Monday, January 12, 2009

You Asked For It - You Got It!

Corkage Fees
Card Available At City News

Greetings from New London,
As we mentioned last week, you are all asking for "Value - Value - Value." We are making it a top priority and will provide it in everything we offer to you.

With that in mind we are announcing our first Guest Chef Wine Dinner for 2009. STOP reading - pick up the phone and reserve your seats now. 860-443-9463.
You will kick yourself in the pants if you miss this one.

Thursday January 29 - 6 p.m. - Piedmonte Wine Dinner with James Wayman of River Tavern.


river tavernWe got together with our friends at the River Tavern in Chester and over several glasses of dusty red wine have organized a salute to the food and wine of Italy. Presiding over the mighty Viking Range will be Mr. James Wayman - He has been an executive chef at the River Tavern in Chester for four years, before that, the Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts graduate was chef at Water Street Cafe in Stonington for six years.

THE MENU:
First: Ciccioli (Italian Pork Rillet) crostini with dried fruit mostarda & the mostarda is the northern Italian precursor to mustard that is similar to chutney.
Served with Contratto Arnelle Gavi di Gavi 2007

Second: Handmade Tagliatelle with wild black trumpet mushrooms (gathered by Chef Wayman),pancetta & sage cream.
Served with Fratelli Alessandria Barbera d' alba 2005

Third: Roasted leg of lamb with Juniper & honey, creamy polenta, caramelized onions & fennel.
Served with Fratelli alessandria Barolo 2004

For dessert: Whipped ricotta with orange, dates & espresso.
Served with Sergio Grimaldi Brachetto 2007

Now - here is where the value kicks in - the cost of the wine alone - if you could find it - would push this night into Platinum Card territory. Our first wine dinner of 2009 is priced at just $85, plus tax & service.

Put the disappointments of 2008 behind you and join us for a special night. Meet James Wayman and share a glass of wine while he describes each delicious course. Seating is limited, please reserve early.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

blizzard conditions
The Monday Tasting 1.12.09


Chateau St. Nicholas Bordeaux 2005 $18

Snow terror grips New London!
As the village ground-zero public announcement system crackles with dire instructions, I realize this day shall see us crippled by yet more blizzard - wiping the sleep from my eyes, I am gripped with fear: have we store of yams to last the winter? What of the onions? Will the provision of salted cod hold out?!?

My worries are soon quelled: Four Mile River Farms beef in the deep freeze, onion, carrot, celery, shallot, potato - if I can hunt a clove of garlic and a trifle of mushroom, we shall concoct a potent stew! And wine! Provenance has seen me a bottle of 2005 Chateau St. Nicholas Bordeaux - perfect! A drop for the kettle and the rest for our merriment!
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Please Join Us Metro
The Friday Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday January 16 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge


1 - Lingenfelder Gewurztraminer 2006 $15
Lingenfelder
The Hare Label Gewürtztraminer from Lingenfelder is a lively, aromatic wine made from Gewürtztraminer, a traditional aromatic grape variety from the Pfalz region in Germany. The floral, aromatic qualities of this Gewürtztraminer are sure to provide a unique wine tasting experience, whether you enjoy it as an aperitif, with a meal, or just on its own. Perfect with Asian, Thai and Indian cuisine.

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2 - Errazuriz Merlot 2006 $12


Errazuriz

Merlot with just a touch of Carmenere from the Curio valley in Chile. Bright cherry red in color, the nose boasts and interesting combination of black and red fruits with spice.

Cherries and blackberries blend with notes of black pepper, cloves, and a light touch of smoke. Medium bodied on the palate, with gripping tannins and good structure.

Toast and fruit combine with refreshing acidity for a delightful, soft-textured wine with a pleasing finish
.
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3 - Puzelat KO "In Cot We Trust" 2005 $21


Thierry Puzelat
From Thierry Puzelat, one of the two brothers at Clos du tue Boeuf, comes this odd little number. This wine is bio-dynamically farmed Malbec from of all places, the Loire valley.

As with many Loire wines it's all about character and terroir.

A solid core of fruit and tannins rests on wafting scents of wet stone,
Loire Garrigue and Monkey. For the Francophile and the adventurous..
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4 -Chateau La Rame Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux
2005 $26

La RameSituated 40 kilometers southeast of the city of Bordeaux, Chateau La Rame is among the oldest and most renowned properties in the Sainte Croix du Mont appellation.

The estate was purchased by Claude Armand, the father of the current owner, Yves Armand. The 20 hectares of Chateau La Rame are set on a clay-limestone soil blessed with an exceptional substratum marked by a bed of fossilized oysters dating from the Tertiary era - really old.

The hillside vineyards overlook the Garonne River and face full south as they slope down towards the river.

The wine was slightly austere but intense with deep fruit and powerhouse tannins last we tasted it six months ago. Since then it's been sitting in our cellar "Mellowing Out", I wonder how it tastes now?
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We especially appreciate all of the comments and suggestions that you take the time to send in - it is very important to us.
We do not take your support for granted - thank you for making us into the most talked about & copied wine store in Connecticut.

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


AAA.


1 comment:

Loree Bourgoin said...

Jim ---I've been going to your wine dinners for years. They're an excellent way to have a good meal, be introduced to quality wines and enjoy their paring with the dinner courses. I've certainly become a fan! I'm always recommending your dinners to others, as a way to become more knowledgeable of good wines and have a fine meal.

While I am used to the high quality selection of wines that you present at your wine dinners, - I believe that the Piedmonte Dinner with Chef James Wayman was one of the best wine dinners that I've been to, to date!!!!!

The three courses were so delightful that by the handmade tagliatelle with wild black trumpet mushrooms and Barbera pairing, I was (literally) dancing in my seat. Ask any of my dining companions! WOW! I enjoyed my experience and can not wait for the next time you have another dinner with Chef Wayman! Each wine and course was memorable. And the wine you served with the dessert was something I hadn't had before! I loved the discovery. Thank you for offering this dining experience. Par Excellence!