Special New Year's Edition 2009

Are You Ready For The Big Night?
All Stores Will Be Open - Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
From olives, crackers & dips - to a perfect centerpiece.
We can delivery the party right to your front door.

Greetings from New London,
We hope that you all have had as much fun as we did during the last year. Many of you have shared the moments with us - thank you one and all.

We have a very special Friday night planned for you, but first we have to remind everyone that we have the Finest Collection of Champagne in the State of Connecticut, right here in little old New London.
And you don't have to drop fifty to a hundred dollars a bottle to find great stuff!

Every year, we encourage our friends and customers to try new sparkling wines. In addition to the Cavas from Spain and Proseccos from Italy, there are many tremendous Champagnes to explore that aren't Clicquot, Moet, Taittinger, etc. We offer the finest Grower Champagne. This is estate wine produced by hand in very small quantities and bottled by real wine makers and their families. It is not made in a factory by people holding clipboards and checking the gauges on batch numbers that have six-digits.

But that's not all we also carry Cava $10, Prosecco $15, Gruet Blancs de Noir $17 and other delicious and affordable options for dancing on table tops and christening ships. Think about it - aren't you over due to be dancing on a table?
We can help - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

The Monday Tasting 12.29.08

Chateau Saint-Sulpice Bordeaux 2005 $14

Cold indoor weather calls for a mellow full-bodied red wine. For the last Monday tasting of 2008
I'd like to pour one of our favorite go-to staples - this rich, earthy Merlot-based Bordeaux from just south of St. Emilion.

This bulletproof bottle sits patiently on the shelf, its price still unchanged where it seems all others have inched upwards.

Wine maker Pierre Duberge oversees the small 100-acre vineyard and the classic winemaking process - he declared the 2005 vintage to be "The best wine we have made in 20 years." Drop by Monday afternoon and see what he's talking about!
Order Now

New Year's Edition 2009
The Friday Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday January 2nd - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Salomon Gruner Veltliner 2007 $18


The Gruner Veltliner has became the darling of hot shot sommeliers in NYC, and while wine trends usually get me headed the other way, Gruner Veltliner has an enduring quality that is hard to ignore. It works with ALL KINDS OF FOOD. All of those hard to pair dishes become child's play with Gruner Veltliner. Artichokes? No problem. Asparagus, curry, thai peppers, orange chutney, No Problem. From Importer Terry Theise:
"This 2007 is extraordinarily aromatic, with generous fruit, snappy structure, beany and lentilly, forthright and generous. The best vintage yet." Order Now

2 - Les Deux Rives Corbieres 2007 $9


Sometimes it's easy to overlook the little things in life, like $9 Corbieres. Dave poured this wine recently at a Dave's Fave, and the first guy to taste it bought all that we had. This got my attention, so I bought one for myself and I'll be damned, this is great wine!

The wine is a blend of 40% Granache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourverde and 10% Carignan which is fairly typical for Corbieres, if more complicated than you would expect for $9.

Despite it's humble origins, the wine reminds me of some of our finer offerings form the Rhone. If you like meat, especially lamb, or if you just want to spend your evening as I do, sitting on the couch drinking and watching Dancing with the Stars, this is the wine for you.
Order Now








3 - Ego Bolgheri Rosso 2005 $18

Bolgheri is home to some of the biggest names in Italian wine, Sassacaia, Tignanello and Ornellaia being the most famous. The vineyards of Le Grascete are so close to Sassacaia and Ornellaia that they are literally an empty wine bottle's throw away.

Made from hand harvested estate fruit the wine is surprisingly structured and intense for $18.

This is a wine that will definitely benefit from decanting and a little patience, but once you're there, you're all the way there. Order Now




4 - Willunga Creek Black Duck Merlot 2005 $30

Made Another wine from our new buddy Chris at 2fly wines. Willunga Creek is a family owned winery in Mc Laren Vale Australia.
McLaren Vale is one of Australia's premiere wine producing regions, and the Black Duck conveys this unique climate and style. The wine is VERY rich, with well integrated tannins, copious fruit and a hint and Cinnamon. Lots of stuffing here, Rubenesque. A tremendous value for those in pursuit of the ultimate wave.

Order Now

Thanks very much for your support over the past year - we sincerely appreciate it.

And from all of us we wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy New Year for you and your family.

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


AAA.

New London tradition, Hugel dinner, Green and Red,Bonnaventure Chinon,Berger Blauer Zweigelt, Salomon Gruner Veltliner

Greetings from all of us in New London


This is a very big week for news - the wine list for this Friday is just below these items of interest.


• First I want to answer one of the biggest questions of the week -

Many of you know that we own the building that Parade News is located in. Parade News and the Condon family have provided New London with newspapers and magazines, tobacco and impulsive necessities of all types for over fifty years. Parade News is a New London landmark - it has been in the same location since the 1950's - So,when the family decided recently to retire the business, many people wondered what's going to happen? Where will we get our newspapers and fine cigars? Where will we get that copy of European Men's Vogue for the train ride into The City?
Where will I be able to find those outlawed spiced, clove & honey cigarette's that are all the rage on The Continent?

The answer my friends is don't worry - we will carry on the proud tradition - we will not let the changing hands of time shut off the lights on a New London tradition. All of the Big City newspapers and magazines, fine cigars and tobacco, candy & chocolate, nuts & snacks, will be right there where you expect them to be. Your routine will not have to change. We will update things a bit - and make the whole thing as user-friendly as possible.
All of your requests, comments, and suggestions are welcome - and now is the time to let us know - and please spread the word.

• Next - get out your calendar and an indelible marker.
Friday, November 2 - 8 p.m.
The Garde Theater - World Premier Movie Event:

Join us on the Red Carpet and please be on hand to see the world premier of "Inclusions."
Flawless Films presents Inclusions, a locally written, shot, and produced dark comedy.

Our wine cellar is featured prominently in the movie - and we will be hosting a pre-theater bash starting at 6 p.m. in the cellar to celebrate the efforts of New London's own
Gordon Videll, the executive producer of the film.
We also hope to have a VIP lounge set-up at the Garde for all of the TV & press interviews and exclusive red carpet hijinks where the bubbly will flow like water. This will be a great night - and it is a very important cause that will benefit please join us.

All profits from this showing at the Garde will be donated to
Make a Wish Foundation and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
I hope to see you all "on location." For more details - go here: http://tickets.gardearts.org/show.asp

• FOOD STROLL -
Wednesday Oct. 17th - 5:30 - 8:30. Food & drink everywhere. We of course will be doing our part. Please stroll by.

• Meet The Winemaker Dinner Event: Monday October 29 - 6 p.m.
Meet Etienne Hugel - 12 Generation winemaker from Alsace France. This is your chance to sit elbow to elbow with a true legend in the wine business. We will eat, drink, and get to know this industry insider. And, the guy is "cool." -
Please check out the short video we have posted on the calendar of events page it will give you a glimpse into the line-up for the evening.
It was shot during Etienne's visit last year at Brie & Bleu: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Seating is very limited - if you have a wine lover in your life - this is the perfect surprise "date night." Reserve early - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3

• Green Party Fund Raiser at Muse Shoes & Gallery on Saturday October 20 - 6-10 p.m.
Corner of Golden and Green Streets Downtown New London - Enjoy music, food, and wine. Meet the candidates.


• Dave's Fave
Monday Tasting October 15th - No Charge

Domaine Santa Duc "Les Quatre Terres" Cotes du Rhone 2005 $16
Dave Says:
"We love all the wine these guys make, as Jim said, "They're too busy making great wine to worry about the label on the bottle."
So this bottle is often overlooked, but it's one of the best Cotes du Rhone in the house.
I haven't even tasted the 2005 vintage yet, so I'm looking forward to Monday too. How many times do you say that?
They're also so busy making great wine, they're not too worried about awkward English translations on the web page, "Here, wild and uncommon, a bird watches over the domain: the Grand-duc owl which sings, (known as "Canta Duc" in Provencal), his name has become over time "Santa Duc."
Come in on Monday, and we will sing of the owl!"

Wine Tasting Please Join Us
Friday October 19th - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge


1 - Salomon Gruner Veltliner 2006 $17
This is remarkable in many ways. The estate has been in the family since 1792.
Fritz Salomon (1905-1971) was one of the true pioneers of dry wines in Austria; the first to import Pinot Blanc to Austria and he was also the first to export his wines to the USA, where they are highly regarded today. Erich Salomon has reinvigorated the fortunes of the estate and he produces beautifully typical wines, often with a characteristic understated elegance. These are not among the spectacularly alcoholic giants which are at times popular in Austria, but classical wines whose filigree fruit has earned many admirers. As they are usually in the Auslese range, they are also extremely long-lived.
Importers note: ”This is one of our front & center value GVs, always correct and snappy, This is richer and drier and it’s nutty, and zips with a nice snap and pepper." This is a great price for this wine, great with food - please try it on Friday night.

2 - Berger Blauer Zweigelt 2006 $12
This is a wine that surprised us - it comes in a liter sized bottle with a cap like a beer bottle. It is perhaps one of the best simple red table wines that we have ever had. It is hard to believe that it is only $12. It comes to us from Importer Terry Theise - the same man that Food & Wine magazine recently named Man of The Year. You will want to try this wine, and then you will want to "snag" as much as you can because it goes well with everything - a perfect everyday wine. It will go quickly. Watch our WineRadio interview with Terry Theise here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Just scroll down to the bottom of our calendar of events page - you can't miss it.

3 - Bonnaventure Chinon 2005 $20
Chateau de Coulaine is a family-owned estate rich in viticultural tradition which has been operating continuously since 1300! Since 1988, Etienne de Bonnaventure has assumed all viticulture and winemaking responsibilities and has grown the estate to its current 12 hectares, all situated on Chinon's plateaux. Planted to 100% Cabernet Franc, vineyards are organically farmed, all grapes are hand-harvested and vinification follows a non-interventionalist path. Coulaine's low yields result in a deeply concentrated, savory and succulent expression of Cabernet Franc with ripe and polished tannins - a harmonious balance between the traditional and modern worlds. We adore Cabernet Franc and this is simply one of the most deliciously approachable examples we have come across - This is big bang for the dollar.
And talk about a "story book" picture of a Chateau - take a look here: http://www.chinon.com/vignoble/chateau-coulaine/

4 - Green and Red Chiles Mill Zinfandel 2005 $28
Robert parker has said that they are one of his favorite Zinfendel producers.
Green & Red Vineyard, named for its red iron soils veined with green serpentine, is located in the steep hills on the east side of Napa Valley. The planting was started in 1972 on ground originally in vineyards in the 1890's. The vineyards are a small percentage of the 200-acre property, which ranges in elevation from 900 to 2,000 feet. Our separate vineyards are at different elevations with different exposures. This is the wine that was such a hit at our Asian wine dinner that one guest said it was the "best red wine he had ever had." Please try this - it may be your new favorite wine too.


Thanks for all of your support - we appreciate it.
And thanks for taking the time to call and sent email - you have a lot of great ideas - we are listening.

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


AAA.