GREAT GIFT IDEAS: For those of you that have been in the store - you know that its hard to describe the various ways that we can combine all of the goodies that we have. Flowers, cheese, gourmet specialty items, beer, fine wine and spirits, premium cigars, and the list goes on. We encourage you to visit downtown New London, visit the local shops and if time allows please stop in to say hello here at The Greenery. There are samples to try, ideas to discover, and fine holiday wishes in the air.
Our wine list for Friday is just below these gift ideas.
Here are just a few interesting items that are available.
A Case of the Winning Wine
Red, White and Bubbly.
Anyone who entertains often or occasionally needs a red, white and sparkling wine that will reliably please a range of palates. Here are three that are consistently good from year to year.
William Fevre Champs Royaux Chablis is the basic bottling of a well-regarded Chablis producer.
Vietti Tre Vigne Barbera is a lithe, bright food-friendly red from Piedmont.
Roederer Estate Brut NV, is a perennial favorite sparkling wine from California by way of the famous (French) Louis Roederer Champagne House.
All about $19 per bottle.
They also make a very affordable gift basket for the wine lovers in your life.
Shackelton Never Left Home Without It.
Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland - "Shackleton Series" - $159
A Sip of History
Shackleton Whiskey. When British explorer Ernest Shackleton abandoned his journey to the South Pole during a blizzard in 1908, he left behind a bunch of gear and a few bottles of Mackinlay's Rare Old Highland Malt Whiskey.
In 2007, those bottles were dug out of the ice and the spirit was copied through a mix of science and artful blending. Bright with citrus notes and a smoky-peppery finish, the result is a high proof (47.3% ABV) warmer that will battle the worst of winter.
One sip and your giftee will see why Shackleton carried
25 cases of the stuff on his journey.
Just Six Bottles Available - First Come First Served.
Pillows & Posies - From Pinc! & Thames River Greenery - $45
Delivery Included
Our flower shop teams up with The Head Mistress at Pinc!
Pinc! is a unique boutique located just a few doors down at 52 State Street.
Kim Petty is the "Head Mistress" at Pinc! and the creator of must have items for your home.
White roses and red spray roses, evergreens and berries in a red glass holder are delivered along with a handcrafted Christmas pillow. The duo is perfect on a mantle, coffee table or any small spot that needs a dash of color.
The pillow is soft red velvet trimmed with vintage ribbon and matching buttons.
Cheese - Glorious Cheese
Cheese is, in our humble opinion, one of the most wonderful foods in existence, and we've been fortunate to find the finest varietals available.
Of course, when we find something truly fabulous we can't wait to share it with you,
great things like Humbolt Fog, Cato Corner Farms,
Roaring Forties Blue, Cotswald,
and Parmigiano-Reggiano just to name a few.
And we have all of the accompaniments like Raincoast Crisps. A perfect marriage of sweet and salty, crispy slices of artisan bread are flavored with things like Kalamata olives and succulent Adriatic figs. Enjoy them on their own or paired with a soft cheese like chèvre, Brie or a good triple crème variety. Cheese and wine baskets make beautiful gifts.
Christopher Radko
ornaments are known all over the world. He has done it again - simply and wonderfully. Topped with sparkling snow, this cheerful red ceramic Radko ornament jar is filled with flowers & truly a gift of the season.
This red ceramic ornament jar, designed by Christopher Radko, is from the phenomenally popular series from Teleflora's Flowers-in-a-Gift collection.
Perfect for flowers, candy or just displayed alone.
Moonstruck Chocolates
In 1993, a simple but remarkable concept took root in Portland, Oregon.
That concept was to handcraft superior chocolates - chocolates that would not only taste exquisite, but that would look exceptional, as well. The result would be a chocolate indulgence for all the senses.
It all makes for a chocolate experience without compare, and we invite you to share in that experience yourself. Our chocolate case is full of holiday truffles. Please take a look - they are quite special.
This Friday Night
Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon - $48
93 points - Robert Parker's "The Wine Advocate"
Voted Best Nappa Winery 2 Years In A Row
While Frank Family Vineyards may be better known for their buttery, rich Chardonnay, they make a lovely Cabernet too. The 2008 vintage blends in small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, whch give the wine added complexity aromatically and structurally. The bouquet spills out of the glass with licorice, briar fruit and vanilla aromas, with subtler tones of honey, roasted nuts and cocoa powder. Full-throttle briar fruit on the palate is complemented by flavors of cinnamon and toast, dried currants and cherries, with cedary spice on the finish. Velvety tannins and good acidity make this a delight in the glass now and one you'll enjoy for years to come.
Winemaker Notes:
The 2008 Frank Family Vineyard's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense inky purple color. The aromas are abundant; expressing ripe briar-berries juicy black cherries and wild blueberries. Notes of cassis, roasted chestnut, sandlewood, and earth intermingled throughout, followed by espresso bean and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is lavish and vibrant bursting with juicy black-raspberries, cranberry marmalade and a touch of watermelon rind. The lively fruit is balanced by well structured tannins providing a plush, yet structured mouthfeel that is elegant and supple with lasting grip."
A great special occasion bottle for your holidays - please try it this Friday night.
Chateau Clos du Moulin - Bordeaux - Regular Price $18 / Special $14
Wine Spectator 92 Points - Classic French Medoc
The first activity recorded in Saint-Estèphe goes back as far as the Middle Bronze Age, the first vines date from the Roman Occupation. But it was the Bordeaux merchants who by aging and selling Saint-Estèphe wines themselves were largely responsible for this appellation's fame. And in the nineteenth century, noted for its prosperity, the great estates of today were created. The movement continues today with the merging of small estates.
A land of great wines, Saint-Estèphe is situated almost in the centre of the Médoc, close to the Gironde Estuary. The appellation is equal distance from Bordeaux and the Pointe de Grave.
The beds of soil are characterized by their remarkable diversity, the result of their undulating relief and excellent drainage. Quartz and well-rounded pebbles mingled with light, sandy surface soil are found everywhere, giving the wines a distinctive finesse. And the subsoil is made up of the famous Saint-Estèphe limestone, which outcrops on the west of the commune.
Tasting Notes
"Thanks to ideal conditions of climate and geology, Saint-Estèphe wines are characterized by their sturdy qualities and robust constitution. Accordingly, they can be laid down for a very long time while yet preserving their youth and freshness. Distinguished by a subsoil which is more clayey than that in the other communal appellations which lie by the river, the wine here attains a distinctive individuality : a very rich tannic structure, a fine deep red color and an exceptional backbone with aromas of great finesse."
Botanica Chenin Blanc South Africa - $22
Rated 5 Stars Platter's 2011 Wine Guide To South Africa
Rated 92 Points Tanzier's International WIne Cellar
One of only two examples of Chenin Blanc out of 58 wines to be rated 5 Stars in Platter's 2011,
Botanica is worth seeking out.
"What is striking about this wine is just how subtle and understated it is: there's stone fruit on nose and palate, pure but not exaggerated, while a slight sweetness and bright acidity play off against each other to good advantage."
This wine was absolutely beautiful. Its ranks up there as being one of the best Chenins that we have ever tasted.
Big and lush with green apple and honey notes melded with soft undertones of lemon grass, and sweet almond.
Wonderful mouth feel. This wine is for someone who wants something more than the quazi high volume Chenin blancs that every store has.
There are only 350 cases of this wine produced. We have 2 of them. If you have time to try only one wine this week - please try this one. And try it with the cheese and fondue that we are also tasting - it will open your eyes.
Sant'Elena Pinot Grigio 2007 - regular price $23 / Very Special Price $14
91 points - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
92 points - The Wine Spectator
Situated in Friuli, Sant' Elana is in northern Italy, south of Austria and bordering Slovenia to the east. It is known for stunningly good white wines.
What sets this Pinot Grigio apart from most traditional Pinot Grigios is its vibrant color and structure. While most immediately face the soft press and bottling after the harvest, this Pinot Grigio is macerated for thirty-six hours to obtain deep color and then left on the lees for six months.
A delicate and complex process usually not reserved for the variety, it vaults this wine into the top tier of the world's Pinot Grigios.
It is the estate's mission to produce small amounts of exceptionally flavorful, healthy fruit from its vines.
To reach this goal, high density vineyard plantings, rigorous canopy management and green harvesting are employed, as are a team of experienced grape harvesters who pick by hand only ripe, undamaged fruit. Only one bottle of wine is produced per plant!
If you choose just one white wine to serve to your friends and family this year - this is it. At this special price it is first come first served - supply is limited.
Our new location has been getting rave reviews from you. Your suggestions, comments, and remarkable support have exceeded our expectations. So this week and for the upcoming holiday season we will be sharing some very special items. We hope that you will join us and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Celery Bitters?
