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.