El Nido Clio 2005, J.J. Vincent Bourgogne Blanc, Domaine de la Chanteleuserie, Domaine Roger Perrin,

Winemaker Loren Gill - at the Bodegas Juan Gill

It was a great week even with the snow storm or perhaps especially because of the snow storm. There were those lucky people that found a table at Brie & Bleu and settled into a beautiful night of candle light and a cozy wine drinking. For those of you that made it out during the storm - we salute you. Thanks very much for coming out.

• Also a word of thanks to our friends at Niza Boutique & Renewal Medical Day Spa - for hosting a night of fashion and fun. A tremendous turn out made it fun for all.

• A special note of thanks to Henry & Carol Mann - for being gracious hosts and for opening their cellar to us - Bottle after bottle of luscious vintage Bordeaux. Thank you - we do not take it for granted.


Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday February 29 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge.

1 - J.J. Vincent Bourgogne Blanc 2004 $15
The firm of Marcel Vincent & Fils, producer of Chateau Fuisse, was founded in 1864. The current winemaker Jean-Jacques Vincent, great-grandson of the founder, is as alert to modern innovations as he is loyal to proven traditional methods. Experts have described him as "one of the most brilliant makers of white Burgundy". The artisanal "Selections" that bear his name are made with fruit (never juice) purchased from a small number of growers with whom he has long-term relationships. This Bourgogne Blanc, although inexpensive, still represents one of the great winemaking hands of burgundy. Careful employment of malolactic fermentation and judicious use of oak have created a wine of distinction. This is True Burgundy at only $15 a bottle.


2 - Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Cuvee Alouettes Bourgueil $15
For a wine importer Mr. Kermitt Lynch sets an important standard - the quality of his wines is undeniable - They are very often the best examples of their type. This particular wine comes from the Loire Valley in France - It is made from the Cabernet Franc grape, wine that is often described being an acquired taste - because of the mineral qualities it has. Have you ever read a review where the person describing the wine refers to "Lead Pencil" and "Earth?" - And you think to yourself - "what the hell are they talking about?" - This is the wine to try, it is a great example of those characteristics. This is a wine made for food - not for sipping alone.

This is what our own Jim Morrison says: "If you drink wine long enough, you find yourself drinking Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley. These wines are definitely an acquired taste as they are replete with what we call "non-fruit flavors". The smell of wet stones, and river bank brambles. The smell of a freshly ridden horse and the wood of an old barn door. As strange as that sounds, that is the smell of Bourgueil France. And this is the wine that will help you understand that geography is more important than varietal, and that drinking wine is about the smell of standing on freshly tilled dirt with your dog, after rain has just fallen, all in a single sip."
Well, what can I say - he gets carried away sometimes. But try this wine on Friday and see for yourself what flavors you can discover.

3 - Domaine Roger Perrin Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Prestige 2006 $20
This is another Kermitt Lynch selection. It is always rated in the "90's" by Tanzer & Robert Parker - S.Tanzer: "Dark red. Pungent bouquet evokes raspberry and cherry, with a suave floral quality building with air. Pliant red berry flavors offer good depth and sweetness, picking up anise and mocha qualities on the close. Finishes with gentle grip and very good length. This should drink well young." J.Morrison: "Expensive for a Cotes du Rhone for sure, but I guarantee this wine will outshine Vacqueyras, Gigondas, even Chateauneuf du Pape from many other producers. Principally Granache, it is the Counoise and Vaccarese that give this wine it's distinctly southern Rhone character." Hand harvested from 45 year old vines, the fruit goes through a meticulous selection and a long maceration. The wine is big and spiced,with intense fruit and stoney earth from the galets roules (round pebbles) of the southern Rhone. Absolutely perfect with lamb or other rich dishes. Please try it on Friday night.


4 - Bodegas El Nido Clio 2005 $50 - Jumilla Spain
If you follow the scores given to wines by retired California lawyers like Robert Parker, follow this: Clio 2002 93pts, Clio 2003 96pts, Clio 2004 97pts. Parker has not yet rated this wine for 2005. Stephan Tanzer gave the 2005 Clio 93pts and he is not one for hyperbole or flights of fancy. He tends to be extremely cautious with +90 pt scores, and historically he scores everything a few points lower than Parker.

Jumilla Spain is located about 90 minutes South West from Valencia. Here is a photo of the fruit that was used to make this wine. We had the privilege of sampling the grapes from the first wagon load coming in from the fields - the winemaker himself said they were the best grapes he had tasted in ten years. Take a close look. This is where the wine is made. It is not a factory, this is a family operation with a small group of people taking the time to make a very special product. You can taste the pride they have in every sip. Please try this wine on Friday night - it is the real thing.











Grapes for the 2005 Clio
Other photos here: http://thames-river-wine-spirits.com/wine/photos.html

We received less than half of last year's allocation, and this is it until the 2006.

JM: "I can see it now, the Wine Spectator's top 100 wines comes out in December and Clio 2005 is way up at the top, everyone comes in the store, list in hand, but they can't get the wine, it's been sold out for months - Meanwhile, in a comfy leather chair in front a fireplace somewhere, a happy couple sips Clio and offers up a toast and a knowing laugh to the people of Jumilla."
10 six packs in stock, 10% discount on a six bottle case.


Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions - and especially for your support - we appreciate it.

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




AAA.

Fashion Show, Maryhill Winemakers, Santi Solane, Vistabla Corte B, Fratelli Alessandria Barolo,

Greetings from New London,

Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - 860-447-2474

wwww.thamesriver.com

It's a short week for many of us - if you have today off - congratulations. The wines for Friday's tasting are listed just below these items of interest.

• Last weeks experiment was very successful - if you missed it, it went a little something like this: The wines that were featured at the tasting were also featured by the glass and by the bottle at Brie & Bleu. People really enjoyed being able to try the wine in the cellar and then have a glass or two upstairs with their dinner. Great feedback from many of you - thanks. We will continue working on this.

• Thanks to everyone that attended the special Valentines Day wine dinner hosted by Joe Mascaro - a great night, lots of food and wine and fun. Remember, all you have to do is ask - and you can have your own private dinner with a customized menu and wine list - it is easy, no matter what the occasion.

• This Thursday - February 21 - 6 p.m. - Mark the calendar - A Fashion Show & Champagne Reception in the big room - Sponsored by Niza Boutique of Mystic AND Renewal Medical Day Spa. Showcasing Cupcake Fashion by Brenda Lee, and offering insight into anti-aging procedures from Renewal. Brie and Bleu will be serving it's full menu with special Fondues and wine. For more information just call -Niza at 860-536-7270. OR the wine store - 860-443-9463.

• We Are Listening - based on all of the requests and feedback from you - we are putting the final touches on our upcoming Wine Dinner Series. The menus, wine, and pricing offer a choice for everyone. The final menus, names, dates, and prices will be posted on the website and right here in the email. Here are some highlights: - "Sunny Southern Italy", "Rioja & the great foods of Spain", "Food & Wine of The Rich & Famous." - We will also be offering wine dinners with an open seating plan. So if you would prefer a cozy dinner for two with the same great menu - not a problem. Remember to reserve early.


• Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge

Wilhelm Walch Prendo Pinot Noir 2004 $14
Dave Says: "Here's an odd bird for you. Regulars are probably familiar with Prendo Pinot Grigio, which flows like the River Thames all summer long around here. When we first tasted this Pinot Noir last year, it had such a smoky note one might think it was from South Africa or something. It's from Northern Italy of course, which immediately leaps to mind when one thinks of Pinot Noir???"

"What a pedigree: winemaking virtuosa Elena Walch renewed the vineyards of her grandfather Wilhelm in the shadow of the Dolomites to produce this small line of lovely, inexpensive wines. We tasted this wine again recently and it had changed, the woody note replaced with more recognizably Pinot-y berries and brambles. But it's still its own animal. The Walchs have let this one be itself for a reason: it's up to us to figure it out! Let's try Monday."


Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday February 22 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

Maryhill Winemakers White 2006 $14
If you're ever in Portland Oregon, Take a ride up the I-5 to Washington. When you get to the vineyards of Camus, head East along the 14 into some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. Carved by glacial meltwater, the Columbia Gorge with it's steep cliffs and dramatic waterfalls is one of the great wine growing regions of North America. Maryhill of Goldendale Washington produces this sunny and charming wine , a blend of Chardonnay (for body),Sauvignon Blanc ( for acidity), Semillion ( for nuttiness) and Viognier ( for floral aromatics). This wine reminds me of Caymus Conundrum, although not as sweet and half the price.

Santi Solane Valpolicella Ripasso 2005 $16
The Solaneis produced using a method called "rigoverno" whereby 20% of the harvest is separated and dries on mats, as if to produce Amarone. These desiccated grapes are then added back to the wine in a secondary fermentation. The result is a true "baby Amarone" , with all the raisin, black cherry, and dried fruit flavors in a much more approachable and affordable wine. Perfect for a cold day and a hot stew or sausage lasagna.

Vistabla Corte B 2004 $26
We've gotten used to finding another great big Argentine Malbec every week. But when you get right down to it, making a big wine is not the same as making a fine wine. Little by little, as Argentina's winemaking matures, we see wines that reflect not just a hot climate, but a true vinoculture. The Corte B impressed us immediately as far more interesting than your average South American wine. A blend of Malbec , Cabernet and Bonarda (making it distinctly Argentine) the wine has an inherent complexity that is enhanced by the very balanced hand of the winemaker. Oak is used as it should be used, to organize and integrate the wine, not as a major flavor component. The words " tostado medio, de los bosquea de Allier" on the label say it all - "medium toast" - it's like music to the ears.

Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero 2003 $60
Barolo is one of the hardest wines to describe. There are so many flavors and the wine is so tightly knit, that all one can say sometimes is that it tastes like Barolo, a flavor unto itself. Alessandria is certainly one of the great producers of the region, receiving Tre Bicchieri, the highest award given from the prestigious Gambero Rosso nearly every year. This year's Monvigliero is unusual in that it delivers all the fruit we've come to expect from that vineyard, with an extra measure of structure. The combination is almost paradoxical, the smallest, finest flavors woven into a muscular powerhouse of penetrating flavor. A wine as light as Burgundy, that shames and embarrasses the greatest wines of Napa and Bordeaux.

Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions, and for your support. We appreciate it.
We hope to see you this week - please join us.

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




AAA.

Valentines Day, Domaine de la Pepiere, Louis Latour, Chateau Villerambert, Gasparini Capo di Stato,

Greetings from New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
www.thamesriver.com

First a big thank you to all of the people that made last week's get together a real happening. I hope that you all got to try the Gaya Ca'Marcanda - it was b e a u t i f u l. The tasting this Friday has an interesting twist - and it answers a frequent question that people ask almost every week. People want to know why we do not offer the same wine at Brie & Bleu by the glass as we feature at the tasting. They say "we want more but we do not want a whole bottle." So this week we will try a little experiment - Our list of wine for Friday night will be available by the glass and by the bottle at Brie & Bleu - and it includes a REAL STEAL - the details are just below a few items of interest.

• Thanks to the readers of The Day that included Brie & Bleu in the areas "Most Romantic Spots" article in Sunday's Market Place magazine section - we appreciate it.

• Lots of people have asked about ordering something special for Valentines Day. It is not an easy answer because of all the options that we have. It is not a problem to combine items from any of our stores to make a gift that is just right for the person in your life. Wine, flowers, cheese, coffee, cards, or gift certificates that are good in any of the stores. As a starting point for flowers take a look at our all new ordering site for Thames River Greenery: www.thamesrivergreenery.com . Mix and match any combination, and remember we will deliver what ever you decide right to the front door or office of the person receiving it. You may place your orders on line 24 hours a day - but remember to order early for timely deliveries.

• Don't forget the Winter Film Series at The Garde Arts Center - it starts this week and it is the perfect place to catch up on the Academy Award nominated films that you may have missed. And it's all on the Big Screen. For more details look here: http://gardearts.org/

• If you are planning to visit The Garde you may want to include Brie & Bleu in your plans. Start the night off with a nice glass of wine, a little fondue, or something else from the menu and then take a stroll up to see the show. Just let your server know that you are going to the movie and they will get you on your way in plenty of time.

• We have been paying particular attention to your requests about the menu and wine pairings at Brie & Bleu - so we are making additions and changes that will be fazed in starting this Tuesday. These include the new "Flights" of wine & cheese. Three wines, three cheeses, each matched carefully with the wine. We have even added a "flight" of three of the finest Artisanal Sake's available & three remarkable cheeses. If you have ever wondered what all of the talk about Sake has been about, this is a great way to try it. And remember, this is not the Sake that you may have had before - sometimes dispensed from a machine in restaurants - it is a fine wine made by following centuries old traditions. Live a little - try it. We have included the "flights" menu below - take a minute to look them over..

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday February 15 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2006 $12
No, it's not sweet! In fact it's quite crisp. Fermented sur Lie for added body, this dry white wine is from the Western Loire valley, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Pronounced lime and lemon zest flavor with brilliant minerality, this wine drinks like a Sauvignon Blanc from the more famous Middle Loire. Organic? this is beyond organic, this my friends is Biodymanic. That means the production of this wine involves sustainable farming and Druid / Wicca rituals. Think I'm kidding, look it up.

2 - Louis Latour Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2005 $15.
It is hard to find Pinot Noir under $20 a bottle that actually tastes like Pinot Noir. This wine has long been a favorite for exactly that reason, it is varietally correct. Light bodied, with tart cherry and earth flavors, a simple Pinot Noir. Perfect for duck, pork, chicken with mushrooms and of course a nice stinky cheese.

3 - Chateau Villerambert Minervois 2003 $15.
Long a house favorite. This estate has been making wine since the 12th century, but only in the last few years has it bottled that wine "au Chateau" and gotten the recognition they deserve. A blend of Syrah and Granache from the very warm Minervois in the Languedoc. Dark fruit and licorice flavors, from a very full bodied wine. If you like Cabernet or Shriaz, give this a try.

4 - Gasparini Capo di Stato 1999. $18
From the domain of Count Loredan Gasparini, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Suggested retail on this wine is still $36 a bottle, but it took a deep "Post Off" this month from the distributor. That's industry speak for "we don't know what to do with this." Well, WE do, we're going to drink it. A great example of fine wine, mature and balanced and drinking perfectly right now.


Cheese & Wine Flights - This week at Brie & Bleu:

East Meets West
Three remarkable cheeses pared with three artisanal Sake’s

Selles-sur-Cher & “Dreamy Clouds”
A French goat milk cheese made in the Central region of France.
paired with Rihaku Shuzo, Sake Junmai “Dreamy Clouds “
•
Queso Cabrales & Pride of The Village
Queso Cabrales Is a natural cheese made in the artisan tradition by rural dairy farmers in Northern Spain.
Paired with Sudo Honke, Sake Junmai Ginjo, “ Pride of the Village"
•
Shropshire Blue & “Divine Droplets”
A blue cows milk cheese made in the United Kingdom paired with
Takasago Shuzo, Sake Daiginjo, “Divine Droplets”

European Traditions
Three perfect wines pared with three classic cheeses

Fontina Val d’ Aosta & Inama Foscarino Soave
A cow’s milk Italian cheese served with
Inama Soave from the Venetto
•
La Mancha Manchego & Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva
Sheep’s milk cheese from Spain served with Sierra Cantabria
Rioja Gran Reserva 1998, Rioja Spain.
•
Classic Brie & Chateau Pibran Bordeaux
Brie from Normandy France served with
Chateau Pibran Bordeaux 2005, from Pauillac France.

Thanks for all of your support and for making it so much fun. And we sincerely appreciate all of the help you are giving us with your input about food, menus, and wine ideas for Brie & Bleu - we are listening. We hope to see you this weekend.

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


AAA.

The Jesus Factor, Gaya, Le Grascete, Saint Gayan,

Greetings from all of us In New London,

Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu - 860-437- 2474
www.thamesriver.com

We are running a little late this week - so just a quick note or two before the list of wine for Friday night. Which, by the way, has a real blockbuster on it -
you won't want to miss it. We hope you can join us.

• A big note of thanks to everyone that attended the dinner with Casamiro Maule last Monday. It was an honor to have Italy's Winemaker of The Year as our guest - it was a special night.


• A reminder that Fiddleheads Food Co-op is holding a Winter's Farmers Market on Saturdays throughout February, March and April - from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Located at the Fiddlehead's Food Co-op, in the old California Fruit building on Broad Street. 25-30 vendors selling farm produce and related goods. A real opportunity to buy fresh, local farm goods during the winter. Plenty of parking makes this an easy visit. - Above Tony D'd Restaurant across from the courthouse.


• Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge
Chateau Fontbernard Montagne Saint-Emilion 2005 $13
Dave Says: "Last week I said we had six Bordeaux in house under $15 -- as of this writing, the number is now eight! (Starting at $7.00!) This one, Chateau Fontbernard, belongs to the same grower-producer collective I mentioned last week, it's a little more robust and earthier than last week's selection, beautifully made, and super affordable. Stop in Monday afternoon for a free glimpse inside the bottle!"


Wine Tasting Please Join Us Friday January 8 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Tolosa No-Oak Chardonnay 2005 $18.
Jim Says: "Are the days of butter slathered, over oaked california Chardonnay over? I'm not sure, but here's another bight and crisp Cali Chard, fermented in stainless steel,presenting pure, unadulterated fruit. Now if they could just ease back on their Zinfandel extraction,they might get something going out there."

This is a pure expression of Chardonnay, with lime blossom, ripe peach and tangerine fruit layered over a core of cool-climate minerality. Beautiful weight and richness, balanced by elegant, crisp acidity, and a touch of sweet anise on the finish. We especially love this wine with all manner of shellfish: Dungeness crab, red abalone, diver scallops, Pacific oysters; all in the simplest of preparations. - Please try it on Friday night.


2 - Domaine Saint Gayan Rasteau 2004 $17
Domaine Saint Gayan is a small estate located at the foot of the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail in the Gigondas appellation - This is what our friend Robert Parker says: "An excellent estate dedicated to making robustly styled, natural wines that are always among the best of the traditional heavyweights of Gigondas." This is from one of the lesser known Cotes du Rhone Villages, just to the north of the famed Chateauneuf du Pape. Saint Gayan is One of the great estates of the Southern Rhone, the owners, Jean-Pierre Meffre and his wife Martine produce wines of enormous power and concentration. With 1/3 of the vines being about 100 years old and the yields consequently low, the Gigondas has all the complexity and intensity of flavor one can expect from the Rhone. - This is a favorite and a great value for the dollar.

Importers Information: This meaty and succulent single-village Cotes-du Rhone is one of our favorite Rhone wines 70% Grenache and a whopping 30% Mourvedre. The size of these vineyards totals only .75 hectare,1/3 of which contain 100 year-old vines! Vinification follows traditional methods: 50% of the grapes are crushed, 50% fermented whole-berry; fermentation is brought to 31-32 degrees Celsius, and the wine is kept two years in tank and one year in cask before bottling.


3 - Le Grascete Bolgheri Rosso 2003 $30.
Nestled between Ornelia and Sassicaia, Azienda Agricola Le Grascete gives us this Super Tuscan of Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese, one of only two wines they produce. The grapes are meticulously hand harvested, and aged in French oak for 18 months, then 6 more months in bottle before release. The result is a wine with the power and depth you would expect from a Super Tuscan without the $150 price tag from the Bolgheri D.O.C.

Speaking of $150 Super Tuscans from a Rock Star wine maker...


4 - Gaja Ca'marcanda 2003 $150.
Last week Casamiro Maule, this week Angelo Gaja, or at least his wine. Along the Tuscan seaboard extending south from Livorno lies the Maremma. For centuries a marshland, it has established itself over the last quarter century as one of Italy's most prestigious wine regions. It is in this region that wine icon Angelo Gaja, looking like he just dismounted a Vespa in a Fellini movie, began a new winemaking venture — Ca'Marcanda. His aim was to transfer the experience of his Piemontese culture to the Maremma - to first acquire a thorough understanding of the potential of the different soil types and then to emphasize their specificity and uniqueness in the wines that are produced. The Maremma provides a perfect opportunity to apply this experience to growing international varieties.

In 1996, along the road between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, Gaja began planting 150 acres of vineyards, primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Angelo Gaja arrived on the wine scene and set about redefining the wines of Piedmonte, especially Barbaresco. The Ca' Marcanda estate (the translation is "the house of endless negotiations") is Angelo's effort in the D.O.C. of Bolgheri. Gaja wines accomplish something nearly impossible, they are shockingly approachable in their youth, yet have virtually unlimited aging potential. Many times I've pulled the cork on a Gaja wine expecting to find an untamed beast of of wine, only to be greeted by a supple wine, whose true nature is revealed by penetrating flavor. A masterpiece by a master wine maker.

Rated 92 points by Tanzer: "(A blend of 50% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc). Deep ruby. Rich, almost roasted aromas of black cherry, plum, and dark coffee, complicated by peat and an intensely balsamic menthol character. Concentrated flavors of red cherry, plum and milk chocolate are far from jammy. Wonderfully harmonious acids convey a sense of elegance and seamlessness on the extremely long finish."

We are pleased to share this with you on Friday - This is a special bottle that as we like to say, usually goes to movie stars or rich guys with pinot envy - but why should they have all of the fun? This is a wine that really has "The Jesus Factor" - made by man - but somehow touched by a higher power. Authentic and one of a kind - It may be a bargain at the price.


Thanks for your support we appreciate it - and it is the reason that we are able to bring in guests like Casamiro Maule, and offer wine like the Gaya at our weekly tasting.

There are lots of new things on the horizon, many of them based on your comments and suggestions - we are listening.


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

AAA.