Labor Day, Plumpjack, Julien Schaal, VRAC Macon Village,Puig Parahy "Georges", Chateau Saint Nicolas

The big Labor Day Weekend is almost here, and to celebrate we have something very special for you at Brie & Bleu. Jim Morrison has called in a few markers and not only is the lineup for the tasting this week not to be missed, wait until you see what he has arranged for you at our little bistro. See below.

We receive a lot of mail from our reader's. Questions and comments, suggestions, crazy idea's of every kind - (you know who you are) and thankfully lots of accolades.

The Mail Department has been working overtime.

One of the most common requests of late is about the wine list at Brie & Bleu. "We want better wines by the glass." is what we are hearing and we are listening. This is how it works.

Connecticut distributor's have a complex series of rules that sometimes prevent us from getting all of the wine we would like to offer to you at the wine store. BUT - those same rules present opportunities for us in the restaurant, and starting this week, we are sharing them with you.

Brie & Bleu News:

Plumpjack Reserve Chardonnay and Plumpjack Napa Merlot
$15 a glass $60 a bottle, while supplies last.

The people have spoken - "We want special wines by the glass."
And we are listening. Starting this week - to compliment our new menu we are offering impossibly hard to find wine by the glass and the bottle. You will not find this anywhere else.

Remember - We have added things like Short Ribs and Roasted Chicken to our regular bistro style menu. Add to that our signature potato and cheese dishes and a carefully chosen wine and beer list - and even the biggest appetite will be satisfied.

Dave's Fave
The Monday Tasting

Click on the photo to order it now

Vins Julien Schaal Gewurztraminer 2007 $17

Here's a beautiful little Gewurz that strolled into the store one day like a lost kitten. Actually, it was dragged in here by an old alleycat of a salesperson, but it's still a charming little winner in my book.

From old vines tended carefully in the red clays of Alsace, the wine is gently gravity pressed and fermented with wild yeast, making it to bottle with minimal manipulation.

Light, clean and crisp with a fresh fruit nose, the Schaal represents a classic Alsace varietal made in a natural process by a new generation vintner. Yes, the kid with the Billabong tee shirt is Julien Schaal! Hey, the proof is in the bottle. Visit Julien HERE

It would pair beautifully with fine Thai and Indian food, which we have in abundance here in New London. Please stop in after work on Monday for a chilled sip!

Please join me Monday to have a sip of their spicy new seasonal! DA

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

Can't Make It To The Tasting? - click on the photos

1 - VRAC Macon Village 2006 $11

Named for the French term "En Vrac" which means to buy your wine in bulk right from the winery.

This is a bright and charming little Chardonnay from southern Burgundy. We were so taken with this no-nonsense approach to decent French wine that we bought the Chardonnay, the Cotes du Rhone and some BOX WINE, you heard me.

Shocking? not really, if it gets people drinking wine everyday we are all for it.


2 - Gassier Sables D' Azur Cotes de Provence rose 2007 $12

This little number was named a best value by Wine Spectator Magazine proving once and for all that at least someone over there knows a good little wine when he sees one.

The Cote de Provence is renown for rose, the very famous Domaine Ott hails from this region. While the Gassier is in the same light and pretty Provencal rose style, it doesn't take itself quite as seriously as it's famous neighbor.

This is Drinkin' wine, nummy wine. A blend of Granache for spice, Syrah for floral aromatics and Cinsault for "street cred".


3- Domaine Puig Parahy "Georges" Cotes du Roussillon 2005 $12

Another absolute gem from the unsung reaches of southern France.

A blend of Granache, Carignan, Mouverde and Syrah from the Parahy family estate in Roussillon at the foothills of the Pyrenees.

The grapes are hand harvested from vines between 60 and 80 years old.

The wine exhibits deep black cherry fruit, licorice with a slight herbal nose.
All that and only $12!!!

4 - Chateau Saint Nicolas Cotes de Bordeaux 2005 $18



This is a direct import from our friends at Slocum and Sons.

I want to send a special shout out and thanks to Robert Colopy for bringing this wine into my life. I am on my fourth bottle.

Nestled between Graves and Entre deux Mers, Cotes de Bordeaux is not part of the great left bank, home to such wines as Latour and Lafite.

Instead, this is a region often overlooked, sitting as it does in the shadow of the Haut Medoc. But in a great year like 2005, the blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc comes alive with real and serious Bordeaux Character.

No, this is not wine to age for twenty years. This is the wine you drink on Tues and Thursday nights with Hamburgers made from beef from Four Mile River Farm.

You don't have to be a hedge fund manager to drink great wine, not even 2005 Bordeaux.

Please Call Us Anytime With Questions
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

As the summer draws to a close we are forced to say goodbye to an important member of our family. Dan Swann leaves this week to return to school. I'm sure he will be studying hard, learning to save the planet or to help people in a challenging new way - but we are going to miss him. Thank you "Iron Dan" for a great summer. We can hardly wait to see you on your next break - you have our best wishes.

And to all of our friends and customers - Thank You - it has been a remarkable season.

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

AAA.