Happy New Year!

Special Holiday Hours - Let's Have Some Fun!

This Friday Night

A Holiday SpectacularPresented by Eric Belnier

We have selected our favorites for the season.  

We hope you can join us this Friday from 5-8 PM
Let's Have Some Holiday Fun! 

Thank you one and all for taking the time to shop locally with us.  It makes a difference to all of the downtown merchants. Sure, it is easier to shop online - but you can't sample a new gourmet item, try a wine from a tiny town in France or actually laugh out loud reading a new card that is just right for someone special on your list.

This is the local connection - and we thank you.

Special Items
Have Arrived For The Holidays.

On Our Shelves Now

We have too many things to list here. But those of you that know us have seen the variety of unique items that we have. Stocking Stuffers in every category.  One of a kind things that will make your family and friends smile. Please join us this Friday and take a good look around.

 

Only 600 Cases Produced

Only 5 Six-Packs in Connecticut.   

We have one of them.

The pinnacle wine for Terlato Vineyards, EPISODE stands shoulder to shoulder with
the very best Bordeaux Blends in the world.

The Terlato family makes this Bordeaux blend of classic varietals from the best Napa Valley fruit. Made with a focus on quality from select fruit that meets the highest standards, EPISODE stands out as truly elegant wine-a classic.

EPISODE is crafted in very limited quantities.

For the wine appreciator in your life - a very special gift. At a special holiday price.

Normal Price  $199

Email Price    $169 

 

 

 

ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY CHEESE NOW

 

This is the time to order your cheese platters and gourmet specialties. Make your entertaining easy.

We will have several to sample this Friday night.

 

 

 

We Have What It takes

We love trying to get hard to find items.

And we have a pretty good success rate.

Don't be afraid to ask if you don't see it.
We will put our top people on it.

CALENDAR 

RSVP Line:  860-443-6817
No Charge - All rsvp events start at 6:00pm  

Wednesday December 17 - RSVP Required

Italy - The Wines Of Conte Vistarino

6:00 PM presented by Ted Brown Vinifera Wines

FINAL TASTING BEFORE THE NEW YEAR

Friday December 19th

Eric Belnier - Monsieur Touton Selections

BUZZ

     

HOLIDAY HOURS:
Closed Christmas Day

Friday 26th -
Wine store open
Flower Shop Closed

Saturday 27th -
Wine Store Open
Flower Store Open

New Years Day
Both Stores Closed

Friday January 2nd
Regular Hours Resume

 

 

Very Coole Night - Go Big!

This Friday Night

A Visit From The Coole Swan Team

We will be tasting several items on Friday Night.
But a featured slot goes to Coole Swan.

Coole Swan is an all natural cream liqueur made with Irish Whiskey, Belgian White Chocolate, Madagascar Vanilla and Double Cream - what's not to like?

The Coole Swan Team will be presenting this addictive potion and making for a generally upbeat and festive night in the store. 

 

In addition - we will be pouring wine from the Allen S. Goodman portfolio.

  6 Liter Bottle - $235
3 Liter Bottle - $135 

    

Chateau Larose Trintaudon 

A real "WOW" gift  for
clients, new home, new baby...

These are large format bottles that are packed in wooden cases. 6 liters equals about 8 bottles.

RATED 91 points, Wine Journal:

The Larose-Trintaudon 2009 has a very refined, "classic" bouquet with sous-bois (a French term that refers to a forest-floor or undergrowth note), tobacco and broody dark fruits. The delineation is terrific. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, great tension with crisp black, mineral-laden fruits on the finish. Bon vin!"

ROBERT PARKER 

"Larose Trintaudon is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. A particularly attractive and charming wine, with fragrant strawberry and black cherry fruit as well as hints of wood smoke and spice box. It is medium-bodied, soft, silky and ideal for drinking over the next 5-6 years.

What is so striking about 2009 - and I haven't really seen this kind of excitement since 1982 - is the quality of the cru bourgeois and the petits vins and generic Bordeaux that are available." - Robert Parker

Highly Allocated
Just Three Bottles Left

Our yearly shipment of CLIO has arrived.
First come, first served.  

Looking for a consistently over-achieving, full-bodied red?
How about this for a track record (all scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate): 2003 - 96 points; 2004 - 97 points; 2005 - 95 points; 2006 - 95 points; 2007 - 94 points, 2008 - 94 points, 2009 - 90 points. The wine is comprised of 70% Old Vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that was barrel-aged for 22-26 months in French and American oak.

It bears Clio's hallmark opulence, with bold aromas and flavors, a thick, dense palate, and long finish. The wine is rich with roasted berry and cassis aromas and flavors, with accents of anise and espresso. A powerful, decadent wine.

 

The Bruichladdich Tasting    

Last Wednesday was a treat - thanks to everyone that made it a success.

We represent the full Bruichladdich ( Brook-Laddie) line.
On our shelves now - even the rare "Black Art."
A perfect gift.

 

 

 

 

 

THE BOSS HOG   

2014
The Spirit of Mortimer

"This year's Boss Hog has been selected from among our oldest and most unique barrels - Bond 77. Bond 77 entered wood on April 5, 2001. As part of a quadruple barrel aging process, the Spirit of Mortimer spent nearly 14 years in a combination of new American oak, and early use bourbon barrels.

Bottled at cask-strength, the Spirit of Mortimer represents our purest, most powerful, and most primordial expression of the world's finest rye."

The Boss Hog claimed a coveted Double Gold at the 2014
San Francisco Spirits Competition.

On The Shelf Now - very limited.  

 

 

ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY CHEESE NOW

 

This is the time to order your cheese platters and gourmet specialties. Make your entertaining easy.

We will have several to sample this Friday night.

CALENDAR  RSVP Line:  860-443-6817 No Charge - All rsvp events start at 6:00pm   Wednesday December 10th - RSVP Required Anthony Terlato via Skype 6:00 PM - Terlato Wines The exceptional quality of the Terlato portfolio is underscored by more than 900 90+ reviews form leading wine publications since 2010 - More 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world.      Friday December 12 John Orfice - Allan S. Goodman Selections Coole Swan Wednesday December 17 - RSVP Required Italy - The Wines Of Conte Vistarino 6:00 PM presented by Ted Brown Vinifera Wines FINAL TASTING BEFORE THE NEW YEAR Friday December 19th Eric Belnier - Monsieur Touton Selections

 

Crazy Beautiful

  CRAZY BEAUTIFUL.

Loosely translated, Jolie Folle means "crazy beautiful."
The same could be said for the winemaking philosophy of owner Brian Smith and his wife Gina - despite the naysayers, they've found a way to produce a highquality, expressive, hand-crafted wine at an approachable price point. Brian creates terroir driven wines of character. As part of their sustainable winemaking philosophy, Brian and Gina use lightweight, eco-friendly one liter bottles which contain more wine, but involve less waste..

"Aromas of wild strawberry and white peach mingle with notes of white pepper and stone dust. The round, fresh finish is balanced and juicy."

The wine is one of our most exciting rosés of the season.
The grapes were sourced from vineyards located in Sainte Victoire, in the heart of Provence. Planted on clay and limestone soils. The hand-picked fruit was gently pressed and cold fermented in stainless steel.  
Great Value - and one of the wines we will pour this Friday.

This Friday Night

We have had the last couple of Friday nights off!
An unusual occurrence - like a Super Moon.
We hope you will join us this week as we indulge in wines presented by Mr. Tom Belchor of Martin Scott Selections.

A native of New Zealand, and trained as a winemaker, Tom brings an entertaining, and very knowledgeable perspective to his tastings.

Please join us.

BELTANE FARMS
Do any of you remember the first time we invited the folks at Beltane Farms to Join us?

We had them bring along a few of their goats, and we set up a petting zoo for the kids to enjoy.

No goats this time - but their cheese is sublime.

 

Cheese Maker:

Danse de la Lune
We make about 50 to 80 of these wheels every week and each one is given special care and attention every day. This bloomy-rind cheese is usually around 4oz and makes a perfect addition to any cheese plate.

Ricotta
We believe fresh whole milk ricotta is the best. Our goat milk ricotta thick and creamy and adds a spectacular flavor to pizzas or pasta dishes.

Vespers
Our Vespers are truly a unique cheese. Only 30 to 60 wheels are made every week, as this cheese requires the most care and attention. Inside each wheel a layer of natural vegetable runs through the middle, while the outside is covered in a sweet bloomy rind. A beautiful addition to an afternoon bottle of white, or and evening bottle of red.

Try them this Friday Night.


CALENDAR:

Friday July 18th
Tom Belchor - Martin Scott Wines
 
Friday July 25th
Alan Godycki - Fine Terrior Wines

Friday August 1st
Roger Hoadley - Slocum & Sons

Friday August 15th
Ryan Connolly - Michael Skurnic

Friday August 22nd
Angellini Wines

Have They Gone Nuts?

This Friday   - The Italians Are Coming       Mr. Eric Bellnier from Vinifera Wines joins us again for his annual presentation of Italy's favorites. But this year he is wearing a cast on his leg - The result of an escapade in the Italian Alps? Perhaps - but his enthusiasm for wine is greater than ever. Please Join us. He will be pouring: Soligo Col de mez Prosecco Medoro Chimera Brigaldara Valpolicella Cascina Chicco Barbera, Dante Rivetti Barbera Icardi Moscato One of our favorite  whites for this time  of the year. A must have for the Thanksgiving Table. Made from a Trebbiano & Falanghina blend. "A very floral almost Pinot Gris like wine. Showing fine notes of fresh cut grass and Pear Drops. A hint of lemony acidity to balance and touch of pepper to the finish but still very mineral throughout." Lots of finesse in this bottle. Great body and a silky finish make this a perfect choice for a holiday meal.   Cascina Chicco Barbera Rated 89 Points Wine Spectator: "Full bodied yet soft with layers of mature red fruit and a finish of sweet dark cherries.  Best served with rich foods, soups and meat dishes. Great with soft fatty cheeses."  Dante Rivetti Barbera "Classic Barbera with medium weight red fruit, crackling acidity, soft tobacco notes, and a long minerally finish. This is a food wine! The acidity in this wine begs for tomato sauce, grilled chicken, or braised red meat. Pair it with some sopressata and provolone cheese for anti pasti. It is old world style at it's best." Barbera is grown all over Italy, but the best examples of this red grape come from Piedmont, where it is made into all manner of wines - from easy-drinking quaffers to serious, cellar-worthy bottlings Icardi Moscato d'Asti The ICardi style style is renowned worldwide - highly fruity wines, whose style is characterized by extreme refinement, cleanliness and elegance, and whose flavor is balanced from the very beginning. One of the most classic traits of this excellent Moscato is the rampant flavor of white flowers on the nose and on the palate. Clean and fresh, with a slight frizzante, this is perfect with cheese, fruit, or light desserts. Established in 1914 and headquartered in Castiglione Tinella, ICardi is located at the boundary between two renowned vineyard terroirs - Langa and Monferrato. In the early 1960s, the Icadri's decided to vinify the vines they owned, instead of selling of their fruit. They are an innovative producer that has a through understanding of the agricultural element in wine production. Back In Stock & NEW ARRIVALS: BEER:Berkshire Brewing 22's & GROWLERS Wolavers Coffee Porter Hennepin Belgian Style WINE:"The Dragonfly" - French Pinot Gris Lumasina - The crisp Italian white from Liguria Milou Chardonnay - French Chateau Lamonthe - NYTIMES: "Cult White Wine" (French Sauvignon Blanc blended with semillion.) Hess Select Specialties:Calvados - Amazing Apple Brandies for the holidays St. George Absinth Lidestri Pink Lemoncello Vermont Maple Cream SCOTCH: Springbank 10 Year Old 100 Proof The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old Highland Park 18 Year Old The Macallan Cask Strength Scapa 16 Year Old the Orcadian Glenkinchie 1991 Distillers Edition Lagavulin 12 Year Old Cask Strength Glenmorangie 18 Years Old  Bourbon: Buffalo Trace Henry Du Yore Balcones Tatoosh Vorner Creek High West American Prairie Reserve Old Forester 2013 Birthday Bourbon Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish Maker's 46 Knob Creek Smoked Maple Angel's Envy No - We Do Not Have Pappy Van Winkle. BUT we do have some of the hardest to locate fine spirits in the book. And Special Orders are welcome. STAFF FAVORITE - NEW TO THE STORE These brightly colored packages contain some of the finest nuts we have ever encountered. We discovered them looking for products for our holiday baskets. You need to try them. They are a perfect addition to every holiday table - or gift. Try them on Friday night. Here is their story in brief: "In 1929, on the brink of the Depression, our father and grandfather "Poppy" Sol took a bold step. 22 years old, he had already worked fulltime for 10 years to support his family. Yet he was ambitious, and wanted to live the American Dream and make the lives of everyone around him better. So, donning his best of suits and an assured smile on his face, Sol walked away from the bank with a loan to start his own business, the Newark Nut Company. The rest is history." ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY CHEESE NOW   This is the time to order your cheese platters and gourmet specialties. Make your entertaining easy. And remember, We Deliver.  BUZZ       Small Business Saturday is November 30th. All of the local merchants are working hard to make this the best holiday season ever. Whenever possible - Shop Local, Shop New London. Thanks for including a six pack of Safe Harbor beer along with your holiday choices this year. It goes a long way in supporting the brand.   Treat your friends and family to New London's beer.     Tastings: * Friday December 6 - Martin Scott * Friday December 13 - Ryan Connolly Special Champagne & Sparkling Wine Night.  * Friday December 20 - Vinifera   And as always - thank you for your amazing support - we have the best customers in the business. We receive compliments all the time on the attention and interest that you show to all of our guests.  We will be celebrating our 40th year very soon. And everyone at Thames River Greenery and our related businesses appreciate your support - it is not possible with out you.

ThamesRiver.com     Please Join Us On Friday Night. It Is Fun Informal And A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.   Wine & Cheese Tasting Every Friday 5-8 PM - No Charge

The Royal Mistress

Lilly Langtry - The Royal Mistress

The Prince of Wales, Albert Edward ("Bertie", later Edward VII), arranged to sit next to Langtry at a dinner party given by Sir Allen Young on May 24, 1877. 

Although the Prince was married to Princess Alexandra and had six children, he was a well-known philanderer. He became infatuated with Langtry, and she soon became his semiofficial mistress. She was even presented to the Prince's mother, Queen Victoria.  

The Prince of Wales had the Red House (now Langtry Manor Hotel) constructed in Bournemouth, then in Hampshire, in 1877 as a private retreat for the couple  and allowed Langtry to design it.  The folklore is that their relationship finally cooled when she misbehaved at a dinner party,  but she had been eclipsed when Sarah Bernhardt came to London in June 1879.

In July 1879, Langtry began an affair with the Earl of Shrewsbury. For some time, the Prince saw little of her.
He remained fond of her and spoke well of her in her later career as a theater actress.

Langtry Estate

The 2010 Guenoc North Coast Victorian Claret is a complex blend of  award winning wines.
Featuring Lilly Langtree on the label.

Dark ruby in color, the wine has a wonderful fruity nose bringing on black cherry, plum, and blueberry aromas.  

Rich and soft on the palate, the hints of vanilla and nutmeg, from aging in 50% American and French Oak, add to the complexity and the long smooth finish.

The wine pairs well with any meat dish or just on its own.

Blend: 59% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Cabernet Franc.

2011 Guenoc Lake County Sauvignon Blanc

The 2011 Guenoc Lake County Sauvignon Blanc is made from Estate Grown grapes. Cool fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain its aroma the wine has a complex mix of tropical fruit including pineapple, quince, and guava. The lively acidity enhances juicy flavors of grapefruit and white peaches on the long finish.

 

 

A perfect quaffing wine on a summer day or anytime you need a little sunshine.

2011 Guenoc California Petite Sirah

The 2011 California Petite Sirah jumps out of the glass with aromas of

blueberry, blackberry and red cherry.

In the mouth, the wine is bright and fruity, with a touch of earthiness and oak revealing a long smooth

finish.


Pair this wine with burgers , barbeque and meaty tomato

sauce-based pasta dishes.

BUZZ

Gentleman Jack whiskey tasting.
Cigar Lounge - Tuesday 30th - 6-8PM.
No Charge - but Reservations required. 
860-443-6817



 

CAN YOU SAY EMPANADA?

  

BACK IN STOCK & New Arrivals

 We do our best to keep your favorites on the shelf - but it is not a perfect system.
Several favorites are back on the shelf. The "DragonFly" wine, "Picassos Verdejo", Don Tomassi wines, The $12 white Burgundy - to name just a few. So have a look around, you might see an old favorite.

Beaune Clos Saint-Landry
White Burgundy - $45
Rated 93 Points

In 1731, Michel Bouchard (1691-1755), a cloth merchant from the Dauphiné (a region in the French Alps), set up business in Volnay with proceeds of the sale of his possessions in the Dauphiné. He started in the wine business with his son Joseph (1720-1804) buying and reselling barrels of wine.

In 1775, Joseph Bouchard acquired the first parcel of Bouchard Père & Fils vineyard on buying an estate in Volnay and a house in Beaune.
Unlike many winemaking regions, one of the peculiarities of Burgundy is the almost total absence of blends of several grape varieties. Two main grape varieties are found in Burgundy: Pinot Noir (red wine) and Chardonnay (white wine).

This is 100% chardonnay. But not the California style that most are familiar with.
If I had to choose one word to describe this wine it would be very difficult.
Elegance. That would be a good one. But the lush, supple, and silky characteristics of this wine are more than elegant. They are at times magical.
We have just one case. First come, first served.
10% off case purchase.


Don Tomassi Grillo Chardonnay - $12
We featured this wine a few weeks ago.
It was a huge favorite and we sold out quickly. It is back in stock and this is the time to grab a few bottles for your summer needs.

Tommasi Viticoltori (Tommasi Vintners) is a family viticultural company founded in 1902. Tommasi is located in Pedemonte village in the heart of Valpolicella Classico region, on a small piece of land in the northwest part of Verona, between the Lessini mountains and their plains near Lake Garda.

From grandfather Giacomo's tiny vineyard, the Tommasi estate has grown steadily over the course of years and today extends over 135 hectares of vineyards blessed by mother nature not only by a magnificent landscape, but more importantly, by its perfect suitability for grapes. The estate is run by the 4th generation of the Tommasi family, 6 members working together in complete harmony



TULLAMORE DEW


GLASSES UP!
Tullamore Dew

The original blended Irish whiskey, known the world over for its smooth and gentle complexity. For one, it is triple distilled and patiently aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, developing its distinctive smoothness. Secondly, being a blend of all three types of Irish whiskey, it has a gentle complexity. The malt and the pot still whiskey we use give it citrus and spicy notes.


Three natural ingredients, three varieties of grain, three distillations and a blend of all three types of Irish whiskey - pot still, malt and grain.

This is an especially fine whiskey and a great gift.

  On the cover of The current issue of Whiskey Advocate Magazine. Tullamore Dew is very affordable too.

A few months ago - our Mexican Chef de Cuisine had to take a maternity leave.

Everything went very well. Jessica now has a beautiful bouncing baby boy.

For the scores of people that miss her specialties - Jessica lived and cooked in Mexico City for 10 years - They will be back on our menu starting this Thursday and Friday.
And every Thursday & Friday throughout the summer.

People drove all the way from Bridgeport to sample her fresh tacos, empanadas, and burritos. This girl has a real following. This is not "Tex-Mex". She cooks from the heart and it is authentic. BYOB from our wine store and have yourself a treat.

This Friday Night - 5-8 PM
We continue our salute to summer wine this Friday with
Mr. Allan Goedecki from Grand Vintage Selections.


So your saying - wait - where is the list for Friday?
Where are all of the fancy pictures?

This week, as we go to press on Tuesday night, we have not finalized The List.
And because of special projects for tomorrow and Thursday there will not be enough time to get them into the email and out to you.

What I can tell you is this: The gentleman pouring for us on Friday has been responsible for some of the most interesting wines and spirits that we have offered. Things from Russia, things from Italy, even things from California.

So I will just remind you that the weekly tasting is a great way to start your weekend. Meet your friends here, have a little wine, and then maybe visit one of the local restaurants for dinner. Or take a short ride over to Captain Scott's with a  bottle of wine or a six-pack of Safe Harbor - all Icy Cold & Delicious.

Join us on Friday night and help us salute the great wines of Summer.



Tasting Schedule

* Friday June 7th - Allan Goedecki - Grand Vintage
* Friday June 14th - "The Flag Day Tasting" with Stephan Wich
* Friday June 21st - Bob Neville - Sparkling Summer Treats - World Wide Wines

BUZZ 
Father's Day is just around the corner - Sunday June 16th.  
We have very thoughtful options to brighten his day. 

Sexy And More Experienced

Meet Chardonnay's Sexy 

More Experienced Older Sister.
Viognier.

The best Viognier has this heady characteristic scent that one feels envelopes the glass and the drinker in a hedonistic cloud, together with real density and extract and, ideally, a dry finish.

Yves Cuilleron Viognier - $28
The aromas of apricots, flower blossoms, honeysuckle, ripe peaches, & a touch of musk all come to mind.
It is certainly distinctive. Brisk, full bodied and invigorating, with or without food.

91 Points | International Wine Cellar - "Light gold. Intensely perfumed bouquet of ripe peach, poached pear, violet and anise. More exotic on the palate, offering suave passion fruit and floral honey flavors, and finishing with impressive length and lingering sweetness.
This is awfully sexy right now."

We have a single case of this wine.
First come, first served.  Drink Different.

Cave de Lugny Mâcon-Villages - $12

Drinkers who have sworn off Chardonnay because of the heavy, over-oaked style of many Californian and Australian wines ought to take another look at white Burgundy.

These wines are what first made Chardonnay's reputation, and they can reach stunning heights of quality-and, unfortunately, of price, too. Happily, the local village wines in Burgundy can be great values for those looking for a break from the California style: instead of rich, buttery textures and huge body, the wines produced by Cave de Lugny and its peers are clean, crisp, packed with minerality, and tingling with acidity.

Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes - $15

The pride  of La Cave de Lugny. Clean and fresh on the palate, it has floral and fruity aromas and a hint of lemon. Golden green in color when young, this wine is dry and rich, almost creamy. Its slightly spicy flavor and its structure put it on equal footing with the best Mâconnais wines.

Try this Unoaked, creamy Chardonnay from the Maçon region. Delicious and packed with flavor and superb value.

"Mid-gold in color, the nose is attractive, ripe yet subtle showing ripe orchard fruit, melon, grapefruit, an earthy mineral note, hints of apricot and a tinge of honey and creamy spice." WS   

"Bright and fairly crisp with a refreshing, lively mouthfeel, but also sufficiently round and creamy. Nice palate weight, with ample broad, well defined flavors that mirror the nose. Moderately long finish." WE

We also have a number of other special wines that were uncovered by our Wine Detectives on their recent trip to France. Take a look around the store the next time you visit. If you see the Wine Detective symbol - you know it is something special.