Best Value East Of The Pecos

This Week Brie & Bleu Salutes The South West

Greetings from New London,
"Value - Value - Value." This is the mantra that we are hearing from you. And in true fashion - we are listening.

We have lots to tell you about - New Winter Hours, new specials at Brie & Bleu, AND some of the greatest values in food & wine that anyone has seen east of The Pecos. And of course a great selection for the Friday Tasting - let's get to it.

Brie & Bleu - NEW WINTER HOURS

Our WInter Hours for Brie & Bleu begin this week.
Closed Sunday & Monday. (as usual)
Reserved For Private Events Tuesday & Wednesday.
Open As Usual Thursday, Friday, & Saturday.
The changes make no difference to most of our friends and customers - but we want you to have all of the information to help you plan.

In addition to the new specials listed to the right in the snazzy side bar - Brie & Bleu is adding these TWO remarkable wine values to the menu:
just $5 glass/$12 bottle!

Don Ramon 2006 Tinto Tempranillo and Granache from Campo de Borja Spain, medium bodied with dark fruit and fine oak tannins, a staff favorite $5/$12

Astica Torrontes 2007 From a spicey and aromatic grape from Argentina, perfect pair for sausage, and cured meats $5/$12

If you can find better food & wine value anywhere else in NL - we would love to hear from you. Where else can you find dinner for two with a bottle of wine and still have folding money left over from your hard earned paycheck?

The Monday Tasting 1.5.09

Chateau Le Cleret Cuvee Cornelia 2005 $15

Another Bordeaux this week, this time from "Cotes de Bergerac," situated on the right bank of the Dordogne River between Bergerac and St. Emillion. Chateau Le Cleret is a small operation owned by Richard and Cornelia Matson - this particular blend of Merlot and Cab Franc is just to Cornelia's liking, hence the name.
We love this bottle, and so did you, the wine-drinking public, until it was suddenly rendered invisible by its chic new Reagan-Deco label (think Duran Duran's 1982 Rio album).

But what's in the bottle is better than ever - good old delicious 2005 Bordeaux!
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The Friday Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday January 9 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Lomazzi & Sarli Malvasia Bianca 2007 $14

The winery is described as "Located in a context of extreme beauty, within the Brindisi plain, heart of the Apulia, the Lomazzi & Sarli company is extended on fields of alluvial origin, devoted for ages to the viticulture."

And who doesn't love beautiful alluvial plains?

The wine is a fruit driven south Italian white, that has the acidity and body to stand up to cured meats and Daryl's Bruschetta or Lone Ranger Chili.

Think that Pinot Grigio is the only Italian white wine? Well think again, buddy.

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2 - Minnow Creek "The Black Minnow" 2006 $18


Ok so here's one for you, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. I cracked a bottle of this one night at home and immediately began an e-mail to the winemaker Tony Walker entitled "Terroir in the production Sangiovese, from the Etruscans to the Antinori".

I sent that off and was half-way through my second e-mail, "Malbec, from Bordeaux to Mendoza, Journey of tears, Journey of Triumph" when it dawned on me that hey, this stuff is alright.

I don't usually associate the words well balanced, well integrated and food friendly with Australian wine but here it is. And if it took Sangiovese and Malbec to pull it off, I say bravo.

Here are Tony's notes on the Black Minnow.

"Vibrant red with a strong crimson rim. Primary fruit aromas of Black cherry and Rhubarb, typical of Sangiovese together with dark berries and spiciness provided by the Cabernet and the Malbec. Very enticing! Generous red berry fruits on entry, filling out on to the mid palate to blackberry jubes and white pepper all balanced by firm supporting acidity. The finish is spicy with a light supple tannin structure." Order Now


3 - Ken Wright Cellars
Abbot Claim Pinot Noir 2007 $50

We had some Ken Write left over from the holidays and I figured let's open some up, I've never had it and I'm dying of curiosity.

The Abbots Claim is a Vineyard of ancient marine soils that are the oldest in the Willamette Valley. The vineyard has a southeast inclination, giving the grapes maximum exposure to the sun.

Rumored to be one of the finest Pinot Noirs from the Willamette valley, but as we like to say at Thames River Wine & Spirits, there is only one way to find out,
PULL THE CORK!. Order Now


4 - Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $55

The second wine of Quintessa, and considered by many to be the better of the two.

Made of fruit sourced from the vineyards in Napa's Rutherford District, the wine delivers all that you've come to expect from the very best of Napa.

Rich dark fruit, overtones of chocolate and the famous dusty Rutherford tannins. So the winemaker traded his soul to make great wine, who are we to judge?

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As always I want to say thanks for your support.

We were told over and over again that we would never get the support of the people - that we would never find a place next to the "establishment" - the big box stores and the local chains that ruled the roost for so many years. But you proved them wrong. You stood there with us and held your glasses up high. We showed them that our prices were the same or less, and we proved that given the choice - people will choose quality and variety over mass market brands.

Our resolution for the New Year is to implement as many of your requests, and provide the best experience that we can in all of our stores.

This is your party - thanks for making it so much fun.

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


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Elegance and Decadence - Fun For The Whole Family

This holiday season, give the sweetest gift of all - Moonstruck Chocolates are handcrafted and available only through selected retailers across the country. We are proud to be included on that list.

Established in 1993 Moonstruck was founded on the premise that chocolate is not simply a candy, but an experience to be enjoyed by all of the senses. Today, the company's delicately crafted truffles and other confections are inspired works that have been enjoyed in such prestigious locations as the White House and The Academy Awards. We offer the full line - Please call for details. 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7

This just in:
Ken Wright Pinot Noir. Abbott's Claim, Merideth Mitchell, Freedom Hill, Savoya, Carter, Mcrone, Shea all just $50 a bottle. Ken Wright Cellars

Robert Parker on the subject of Ken Wright and the 2007 Vintage "Ken Wright Cellars has long been one of the reference points for Pinot Noir fanatics. Ken Wright is the ultimate terroirist"

"2007 appears to be a superb vintage for Pinot Noir. It will appeal to fans who like the intellectual appeal of Burgundy as well as those who come down more on the hedonist's side of the coin.There was a significant rain event on 9/29/07.

Those who panicked and picked everything before the rain were able to make decent wine but those who waited (and most did) were rewarded. The grapes gained flavor but not alcohol due to the cool weather. The resulting wines have superb natural acidity, modest alcohol levels, but also superbflavors and concentration. It may be the best vintage since 2002."
Extremely Limited Quantities - First Come First Served. 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

Make Someone Happy
We have seriously fine cigars in stock at City News, including many famous brands for the holiday season. Combine cigars with any of our other decadent treats in a gift basket and you've got a gift that will bring hours of enjoyment to the connoisseur in your life. Of course we will gift wrap your choices at no extra charge.

Singles & Gift Box Samplers Ready To Go.
8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7
City News
70 State Street New London

The Monday Tasting 12.15.08

Porta Sole Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2006 $8

From the eastern coastal hills of Italy near Pescara comes this very affordable treat! A spicy, rustic, easy-drinking Montepulciano.

This wine would make a nice companion to say, some skirt steak in wine and olive sauce with a handful of wild braised greens... or eggplant rollatini with a side of mushrooms?

Why don't we raise a glass on the deck, squint out at Long Island Sound and pretend it's the Adriatic?

Please stop on by! Order Now

Elegance & Decadence
The Friday Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday December 12 -19 - 9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Hugel Gentil 2006 $15



The Hugels have been making wine in Alsace since 1639 and own one of the oldest wine casks in the world "Sainte Caterine" dated 1715. This sense of history and place comes through in their wines as they express the varied terroirs of Alsace.

The Gentil is a field blend of classic Alsace varietals such as Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sylvaner. Anyone who has met Etienne Hugel at our wine dinners can attest he is enthusiastic about Asian cuisine (actually he is enthusiastic about a lot of things, but mostly food and wine).

True to his passion, this wine is a perfect pairing for Thai, Schezuan or Indian food. This wine can take the heat, but is also well paired with cheese, pate, fried mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, pho, white bean soup, mixed green salad and holiday Turkey. Order Now










2 - Casaia Rosso Toscano 2006 $14




This is a nice little Super-Tuscan, a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's delightful right out of the gate, but give it and hour or so in a decanter and the wine really finds it's stride.

A wine of dark roasted plums, dark cherries and cassis. Affordable enough for pizza night with the heft and complexity to take on the richest stew or roast.


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3 - Mclaren Vale Associates "Squid Ink" Shiraz 2006 $34

From It doesn't happen often enough, but sometimes a guy walks in the store with a case of wine and says, "Drink these and tell me what you think". So it was with Chris from 2fly imports, a new kid on the block. 2fly imports small production Australian wines that exhibit a refreshing sense of restraint and integration, yet have the massivity you would expect from wine called Squid Ink.

From the tasting notes, " The nose is complex with ripe berry and hits of chocolate and vanilla. The palate is rich, full bodied with intense flavors and a lingering finish. The tannins are firm and concentrated but clean. The most intense wine we have ever bottled. "
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4 - Steltzner Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $42

Remember when California Cabernet was great? Remember when it didn't have to cost $100 a bottle to wow you?

Steltzner Cabernet harkens back to those simpler times, when family wineries made great wine with estate fruit and didn't charge and arm and a leg for it.

Their vineyard is not only in Napa, but in the very prestigious Stag's Leap District. A great value from one of the premiere Cabernet producing regions on Earth.

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Thanks very much for your support over the holiday season - we appreciate it.
Please join us. It's fun, informal and a great way to start your weekend.


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