SailFest 2008, The Blob, La-Vis Dipinti,Weingut Groiss,Jonathan Edwards,Columna Rose,Las Rocas

Greetings from all of us in New London, ** SailFest Weekend** *** Last Saturday night was a good one. New London's Art Attack was a big success and everyone was strolling the streets, browsing the galleries and store fronts, and people watching at every stop. We have a great down town - please visit us. This is the big SailFest weekend folks. Friday - Sunday. Fun for the entire family and of course the amazing Grucci Fireworks on Saturday night. Learn more about it HERE

NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Movies In The Park - The Hygienic Art Park - Across From Our Store Beginning this Wednesday night - July 9 @ 8 p.m. - NO CHARGE Wednesday night - July 9 @ 8 p.m - The Blob - Starring Steve McQueen. Have dinner at Brie & Bleu then stroll across the street to the park and watch the movie. Or just grab your favorite blanket and a bottle of wine from our cellar and picnic in the park - NEW MOVIE EVERY WEDNESDAY. Don't Take Our Word For It We say it all of the time - "We drink our red wine too warm and our white wine too cold." If you missed it - The New York Times validates us: The Chiling Truth - HERE ··· BRIE & BLEU WILL CLOSE AT 5 P.M. ON SATURDAY JULY 12. We close the deck every year for fireworks night. ··· July 12: Sailfest The biggest, baddest show of the year! 10,000 calories, fireworks, and much more at New London's 31st annual Sailfest with spectacular spectaculars and much, much more! LEARN MORE HERE

Dave's Fave The Monday Tasting Click on the photo to order it now La-Vis Dipinti Pinot Noir 2006 - $14 Important Update from the Pinot Noirs Under-20-Buck Newsdesk: La-Vis Pinot Noir is here, and strutting around the store - it's delicious! From Trentino in Northern Italy, La-Vis is grown on the high slopes of the Valle dell'Adige. This is a particularly delicate Pinot, owing to the mountain soil and cool breezes of the valley. Quite light, with the characteristic berry flavors, plus a bit of wild pine spiciness like... I dunno, a Tyrolean mountain forest? Come on in Monday and try a drop of this elegant newbie!

** SailFest Weekend** Wine Tasting Please Join Us Friday July 11 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge Can't Make It To The Tasting? - Order it now - click on the photos Just In Stock - The Dominus 2005 has arrived and winemakerf Christian Moueix feels that it's their best effort since 2001. Wine critic Robert Parker agrees and gave the wine 96pts. While supplies last. 1 - Weingut Groiss 2007 Gruner Veltliner $12 In an effort to replace the sold out big green bottles of Hofer Gruner Veltliner, we stumbled upon another wine in a big green bottle we like even better. Groiss is a young and modern winery situated in the wine district of Wagram in Austria. They practice "intergrated production and natural management" and judging from the photos the place is run by fashion models. With sunny south facing slopes of Loess soil, the vineyards are perfect for producing lush and lively Gruner Veltliner. Another great affordable summer wine. 2 - Jonathan Edwards Connecticut Chardonnay 2007 $23 Located nine miles from the coast, the vineyard site provides the vines with the moderate coastal climate of the Long Island Sound, which extends the fall season for optimal grape maturation. Being perched on the South side of a hill allows for full sun exposure for the grapes and excellent airflow to dry off the vines after summertime showers. Additionally, an extensive drainage system known as "tiling" has been installed throughout the vineyards. Every vineyard row now has a drainage tile to allow excess water to drain down and out of the vineyard, allowing warmer soils in the spring, increased aeration in the soil, and prevention of excess moisture in the winter. With their estate releases Jonathan Edwards winery is defining Connecticut wine and terroir. Very limited. 3 - Columna Rose 2007 $11 From the province of Salamanca, near the Portuguese boarder. The wine is made from 100% Juan Garcia, a native Spanish grape that enjoys the high altitude and dry climate of this region. Like most Spanish roses, the wine is full bodied and spicy. And like most Spanish roses, it's very affordable and food flexible. Juan Garcia (no relation to the grape) 4 - Las Rocas Vinas Viejas Garnacha 2005 $18 The talented Jean-Marc Lafage (of Domaine Lafage in France's Roussillon) is responsible for the majority of the bottlings imported by European Cellars including the Las Rocas cuvees. Working in concert with Eric Solomon, Jean-Marc has helped to convince the directors of the coop to bottle some of the extremely old-vine material separately and has helped enormously with attaining proper maturity levels, extraction, and balance. The wine hails from Calatayud, which benefits from a continental climate with vast temperature differences between night and day. Harvests are much later than in other parts of Aragon (the region in which Calatayud lies) and the acidity/maturity/alcohol ratios tend to be more balanced. As most of the vineyards lie on what was (thousands of years ago) an old river basin, the soil is comprised of brown limestone and loam over slate and gypsum. Please Call Us Anytime With Questions - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

Thank you one and all for the comments and suggestions and of course for your wonderful support - it's a great summer. Please Join us in New London. It's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend. AAA.

INCLUSIONS, The Perfect Pairing, Txakolina , Las Rocas, Domaine du Gour de Chaule , McCrea Boushey Vineyard

Greetings From All Of Us In New London,
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-9463
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
IMPORT - 860-443-6817
www.thamesriver.com

With the coming holidays in mind we have selected a great line-up of wines that are great with food, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. The list is just below these items of interest.

• Thanks to everyone that came out to support the premier of INCLUSIONS at The Garde last Friday night. Even with all of the traffic issues that plagued the area - there was a fantastic turnout. It was a true New London Happening. The Red Carpet was buzzing. New London TV Icon "Murray - The Eye - Renshaw had his cameras set up and did a beautiful job interviewing the guests as they arrived. And there was even an impromptu marriage proposal on the Red Carpet! I'm sure that all of the action will be on the next episode of The Renshaw report. Local Channel 26.

Gordon Videll and his crew made the City of New London shine in his movie, and if we do say so ourselves, our cellar never looked so good than it did on the big screen. Bravo Gordon - We will see you on location.

• Belissima! -
One of the most frequent requests that we get is for "somekind of food & wine class."
And so, we have pooled the enormous talents of Michelle DeCeaser and Andrea Issacs to present the food and wines of the world. A Passport to travel and learn about the regions and their local food & wine - We Start With Italy.

Monday November 12 - 6 p.m. - The first session starts with Andrea Issacs demonstrating the secrets of making Fresh Mozzarella. You will then have the chance to explore the secrets of eating fresh mozzarella - At the same time we will serve it with Prosecco, Italy's sparkling wine. Michelle DeCeaser will explain Prosecco and why it is nearly perfect for serving with any food. It is the perfect way to start things off.

For the rest of the hour - here is the line up:

- We pair Robiola cheese with Gavé wine from the Piedmont region.
- Next, it's Parmesano Reggiano paired with Emilia Romagne -
with a demonstration and serving of Pasta Cacio al Pepe.
- Then, Piave Vecchio paired with Valpolicella from Italy's Veneto region.
- Finally, Dolce Gorgonzola paired with Lombardi wine and a demonstration and serving of Bruschetta with Carmelized Pears and Gorgonzola Dolce.

All sessions are just $25 and include everything. Food, wine, instruction, recipe guides, and your passport to travel the world of food & wine with Andrea and Michelle. All sessions will be on Monday evenings and start at 6:00 p.m. Please call to reserve early. 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3


• Hygienic Art Galleries

ART=GIFT Hygienic "Mini Series" Holiday Boutique
Opening Saturday November 17, 7-10 pm

Exhibition Runs from Opening November 17th-Sunday December 23

"Get your shopping on at Hygienic's "Mini Series" Boutique where ART=GIFT.
An invitational event featuring small works by selected artists"

Hygienic Art Galleries
79-83 Bank Street
New London, CT
HOURS Thurs 11-3, Friday 11-6, Saturday 11-6, Sunday 12-3


Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge
Berkshire Brewing Co.'s "Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale" and "Lost Sailor India Pale Ale" - $3.50/22oz Bomber
Dave Says: "Surprise - I'm pushing beer this week - these are our first offerings from Berkshire Brewing out of South Deerfield, Massachusetts. They brew Truly Great Beer - everything is fresh, unfiltered, unpasteurized, no chemical additives or preservatives. My beer-guzzling friends have all been startled by how tasty these are. Brewer Chris Lalli drives the beer down here himself in the mornings cold (you've got to keep them cold). They represent everything wonderful about local handmade product and we are proud to have their suds in the cooler!"


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

1 - Txomin Etxaniz Getariako Txakolina 2006 $20
When we first discovered this wine, on the tables of just about every cafe and restaurant in the storybook village of San Sabastian in Spain, it was a revelation. San Sabastian is a mecca for the great chefs of Europe. It is often said that when Michelin Star Chefs need to re-charge their batteries and find new inspiration - they go to San Sabastian. It is all about the food there - and what do they drink? It is this wine in the slender green bottle.
Pronounced - "Shock - oh - Lina." In the café's it is poured with great flourish, holding the bottle about a foot from the glass to release the flavors and the hint of effervescence that fill your senses. Crisp and clean with the color of young straw - and exceptional with food.

The price has squeaked up a couple of dollars since we introduced it a couple of years ago - but if you have just one wine on your holiday table - this might be the one you need. Much awaited and much beloved, we have a very limited four cases for the year. From the heart of Basque freedom country - you need to try this on Friday night.

2 - Las Rocas Vinas Viejas Garnacha 2005 $16
Ancient vines are just part of the secret that makes this wine a delicious treat. From Calatayud Spain - located about 150 miles northeast of Madrid.
This wine is very dark and a slightly hazy reddish-purple color. The aromas are classic Grenache, a heaping bowl of fresh raspberries. It's juicy and tart, with plenty of acidity and even a dose of scratchy tannin to save it from "fruit bomb" status. Excellent with pork or poultry. This wine is friendly with a great velvety finish. Also very limited, only two cases for the year - it will go quickly. Please try it on Friday night.


3 - Domaine du Gour de Chaule Gigondas 2003 $32
The Domaine du Gour de Chaulé, situated in the heart of the village of Gigondas, was founded in 1900 by Eugene Bonfils, the grandfather of the current proprietor, Aline Bonfils. All the wine produced at the estate was sold in bulk to negociants until 1972 when the mother of Madame Bonfils began to bottle a small percentage for sale to private clients. The tradition of estate bottling has continued to grow under the direction of Aline Bonfils so that now approximately 50% of the annual production is selected for sale in bottle (approximately 25,000 to 30,000 bottles). This wine is a deep ruby red color, great aromas of spice and chocolate. This is a great bottle for the coming holiday - it is perfect for food, friends, and family.

4 - McCrea Boushey Vineyard Syrah 2003 $58
Washington state - similar to California's South Central Coast - is known for Syrah. The Columbia Valley in particular is a hotbed, with many top producers sourcing their grapes from this American Viticultural Area and several Columbia Valley subappellations including the Wahluke Slope. Washington Syrah generally tends to be more understated than California Syrah, which is beloved by many for its big, juicy dark fruit. There's some complexity in the aromas of mushrooms, boysenberry, earth and spice. It's robust and has lovely fruit that leaves a lingering sweetness and spicy richness, that helps hide its 14.8 percent alcohol. Ruby with blue overtones it has an almost liqueur-like feel in the mouth. This is a big boy, with lush dark berry fruit, chocolate and silky tannins. This is on the pricey side of the street - but it delivers. Try it for yourself and decide if it is a bottle to share or keep as a secret.



We have lots of new things planned for the coming month's - all based on your requests. Thanks for all of the calls and emails, and for your continued support. We all appreciate it.

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


AAA