Root 1, Crios Rosé, Bodegas Bernabe Navarro Beryna, Beckman Cabernet

Greetings from all of us in New London -
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
IMPORT - 860-443-6817
www.ThamesRiver.com


We hope you are enjoying a beautiful holiday weekend.


We have delicious and temptable wines lined up for Friday night - the list is just below these few items of interest. For all of the people that STILL think that there is nothing new in New London - get out a pencil - there are a few things to put on your list - it is going to be a busy weekend in New London - we hope to see you here:

• Sunday night was the opening of the new Outdoor Pavillion at the Bulkely House. Eight To The Bar played on the big stage and the dance floor was hoppping. The bar was packed and the people were pretty. A big round of applause should go to Lou Mase for the tremendous effort he put into this project. The Summer nights will be filled with music and the arts - be sure to visit the Bulkeley House to take a look - it's right across the street from us.

• Thanks to everyone who attended our Spirits and Smoke night.
Especially Alan Hall who has never missed one of these events in the three years that we've been doing them - Thanks for the support.
And, as predicted by our own Jim Morrison, the Michters Single Barrel Rye swept the table, even against Scotches that cost $20 dollars more a bottle.

• Friday June 1st 6pm at 102 green street on the corners of Golden and Green -
just one block from our store.
Last year Frank Lo looked us dead in the eye and said
"If I bring Manolo Blahnik, will they come?"
Friday night we'll find out as he opens MUSE, a shoe store and gallery space.

"It's a a fusion of an up-scale shoe store and ArtGallery created by Denny Rivera and Frank Marchani, opening with new works by owner Denny Rivera. Opening Night Celebration - the curtain goes up at 6pm, and Frank will be serving wine from Thames River Wine and Spirits and beer from Cottrell

AND - Across the street - At the Golden Street gallery -
The New exhibit "WHAT DO YOU SEE" new works by New
London Artists Kat Murphy and Greg Bowerman will open at 6 p.m. too.

• We have added TWO seats for this month's Cult Wine Dinner - The wines of Viader Vineyards.
Robert Parker consistently rates these limited production wines in the 80's & 90's. Prices reach $200+ per bottle.

Robert Parker says:
"Viader is one of the most magnificently situated California vineyards I have ever visited,
Located on a steeply terraced slope on Howell Mountain, the vineyard consists of 18 acres. With a Bordeaux-like mouthfeel the emphasis is on finesse as opposed to power. The beautifully packaged product (a heavy glass bottle with broad shoulders and a designer label) is filled with a wine that is as distinctive as the packaging. All the Viader wines offer compelling evidence that they should last and evolve, hopefully improve, for at least 12-15+ years."
This is a great night for any wine lover - please call early to reserve the last two seats. 860-443-9463

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday June 1st - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Root 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $12
The Root 1 name reflects the fact that Chile is one of the only places in the world where ungrafted rootstock has not been affected by phylloxera. Winemaker Felipe Tosso crafted Root 1: Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown on vines with ungrafted root systems in the Casablanca Valley. As one of the premier Sauvignon Blanc winegrowing regions in Chile, the pre-coastal valley, located just 11 miles from the Pacific Ocean, has sandy clay loam soil and a climate that produces a late harvest. It is hard to imagine that this wine is only $12 a bottle. Please try it.

2 - Crios Rose of Malbec 2006 $12
This wine is made by Susana Balbo, considered to be one of the best wine makers in Argentina.
A beautiful, deep, vibrant rosé color. This has a surprising amount of body for a rosé wine, and beautiful aromas of ripe wild strawberries accompanied by some spice and a clean, dry finish. This is the wine to serve with warm-weather meals when there is a mix of traditional white & red wine foods.
Keep one in the fridge at all times and you’ll always have a delicious wine to enjoy with light snacks and cheeses.

We have been invited to a private reception for Susana early next month at the Argentinean Consulate in New York - we will have her as a guest on our show that afternoon. So if you have a question or two that you would like us to ask - bring them on Friday night. We will put her in the hot seat, with your questions.

Embassies and Consulates can be tricky territory.
The last thing I remember about a previous trip to the Argentinean Consulate was drinking champagne from a crystal flute - across the room, a beautiful woman looked up and smiled at me. I was already composing my letter to the Penthouse Forum when she started to walk towards me.
She stopped, and then leaned in, to whisper in my ear:
"Be careful," she said, "that first step can be a doo-zeee." Then she bit my earlobe - and that was it.
When I woke up, I was face down in the pampas grass of an estancia about three hours outside of Buenos Aries.

It all worked out in the end - and I see no reason to hold a grudge.
But I won't be letting my guard down this time around.


3 - Bodegas Bernabe Navarro Beryna 2004 $22
2004 is proving itself to be a stellar vintage all over Spain and Alicante is no exception -
This one drinks like Pure Silk. It goes beyond well balanced, with wonderful notes of sweet blueberry, black raspberry, black cherry and creme de cassis. Rich and lush, and smooth the whole way through, this is a great wine for everyone, not just Spanish wine lovers. And it is a great value - be sure to try this on Friday night.

4 - Beckman Cabernet 2004 $24
This is the best California cabernet that we carry for under $25, all of the fruit concentration that you expect from California, with better structure than normally seen at this price point. We've been selling this wine for three years, and we've been waiting for this guy to become "the next big thing" only to realize that maybe it's better if he doesn't get too much press.
When was the last time you could buy a top quality California Cabernet with a production of only 1500 cases for $24?
Try this on Friday - you will be glad you did.


The season is upon us - thanks so much for all of your support, comments, and suggestions - We appreciate it.
We have a big line up for the summer - the best is yet to come.

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


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