Cuné Monopole, Le Pigeoulet en Provence, Heller Estate, Trapiche Tributo Felipe Villafañe,

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

Wow, the streets were full, the galleries were open, and it was a great opening weekend for the Hygienic Art Show. Thanks so much to everyone that came out to support New London and this annual art extravaganza. We have a great line up of wines for the Friday tasting - including a very special selection from Argentina. The list is just below these of items of interest.

• We get a lot of requests to show the labels of the wines we feature at the weekly tasting - so we are giving it a try for this edition of the newsletter. Most of you should be able to see them without a problem, we apologize if you do not.

• There is a lot of excitement for Monday's dinner with Casimiro Maule - Italy's Wine Maker of The Year. The private dinner is sold out - thank you. But there will be opportunities for photographs and bottle signings if you would like to participate and meet one of the truly great winemakers in the world.

• Have You Had Your Fondue Today?
Based on your requests - I am happy to report that the menu changes at Brie & Bleu are taking place and we have brought back one of our most requested items - Fondue.
Featured on our Fondue Menu - is our original recipe of Fontina and Grüyere cheese, garlic, dates, shallots, and a hint of white truffle oil - it is a show stopper, especially when it is combined with a nice glass of wine. Wouldn't this be a great way to start your evening at the Garde Winter Film Festival? - http://gardearts.org/





• We were reminded this week of something that we take for granted. A customer pointed out that they had been shopping with some friends at the big discount liquor store just around the corner from us and they were very surprised that our prices were virtually the same and in a couple of cases we were even less expensive than the big store. - That has always been the case, and we are proud of the fact that we are a store that has something for everyone. Did you know that the State of Connecticut determines the minimum price for all beer, wine, and spirits sold in the state? It is actually against the law to sell products for less than the published minimum. The prices are published in something called The Beverage Guide every month, and if a store violates the published price their license can be suspended. So, you may continue to shop with confidence - our prices are probably the same as the big box store that cannot offer the same service or the interest that we have in what you are looking for.


The NY Times - The Paper Of Record - caught up with our reporting this weekend. We broke the news about Barkley Hendricks last week in our newsletter, and in today's Times there is a nice article about local artist Barkley Hendricks - Coincidence? - if you missed it here is a link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/27artsubct.html?ex=1359090000&en=2548351bcf749065&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink













Barkley Hendricks



Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge

Chateau Gravat Medoc 2005 $10
Dave Says:
"Okay, the '05 Bordeaux are creeping in the door, and I am proud to announce: We've got SIX, count them, SIX '05 BORDEAUX under $15!!! The Gravat is one of my personal favorites, and it's only ten bucks. Lovely, earthy, unmistakably French, from a small artisinal domaine. This is not a collector wine, it is French table wine made for French people. Don't let the low price scare you: Chateau Gravat is a small winemaker in Medoc which belongs to a collective of small houses (whose wine we also have), represented by an exporter in Blanquefort who bottles and directly exports it. No advertising, low production costs, so the winemakers tend to their vines and and their cellars, while the exporter worries about how to get it to nuts like us in the U.S. who want the real deal! Come on in and let me pour you a taste Monday afternoon."


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

1 - Cuné Monopole Rioja Blanco 2005 $18.
I bet you didn't even know they made white wine in Rioja! Cuné is present on all of Spain’s highest regarded wine lists. It was one of the first wineries of Rioja to bottle its own wines. In 1900, the winery had an extraordinary aging capacity of 80,000 bottles, which was most unusual at the time, as most wineries were selling their wines as soon as possible.

In 1879, two brothers decided to set up a business in the recently flourishing trade of the wine business. C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (The Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was created. This cellar takes us back to the origins of the company and is still kept in the traditional neighborhood of the Haro station. The Cuné winery in Haro, is made up of a group of buildings, mostly from the 19th century and arranged around a courtyard surrounded by pavilions for the purpose of wine production, aging, and bottling. Monopole was created in 1915 to change the style of rustic and oxidized wines formerly produced in Rioja from the Viura grape variety. Since its arrival it has become a classic fresh white Rioja. This is a terrific food wine - and a real treat at this price. I love it with Fondue - If you are in the mood on Friday night you may wish to try it yourself at Brie & Bleu.

2 - Le Pigeoulet en Provence Vin de pays de Vaucluse 2006 $16
Produced by Vignobles Brunier of Vieux Telegramme fame and brought to us by the venerable importer Kermit Lynch.
Our Jim Morrison says: "Garrigue? this stuff is lousy with garrigue." The Wine Spectator rated this 87 points and said: "Pretty, pure beam of black cherry fruit backed by herb and tobacco notes. Fruit takes an encore on the modestly structured finish. Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault. Drink now. Score: 87."

This is a great value from a highly regarded source. It has ripe and juicy fruit flavors and a nice a long finish. This is a wine that would be perfect with red meats, roasted poultry or a robust cheeses. If you are a fan of this type of wine - and really, who isn't? - then please take a minute to try it on Friday night. It will go quickly, it is a great price for this quality of a wine.

3 - Heller Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 $18
All the way from Carmel California, yes they make wine in California now, who knew?
The vineyards are dry farmed at over 1200 elevation. The vineyards have been producing wine since 1970 and are one of the very few vineyards that are certified organic. The use of cover crops and predatory wasps ensure not herbicides or pesticides are needed. Their winemaker says: "Opulent cassis fruit with notes of sweet oak and cocoa. Concentrated mouth feel with lush fruit flavors throughout the middle palate. Explosive fruit character: high viscosity: big but balanced tannin and extremely long finish combine making this a perfect expression of cabernet fruit from our world renown vineyards." If your looking to make your wine drinking "green" too - this might be a place to start.

4 - Trapiche Tributo Malbec. 2003 $50 ** Special Edition **
In the winter of 2005 Felipe Villafane, one of Trapiche's greatest grape farmers died at the age of 104. The Malbec produced from his magnificent fruit was without equal. Described as "a typical man of the countryside, honest,simple,and hardworking" and one hell of a farmer.

Established in 1883, Trapiche is the most widely recognized Argentinean wine producer in the world. Located in Mendoza at the foothills of the Andes mountains, Trapiche has some of the most extensive landholdings in the area, with over 2,500 acres of its own vineyards.

In Spanish, the simple word “Tributo” has the deeper meaning of tribute or homage. This word was chosen to pay homage to one of the finest growers to supply Trapiche with grapes: Señor Felipe Villafañe. This is the first time that Trapiche has released a special, limited release wine like this. Since Malbec is the main grape cultivated in La Consulta, hometown of the grower for most of his 104 years, it is fitting that a Malbec wine has been produced to honor his life. Felipe is admired and remembered for his clear mind, his dedication to his land and his sense of humor. He passed away during the winter of 2005. The drawing of Felipe on the label was rendered by a local artist who was a drinking mate of Señor Felipe Villafañe.

The grapes for the wine come from an excellent vineyard in La Consulta. Such was the quality of the vineyard and work of Señor Felipe Villafañe that this vineyard was one of only three vineyards featured in the debut vintage of the Trapiche Single Vineyard Malbecs in 2003. The fruit was manually harvested and placed into 20 kg plastic cases for protection during transport to the winery. Following a double-selection sorting process, the wine underwent a long maceration in small concrete vats. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, and was aged in bottle an additional year in Trapiche’s cellar. This wine is available in 6-bottle wooden cases.

Wine Maker Tasting Notes: The wine shows expressive aromas of crushed, spicy red cherries and blackberries, along with herb and toasted oak notes. On the palate, the wine has a dense, rich character, and though the wine has considerable structure, the ebullient, ripe fruit steals the show, accompanied by noble, fine-grained tannins and a very long finish. Pair this wine with strong, bold flavored dishes such as a grilled Porterhouse steak with mushrooms.


This will definitely go fast - please try it on Friday night, it is a very special offering, difficult to find, and we are very excited to have it in house.

It will be a busy week here at the store - We hope to see you at the tasting.

Thanks for all of your support, we appreciate it. And we sincerely appreciate all of the comments and emails - we are listening.


Please Join Us.

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

AAA

NL Art World, Barkley Hendricks, Hygienic Art XXIX, Chalone vineyards, Cefalicchio Canosa Rosso, Saint-Sulpice, Heredad de Aduna

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
www.thamesriver.com

This week is full of news from the New London Art World - our list of wines for Friday is just below these items of interest.


• New London is the home to an exciting and ever expanding art culture, and along with that we are surrounded by some of the most interesting and creative people you can imagine. So, as we were flipping through the latest edition of Vogue Magazine, this item caught our eye and you should know about it. “The Vogue 25” cultural highlights of 2008.

The list includes the works of Barkley Hendricks - well known local artist and professor of art at Connecticut College. “Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool,” the first career retrospective of the American artist’s paintings, will be on view at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University from Feb. 7 through July 13, 2008.
Take a minute to read more about Barkley and this show HERE: http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2008/01/birth_cool.html

Congratulations Barkley - we dig you man.


• The Garde Arts Center is putting the finishing touches on their Winter Film Festival -February 14 - 19. This is a highlight of the New London winter scene and if you expect to get your favorite seats - Then I suggest you get your tickets early - for more details GO HERE: http://tickets.gardearts.org/show.asp



• And of course if it's January, it is time for the Annual Hygienic Art Show. Open to all artists - beginner and experts alike. Who's to say that the little pad next to your telephone, the one that might be tossed into the kitchen drawer with the loose batteries, forgotten keys, and the lint-roller that is down to it's last couple of clean sheets - who's to say that little pad with the doodles and numbers - is not art? Well, why not enter it this year and find out?

This is a great event - it always has a big turnout - get all of the details HERE: http://www.hygienic.org/default.asp

HYGIENIC ART XXIX













January 26 - February 10, 2008

• Save The Date - Fashion Show and Wine Tasting February 21st. Produced in cooperation with Niza - the Women's Boutique of Mystic. A great night of fashion, music, wine, and FUN. Lots more details coming here in the email and of course on our Calendar of Events page HERE: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html


• And finally - A quick note about our Private Dinner with Italy's Winemaker of The Year - Cosimiro Maule, from Nino Negri Vineyards. We will be serving eight of his wines, two per course. There are just four seats left as we go to press. If you have a lover of Italian culture, food and wine in your life - this is a gift that will make them giddy. Truly a night to remember. You will be sitting down to dinner with a wine industry legend. Our own Anne Haviland is working with Signore Maule on the menu which will be posted on the calendar when it is finished. Please join us for our first winemaker dinner of 2008 - Monday January 28 - 6 p.m. - $85 plus tax & service. - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.

• Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - January 21 - No Charge
Dave Says:
"First off, allow me to rant about beer for a moment: As you may know, we don't stock tons of beer. For the most part, only what our 1957 Peerless fridge (formerly of Patsy's on Bank Street) will hold. You kids already know where to get your 30-packs-o-suds and it ain't here! We're keeping cold a pile of uber-brew including local favorites Cottrell, Trinity and Harpoon... Berkshire Brewing, fresh and delicious, in bombers and now in 64oz growlers! Samuel Smith 4-packs, Castle Lager, Pilsner Urquell (the original Pilsner from Pilzn), Belgian Chimay bombers, and one of my favorites, Moosehead - straight outta Halifax. We always keep Lindemann's fruit-infused Lambics in the cellar, cold Grolsch swing-tops upstairs (oh they still make them), and for bands-on-a-budget, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Narragansett bottles! Do you really need something more? If you do, just ask...
As for "Dave's Fave" on Monday hmmm... well let's have some beer! Come on down and sample our three current varieties from Deerfield Mass's own Berkshire Brewing: Steel Rail Pale Ale, Lost Sailor IPA, and Coffeehouse Porter ($3.50 a bomber)

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday January 25 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Chalone vineyards Monterey county Chardonnay 2006 $12 - www.chalonevineyard.com
As one of the first wineries to recognize Monterey County’s potential for exceptional Chardonnay, Chalone Vineyard began making wines high up on the Gavilan mountain range in 1966. Today, there are more acres of Chardonnay grapes planted in Monterey than any other county in California. The reason why is: Chardonnay develops its finest flavors when grown in cool, marine-influenced climates. This is how winemaker Robert Cook describes this wine: "Elegant and fruit-focused, Chalone 2006 Monterey County Chardonnay captures the bright pear, apple, citrus and stone fruit character of grapes grown in Monterey County along California’s Central Coast. Hints of floral and spice highlight the aromas and echo on the palate. The wine’s vibrant fruit expression reflects the cool marine fog and winds that caress these foothill and benchland vineyards. The perfectly balanced flavors mingle crisp, natural acidity with a rich, creamy texture from sur lie aging. Enjoy our Chardonnay with flavors from the ocean, such as crab cakes, grilled fish, prawns sautéed in butter and garlic, or scallops and angel hair pasta tossed with a cream sauce. Or pour with grilled chicken or pork, creamy chowders and mushroom risotto." - I just love those California fly-boys, don't you?
For those of you that are convinced that Chardonnay is not for them - you might be surprised by this one - especially at this price - this may be your new favorite "Chard."


2 - Cefalicchio Canosa Rosso D.O.C. 2003 $11 - Bio-Dynamic - www.vignetidipuglia.it
Amazing History - This wine comes from the Apulian settlement of Canusium, near the Ofanto river. The city is ideally situated to control this major waterway, and was built on a hill, on the same site as the modern town. Founded by Diomedes, or so the legend goes, it became a Roman town in 318 AC and took in the survivors of the Roman army defeated in the battle of Canne. First a municipium and then a colonia during the Imperial Age, it was famous for its wool industry and pottery production. A diocese since the 4th century, it was devastated by barbarian raids and only regained its prosperity under the Longobards. In 840-70 it was destroyed by the Saracens. A prosperous town under Norman rule (11th-12th centuries), damaged by dynastic wars during the Angevin period (14th-15th centuries), in 1502 it heroically stood by the Spaniards against the French, who only managed to occupy it after a long siege. In 1530 it was given to Charles V by Philibert of Orange. It was plagued by bandits and earthquakes for a long time.

And what is the best medicine for battling bandits and earthquakes? Thats right, wine.
This wine is produced with strict Bio-dynamic principles and, manual harvesting; the carefully selected and harvested clusters are crushed and softly pressed; the must ferments at length along with the skins at a controlled temperature; refinement takes place in stainless steel. A deep ruby red color is the result. This is a full bodied wine with great aromas and it pairs well with full flavored dishes like red meats and aged cheeses. It would be very difficult to find this much history in a bottle for this price - please try it on Friday night.


3 - Ch Saint-Sulpice Bordeaux 2005 $12
This wine came in mislabeled 2004, We think somebody, somewhere made a mistake, with the great 2005 vintage and the recent unpleasentness with the Euro, this is underpriced for what is in the bottle. The Chateau Saint Sulpice is a 100-acre estate situated in a village of the same name in the northern section of Entre-Deux-Mers, just south of St. Emilion and 14 miles northeast of Bordeaux. The property is planted mainly with Merlot and is very carefully tended by owner-winemaker Pierre Duberge and his son Christophe. Pierre says: "The 2005 vintage produced excellent, fruit and the wines are characterized by extremely ripe, powerful, and extracted wines with structured tannins." Pierre has said unequivocally the 2005 vintage is "the best wine we have made in 20 years." The wine shows lots of red-fruit aromas. It is concentrated, full and dense in the mouth, with silky tannins and a supple finish. If you are a Bordeaux wine fan - this is the opportunity to grab a case or two at a great price. It will go quickly, please try it on Friday night.


4 - Heredad de Aduna Rioja $28 - 1997.
This is a house favorite - we have offered it from the beginning. In a world that is full of unpleasent surprises it is always nice to know what to expect from a wine like this - Athenticity. Heredad de Aduna, with a long family tradition, still make their wines in the traditional manner, thanks to the knowledge and good work of their elders, especially their father and maestro, Jose Martinez Aduna. Bodegas Heredad de Aduna specialize in a large variety of young red wines, Vintages, Reservas and Grandes Reservas that reach a widely-spread market that knows how to appreciate the quality of the end product, proof of which are the number of prizes they have received since they started out as harvesters. This wine wins gold medal awards all over Europe in blind tastings - you must try this if you appreciate Rioja - still a great value at this price - just a dollar more than the last time we featured it back in 2005. Please try it.



Thanks very much for your support, we appreciate your confidence and commitment to us. It is precisely why we are able to get the guests and offer special items, that you will not find anywhere else. Lots of excitement in the coming months, stay tuned.



Please join us. It's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend - we hope to see you this week.







AAA.

Pares Balta Mas Elena, Felsner Gruner Veltliner, San Romano Dolcetto di Dogliani, Fabre Montmayour, Sierra Cantabria, Ivan Ruiz

Greetings From All Of Us In New London,

Just a couple of remarks and a big announcement - before we list the wines for Friday night.

• One of the most frequent requests that we get from you is to add more
"Winemaker Dinners." Well, we are listening.
We have been extremely fortunate to host some of the greatest names in the wine world -
Rock Stars of their profession.
So many of you say:
"How do you get them to come to New London? - they don't even appear in big cities."
They answer is simple - it's you. Our customers & friends have created a buzz that is talked about in the business - it is your support that makes it happen.

For those of you that have attended our Meet The Winemaker series, you know it is not a room full of people shouting over each other and trying to get a look at the the guest from a mile away. Our dinners with the winemakers are special. We sit side by side with them - you get to eat with them, drink with them, and share an evening with them.

In some cases customers have gone on to stay in touch and have even made trips to visit them on their own home turff - or should I say terroir.

So, to kick off the 2008 season of dinners we have a big announcement - Truly a rare opportunity to meet one of the great winemakers in the world.
Our first guest of the season has been voted Italy's Winemaker of 2007
by the Gambero Rosso & Slow Food.

Casimiro Maule from Nino Negri vineyards will be our guest on
Monday January 28 - 6 p.m. -
Reserve Early - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3 - $85 plus tax & service.
http://www.gruppoitalianovini.com/ninonegri/ing/versioni.htm

Meeting Casimiro Maule is a life experience. Huge charisma. A person you would listen to for hours. Not only history of wine but history of a part of Italy - the Valtellina.

He is on his 37th Harvest at the winery. And is largely recognized as the one to have restored Valtellina winemaking to the exceptional standard it has reached today. His "Cinque Stelle" wine is among the elite of four wines to have received the Tre Bicchieri award, from Gambero Rosso, for 10 consecutive years, and the 2002 Cinque Stelle was voted the BEST wine of the year by Gambero Rosso 2006. Our menu will be paired with the wines, which will be served with each course - a night to remember.


Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge
Pares Balta Mas Elena 2004 $15
Dave Says: "We discovered this wine last year and dug it right off the bat, maybe because of our penchant for Cab Franc, which adds an earthy touch. From Penedes on the Catalonian coast of Spain, this is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is organically farmed, while flocks of sheep graze on weeds and frolick, and kept bees pollinate and buzz happily in the Spanish sun... When Patricio Brongo visited us from the vineyard (See the interview on Wineradio), Jim asked him, "So the sheep basically run the place, don't they?" "...Yes," he conceded."
Anyway, this is one of our favorite table reds, and the 2004 bottling has a chic black and orange bottle. I haven't tried the new vintage yet, hope you will join me Monday!

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday January 18 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge


1 - Felsner Gruner Veltliner "Lossterrassen" 2006 $14
The Felsner family estate is run by Manfred and Renate Felsner, the family’s 9th generation of winemakers. Manfred was just 15 years old when his grandfather gave him a vineyard for his birthday. He’s made wine ever since, winning a plethora of awards along the way. The estate’s steep slopes ideally angled to catch the Austrian sunshine, and free-draining ‘loess’ soil, ripen the Grüner Veltliner to plump perfection. Noted wine reviewer Jancis Robinson writes: “It starts discreetly, the nose fresh and subtle, lively and a touch peppery. The flavours the same: crisp, pristine, definite but far from obvious, its fruit becoming rounder – apricots and apples – an elusive taste of orange flowers and tinged with a delicious hint of white pepper. Intensely appetizing and lingering well. Extremely appealing apéritif, but I see this working with dishes from roast pork to sushi. A very special wine you should not miss!” - This is a wine that would go very well with most food and it is great with cheese too. - give it a try on Friday night.

2 - San Romano Dolcetto di Dogliani "Vigna del Pilone" 2003 $15
This is a wine that can be traced back over a thousand years. Hand harvested after aggressive pruning to limit the yield and assure quality.This single vineyard Dolcetto is bottled unfiltered and has an aging potential of up to ten years. Like all the wines of Piedmonte, Dolcetto works very well with food including white and red meats, either roasted or stewed, as well as 1st courses and mature cheeses. Close your eyes on Friday night and sip - you will be transported to Italy. A very good value at this price - and an especially cheap way to visit Italy.

3 - Fabre Montmayour Gran Reserva Cabernet 2003 $18 -
only 2000 cases produced for the world market.
This wine is brought to us by a gentleman named Ivan Ruiz - a human dynamo that has dedicated his life to the food and wine industry. After moving to the USA from his native Columbia at age 17, he started as a "garbage boy" at a White Castle hamburger joint near Summit New Jersey. Now at age 41 he is not only the importer of the finest wines from South America, he is also a friend and confidant to some of the greatest chefs working today - he also teaches the chapter on Latin American wines for the American Sommelier Association. This is what he says about this Cabernet: "The Fabre Montmayou wines were born from a dream, combining old and new worlds,adventure and rigour, with constant dedication to quality. The selection of soil, vines, and grape varietals with the most natural methods show the constant search for perfection. The Fabre Montmayou wine holds true to the high standards set by the traditions of the Bordeaux region, paying close attention to care, preserving its strong character: an authenticity guaranteeing high quality." - This is an intense ruby colored wine. Full bodied, with a delicate and complex finish. If you would like to read more about this modern day Horatio Alger story - look here: http://www.ivanselections.com/wine./ivans_bio.html

4 - Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva 1998 $35
From Jorge Ordonez, a man that goes way beyond buying and selling wine; he advises, cajoles, teaches, pleads, strong-arms, consults with wineries all over Spain to update techniques, explore old grapes and new properties, and - bottom line - make better wine. He candidly offers fresh ideas and constructive criticism on quality control, vineyard management, dreaming up new blends, marketing, and packaging. His astonishing track record - 13O wines from 4O wineries - speaks volumes. Some of our favorite wine comes from his portfolio - and this is no exception. The world’s most influential wine critic Robert Parker has twice named Señor Ordoñez Wine Personality of the Year, and called him one of the most influential wine personalities of the past twenty years. This is a very well aged and well priced Rioja from our good friend Jorge Ordonez. All of the power and complexity that you would expect from a ten year old Rioja. This will go quickly - please try it on Friday night.



Lots more on the horizon to share with you - it's going to be an exciting year.
Thanks very much for your support and for making this the best party we could ask for.


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



AAA.

Casimiro Maule, Meet Italy's Winemaker of 2007, Private Dinner

Meeting Casimiro Maule is a life experience. Huge charisma. A person you would listen to for hours. Not only history of wine but history of a part of Italy.

Casimiro Maule is from Trento and graduated from the enology school at San Michele. He got a call from Negri 35 years ago, asking him to come to work as their winemaker. Voted Winemaker of the year in 2007 by Gambero Rosso.

He is on his 37th Harvest at the winery. And is largely recognized as the one to have restored Valtellina winemaking to the exceptional standard it has reached today...he was named winemaker of the year by Gambero Rosso 2007 (received 2 tre bicchieri and another 2 of his wines made the finals), 5 Stelle is among the elite of four wines to have received Tre Bicchieri for 10 consecutive years...and the 2002 Cinque Stelle was voted the BEST wine of the year by Gambero Rosso 2006

Reserve Now - seating is limited.

$85 plus tax and service

8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

Girl Power, Cantina Sociale Cooperativa di Copertino, Claar Cellars,Betz Pere de Famille

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


We are welcoming the New Year with a beautiful lineup for Friday - including a powerhouse from Washington.
We are running a bit late this week so just a couple of quick notes before the list of wines - Thanks so much for all of the emails with comments and suggestions and your remarkable support - we appreciate all of it.

• In the coming weeks we will be sharing lots of new information with you - for the New Year.
Everything we are unveiling is based upon your requests, suggestions and comments - we are listening.

• New menu items at Brie & Bleu - but don't worry, your favorites will still be available. We will be re-introducing ideas and items that you have been asking for. And we will be pairing the wines by the glass with our menus and specials for your convenience too.

• New wine dinners and classes - Also a series of food demonstrations and classes - all of this and much more as the weeks unfold.


Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday - January 11 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge







Girl Power! - Adele Rouze



1 - Domaine Adele Rouze Quincy 2006 $20.
The is an interesting story - the wine is the creation of twenty-six-year-old Adèle Rouzé. She's the daughter of Jacques Rouzé, a well-respected vigneron who is also the president of the Quincy wine brotherhood. She is a certified agricultural appraiser and after completing additional studies in winemaking in Bordeaux, Adèle returned to her home with the idea of making her own cuvée. Jacques allowed her parts some old-vine parcels, all of which face either south or southeast. Certain parcels were planted between 1920 and 1930, and others during the 1950s. The majority of these are along the left part of the Cher River. Some of these parcels include Crèves Coeurs, Les Rimonés, Les Nouzats, La Plante, Les Victoire and Villalin. The vineyards are not organic, but worked by lutte raisonée or responsible farming, where only natural products are used in the soil and spraying is kept to a minimum.

Once the grapes are picked, the grapes are pressed. Adèle makes careful effort to eliminate the last juice of the pressing, often containing bitter and herbal flavors. All of Adèle's tiny production fits into one tank! The vineyards of Quincy are located in the center of France, in the Cher département. It is part of the large network of Loire valley vineyards, found in the eastern area not far from the vineyards of Sancerre, Reuilly, Menetou-Salon and Pouilly-Fumé. The wine is delicious and has aromas of citrus fruit and freshly-cut herbs. Flavors of grapefruit and lime, with a nice medium-body and a crisp, mineral finish - this is Girl Power at it's finest. Please try it on Friday night.


2 - Cantina Sociale Cooperativa di Copertino 2000 Italy - Copertino reserva $15.
Puglia, which spans Italy’s long stiletto “heel” from northwest to southeast, rivals Sicily for being the largest producer of Italian wine. In fact, this 360 kilometer region produces almost twice as much wine as all of Australia. Bright ruby red in color, this wine is made from a blend of Negroamaro (95%) and Malvasia Nera (5%). Medium bodied, it’s nicely structured with supple tannins and good acidity. It offers flavors of spice, and tart plums. The flavors last for a while too - the wine has a long, spicy finish. Although enjoyable on its own, it was better with food. This wine would go well with Italian meatballs and sausage for example. A great price on a bottle that really works well with food.


3 - Claar Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - Washington - $20 - www.claarcellars.com
Claar Cellars is a family owned Estate Winery. Audrienne and Russell Claar (rhymes with "fair"), developed the first farm in 1950 and planted the first grapes in 1980. Then their daughter Christa & Son-In Law Bob took an interest in the wine business. They were both Active Duty Naval Officers until 1983, when Bob retired and Christa transferred into the Naval Reserve. Since then they have developed over 300 acres into premium wine grapes, apples and asparagus. This Cabernet is well known for it's complex aromas of black olives, cedar, plums and currant. In the mouth there are intense blackberry flavors and elegant tannins. Just a touch of mocha in the finish adds an extra dimension to this rich Cabernet sauvignon. Please tryit it on Friday - Go Navy.

4 - Betz Pere de Famille $64 www.betzfamilywinery.com
This is a big gun - it has credentials a mile long - Steve Tanzer, of the International Wine Cellar newsletter, ranked it the third highest Cabernet in Washington, a point or two behind Quilceda Creek and Leonetti Reserve. Tanzer: “93(+?) Bright, deep ruby-red. Musky, minerally, spicy aromas of blackberry, blueberry, leather and tree bark. Quite penetrating on the palate, with terrific intensity and cut to the black cherry and currant flavors. Denser and larger-scaled than the Clos de Betz. This, too, finishes with excellent cut, growing sweeter and longer as it opens in the glass. There's firm tannic spine here but no impression of dryness.” This will go quickly - if you have the opportunity try not to miss this one.

Here is what Bob Betz says about his winery: Our winery is a labor of love. Our first vintage was 1997, when we produced about 150 cases total. Our goal is to craft 2000-2500 cases annually, limiting ourselves to a quantity that we can directly watch over. By working with selected, dedicated grape growers and employing methods that we believe craft superior wine, we hope to create wines of individual character, a blend of richness, balance and pleasure. Our winemaking focuses on the purity of the individual varieties and the vineyards they come from. We do those things that a small winery has the luxury of doing: we know every barrel."


We look forward to seeing you on Friday night.

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


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