Thanksgiving Tasting & News 2009

Happy Thanksgiving
We have solutions galore.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
Greetings from New London,
This week we have more wine than you can shake a stick at. TWO big tastings to satisfy all of your Thanksgiving needs. Details are below.

Next, we have to remind you that all of the Cheese and Specialty Foods at Brie & Bleu are available Seven Days A Week - From 9:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. - right through the holidays. The entire department is now open at Thames River Greenery.

We ask you: What holiday table is complete without the full assortment of cheeses, breads, imported nuts, charcuterie, and specialty foods that we are known for?


We will even deliver them right to your front door with the centerpiece you have ordered for the holiday.


Please stop in and take a look at our new gourmet department.

Or call us with any questions that you might have.
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******

Thanks for a great turn out last Friday for our book signing reception with Marci Alborghgetti in our wine cellar. Her new book The Christmas Glass is available at City News.

Read the article in the Day Paper HERE

*****

Fifth Annual
Jonathan Edwards Winery
W I N E T A S T I N G
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25
STARTS AT 3 P.M.

The Fifth Annual Jonathan Edwards Winery Thanksgiving Tasting - this Wednesday starting at 3 p.m.

This Wednesday we are proud to present our 5th Annual Jonathan Edwards Pre-Thanksgiving Wine Taste-a-thon!

It's the day before Thanksgiving - did you get maple syrup for the yams? Shallots for the mushroom gravy? Foil pans for the extra stuffing?? No worries!! Our favorite Connecticut winemaker will set up shop in the cellar starting at 3PM, so there will be plenty of time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for these four lovely, local, Jonathan Edwards creations:

2008 Estate Connecticut Gewurztraminer
This wine was harvested in October, fermented at cool temperatures to enhance the bouquet and aged for 6 months in stainless steel to preserve its crisp characteristics. A crisp, dry finish follows fragrant aromas of grapefruit and lemon zest. Enjoy on its own or with spicy dishes such as Thai food or Sushi.

2008 Estate Connecticut Chardonnay

Enjoy the bright citrus bouquet of green apples and lemons, framed with smoky vanilla oak from large French barrels. This silky smooth, easy-drinking wine pairs perfectly with seafood and fresh cheeses or is excellent all by itself on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel

The Zinfandel is harvested from low yielding 50 year old head-pruned vines. Up-front, jammy blackberry/raspberry fruit is followed by a smooth round easy finish. Pasta dishes are a perfect match for this wine.

2007 Napa Valley Merlot

The 2007 offering is sourced from a thirty-five year old vineyard on the south side of Calistoga. A gorgeous dark ruby color is pleasing to the eye and the deep black cherry aroma paired with a long complex finish will thrill your other senses as well. This robust Merlot will continue to develop in the bottle for at least 5-8 years. Enjoy this with red pasta dishes, meats and your favorite cheeses.

The Thanksgiving Leftovers Tasting
Please Join Us
Friday November 27 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.
"THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS TASTING"
After all the feasting, anybody still up for another wine tasting? Of course you are - You Are Professionals!

We can't predict what will still be on the shelf Friday, but what's better than leftovers?

We will search out something wonderful, or just ask YOU, our friends and customers, to point out which wines you would love to sample!

Dave says: "Fun is guaranteed."

Get off the couch and come on down - get a little air, it will do you good.

******

P E T I T E F O U R S
Are A Specialty of
You Take The Cake

Don't wait to place your orders for the holidays from You Take The Cake.

Everything from Petite Fours to holiday cakes, Buche Noel's, and Cheesecakes, are just a call away.

Everything is baked from scratch - delivery to your front door is available - all you need to do is take credit for all the hard work.

8 6 0 - 7 0 1 - 0 0 7 4

O R D E R E A R L Y

YOU TAKE THE CAKE

Buche de Noel


Holiday Petite Fours


German Chocolate

*****

We sincerely appreciate your comments and suggestions.

And of course it is your support that makes all of this possible - it looks like it will be a great holiday season for us - thank you.

The biggest achievement we made this week was relocating all of the cheese and specialty foods to our new gourmet department. We were still filling the cases when people came in to purchase cheese for Thanksgiving.

We know that making all of the items from Brie & Bleu available everyday was important to you. We will continue to use your suggestions as a guide to serve you better.

AAA.

Special Announcement - Please Join Us

Greetings from New London,
Lots of news this week, special tastings, live music, book signings, and holiday information galore.
Those details are all below this first announcement:

We have had a good deal of comments lately about Brie & Bleu.
Many of them go a little something like this:

"We love Brie & Bleu - you have amazing cheese, great food, and gourmet products - BUT - we never know when you are open!"

AND when you are open - your closed for something private!

"How can we buy cheese and food for the holidays if you're not open?"

" What if I can't get to the store when you are open or not open?"

Well - you are right.
We recognize your frustration - The reason we book the entire space for private functions is economics. And it is especially difficult during the holiday season - which we are heading into right now.
We must take advantage of the holiday functions and private parties that are coming our way.
(By The Way - Book Your Private Party Early -
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3 or 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7)

So - TWO big changes that we hope will address most of the issues.

1 - In order to accommodate all of the requests for private use of Brie & Bleu - we are suspending regular dinner & food service until after the holiday season. Instead we will focus our efforts on the special tastings, beer dinners, wine dinners, & private functions that we have scheduled.

2 - Beginning TODAY.
I mean right now as you read this, we have expanded the gourmet department at Thames River Greenery to include all of the items we sell at Brie & Bleu.

The full assortment of cheeses and gourmet products have relocated just around the corner to 70 State Street.
All of your cheese and gourmet needs are now available all day everyday right here at The Greenery.

Gourmet products from D'artagnan, spreads, jams, jellies and kitchen items from Stonewall Kitchen, imported olives, charcuterie, & imported nuts and olive oil, the full line of Tate's Cookies, tea from Harney & Sons, coffee & espresso from Illy, and fine chocolates from Moonstruck, to name just a few. We really encourage you to visit the store here to see the changes first hand - it looks amazing.

So we invite you to rediscover what a great gourmet department can be. Please visit us at 70 State Street and have a look around, you are going to like what you see.

****

Don't Forget that this
Friday November 20th
Local Author Marci Alborghetti will be signing copies of her new book
"The Chrismas Glass" during the wine tasting in our store.

If you missed the article in last Sunday's paper about Marci and the book CLICK HERE to see the full story. Please be sure to say hello to Marci when you stop in for the tasting.

****

Now, if all of this was not enough for a big Friday night - we have one more thing to add - our live performance series "Trabadour Nights" at City News,
continues this week.

Friday Night - No Charge - From 5-7 p.m.
In addition to our "House Band" of troubadours the featured guest will be Rick Spencer.

BIO:

Rick Spencer is known internationally for his work as a singer, songwriter and performer of music in the American folk music tradition.

For over 25 years he has traveled and performed at venues which include concert stages, folk festivals, museums, schools, libraries, pubs and others.

In concert Rick's presentations are always interactive and entertaining. Audience participation is requested and required!
Snappy and spicy guitar or smooth 5-string banjo accompaniment is to be expected and guest artists are likely to join in on stage.

The repertoire includes a good dose of up tempo traditional music, unique arrangements of contemporary songs from a variety of sources, sensitive or amusing original pieces and an unexpected surprise or two.

***

Last Appearence Of The Season:
The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard is cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine at The Beanery this Thursday the 19th of November. 11:30 - 2:00

MENU THIS WEEK

Crawfish Etouffee (AY-TOO-Fay)

This is from the heart of Cajun country, this is a spicy (but not so hot that it's uncomfortable) sauce that is served with white rice.

If you have never had crawfish - start with this dish - you won't regret it!

Cream of Garlic Soup
The secret to this soup is a luscious puree of caramelized garlic and onions tghickened with French bread. This is one of the signature dishes at Bayona in the French Quarter, voted one of the three best restaurants in New Orleans in several polls of food writers and patrons both.

Apple Praline Tarts
Individual little pies with the taste of the Bayou combined with apple and sweet cream.
Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.

This is a great opportunity to make plans and meet your friends downtown for something special.
We have lots of seating and the mood will be festive - we hope you can join us.
Questions:
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7 - Option # 2 for The Beanery

***

Coming Next Week - Our Annual Jonathan Edwards Winery Thanksgiving celebration - Wednesday November 25 - don't miss the fun - mark your calendars. 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday November 20 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

1 - Segura Viudas Cava $10 / $18 magnums

This is our favorite everyday bulletproof sparkling - from the good people who bring you Freixenet, this is the original Spanish Cava.

Inexpensive, bone dry, perfect for mimosas, brunches, and Thanksgiving celebratory reunions!

What's better than showing up with a mag of bubbly?

A lovely, bready treat, perfect for toasts and kicking off the holidays.












2 - Georges DeBeouf Beaujolais Nouveau $10


Le Nouveau est arrive!
Yes, the third Thursday in November has come.

Which means flagons of fresh Beaujolais have been delivered directly to us via supersonic air freight.

Light, fruity Gamay - silly, delicious, a seasonal favorite. Perfect for the holiday table too.

Let's try this year's harvest!






3 - Calera Pinot Noir $26

From our friend Josh Jensen, the Pinot pioneer of California.

This is Josh's vineyard blend, 100% Pinot Noir, from Monterey and San Benito Counties.

Seeing eleven months in French Oak, this Pinot is a Burgundy-styled classic with plentiful West Coast fruit.

Delicate, earthy, a perfect match for turkey time or casual sipping.

4 - Chocolate Block $36

From our friends at Boekenhoustkloof in South Africa, a perennial favorite of ours, this is their take on Chateauneuf de Pape.

A Rhone-styled blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet.
Hard to obtain - but we've stocked up on it!

This is not some South African smoke bomb - it's an elegant full-bodied red, glowing with dark plum and cherry, and yes, a hint of cocoa on the finish. If this is your first time trying this wine - it will open your eyes, it really is something special. We liked it so much that we flew to South Africa to talk with the wine maker. To watch our interview click HERE- and scroll to the bottom of the page.

P E R F E C T P I E S
& PERFECT CAKES

Listen - its time to place your orders for Holiday Cakes & Pies from You Take The Cake.

Everything from Pumpkin Cheesecake to the most sublime Coconut & Pecan Pies are just a call away.

Everything is baked from scratch - delivery to your front door is available - all you need to do is take credit for all the hard work.

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O R D E R D E A D L I N E

for Thanksgiving

Sunday November 22nd.
YOU TAKE THE CAKE

Four Layer Pumpkin Cake


Coconut Layer Cake


German Chocolate

*****

All of the changes and additions announced this week come directly from your input.
We sincerely appreciate your comments and suggestions, it is how we stay ahead of the pack.

And of course it is your support that makes all of this possible - thank you.

And we know that some people will not be entirely pleased with all of the changes - we ask only that you give it a chance to work.

If it needs fine tuning we will make adjustments -
One thing is for certain - the best is yet to come.

AAA.

Your Holiday Checklist Starts Right Here

Your Holiday Checklist - Starts Right Now.
We have solutions galore.
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Greetings from New London,
This week the tasting falls on Friday The Thirteenth.
This might bother a typical package store - but not us. We have the perfect cure for Triscadecaphobia. Please Stop in on Friday Night so we can share it with you.

***

New London In the news again
The New York Times Article featured a photo
of our store - (that's us in the background)

If you missed the story read it HERE

***

Thanks to everyone for coming out to support the inaugural session of "Trabadour Nights" at City News.
The next performance date will be added soon.

****

Mark your Calendars For
Friday November 20th

Local Author Marci Alborghetti will be signing copies of her new book
"The Chrismas Glass" during the wine tasting in our store.

Also - look for the profile in The Day newspaper coming on Sunday November 15th.

****

Our annual Jonathan Edward's Thanksgiving tasting is just around the corner more details next week.

***

Wednesday Beer Tasting - Continues.

Great Beer, Great Food, No Charge.
Does It Get ANY Better Than That?
Stop By After Work.
84 Bank Street New London

***

Remember - Just Two Weeks Left:
The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard is cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine at The Beanery on Thursday the 12th, and Thursday 19th of November.

MENU THIS WEEK
Chicken Creole

This is the classic chicken dish in Creole and Cajun country. The diced chicken dish is made with a classic roux as well as a mixture of veggies, brown sugar and lemon - It's served with white rice and is soooo good!
This is the first dish Phil learned to cook in New Orleans.

Shrimp, Creole Tomato and Corn Bisque

This is a real treat! It's an elegant first course or a hearty main dish - either way - you will want more!!!

The bisque has a blend of peppers, shrimp and cream along with spices and veggies that can easily become habit forming.

SWEET POTATO PONE

If you have never had this classic Southern dessert you are in for a treat. This is the recipe that Phil got from Leah Chase, the 87 year old owner and chef of the famous Dookey Chase's in New Orleans.

This has been the favorite dessert for years at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) - and for good reason!


If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.

This is a great opportunity to make plans and meet your friends downtown for something special.
We have lots of seating and the mood will be festive - we hope you can join us. Questions:
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7 - Option # 2 for The Beanery

***

Please join us.

The Triscadecaphobia
Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday November 13 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.



1 - Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Blanc $16

Our friend Michael Kane from Rosenthal Wine Merchants possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of wine and a boundless, infectious enthusiasm. Example:

"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."

From vines averaging 45 years old, this sublime Sauvignon Blanc Sec is one of our perpetual favorites, with lemon laser clarity and a touch of brine.
That's a lot going on for $16!







2 - Consenso Cabernet Sauvignon $12

This little Italian Cab comes from Valeggio sul Mincio, near Lake Garda in Northern Italy.


From the small family vineyards of Luigi Rizzi, this is a soft, velvety red with dark plummy tones and an unmistakably Italian touch of smoke and leather.

The price makes it a fantastic deal - but would you expect anything less? From the people that bring us Per Marco & San Sole - this is another great choice.




Muga Rioja Reserva $27

Bodegas Muga have been making their wines in the same facility in Haro, Spain, for two centuries.

This 2005 Reserva is bright ruby in color, with plenty of dark cherry, with coffee and char notes from the ancient, arid vineyards.

The wine is aged starting in large oak vats, then continues for 24 months in small barrel for the development of fine tannins. Elegant, perfectly balanced, an affordable classic.

4 - McLaren Vale "Squid Ink" Shiraz 2006 $34

This is a very low-production Shiraz from a tiny cooperative near Adelaide in Southern Australia.

2005 was a dry season, and the Shiraz grapes grown here were tiny, blue-black and stained the fingers - hence the name (no squids were harmed in the making of the wine).

Ripe berry nose, firm tannins and a long finish - winemaker Brian Light declared it, "The most intense wine we have bottled."


It's become a cult favorite around here, but now is sold out worldwide - we've got TEN bottles and plan to crack one for you, the eager drinking public- please join us.

P E R F E C T P I E S
& PERFECT CAKES

Listen - its time to place your orders for Holiday Cakes & Pies from You Take The Cake.

Everything from Pumpkin Cheesecake to the most sublime Coconut & Pecan Pies are just a call away.

Everything is baked from scratch - delivery to your front door is available - all you need to do is take credit for all the hard work.


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O R D E R D E A D L I N E
Sunday November 22nd.
YOU TAKE THE CAKE

*******

This edition is dedicated to the memory of
Dr. John Caltabiano.
He really made a difference.

AAA.

The Wine Diaries - Drink Away The Pain

City News Presents
Troubadour Nights - A Series of Live Performances
Starting This Friday From 5:00 - 7:00 p. m.
No Charge
Stop by on your way to or from our weekly Wine Tasting or your
Dinner at Brie & Bleu.
Greetings from New London,

Thanks to everyone for the tremendous support that you have been showing to us at Brie & Bleu.
Remember Kitchen is now open until 10 p.m. - Please Reserve Early.

***

This Friday night is the inaugural session of
"Trabadour Nights" at City News. In an effort to rekindle the "Bohemian Experience", our friends at Little Red Tree Publishing are organizing the same kind of entertainment that you might find if you were sneaking around the West Village after midnight.

Join us for a little wine, a little cheese, and some great performance. No Charge - and the early start time makes it a perfect stop on your way to dinner or our weekly wine tasting. Please join us - 5-7 p.m.

****

Remember:
The Connecticut Cajun himself - Chef Phil Hubbard - will be cooking authentic Cajun Cuisine
at The Beanery on the
5th, 12th, and 19th of November.

If you have been waiting for a reason to visit the authentic 1900's seating area at City News this is it.

This is a great opportunity to make plans and meet your friends downtown for something special.
We have lots of seating and the mood will be festive - we hope you can join us. Questions:
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7 - Option # 2 for The Beanery

***

LAST CALL - City News in Conjunction with the Thames Club will be hosting an Ashton Cigar "Taste Of Excellence" Dinner.

Saturday November 14th - 6:00 p.m.

Call the Thames Club - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 5 5 0 4
Ask for Club Manager Paula Guido - Explain that you are a guest of City News and would like to make a reservation. It is just that simple.

******

Other Highlights for the coming season include:
Wine dinners, beer dinners, guest chefs, authors and holiday surprises.

New food & wine series coming to Brie & Bleu.

New wine dinners & special events coming to City
News, Brie & Bleu, and our one of a kind cellar.

Please join us.

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

A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

1 - Martinsancho Verdejo $18

La Seca in the heart of D.O. Rueda. Now widely renowned for its fresh white wines made from Verdejo, in the 1970s, the Verdejo grape was practically wiped out by more prolific varieties such as Viura and Palomino.

Visionary Angel Rodríguez realized the treasure in his 17th-century Martinsancho Verdejo vineyard and refused to uproot it.
For his untiring efforts in reestablishing Verdejo's prominence in its region of origin he was officially honored by King Juan Carlos.

Like an old friend stopping in from out of town, one of our favorite Spanish whites has returned again - Martinsancho! Light, bright and ethereal with a briny finish. A classic varietal from coastal Spain, perfect for salads, shellfish and cheese courses.


2 - La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux $9

The color is a medium deep crimson, as usual, with good brilliance. Aromas and flavors are bursting with raspberry-tinged garrigue, ripe and inviting.

Big, full bodied presence - all fruit and a yard wide. Spice and peppercorns are showing already but only as a backdrop to the fruit. Loads of garrigue; this is what garrigue is all about.

The more I drink, the more I want. "The Old Farm," also known as "The Chicken Red," this bargain-priced French beauty is a Granache-based light, fine Rhone - an everyday favorite around here and we also have it in jumbo mags at $18.





3 - Costozza Cabernet Sauvignon $16

No that's not a typo - this wine used to go for $26 on the shelf, but our guy Mark in Northern Italy has put it on deep sale as we move towards the next vintage.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Veneto region (better known for the world's finest Pinot Grigio), this is a big, dark earthy Cab.

The Costozza "fire sale" has been an in-store secret, but now the secret's out - we're pouring it on Friday, available as long as the 2003 vintage lasts!

4 - Syzygy Cabernet Sauvignon $40

People come into the store and ask for this wine by name! No, but seriously - we think it's pronounced "Shedjee."

What we really have here is an incredibly voluptuous Cabernet from Washington State's Columbia Valley.

The high-altitude and endless winds of the region produce some of the best wines of our West Coast.

As a cult favorite, Syzygy stands out as a big red blockbuster, but still resonably priced.

Please drop in and sample it!

Cider "Cocktail" Anyone?

Classic Combinations
Great Wine & Beer
Affordable Indulgence.

Rediscover A
Great Night Out.
Brie & Bleu
New London's
Waterfront Bistro

Please Reserve Early
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Thank you all for the many comments and emails about the changes and additions we have been making.
We love your feedback - good and bad - it is important to us.
And as always - thanks for your support we appreciate it.

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


AAA.