The Experts Agree, Domaine du Salvard Cheverny, Clos la Coutale Cahors, Bouchard Monthelie Les Duresses, Villa Le Prata Brunello di Montalcino

Greetings from all of us in New London,

Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463 - 84 Bank Street
Shop On Line: http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html
Calendar of Events: http://www.thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html

Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817 - 70 State Street - www.thamesriver.com
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474 - 84 Bank Street - : http://www.brieandbleu.com/
IMPORT - 860-443-6817 - 60 State Street - http://thamesriver.com/trg/featured.html

This has been a tough week - all of our best laid plans were disrupted by the storm, and as we go to press there is another storm beating us silly.

But there is a beautiful light at the end of the tunnel - The Friday night tasting has a great line up and the list is just below a few items of interest.

• First a word about cheese.
The greatest minds in the business agree: White wine is a more likely cheese partner than the mighty red. That's right, white wine - it's true. We have carefully chosen a selection of cheese that will pair perfectly with the Grower Champagne, Cava, Champagne, Prosecco, Moscato, and other miraculous whites that we feature at the wine store. And with so many sparklers to choose from, why wait for a special occasion to break out the bubbly? We proved this just last week at our Champagne & Pizza tasting.

Make any night of the week unforgettable with this perfect sampling: sinful, creamy goodness comes in the form of Delice de Bourgogne - Jasper Hill Farm’s Constant Bliss has a bit more bite, and a bit of a crumble, American Gruyere is creamy and pungent, while cave-aged Swiss Gruyere is crystalline and nutty. Got bubbly?

That’s not to say that we can’t find some killer pairings with red wines: the zesty twang of Cato Corner Bridgid’s Abbey; mushroomy Tomme Crayeuse; the refined, grassy sheep Ossau Vielle Cave; or the dense, buttery crumble of Double Gloucester. Serve any one of these with a glass of red to your friends and family over the holidays and you will be kissed on all four cheeks. Brie & Bleu has options galore and we can deliver all of your holiday needs to your front door. A holiday party needs wine and cheese.

• To answer one of the most asked questions from the last week or so - Our winter series of food and wine dinners will begin just after the holidays - around the second or third week of January. Great menus, fabulous wine, and special guests. Watch for the list on the calendar of events and right here in the weekly email - & watch for The Return of Fondue - coming soon.

• Holiday Hours - 10a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.

• Customized pairing for your holiday menu - no charge - bring in your menu, we will go over it with you and make suggestions. It really does make a difference.

• Delivery is no problem - the Thames River Greenery delivery team is at your service.


Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge
Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2007 $13
Dave Says:
Where's DuBoeuf? Okay, this came out last month, and it is the 25th anniversary of Nouveau imported into this country (remember how excited your aunt was back in the Reagan years?), but I suspect many of you are chuckling, and you should know that we are proud of our fine customers for chuckling... Yeah, we got into the small grower-producer Nouveau guys, who import, say, 700 cases into the country, while Georges imports, oh, 16,000 cases, but still, even the pros whisper, "It's supposed to be good this year." Cripes, Jim just caught me writing this - "You're not pouring that are you?" Well, YEAH man, why not? Now I'm curious, let's crack one Monday!

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday December 21 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Domaine du Salvard Cheverny 2006 $16
Domaine du Salvard Cheverny is produced from vines grown by the Delaille family, which has cultivated their 37 acre parcel since about 1930. Location-wise, Cheverny in the east portion of Touraine near the village of Blois. This area is about 150 miles from Paris, just south of the Loire River. The Domaine is ranked amongst the top producers in this 'best kept secret terroir'. This delicious white is similar in style to a Pouilly-Fumé - It' a Sauvignon Blanc with lots of herbaceous and mineral character. This is a very friendly and easy drinking wine and It is Imported by Kermit Lynch Wines - and many of you know that we are big fans of Mr. Lynch. He knows how to pick them. Be sure to try it on Friday night.

2 - Clos la Coutale Cahors 2005 $16
Malbec from the place where they invented the stuff, another Kermit Lynch selection.
This is what Kermit has to say: "Astonishing elegance, red fruit with spicy overtones. A well-constructed wine. Clos La Coutale can be drunk young thanks to its good fruit, but has great aging potential, between 10-20 years. This wine accompanies duck, red meat and tasty cheeses perfectly. It is found in the best French restaurants like l'Auberge de l'Ile where Serge Dubbs, named the Best Sommelier in the World, (1990) works." This is what our own Jim Morrison says: "This is one of the few Cahors I have ever bought. I've always tried to find a wine that was obviously Malbec yet obviously not Argentine. I should have just asked Kermit." Two experts - two thumbs up. Please try it and add your two cents on Friday.

3 - Domaine Bouchard Monthelie Les Duresses 1er Cru 2005 $42
Red Burgundy from the much hailed 2005 vintage, an excellent and affordable example of varietal, region and vintage. We have literally dozens of wines from the Cote d'Or; village, premier cru and grand cru wines - we have one of the best selections available in the state. This is a very good value and deserves your attention on Friday night. If you are looking for a special bottle to serve over the holidays or if you need a gift that will make an impression, this will do the job nicely. Burgundy lovers will snap this up quickly - arrive early.

4 - Villa Le Prata Brunello di Montalcino 2001 $58
We bought cases & cases of this wine for a huge corporate wine basket order. It is difficult to find - so we bought a little extra just to have around the house. Jim was quickly reminded that this may be his very favorite Brunello. "I've had this wine head to head with many Gambero Rosso darlings and as my taste matures, I prefer it more and more. A Real Brunello drinker's Brunello in an authentic style. Open and complicated with depth and finesse, a true masterpiece, same as it ever was." Be sure to try this on Friday - it will go quickly - but it is definitely worth your consideration. You may decide to make it your very own Stocking Stuffer.


We want to thank all of our customers and friends for the tremendous support you have shown to us - It is a great holiday season.

We hope to see you all on Friday night, and be sure to say hello the next time you visit the store.

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




AAA.