Wine Stimulus Program

Greetings from New London,
We have a nice line up for Friday night, the list is just below a few items of interest.



This just in:
The Wine Spectator's top 100 came out last week and we have been lucky to have had many of the names on our shelf over the past season. We also managed to get a few extra bottles of some of them - not easy after they publish the list.

#10 Seghesio Sonoma zinfandel 2007 93pts $26

And Our Very Favorite Wine Of All Time - #8
The Perrin Family's Chateau Beaucastel - we have had Marc Perrin in our store, we have had dinners and incredible vertical tastings with him, we have even been to the chateau for a sleep-over - we love this wine.

#8 Chateau Beaucastel
Chateau-Neuf-Du-Pape 96pts 2005 $115
"One of my favorite wines of all time, if for no other reason than I have a deep history with the wine going back many vintages.

Once, I even did a vertical tasting with Marc Perrin of the 2004, 2003, 2001, 1995, 1989, 1985, 1983, 1978, as well as several vintages of the Rousanne V.V.. Beaucastel ages better than any wine I've ever had, there I said it.

The 1978 and 1983 are still drinking beautifully, they get finer and lighter as they age obviously, but still show no sign of being in decline. I've even done head to heads with Ch Rayas and even once Beaucastel 1983 vs. Ch Latour 1982. When the dusk settles and you get past the fame of the other suitors for your palate, I still prefer Beaucastel, it is my tongue's favorite lover. There is an intrinsic advantage to that scope of varietal blending, in terms of complexity, and depth of flavor and what can I say about Mouverde that hasn't been said before in song and story."
-Jim Morrison

A Face You Can Trust

Dave's Fave
The Monday Tasting 12.1.08

Bardolino Superiore 2006 $15
I know what you're saying, it's cold, I want to stay inside, and I'm craving a hearty Italian wine at the right price. Found one!

From our friends at Seiterre, who also make the slammin' Pinot Grigio we poured Friday and our popular Casaia Rosso Toscana. The Rosso Toscana has an appealing red and yellow label which, we suspect, may cause this Bardolino, with it's brown and purple label, to be overlooked on the shelf - so what have you been missing?

A classic Bardolino, produced in the high, cool climate of Verona, on the glacial moraine hills east of Lake Garda. The traditional varietals of the region (Rondinella, Corvina, and Molinara) produce a wine with ample fruit and a spicy, herbal quality. "Very nice fruity opulence safeguarded," declares an Italian website. I think you'll agree. Order Now

Wine Stimulus Program
The Friday Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday December 5 - 6 - 9 p.m. - No Charge

1 - Alexander Valley Vineyards New Gewurztraminer 2008 $12

Sustainably farmed and produced from organic grapes in Mendocino California.

Bursting with exotic flavors of pear and lychee and a bit of spice on the nose.

This soft young wine pairs well with ethic and spicy food. The perfect wine for Lamb Saag or Chicken Vindaloo from our friends at Northern Indian on State Street.
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2 - Vina Albali Tempranillo Reserva 1999 $9

From Valdepenas in southern Spain comes this clear and pretty expression of the Tempranillo grape.


Light bodied with a ruby red color, ripe cherry and notes of spice and Vanilla . Come see how inexpensive good, authentic wine can be.

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3 - Alto Moncayo veraton Garnacha 2006 $32

A perennial favorite, as always in limited quantities.

"Saturated ruby. Very spicy on the nose, which displays blackberry, blueberry, white pepper and cinnamon qualities. Sappy dark berry flavors combine intensity with depth, picking up candied licorice with air.

Turns sweeter on the finish, which leaves an exotic floral note behind.

This went through multiple changes in the glass and is utterly delicious now." Josh Raynolds, 91pts International Wine Cellar
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4 - Alto Moncayo (the big one) garnacha 2006 $50

93 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Deep ruby with a bright rim. Impressively complex, seductive bouquet of dark berry preserves, tobacco, graphite and smoky Indian spices. Pliant black raspberry and candied cherry flavors are enlivened by zesty minerals and firmed by fine-grained tannins. An exotic floral pastille quality emerges with air and carries into the finish, which is strikingly sweet, lively and persistent. "

92 points from Wine Spectator:
"This plush, dense red shows coffee and spicy oak, with berry and wild plum fruit and accents of licorice and black pepper. The tannins are firm but well-integrated, and this finishes warm and spicy. Modern and alluring. Drink now through 2012. Only 600 cases made.

Order Now





Thanks very much for your support over the holiday season - we appreciate it.

And thanks for always making this so much fun.
We have a lot of things planned for the coming weeks and the New Year. Everything is based on your comments and suggestions - we are listening.

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



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Madeleine Peyroux, Single Gourmet, Champagne and Pizza, ,Johanneshof Reinisch,Hugel Gewurztraminer,Vina Albali, Dom Martinho, Il Tarocco

Greetings from all of us in New London -
Thames River Wine & Spirits - 860-443-6817
Brie & Bleu - 860-437-2474
Thames River Greenery - 860-443-6817
IMPORT - 860-443-6817

Great wine on Friday - Just perfect for the upcoming holiday's - the list is below these few items of news & interest.

• First many thanks to the Hartford Courant, and Melissa Pionzio for the profile they did on us in last Thursday's edition. If you missed it, take a look at the great photo that went with the story. It is posted on our calendar page - here: http://thamesriver.com/wine/calendar.html
Contact Melissa Pionzio here: mpionzio@courant.com

• Monday November 12 - Our Wine & Cheese Italian Style, A food demonstration & wine and cheese paring is full - Thank you. The next edition will be in January. For information call 8 6 0 - 4 3 7 - 2 4 7 4 - this makes a great "stocking stuffer" for foodies.

• Saturday November 17 - 12:00 Noon - 2:00 p.m. - Live Radio Broadcast & Prize Drawing.
Single Gourmet of Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island is hosting a wine & beer tasting. In addition, radio personality Bruce Newbury will be hosting a live broadcast of his popular show "Dining Out With Bruce Newbury." This is open all all men and women that are interested in learning more about Single Gourmet, the regions best social, dining, and events club. Single Gourmet is not a dating service. It is simply a way for singles to get out and enjoy area restaurants. If you are unable to attend the event on Saturday November 17, please stop by Brie & Bleu to leave an entry to win a free membership in Single Gourmet. Listen to the show on WXLM 102.3 FM

• Madeleine Peyroux - Garde Arts Center Saturday November 17 - 8 p.m.
If you have not made your plans for Saturday night, consider the amazing show that is coming to The Garde. Start your evening with us and then make your way up to the Garde Theater for a performer that is selling out across the country.

The New York Times says: "A Mona Lisa Voice" - French-American jazz singer, songwriter and guitarist is a growing phenomenon in contemporary music and is winning the hearts of music lovers all over the world with her dazzling “Billie Holliday” sound.
For all of the details and ticket information go here: http://tickets.gardearts.org/show.asp


• Burgundy Lovers - take a look at our updated Shop On Line Page - we have some sweet choices. http://thamesriver.com/wine/instock.html

• Monday December 10 - 6 p.m. - Champagne & Pizza Tasting.
This is not a typo - It is a special night. And we plan on proving a very important point: "That the only thing we have to fear...is - oops - no, that's not it. We plan on proving that the only thing you need to drink a bottle of Champagne...Is a bottle of Champagne.

It was an identical, staff only, tasting a year ago that inspired this special evening.
We will will taste through the remarkable Champagne of Marc Hebrart, Pierre Gimmonnet, Pierre Peters, Aubry Fils , Vilmart and A. Margaine, including Tete de Cuvee and Special Club Champagnes. Without a doubt - these are some of the finest boutique Champagnes in the world. You will not find them anywhere else in Connecticut. When the night is done - you will know the truth about Champagne. $50 -
please use your credit card to make a reservation - 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3.


Dave's Fave - Monday Tasting - No Charge
The Perfect Turkey Wine? - You Be The Judge

Johanneshof Reinisch "St. Laurent vom Steinfeld" 2004 $14

Dave Says: "This Monday afternoon, let us sample together this little mystery from Austria. I've been on an Austrian kick recently, spurred on by the recent visit of Terry Theise, and the fun we've all had with his big ol' bottles of Berger Zweigelt... As for this St. Laurent, this much I know: it is red wine. Luckily, they totally clear it up for us on the bottle label (verbatim): "From uncertain origin and nowadays observed as an Austrian speciality these wines of the St. Laurent grape impress with a bouquet reminding on hackberries and marzipan." Can't you taste the hackberries now? I can't wait!" And bring in your holiday menus we will help you pair the perfect wine with each and every food - Dave will not be stumped.


Wine Tasting - Please Join Us
Friday November 16 - 6-9 p.m. - No Charge


1 - Hugel Gewurztraminer 2005 $23 www.hugel.com
It's no secret that we are big fans of the House of Hugel. The wine is exceptional. And many of you know that Etienne Hugel has shared the dinner table with us and our customers. Many of you have also seen the interviews that we have done with Etienne on our WineRadio show.
The Hugel family started making wine 1639 in Alsace France. Only in Alsace does the aromatic expressiveness of this variety attain such summits. Spicy and suave, it can be enjoyed on its own, but makes a marvellous accompaniment to all rich, spicy dishes, smoked fish, Oriental cuisine. This a great food wine. Please try it.

2 - Vina Albali Reserva 1999 $9
This is from the heart of the La Mancha region of Spain. (that's right - Man of La Mancha) This area is Spain's largest wine producing area. Much of La Mancha's wine is industrially produced and used for blending. There is, however, a smaller wine growing area within La Mancha around the city of Valdepeñas that is known for several good quality wines that are among the best values in Spain. Felix Solis is the maker of this respected Viña Albali Reserva, made from the flavorful Cencibel grape (known as Tempranillo in the Rioja region). You will be surprised at how favorably this wine compares to Rioja's - but it is half the price. You might want a case of this for the upcoming holiday's - please try it at this week's tasting.

3 - Quinta do Carmo Dom Martinho 2004 $14 - from Alentejo Portugal
Dom Martinho is one of the three red wines grown and produced at the spectacular Quinta do Carmo estate. Located in the Alentejo, the home of
great still winemaking in Portugal, the estate itself is vast and beautiful. 300 of its more than 2000 acres are planted to vineyards in two distinct
soils: a black slate for the one, and a brilliant deep limestone for the other. Dom Martinho is one of the single great parcels of the vineyard and gives its name to the estate’s youngest, fruit driven red. Since 1992, the Domains Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
have been contributing a great deal to the quality of this estate while continuing the tradition of wine-making. The soil consists of two main geologi-
cal types: clay-limestone and clay-slate. The methods of cultivation keep to the old techniques, using the double cordon rigorous system. Beautiful garnet color makes this nearly black - The nose very rich in black fruit (blackberries, blackcurrants) aromas, spice. Full-bodied, rich and supple on the palate with good concentration. Tremendous value for the dollar - a great wine for the holiday table - do not miss trying this one on Friday night.

4 - Il Tarocco Chianti Classico 2001 $26
The blending grape for this wine is BLACK canaiolo - and that helps to give it an intense ruby color. Elegant aroma of beautiful mature red fruit with floral notes and balanced taste, full, intense and persistent. This wine is great with tasty pasta, white and red meats, stewed meat, matured cheeses and rich plates of flavor and substance. While the price is a few dollars more - it delivers in spades. You will be able to serve this wine to your guests and family with the expectation of hearing oooh's and ahhh's. It is a lot of wine for the price.


Thanks so much for all of the calls, emails, and your support. We appreciate it.
We have some great events planned for the coming months - watch for details right here in the email, or on our website.

We are at your service - Please Join Us -
It's fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.




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