Doug Shafer WineRadio, Andre Lurton Chateau de Rochemorin, Kynsi Pinot Noir, Caparsa Chianti, Bulgaria And Beyond Golden Street Galley, 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

We have a real show stopper for Friday night - Have you ever heard of Shafer Vineyards?

• There is still time to order your desserts for the holiday - from Brie & Bleu. Fresh baked pies, cakes, and Petits fours - made with love by our very own "Lisa A." and available for pick up or delivery right to your door along with wine, flowers, and cheese. 860-437-2474 or 860-701-0074- Don't wait until the last minute. Order early and then rest easy.

• We now have beautiful electronic Gift Cards that can be used at all of our stores. Great for the holidays, birthday, stocking stuffers - you name it. Available in any denomination they can be purchased at any of our locations.

• "BULGARIA AND BEYOND." - Please Save The Date: ART OPENING - Saturday November 18th - 6-9 p.m.
New London artists' Kat Murphy and Greg Bowerman, 2006 recipients of the Griffis Foundation and Orpheus Foundation’ Artist in Residence at the TWINS Art Center in Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria, will be the feature exhibition opening during the Fifth Anniversary Celebration at the Golden Street Gallery. It is hard to believe that the Golden Street Gallery is celebrating five years. During that time it has continually offered Big City exhibits for the local art scene. We are pleased to be part of the opening and will offer wines that compliment this wonderful night.
For more information about the show and the artists go here:
Golden Street Gallery
94 Golden Street
New London, CT. 06320
e-mail: goldenstgallery@yahoo.com
web: www.goldenstreetgallery.com
tel: 860-444-0659
Gallery hours: Thursday and Friday 3-7pm, Saturday 11am-7pm


This Week At Brie & Bleu -
The holiday calendar is starting to fill up - remember that our space is available for your private party. Menus and wine lists can be designed for any occasion. Please call and ask about dates and availability. 860-437-2474. We have another new face at the cheese store. Please say hello and give a warm welcome to Jim Lalumiere. Jim will be working with Colleen, Lisa, Anne, Daphne, and the rest of the staff to bring us the very best in cheese and all of the related goodies at Brie & Bleu. Jim has an extensive background in food and beer and will be developing delicious pairings of all kinds.


Wine Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday November 10th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Chateau de Rochemorin Graves 2002 $18 www.andrelurton.com
"I am a dedicated winemaker who has been searching for the best soils and micro-climates in Bordeaux for over fifty years in order to produce outstanding wines. I personally oversee work in my vineyards as well as all stages of wine production, combining traditional expertise with the latest technology. My name on the label is a guarantee of irreproachable quality, recognised around the world." - André Lurton

André Lurton comes from a winemaking dynasty - his nephew Pierre Lurton, for example, is the first man to simultaneously operate two top-growth properties, Cheval-Blanc (one of two Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" châteaus in St.-Emilion) and Château d'Yquem (the sole Premier Cru Supérieur in Sauternes). This family has grape juice running through their veins. This is a must have for the holiday table - it delivers broad, rich, smoky flavors from its blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Careful aging in oak barrels adds complexity without dominating. The bright finish holds it all together. - This is great winemaking at a very attractive price - please try it on friday night.


2 - Kynsi Pinot Noir 2004 $34 www.kynsi.com
Kynsi is a small family winery located in the temperate Edna Valley Appellation of San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California. Don and Gwen Othman, the winemaker/proprietors, focus on producing vineyard designated wines, sourcing their grapes from select coastal vineyards. Only 540 cases were made of this delicious Pinot Noir. Great with food it has raspberry and black cherry flavors mixed with rose petals, toasted clove, and vanilla. With well balanced acidity, satin textured tannins and long delectable finish - another perfect choice for the holiday. First come, first served - it will go quickly.

3 - Caparsa Chianti Classico Reserva 1999 $36
These wines are produced with the grapes of the estate - situated in Radda in Chianti in the province of Siena. This is the heart of the "zone of production" for Chianti Classico. The wine and the grapes are rigidly selected with low yields and only natural yeasts are used. The estate only uses natural products for cultivation and fertilization is carried out with organic products. A traditional wine, produced with Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes, from the vineyards of Caparsa in Radda in Chianti. Bright garnet color with transparent clarity. Classic cherry nose with hints of leather and spice. Soft and textured in the mouth with a sweet fruit finish. If you enjoy Italian wines you will not want to miss this one.

4 - Shafer Vineyards 2004 Merlot - $50
Now that Doug Shafer is a close personal friend of ours...He was a guest on our WineRadio show just a couple of weeks ago - we seem to have more access to this hard to find show stopper. Robert Parker himself says that this is a "sexy, seductive effort." Shafer Vineyards is widely regarded as one of Nappa's best Merlot producers. Food and Wine Magazine has given Shafer their Top-In-The-Nation Award.
This wine has plenty of ripe, rich, concentrated currant fruit flavors, cedary oak, anise and earthy notes that give this a solid foundation.

If you would like to see our interview with Doug Shafer we have placed it on our calendar of events page. You will need "QuickTime" on your computer to watch it. If you do not have the QuickTime - it is free and you can get it here: www.quicktime.com - the whole process should take about 30 seconds. Then go to calendar of events: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html - scroll down a little and you will see Doug's big handsome "mug" on your screen. If you see a blue "Q" - it is working - just give it a minute to download and then you can watch the entire interview. There is nothing like listening to the people that make the wine talk directly to you - it changes everything.


Thanks for your support - we appreciate all of your calls, comments and suggestions.

Please join us. It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.


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