint, and a lovely long finish. This Carmenère is the perfect companion to spicy and highly-seasoned dishes.
4 - Remelluri Rioja 2001 $32
Family owned - estate fruit - hand sorted and turned into a very special collection of "reserve" wines.
The 2001 Remelluri Rioja is a suave wine, with earthy, ripe, crushed cherry aromas, which follow through beautifully in the mouth. The wine’s character is polished and soft, yet with a firm fruit structure. Pair this with grilled steak, pork or veal with savory herbs. This is a sophisticated, well-executed Rioja.
Thanks for all of the comments and your support - we appreciate it.
Please say hello the next time you visit the store.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA
Johnny Depp?, Carl Orsini, Beaucastel, Formaggio Kitchen, Valdivieso, Haan "Hanenhof", Arboleda Carmenere, Remelluri Rioja
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
We are running a little late this week - I'll keep it short - so lets get to it.
• First - Thank you to Carl Orsini for meeting, greeting and serving up the sausage for the fall food stroll last Wednesday night. We met lots of new people and had a lot of fun. Thanks also, to Pat Conair and Kristin Webers for making our Octoberfest dinner a delicious success.
• A gentleman from San Diego stopped into the store on Saturday - he was just passing through and said he had never seen so much Chateau Beaucastel in one place! And it is true - we have a lot of the famed wine - we love them and they love us. These wines make a fantastic gift for the wine lover in your life - and we will cellar them for you until holiday pick up -(no charge of course).
Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape:
We have half and full sized bottles bottles of 2003 -
And then there is the 2004 -Remember that all of these wines are rated at least 96 points.
We even have the White Roussanne “Vieilles Vignes” - 2003
Karen McNeil author of The Wine Bible says this about the Roussanne "VV":
"If ever there was a wine that you'd like to smell for eternity, this is it. The wine is so good it defies description". The Perrin family who own the Chateau drink this with another southern Rhone masterpiece:Perfectly scrambled eggs cooked with the local black truffles.
Listen to Marc Perrin talk about these wines here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html
• There is still time to order your fresh baked pumpkin pies and other goodies from Brie & Bleu for the holiday. I am not kidding when I say this is the greatest Pumpkin Pie I have ever had - our very own "Miss Lisa" creates all of these goodies with love and an expert hand. Please order as early as possible - and if you have not seen or tried her Petit Fours - you don't know what you are missing. 860-437-2474
• Pirates come to New London and the Haunted Waterfront - this week. One of the ships used in the filming of Pirates of The Caribbean will be at the docks and open for tours - fun for the entire family. You may not see Johnny Depp - but it will be a night to remember. More information here: http://www.downtownnewlondon.com/pirates.htm
• Formaggio Kitchen returns to Brie & Bleu on Tuesday 10.24.06 - We will see all of you cheeseheads "on location."
This Week At Brie & Bleu -
Our Cheese Monger Colleen has this to offer:
"The cheese of the week at Brie & Bleu is Grana Padana at $10/lb. A little history: Grana Padana is a highly esteemed table or grating cheese famous all over the world. A product of the Po valley. A fine grained, light to straw-coloured, hard cheese that has a fragrant nose with an intense, though delicate flavour. The perfect enhancement to mediterranean dishes. It is used for all courses, from appetizers to desserts -- as an aperitif, on first courses, as a single dish, with "carpaccio" or accompanied by fruit and vegetables. It may be eaten in slivers, or grated and accompanied by white wines or a nice red such as Barolo. For an additional 10% off the cheese purcahse Bovio Barolo at Thames Wine and Spirits."
Cheers,
Colleen (aka Mrs. Z)
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday October 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Valdivieso Chardonnay reserve 2003 $14 www.valdiviesovineyard.com
There's a nice note of overripe, buttery, slightly vegetal (I just learned that word and had to use it) fruit here, integrated already with creamy, toasty oak. The fruit suggests apple and melon, but into the mouth a much more tropical richness emerges, with pineapple and apricot that is lush and ripe. This is broad and generously-styled, with a background of spice and toasty warmth, and a freshening core of acidity.
Very good.
2 - Haan "Hanenhof" 2004 (merlot cab cab franc) $21 www.haanwines.com.au
Hanenhof is the second label for Haan. The wines are made from 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of crushed blackberry and cassis cascade form the glass, accented by licorice, black cherry and cloves; a vibrant Bordeaux-like expression of fruit and spice thrill the senses, while Barossa Valley richness coats the palate. A very thrilling blend from one of Australia’s pre-eminent producers. Don’t miss out on this exceptional wine!
3 - Arboleda Carmenere $16
Arboleda Carmenère beautifully displays the variety’s characteristic spicy red and black pepper notes with rich blackberry aromas complemented by elegant notes of cedar and tobacco. The taste opens with a sweet sensation and tannins. Fruit, spice, and chocolate flavors unfold with a touch of mint, and a lovely long finish. This Carmenère is the perfect companion to spicy and highly-seasoned dishes.
4 - Remelluri Rioja 2001 $32
Family owned - estate fruit - hand sorted and turned into a very special collection of "reserve" wines.
The 2001 Remelluri Rioja is a suave wine, with earthy, ripe, crushed cherry aromas, which follow through beautifully in the mouth. The wine’s character is polished and soft, yet with a firm fruit structure. Pair this with grilled steak, pork or veal with savory herbs. This is a sophisticated, well-executed Rioja.
Thanks for all of the comments and your support - we appreciate it.
Please say hello the next time you visit the store.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA
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
We are running a little late this week - I'll keep it short - so lets get to it.
• First - Thank you to Carl Orsini for meeting, greeting and serving up the sausage for the fall food stroll last Wednesday night. We met lots of new people and had a lot of fun. Thanks also, to Pat Conair and Kristin Webers for making our Octoberfest dinner a delicious success.
• A gentleman from San Diego stopped into the store on Saturday - he was just passing through and said he had never seen so much Chateau Beaucastel in one place! And it is true - we have a lot of the famed wine - we love them and they love us. These wines make a fantastic gift for the wine lover in your life - and we will cellar them for you until holiday pick up -(no charge of course).
Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape:
We have half and full sized bottles bottles of 2003 -
And then there is the 2004 -Remember that all of these wines are rated at least 96 points.
We even have the White Roussanne “Vieilles Vignes” - 2003
Karen McNeil author of The Wine Bible says this about the Roussanne "VV":
"If ever there was a wine that you'd like to smell for eternity, this is it. The wine is so good it defies description". The Perrin family who own the Chateau drink this with another southern Rhone masterpiece:Perfectly scrambled eggs cooked with the local black truffles.
Listen to Marc Perrin talk about these wines here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html
• There is still time to order your fresh baked pumpkin pies and other goodies from Brie & Bleu for the holiday. I am not kidding when I say this is the greatest Pumpkin Pie I have ever had - our very own "Miss Lisa" creates all of these goodies with love and an expert hand. Please order as early as possible - and if you have not seen or tried her Petit Fours - you don't know what you are missing. 860-437-2474
• Pirates come to New London and the Haunted Waterfront - this week. One of the ships used in the filming of Pirates of The Caribbean will be at the docks and open for tours - fun for the entire family. You may not see Johnny Depp - but it will be a night to remember. More information here: http://www.downtownnewlondon.com/pirates.htm
• Formaggio Kitchen returns to Brie & Bleu on Tuesday 10.24.06 - We will see all of you cheeseheads "on location."
This Week At Brie & Bleu -
Our Cheese Monger Colleen has this to offer:
"The cheese of the week at Brie & Bleu is Grana Padana at $10/lb. A little history: Grana Padana is a highly esteemed table or grating cheese famous all over the world. A product of the Po valley. A fine grained, light to straw-coloured, hard cheese that has a fragrant nose with an intense, though delicate flavour. The perfect enhancement to mediterranean dishes. It is used for all courses, from appetizers to desserts -- as an aperitif, on first courses, as a single dish, with "carpaccio" or accompanied by fruit and vegetables. It may be eaten in slivers, or grated and accompanied by white wines or a nice red such as Barolo. For an additional 10% off the cheese purcahse Bovio Barolo at Thames Wine and Spirits."
Cheers,
Colleen (aka Mrs. Z)
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday October 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Valdivieso Chardonnay reserve 2003 $14 www.valdiviesovineyard.com
There's a nice note of overripe, buttery, slightly vegetal (I just learned that word and had to use it) fruit here, integrated already with creamy, toasty oak. The fruit suggests apple and melon, but into the mouth a much more tropical richness emerges, with pineapple and apricot that is lush and ripe. This is broad and generously-styled, with a background of spice and toasty warmth, and a freshening core of acidity.
Very good.
2 - Haan "Hanenhof" 2004 (merlot cab cab franc) $21 www.haanwines.com.au
Hanenhof is the second label for Haan. The wines are made from 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of crushed blackberry and cassis cascade form the glass, accented by licorice, black cherry and cloves; a vibrant Bordeaux-like expression of fruit and spice thrill the senses, while Barossa Valley richness coats the palate. A very thrilling blend from one of Australia’s pre-eminent producers. Don’t miss out on this exceptional wine!
3 - Arboleda Carmenere $16
Arboleda Carmenère beautifully displays the variety’s characteristic spicy red and black pepper notes with rich blackberry aromas complemented by elegant notes of cedar and tobacco. The taste opens with a sweet sensation and tannins. Fruit, spice, and chocolate flavors unfold with a touch of mint, and a lovely long finish. This Carmenère is the perfect companion to spicy and highly-seasoned dishes.
4 - Remelluri Rioja 2001 $32
Family owned - estate fruit - hand sorted and turned into a very special collection of "reserve" wines.
The 2001 Remelluri Rioja is a suave wine, with earthy, ripe, crushed cherry aromas, which follow through beautifully in the mouth. The wine’s character is polished and soft, yet with a firm fruit structure. Pair this with grilled steak, pork or veal with savory herbs. This is a sophisticated, well-executed Rioja.
Thanks for all of the comments and your support - we appreciate it.
Please say hello the next time you visit the store.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.
AAA
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Fall Food Stroll, Formaggio Kitchen, St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau de Flaugergues Cuvee Sommeliere, Marques de Murrieta, Maquis "Lien"
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 Friday night was lots of fun and for the 200 or so people that turned out for our tasting that included the famed Joseph Phelps INSIGNIA -thank you. One woman stood there in our wine cellar and remarked "I never would have tried a wine this expensive ($145) - it's sooo good!"
• Remember - Fall Food Stroll in New London Wednesday - 10/18 - Mr. Carl Orsini will be at Brie & Bleu presiding over the huge stainless steel JennAir, and serving the full assortment of his hand made Sausage. We like to call Carl The Sausage King of New England - but he reminds us that his Father was the king who started the company back in 1933 - Carl says that he is only the Prince of Sausage. Please join us - meet Carl and ask him all of the questions you like about his...... "Saus-eech".
To compliment - we will be tasting Italian wines in the cellar.
Fall Food Stroll is presented by New London Main Street
To purchase your Food Stroll buttons - which allow you access to all of the offerings in town Phone: 860-444-CITY (2489)
Or visit their website: http://newlondonmainstreet.org/events/fallfoodstroll06.php
• Thursday 10/19 - 6 p.m. - Our very own Kristin Webers will be hosting an Octoberfest Beer Dinner at Brie & Bleu. Kristin has been working diligently to make sure that you have a good time - the careful selection of just the right drinking songs, fine tuning the menu to match the beers, the crazy costume that her Auntie Helga had hidden in an old steamer trunk in her parents attic - the less said about that the better. Anyway, If you love beer perfectly matched with food - and you don't mind the occasional reference to "oom-pah" music - you will love this night. Join us for our Octoberfest Beer Dinner - please reserve early - seating is limited. 860-443-9463 -
or visit our website for more details - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
• Boston's Formaggio Kitchen Returns - Second Installment - Tuesday October 24 -
Leslie Mann returns to lead the evening and introduce os to Autum Cheeses.
A whole range of cheeses that celebrate Fall. From French Cantal to local New England goat's milk cheese, we'll tour through Autumn in a range of taste, textures, and tradition."
This evening will be a lot of fun and will fill quickly - tell your favorite cheesehead and reserve now.
Eight artisan cheeses paired with four different wines will be served.
Seating is limited. Cost is $35 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Please reserve early - 860-443-9463
• The rumors are true - Gourmet events for singles are just around the corner - keep an eye on the calendar of events page or call to add your name to the contact list - 860-443-9463
• JUST ADDED - German Wine dinner Thursday October 26 - 6 p.m.
Check the calendar of events page for full details: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Please make your reservations early - 860-443-9463
THIS WEEK AT BRIE & BLEU
Here is what are own "Mrs Z" has selected for the featured cheese this week.
The featured cheese is Florette.
Florette is the featured cheese at Brie & Blue this week at $4.00 a packet. Florette is a fresh goat's milk cheese from France. This goat cheese from the Guilloteau family of cheeses continues to round out their impeccable line of soft ripened selections. Besides its unique octagonal shape, it is also unique in that it very rarely develops a sharpness that is sometimes a potential downfall in a goat's milk brie style cheese. Instead, it is characterized by subtle, delicate flavors with a slight goat cheese aroma. The texture is satisfyingly creamy and spreadable. This is a must for any goat cheese lover! The cheese compliments a salad or as can be used as a dessert. Florette can also be enjoyed with fresh or dried fruits. Appropriate Wines: a Sauvignon dry white wine such as Silverstone Sauvignon Blanc, which can be purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASTING -FRIDAY OCTOBER 20 - 6-9 P.M. - NO CHARGE
1 - St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc $18 www.stsupery.com
Wonderful aromas of ruby grapefruit, lime juice and honeysuckle join with a vibrant core of grapefruit, hints of pineapple, nectarine and lemon grass. The texture is inviting and supple with enough racy acid to keep it all focused. Yummy - great with cheese and appetizers. A nice way to get the party started.
2 - Chateau de Flaugergues "Cuvee Sommeliere" $15 (rated 92 points Robert Parker) www.flaugergues.com
History - you like history? This Chateau has it in spades. The Romans cultivated vines and olives here over 2000 years ago. The monks of Grand Mont maintained this tradition, and after them the ancestors of the current owners have continued to do so from 1696 until the present day. It is hard to believe that this wine is only $15. This is a dry, dark, ruby red wine that has a nice long finish and will go quickly - please be sure to try it this Friday.
3 - Marques de Murrieta Ygay Reserva Rioja $24 - We love this stuff.
Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta was founded by Luciano Francisco Ramon de Murrieta, a man born in Peru, of all places, in 1822. In 1848 he travelled to Bordeaux, to study; four years later he had returned to Rioja and was making wine. His venture was a resounding success, sufficiently so for Queen Isabel II, who had enticed her loyal servant back to Spain following her coronation in 1844, to confer on him the title of Marquesado de Murrieta; and so the estate of Marqués de Murrieta was born. Looking beyond matters of style, however, Marques de Murrieta is unquestionably one of the leading bodegas in Rioja; They not only turn out an admirable selection of wines, but also one of the Rioja benchmarks, the Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. For this reason, above any other, this is an estate that all Rioja-curious wine drinkers should investigate. Smoothly textured with fully integrated tannins, liquorice and meaty flavors. Packed with fruit and fresh, cleansing, tingling acidity which persists right through the finish. Delicious - Please be sure to try this on Friday - first come, first served.
4 - Maquis "Lien" $18 - Global Vineyard
This distinctive "Super Chilean" blend of Syrah, Carmenere, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec just received an outstanding 90 points in Wine & Spirits magazine. Made by the Hurtado family in Chile's Colchagua Valley, this fruity, concentrated wine is a terrific choice for fall fare. Global Vineyard is a national wine importer based in Berkeley, California, whose mission is to import the very best wines from lesser known wine growing regions, with a focus on emerging varietals and small, family-owned properties. There is a world of exciting wine that extends far beyond mainstream varietals, and Global Vineyard’s goal is to get Americans excited about these up-and-coming wines. You should definitely consider this wine for the holidays.
We are carefully picking wines to compliment the upcoming holiday tables that will show you are on the inside. It is easy to grab a bottle of Yellow Tail at virtually any store - not that there is anything wrong with that - but let the others take care of that.
We hope to see you this week - thanks again for your support - we appreciate it.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start the weekend.
AAA
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 Friday night was lots of fun and for the 200 or so people that turned out for our tasting that included the famed Joseph Phelps INSIGNIA -thank you. One woman stood there in our wine cellar and remarked "I never would have tried a wine this expensive ($145) - it's sooo good!"
• Remember - Fall Food Stroll in New London Wednesday - 10/18 - Mr. Carl Orsini will be at Brie & Bleu presiding over the huge stainless steel JennAir, and serving the full assortment of his hand made Sausage. We like to call Carl The Sausage King of New England - but he reminds us that his Father was the king who started the company back in 1933 - Carl says that he is only the Prince of Sausage. Please join us - meet Carl and ask him all of the questions you like about his...... "Saus-eech".
To compliment - we will be tasting Italian wines in the cellar.
Fall Food Stroll is presented by New London Main Street
To purchase your Food Stroll buttons - which allow you access to all of the offerings in town Phone: 860-444-CITY (2489)
Or visit their website: http://newlondonmainstreet.org/events/fallfoodstroll06.php
• Thursday 10/19 - 6 p.m. - Our very own Kristin Webers will be hosting an Octoberfest Beer Dinner at Brie & Bleu. Kristin has been working diligently to make sure that you have a good time - the careful selection of just the right drinking songs, fine tuning the menu to match the beers, the crazy costume that her Auntie Helga had hidden in an old steamer trunk in her parents attic - the less said about that the better. Anyway, If you love beer perfectly matched with food - and you don't mind the occasional reference to "oom-pah" music - you will love this night. Join us for our Octoberfest Beer Dinner - please reserve early - seating is limited. 860-443-9463 -
or visit our website for more details - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
• Boston's Formaggio Kitchen Returns - Second Installment - Tuesday October 24 -
Leslie Mann returns to lead the evening and introduce os to Autum Cheeses.
A whole range of cheeses that celebrate Fall. From French Cantal to local New England goat's milk cheese, we'll tour through Autumn in a range of taste, textures, and tradition."
This evening will be a lot of fun and will fill quickly - tell your favorite cheesehead and reserve now.
Eight artisan cheeses paired with four different wines will be served.
Seating is limited. Cost is $35 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Please reserve early - 860-443-9463
• The rumors are true - Gourmet events for singles are just around the corner - keep an eye on the calendar of events page or call to add your name to the contact list - 860-443-9463
• JUST ADDED - German Wine dinner Thursday October 26 - 6 p.m.
Check the calendar of events page for full details: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Please make your reservations early - 860-443-9463
THIS WEEK AT BRIE & BLEU
Here is what are own "Mrs Z" has selected for the featured cheese this week.
The featured cheese is Florette.
Florette is the featured cheese at Brie & Blue this week at $4.00 a packet. Florette is a fresh goat's milk cheese from France. This goat cheese from the Guilloteau family of cheeses continues to round out their impeccable line of soft ripened selections. Besides its unique octagonal shape, it is also unique in that it very rarely develops a sharpness that is sometimes a potential downfall in a goat's milk brie style cheese. Instead, it is characterized by subtle, delicate flavors with a slight goat cheese aroma. The texture is satisfyingly creamy and spreadable. This is a must for any goat cheese lover! The cheese compliments a salad or as can be used as a dessert. Florette can also be enjoyed with fresh or dried fruits. Appropriate Wines: a Sauvignon dry white wine such as Silverstone Sauvignon Blanc, which can be purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASTING -FRIDAY OCTOBER 20 - 6-9 P.M. - NO CHARGE
1 - St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc $18 www.stsupery.com
Wonderful aromas of ruby grapefruit, lime juice and honeysuckle join with a vibrant core of grapefruit, hints of pineapple, nectarine and lemon grass. The texture is inviting and supple with enough racy acid to keep it all focused. Yummy - great with cheese and appetizers. A nice way to get the party started.
2 - Chateau de Flaugergues "Cuvee Sommeliere" $15 (rated 92 points Robert Parker) www.flaugergues.com
History - you like history? This Chateau has it in spades. The Romans cultivated vines and olives here over 2000 years ago. The monks of Grand Mont maintained this tradition, and after them the ancestors of the current owners have continued to do so from 1696 until the present day. It is hard to believe that this wine is only $15. This is a dry, dark, ruby red wine that has a nice long finish and will go quickly - please be sure to try it this Friday.
3 - Marques de Murrieta Ygay Reserva Rioja $24 - We love this stuff.
Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta was founded by Luciano Francisco Ramon de Murrieta, a man born in Peru, of all places, in 1822. In 1848 he travelled to Bordeaux, to study; four years later he had returned to Rioja and was making wine. His venture was a resounding success, sufficiently so for Queen Isabel II, who had enticed her loyal servant back to Spain following her coronation in 1844, to confer on him the title of Marquesado de Murrieta; and so the estate of Marqués de Murrieta was born. Looking beyond matters of style, however, Marques de Murrieta is unquestionably one of the leading bodegas in Rioja; They not only turn out an admirable selection of wines, but also one of the Rioja benchmarks, the Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. For this reason, above any other, this is an estate that all Rioja-curious wine drinkers should investigate. Smoothly textured with fully integrated tannins, liquorice and meaty flavors. Packed with fruit and fresh, cleansing, tingling acidity which persists right through the finish. Delicious - Please be sure to try this on Friday - first come, first served.
4 - Maquis "Lien" $18 - Global Vineyard
This distinctive "Super Chilean" blend of Syrah, Carmenere, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec just received an outstanding 90 points in Wine & Spirits magazine. Made by the Hurtado family in Chile's Colchagua Valley, this fruity, concentrated wine is a terrific choice for fall fare. Global Vineyard is a national wine importer based in Berkeley, California, whose mission is to import the very best wines from lesser known wine growing regions, with a focus on emerging varietals and small, family-owned properties. There is a world of exciting wine that extends far beyond mainstream varietals, and Global Vineyard’s goal is to get Americans excited about these up-and-coming wines. You should definitely consider this wine for the holidays.
We are carefully picking wines to compliment the upcoming holiday tables that will show you are on the inside. It is easy to grab a bottle of Yellow Tail at virtually any store - not that there is anything wrong with that - but let the others take care of that.
We hope to see you this week - thanks again for your support - we appreciate it.
Please Join Us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start the weekend.
AAA
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Formaggio Kitchen, Dominus,Oktoberfest, Domaine La croix Belle, Ermitage du pic st Loup, "Per Marco", Joseph Phelps "Insignia"
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 is a short week so we will keep it brief -
We have a BlockBuster on the list this week and a near perfect line up for Friday night -
• Formaggio Kitchen - If you missed it the first time -
has just confirmed their return on October 24th for the second installment of their series of matching cheese and wine!
Formaggio Kitchen has been an institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts for over 20 years – a gourmand’s paradise doubling as a neighborhood grocer. We convinced them to offer an evening of their wildly successful cheese and wine classes - right here at Brie & Bleu.
Leslie Mann returns to lead the evening and introduce us to amazing wine and cheese parings - and at the same time explain why it all works.
Leslie Mann: "This installment will feature "Autum Cheeses" - As the leaves turn and the air chills, our appetite for Fall's bounty awakens...hungry? Butternut squash and sage-scented roasts will satisfy, but nothing signifies Fall quite as well as a fresh-picked apple with a hunk of nutty cheddar cheese. Yet Autumn is an exicitng time for many other types of cheese as well. Join us Tuesday, October 24 to explore not just cheddars, but a whole range of cheeses that celebrate Fall. From French Cantal to local New England goat's milk cheese, we'll tour through Autumn in a range of taste, textures, and tradition."
This evening will be a lot of fun and will fill quickly - tell your favorite cheesehead and reserve now.
Eight artisan cheeses paired four with different wines will be served.
Seating is limited. Cost is $35 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Please reserve early - 860-443-9463
• There are only Two or Three sets left of the Special Dominus Gift Selection.
Dominus - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - All rated 95+
Beautiful Wooden Box - we will store it in our cellar until holiday pick up -
This hard to find "vertical" is the ultimate gift for the wine lover in your family - a special gift that will not be forgotten.
860-443-9463 - First come, first served.
• Oktoberfest Beer Dinner - October 19th - 6 p.m.
If you love Beer, and Food - and if the idea of seeing our own Kristin Webers singing Bavarian Drinking Songs sounds interesting to you -
Don't wait to reserve your seats for this night. Check out the menu and more information here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Or Call to reserve - 860-443-9463 - limited seating.
• New London Fall Food Stroll - October 18th. For more information or to register please contact:
http://newlondonmainstreet.org/events/fallfoodstroll06.php
This Week At Brie & Bleu - the featured cheese this week is Delice.
Our Cheese Monger Colleen - has this to say:
Délice de Bourgogne is $10/lb this week at Brie & Blue.
A little history: this decadent triple-cream cheese was the creation of the celebrated 18th Century gastronome, Brillat Savarin.
He married full-fat cow’s milk to fresh cream, creating incredibly rich, full-flavored cheese with a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
The remarkably pungent (somewhat moldy) aroma of Delice de Bourgogne belies the velvet-smooth texture and subtle taste of this cheese.
Similar to the classic Brie both in appearance and texture, this sumptuous cheese delivers an extra triple-cream punch to the palate.
Its outside is yellowish-white in color, with a soft, chalk-like dusty rind.
The smell can be overpowering at first, but adds a playful contrast to the sweet and creamy interior. The first layer is soft and smooth and stark white in color, but as you approach the center, Delice’s texture becomes thicker and more consistent, comparable to that of cream cheese. The natural blending of the intensely flavored exterior and that of the more subtle and soft interior makes Délice an unusually delicate cheese. This stellar product makes an elegant and classic addition to a cheese board.
It is easy to spread into bite-size toast for a provocatively simple appetizer, and is also sublime when paired with fruit as a dessert cheese plate. Spread on fresh bread, it transforms a simple snack into an opulent feast. For a most memorable Delice experience, procure the freshest French baguette, slice and toast. Spread some Delice and feast on this fantastically simple treat before another hectic day commences. Pair with a slightly acidic Riesling such as Alsace Reislihg purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASING PLEASE JOIN US
Friday October 13 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Domaine La croix Belle " Le Champ des Lys" $14 www.croix-belle.com
Pale yellow in color with green highlights. Intense, complex nose of white fruits (peach and apricot) mingled with floral aromas. Full and luscious in the mouth. A festive wine that is an excellent with grilled fish and fish in sauce (monkfish, salmon), scallops or white meat.
Why not try with goats cheese.
2 - Ermitage du pic st Loup Coteaux du Languedoc $14 - a Kermit Lynch joint
Du Pic St-Loup is a small, but very high quality "cru" of the Languedoc, with vineyards planted mostly to Syrah, with Mourvèdre and Grenache too. The vineyards are cool and elevated. This micro-climate gives these wines more elegance than many from the area. The nose here is very seductive, with coffee-bean and briar adding warming depth to raspberry and cherry fruit, and little violet and herbs. It is silky and quite rich, with plenty of black fruit and more of that zippy raspberry on the tongue. Fine tannins make an impression on the finish in this balanced wine of really good length. Ready to Drink now or cellar for a few years. Kermit Lynch wines are something that can be counted on - we are very pleased to offer them to you.
3 - Tenuta Montebello "Per Marco" Barbera del Monferrato $18
This wine was discovered almost by accident on one of the many buying trips that our friend & importer, Mark, makes to Italy. He stopped at a tiny farm - at the suggestion of a local produce vendor that he met in a market in a nearby town.
He asked to try the wine and was seated at a rough wooden table in the farmers kitchen. The farmer was not accustomed to visitors asking to try his wine and like all gracious Italians produced plates of food, baskets of bread and finally bottles of wine. Mark was dumbstruck - "it was like finding a sack with magic beans" - I had to have this wine.
In his broken Italian Mark kept saying to the farmer - "For me, for Mark".
"Sî per Marco" - replied the farmer - and that is how this wine got its name. "Per Marco".
4 - Joseph Phelps "Insignia" $145 - (rated 91 points Robert Parker)
With the release of the 1974 Insignia, Joseph Phelps Vineyards became the first California winery to produce a blend of traditional Bordeaux varietals under a proprietary name. Thirty vintages later, Insignia has remained one of Napa Valley’s most highly acclaimed and sought-after wines. Originally sourced from the best available grower fruit, since the 1990 vintage Insignia has been produced primarily from estate-owned vineyards in the Stag’s Leap District and Rutherford Bench – two of the most desirable sources for Cabernet Sauvignon in the world.
VERY LIMITED - This wine is layered with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, anise, dark chocolate and coffee. The aromas and flavors are framed by mouth-coating tannins and followed by an extremely long finish.
It takes BIG Kah-Ho-Kneees - to ask this much for a bottle of wine. BUT - this is wine that deserves real attention - We have it in stock - a tremendous gift for the wine lover in your life - please give it a try - First Come, First Served.
Thanks to everyone for sending us your ideas and suggestions. We love to hear from you.
Keep an eye on the calendar of events page for new menus and events.
And as always - thanks for your support, we all appreciate it.
Please say hello when you visit the stores.
Please join us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start the weekend.
AAA
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 is a short week so we will keep it brief -
We have a BlockBuster on the list this week and a near perfect line up for Friday night -
• Formaggio Kitchen - If you missed it the first time -
has just confirmed their return on October 24th for the second installment of their series of matching cheese and wine!
Formaggio Kitchen has been an institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts for over 20 years – a gourmand’s paradise doubling as a neighborhood grocer. We convinced them to offer an evening of their wildly successful cheese and wine classes - right here at Brie & Bleu.
Leslie Mann returns to lead the evening and introduce us to amazing wine and cheese parings - and at the same time explain why it all works.
Leslie Mann: "This installment will feature "Autum Cheeses" - As the leaves turn and the air chills, our appetite for Fall's bounty awakens...hungry? Butternut squash and sage-scented roasts will satisfy, but nothing signifies Fall quite as well as a fresh-picked apple with a hunk of nutty cheddar cheese. Yet Autumn is an exicitng time for many other types of cheese as well. Join us Tuesday, October 24 to explore not just cheddars, but a whole range of cheeses that celebrate Fall. From French Cantal to local New England goat's milk cheese, we'll tour through Autumn in a range of taste, textures, and tradition."
This evening will be a lot of fun and will fill quickly - tell your favorite cheesehead and reserve now.
Eight artisan cheeses paired four with different wines will be served.
Seating is limited. Cost is $35 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Please reserve early - 860-443-9463
• There are only Two or Three sets left of the Special Dominus Gift Selection.
Dominus - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - All rated 95+
Beautiful Wooden Box - we will store it in our cellar until holiday pick up -
This hard to find "vertical" is the ultimate gift for the wine lover in your family - a special gift that will not be forgotten.
860-443-9463 - First come, first served.
• Oktoberfest Beer Dinner - October 19th - 6 p.m.
If you love Beer, and Food - and if the idea of seeing our own Kristin Webers singing Bavarian Drinking Songs sounds interesting to you -
Don't wait to reserve your seats for this night. Check out the menu and more information here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Or Call to reserve - 860-443-9463 - limited seating.
• New London Fall Food Stroll - October 18th. For more information or to register please contact:
http://newlondonmainstreet.org/events/fallfoodstroll06.php
This Week At Brie & Bleu - the featured cheese this week is Delice.
Our Cheese Monger Colleen - has this to say:
Délice de Bourgogne is $10/lb this week at Brie & Blue.
A little history: this decadent triple-cream cheese was the creation of the celebrated 18th Century gastronome, Brillat Savarin.
He married full-fat cow’s milk to fresh cream, creating incredibly rich, full-flavored cheese with a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
The remarkably pungent (somewhat moldy) aroma of Delice de Bourgogne belies the velvet-smooth texture and subtle taste of this cheese.
Similar to the classic Brie both in appearance and texture, this sumptuous cheese delivers an extra triple-cream punch to the palate.
Its outside is yellowish-white in color, with a soft, chalk-like dusty rind.
The smell can be overpowering at first, but adds a playful contrast to the sweet and creamy interior. The first layer is soft and smooth and stark white in color, but as you approach the center, Delice’s texture becomes thicker and more consistent, comparable to that of cream cheese. The natural blending of the intensely flavored exterior and that of the more subtle and soft interior makes Délice an unusually delicate cheese. This stellar product makes an elegant and classic addition to a cheese board.
It is easy to spread into bite-size toast for a provocatively simple appetizer, and is also sublime when paired with fruit as a dessert cheese plate. Spread on fresh bread, it transforms a simple snack into an opulent feast. For a most memorable Delice experience, procure the freshest French baguette, slice and toast. Spread some Delice and feast on this fantastically simple treat before another hectic day commences. Pair with a slightly acidic Riesling such as Alsace Reislihg purchased at Thames River Wine and Spirits for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASING PLEASE JOIN US
Friday October 13 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Domaine La croix Belle " Le Champ des Lys" $14 www.croix-belle.com
Pale yellow in color with green highlights. Intense, complex nose of white fruits (peach and apricot) mingled with floral aromas. Full and luscious in the mouth. A festive wine that is an excellent with grilled fish and fish in sauce (monkfish, salmon), scallops or white meat.
Why not try with goats cheese.
2 - Ermitage du pic st Loup Coteaux du Languedoc $14 - a Kermit Lynch joint
Du Pic St-Loup is a small, but very high quality "cru" of the Languedoc, with vineyards planted mostly to Syrah, with Mourvèdre and Grenache too. The vineyards are cool and elevated. This micro-climate gives these wines more elegance than many from the area. The nose here is very seductive, with coffee-bean and briar adding warming depth to raspberry and cherry fruit, and little violet and herbs. It is silky and quite rich, with plenty of black fruit and more of that zippy raspberry on the tongue. Fine tannins make an impression on the finish in this balanced wine of really good length. Ready to Drink now or cellar for a few years. Kermit Lynch wines are something that can be counted on - we are very pleased to offer them to you.
3 - Tenuta Montebello "Per Marco" Barbera del Monferrato $18
This wine was discovered almost by accident on one of the many buying trips that our friend & importer, Mark, makes to Italy. He stopped at a tiny farm - at the suggestion of a local produce vendor that he met in a market in a nearby town.
He asked to try the wine and was seated at a rough wooden table in the farmers kitchen. The farmer was not accustomed to visitors asking to try his wine and like all gracious Italians produced plates of food, baskets of bread and finally bottles of wine. Mark was dumbstruck - "it was like finding a sack with magic beans" - I had to have this wine.
In his broken Italian Mark kept saying to the farmer - "For me, for Mark".
"Sî per Marco" - replied the farmer - and that is how this wine got its name. "Per Marco".
4 - Joseph Phelps "Insignia" $145 - (rated 91 points Robert Parker)
With the release of the 1974 Insignia, Joseph Phelps Vineyards became the first California winery to produce a blend of traditional Bordeaux varietals under a proprietary name. Thirty vintages later, Insignia has remained one of Napa Valley’s most highly acclaimed and sought-after wines. Originally sourced from the best available grower fruit, since the 1990 vintage Insignia has been produced primarily from estate-owned vineyards in the Stag’s Leap District and Rutherford Bench – two of the most desirable sources for Cabernet Sauvignon in the world.
VERY LIMITED - This wine is layered with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, anise, dark chocolate and coffee. The aromas and flavors are framed by mouth-coating tannins and followed by an extremely long finish.
It takes BIG Kah-Ho-Kneees - to ask this much for a bottle of wine. BUT - this is wine that deserves real attention - We have it in stock - a tremendous gift for the wine lover in your life - please give it a try - First Come, First Served.
Thanks to everyone for sending us your ideas and suggestions. We love to hear from you.
Keep an eye on the calendar of events page for new menus and events.
And as always - thanks for your support, we all appreciate it.
Please say hello when you visit the stores.
Please join us - It is fun, informal and a great way to start the weekend.
AAA
Monday, October 02, 2006
Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Domaine Santa Duc, Querciabella Chianti Classico, Twomey Merlot, Oktoberfest, WineRadioTV
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
www.thamesriver.com
• Last Tuesday evening we hosted our own version of Cheese -a-Palooza.
We have to thank Boston's Formaggio Kitchen and Leslie Mann for presenting a great evening of wine and cheese.
Thanks to all that attended - and for making it so much fun.
• Wednesday's Dinner wrapped up our Grilling Series - the food and wine was fabulous - Thanks to our own Anne Haviland for presideing over the grill for a memorable dinner series all summer long. DON'T WORRY - Anne has already planned her menus for the upcoming weeks - take a look at our calendar page for details - and remember please reserve early if you see something that you like.
• We have already started matching wines to your holiday menus. top by or Drop off a copy of your menu during the week. There is no charge for the suggested parings and if you purchase the wines from us - enjoy a 10% savings.
• WineRadio is getting a lot of attention lately - if you don't already know, we produce a show that offers conversations with some of the worlds great wine makers. And now we are expanding to include well known food authorities as well. We have just been invited to TWO of New Haven's best know restaurants - The Union League And Ibiza - Fabulous food and remarkable wine lists - We will sit, eat, and drink with the chefs and wine directors and get a backstage pass to what they are doing NOW. We are being offered these opportunities because of your continued interest and support. AND on November 1st our all new WineRadio.com website will include VIDEO. Welcome to WineRadioTV. You may have seen a bit of this on our calendar page - if not take a minute to check it out - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
• If you are looking for a special treat to serve at your next gathering - I want to make sure that everyone knows about the Petit Fours that are made by our very own "Lisa A" and are available right here at Brie & Bleu. Lisa is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park as a pastry chef. The cakes, cookies and specialties like the petit fours, that she concocts out of thin air, are amazing - Please give them a try the next time you are in the store and consider them for your holiday tables or as a gift to your favorite host/hostess. These are special, handmade, beauties - you need to know about them - please take a look - the samples are on us.
• "Kristin Webers Presents Oktoberfest!" - Many of you know that Kristin works with us at the store in New London.
You should have seen the look on Kristin's face when she read that headline for the first time - Priceless.
But she eventually warmed up to the idea and has thrown herself headlong into the project. She has begun wearing authentic Tyrolean costumes around the store - The back seat of her car is full of CD's like "Favorite Bavarian Drinking Songs." - And she has even worked her hair into those braided pigtails that the kid's in The Sound of Music got away with. Join Kristin - Thursday October 19 - 6 p.m. - 860-443-9463
Take a look at the menu, the list of beers, and reserve early - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
THIS WEEK AT BRIE & BLEU
Featured Cheese This Week - Huntsman
Our cheesemonger Colleen has selected a store favorite:
Huntsman is the featured cheese at Brie & Blue this week at $15/lb. Hunstman is an English cows milk cheese, consisting of a layer of Stilton cheese between two layers of Double Gloucester cheese. The creamy, forceful Stilton is sandwiched between layers of mellow, satiny Double Gloucester. The result is an excellent flavor combination that is as delicious as it is beautiful. Pairs well with a light chardonnay such as Rutherford Vinters Chardonnay. Available at Thames River Wine and Spirits purchase at the same time for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASTING - Please Join Us
Friday October 6th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc - $38
Beaucastel needs no introduction The Chateau continues to be the benchmark by which all others are judged -
I remember not more than a year ago visiting with Marc Perrin - his family owns Beaucastel - and thanking him for opening my eyes to the Coudoulet. He said that this wine is a favorite of his and that he keeps it in his house all of the time. With the Coudoulet we get all of the expertise and a relatively modest price - for a Beaucastel. The superb Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet blanc, equal parts Viognier, Marsanne, and Bourboulenc, is an expressive wine with huge, soaring aromatics of citrus oil, rose petals, and a bit of peach. Lacy, ripe flavors, good acidity, and an expansive finish make for a lovely, full-throttle, dry white to drink over the next 2-4 years.
2 - Domaine Santa Duc Les vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone - $15 www.santaduc.com
I tried this wine for the first time in one of those new restaurants located in a museum in New York City. The wine list was impressive - and the place was packed. We sat at the bar - the wait for a table was painfull. After a few minutes reading the list I got the bartenders attention and called him over. "What do you and your friends like to drink?" He smiled and brought us two glasses of this wine - you have to try it.
Wines from this area - Côtes du Rhônes - have this in common - They're all dry, relatively full-bodied (especially those with lots of Syrah in the blend), and are generally smooth and round rather than harsh. They have either fruity, herbal or earthy aromas and flavors, sometimes all three; plum and/or raspberry are the primary fruity aromas. And they're all great values! Côtes du Rhônes are very food-friendly. They pair especially well with stews, roasts, chicken, bean dishes such as cassoulet, and hearty vegetable dishes. The lighter-bodied, less expensive Côtes du Rhônes are perfect with burgers, chili, and pizza - thats right - pizza.
3 - Querciabella Chianti Classico - $30 www.querciabella.com
Giuseppe Castiglioni was born in Milan and spent much of his adult life in Mexico. When he was ready to settle down, though, he stumbled upon an enchanting piece of land in Toscana, where he restored an old house to create a lovely home for himself and his family. Finding himself in the heart of Chianti’s wine country, he planted a few vines as a hobby and made wine for his family and friends to enjoy. It was onward and upward from there - Expanding his vineyards to a total of 25 hectares in Greve in Chianti, Castiglioni became engrossed by his wine and in 1987 hired enologist Guido de Santi to ensure that only the best wines would come from Querciabella. This team has developed Batàr, considered by many to be the greatest white wine of Toscana, as well as the top-notch Sangiovese/Cabernet blend known as Camartina, and they boast the rare distinction of presenting a Chianti Classico normale that was awarded Tre Bicchieri by the Gambero Rosso. Try it on Friday and see what the experts are talking about.
4 - Twomey Merlot $75 - (Rated 94 points Robert Parker) - www.twomeycellars.com
"SEXY" - That's how some reviewers describe this wine. And it is very hard to find - we have a limited supply, first come first served. An exotic perfume of pepper, herbs, black cherries, plums, and raspberries is accompanied by an exciting texture, a plush palate, and a concentrated, long heady, moderately tannic finish. This wine is very impressive. This is a top-flight single-vineyard wine aged completely in French oak. This is a pricey bottle of wine - but it delivers. For the holiday table or other special occasion you wont be disappointed. Please try it before it is snapped up on Friday night.
Thanks so much for all of your support - we appreciate it. And Thanks for all of the calls and email - we are listening.
We have an exciting holiday season in the works - stay tuned.
Please Join Us - it is fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.
Thames River Wine & Spirits
AAA
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
www.thamesriver.com
• Last Tuesday evening we hosted our own version of Cheese -a-Palooza.
We have to thank Boston's Formaggio Kitchen and Leslie Mann for presenting a great evening of wine and cheese.
Thanks to all that attended - and for making it so much fun.
• Wednesday's Dinner wrapped up our Grilling Series - the food and wine was fabulous - Thanks to our own Anne Haviland for presideing over the grill for a memorable dinner series all summer long. DON'T WORRY - Anne has already planned her menus for the upcoming weeks - take a look at our calendar page for details - and remember please reserve early if you see something that you like.
• We have already started matching wines to your holiday menus. top by or Drop off a copy of your menu during the week. There is no charge for the suggested parings and if you purchase the wines from us - enjoy a 10% savings.
• WineRadio is getting a lot of attention lately - if you don't already know, we produce a show that offers conversations with some of the worlds great wine makers. And now we are expanding to include well known food authorities as well. We have just been invited to TWO of New Haven's best know restaurants - The Union League And Ibiza - Fabulous food and remarkable wine lists - We will sit, eat, and drink with the chefs and wine directors and get a backstage pass to what they are doing NOW. We are being offered these opportunities because of your continued interest and support. AND on November 1st our all new WineRadio.com website will include VIDEO. Welcome to WineRadioTV. You may have seen a bit of this on our calendar page - if not take a minute to check it out - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
• If you are looking for a special treat to serve at your next gathering - I want to make sure that everyone knows about the Petit Fours that are made by our very own "Lisa A" and are available right here at Brie & Bleu. Lisa is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park as a pastry chef. The cakes, cookies and specialties like the petit fours, that she concocts out of thin air, are amazing - Please give them a try the next time you are in the store and consider them for your holiday tables or as a gift to your favorite host/hostess. These are special, handmade, beauties - you need to know about them - please take a look - the samples are on us.
• "Kristin Webers Presents Oktoberfest!" - Many of you know that Kristin works with us at the store in New London.
You should have seen the look on Kristin's face when she read that headline for the first time - Priceless.
But she eventually warmed up to the idea and has thrown herself headlong into the project. She has begun wearing authentic Tyrolean costumes around the store - The back seat of her car is full of CD's like "Favorite Bavarian Drinking Songs." - And she has even worked her hair into those braided pigtails that the kid's in The Sound of Music got away with. Join Kristin - Thursday October 19 - 6 p.m. - 860-443-9463
Take a look at the menu, the list of beers, and reserve early - http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
THIS WEEK AT BRIE & BLEU
Featured Cheese This Week - Huntsman
Our cheesemonger Colleen has selected a store favorite:
Huntsman is the featured cheese at Brie & Blue this week at $15/lb. Hunstman is an English cows milk cheese, consisting of a layer of Stilton cheese between two layers of Double Gloucester cheese. The creamy, forceful Stilton is sandwiched between layers of mellow, satiny Double Gloucester. The result is an excellent flavor combination that is as delicious as it is beautiful. Pairs well with a light chardonnay such as Rutherford Vinters Chardonnay. Available at Thames River Wine and Spirits purchase at the same time for an additional 10% off the cheese.
Cheers,
Colleen
WINE TASTING - Please Join Us
Friday October 6th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge
1 - Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc - $38
Beaucastel needs no introduction The Chateau continues to be the benchmark by which all others are judged -
I remember not more than a year ago visiting with Marc Perrin - his family owns Beaucastel - and thanking him for opening my eyes to the Coudoulet. He said that this wine is a favorite of his and that he keeps it in his house all of the time. With the Coudoulet we get all of the expertise and a relatively modest price - for a Beaucastel. The superb Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet blanc, equal parts Viognier, Marsanne, and Bourboulenc, is an expressive wine with huge, soaring aromatics of citrus oil, rose petals, and a bit of peach. Lacy, ripe flavors, good acidity, and an expansive finish make for a lovely, full-throttle, dry white to drink over the next 2-4 years.
2 - Domaine Santa Duc Les vieilles Vignes Cotes du Rhone - $15 www.santaduc.com
I tried this wine for the first time in one of those new restaurants located in a museum in New York City. The wine list was impressive - and the place was packed. We sat at the bar - the wait for a table was painfull. After a few minutes reading the list I got the bartenders attention and called him over. "What do you and your friends like to drink?" He smiled and brought us two glasses of this wine - you have to try it.
Wines from this area - Côtes du Rhônes - have this in common - They're all dry, relatively full-bodied (especially those with lots of Syrah in the blend), and are generally smooth and round rather than harsh. They have either fruity, herbal or earthy aromas and flavors, sometimes all three; plum and/or raspberry are the primary fruity aromas. And they're all great values! Côtes du Rhônes are very food-friendly. They pair especially well with stews, roasts, chicken, bean dishes such as cassoulet, and hearty vegetable dishes. The lighter-bodied, less expensive Côtes du Rhônes are perfect with burgers, chili, and pizza - thats right - pizza.
3 - Querciabella Chianti Classico - $30 www.querciabella.com
Giuseppe Castiglioni was born in Milan and spent much of his adult life in Mexico. When he was ready to settle down, though, he stumbled upon an enchanting piece of land in Toscana, where he restored an old house to create a lovely home for himself and his family. Finding himself in the heart of Chianti’s wine country, he planted a few vines as a hobby and made wine for his family and friends to enjoy. It was onward and upward from there - Expanding his vineyards to a total of 25 hectares in Greve in Chianti, Castiglioni became engrossed by his wine and in 1987 hired enologist Guido de Santi to ensure that only the best wines would come from Querciabella. This team has developed Batàr, considered by many to be the greatest white wine of Toscana, as well as the top-notch Sangiovese/Cabernet blend known as Camartina, and they boast the rare distinction of presenting a Chianti Classico normale that was awarded Tre Bicchieri by the Gambero Rosso. Try it on Friday and see what the experts are talking about.
4 - Twomey Merlot $75 - (Rated 94 points Robert Parker) - www.twomeycellars.com
"SEXY" - That's how some reviewers describe this wine. And it is very hard to find - we have a limited supply, first come first served. An exotic perfume of pepper, herbs, black cherries, plums, and raspberries is accompanied by an exciting texture, a plush palate, and a concentrated, long heady, moderately tannic finish. This wine is very impressive. This is a top-flight single-vineyard wine aged completely in French oak. This is a pricey bottle of wine - but it delivers. For the holiday table or other special occasion you wont be disappointed. Please try it before it is snapped up on Friday night.
Thanks so much for all of your support - we appreciate it. And Thanks for all of the calls and email - we are listening.
We have an exciting holiday season in the works - stay tuned.
Please Join Us - it is fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.
Thames River Wine & Spirits
AAA
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