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.

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