Celebrate Hugel Day With Us - Lets Drink!

Drink Different! HUGEL - Winegrowing Ancestors Since 1639 The first traces of the Hugel family in Alsace can be traced back to the XVth century. Some two centuries later, Hans Ulrich Hugel settled in Riquewihr, which had been devastated by the terrible Thirty Years War. In 1639 he was made a freeman of the city and soon took charge of the very powerful Corporation of Winegrowers. In 1672 his son built a fine house in the Rue des Cordiers, and over the doorway was carved the family crest which was the origin of the company’s logo still used today. The Hugel family gained an enviable reputation for their winegrowing skills and for the meticulous way in which they cultivated their vineyards. In 1902, Frédéric Emile Hugel left the old family property and established himself in premises in the centre of Riquewihr which still form the heart of the family business. This Friday night meet Jennifer Young the Hugel Family Ambassador for Frederick Wildman Imports. She will lead our tasting of the Hugel portfolio - don't miss this special night.  Start your weekend here  - a little wine, a little cheese, and maybe a surprise or two. Don't Wine Without Us Please join us on Friday night. 5-8pm - No Charge         The Only Wine You Need  For The Holidays         The Wines Of Hugel are the perfect match for the rich and savory dishes of Thanksgiving - This Friday night we offer a special presentation to celebrate the holiday and Hugel Day. "With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, there is no better time to begin planning your Thanksgiving holiday menu and include the perfect wines to complement the always-abundant and scrumptious spread. HUGEL, of course, has a wine for each course! The tricky job is finding the right wine to go with the variety of tastes, textures and aromas that make up the never-ending repast.  On #HUGELDAY, NOVEMBER 10th—we are running wine specials on Rieslings, and all other varieties, for this favored national holiday!"Charlotte Hugel         Gentil "HUGEL" Produced exclusively from hand harvested grapes in predominantly clay and limestone vineyards, from a dozen of the most favored localities in and around Riquewihr. Gentil "Hugel" allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of both Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. This is the perfect introduction to Alsace wines as it combines the qualities of all our white varietals. This wine revives an ancient Alsace tradition that wines assembled from noble grape varieties were called "Gentil". Gentil "Hugel" allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.         Pinot Blanc HUGEL It is now the most planted varietal in Alsace. Delicate, subtle and well built, it makes an excellent aperitif because, although nicely rounded, it is also refreshing. The perfect all-purpose dry white wine, it goes well with country buffets, seafood and white meats. It is the most approachable wine of Alsace and also the most consistent year in year out. Not far in style from an unoaked Chardonnay such as a Macon or Chablis. This is one of our favorite wines all year long. Please try it this Friday night.         Gewurztraminer  The spice of Alsace and one of Famille Hugel's signature wines. It is both aromatic and extroverted through its floral and spicy notes. Gewurztraminer is an invitation to accompany a variety of spicy Asian dishes as well as smoked salmon and strong cheeses. "This wine has a wonderfully intense and lively colour with a nice crystalline metallic sheen over a young, fresh and alert pale green with hints of pale yellow. When rolled in the glass its legs are structured and oily. It has a magnificent pure and sophisticated nose which generously releases a sense of freshness, openness and perfumed, expressive, fruity and floral spontaneity with delicate hints of Muscat, white peach, lemon balm, rose, hawthorn, jasmine, freesia, lime tree and cherry blossom, lychee and pear. One is immediately impressed by its rare elegance and aromatic charm." Wine Maker         Pinot Gris Famille Hugel  Pinot Gris truly dry and gastronomic which reveals itself at the table! Rich and rounded, although still dry, it is ideal with terrines, white meats and fish in sauce. Of all the Alsace varieties, Pinot Gris has the greatest ageing potential. "A very fresh yellow, pale green with dominant hints of green with lighter hints of the pale yellow of lime trees in spring, some silver, crystalline highlights, a pleasant energetic sheen, full and lively legs. The aroma is still a bit restrained and serious but with the fresh, clear, precise and well stated fruitiness of lime, fresh kiwi, lemongrass, gooseberry, fresh moss and a lightly mineral flinty nuance.  On the palate this is a dry, refreshing and lively wine with a pleasant sense of tension and vivacity which enlivens the palate, it's rounded and full flavor amply quenches the thirst." Wine Maker         SPECIAL EVENT         SOLD OUT - WAIT LIST ONLY Wednesday November 14th 6:00pm - RSVP Required No Charge - 860-443-6817 FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT SHERRY Robert Colopy, Sherry Ambassador and New England Market Manager for Gonzalez Byass of Jerez de la Frontera, will lead you through the extraordinary range sherry wine has to offer. Gonzalez Byass is the oldest family-owned winery in Jerez, the capital of the sherry wine region, founded in 1835.  Gonzalez Byass is world renowned for their FINO sherry brand Tio Pepe, the first dry sherry ever exported from Spain in 1840 and the very first trademark of Spanish commercial products. Today the company ages sherry wines in more than 70,000 barrels in their cellars in Jerez.         The Perfect Hostess Gift.         The Wow Factor - Fill it with Wine, Cheese, Flowers, Chocolate Truffles...You get the idea.  Order now for timely deliveries or bring it with you to break the ice at the front door. 860-443-6817.         Questions - 860-443-6817 Friday November 9th - Special Hugel Tasting - Don't Miss It. Wednesday November 14th - RSVP REQUIRED The History Of Sherry - Gonzalez & Byass Tasting Friday November 16th - Barberani Wines Friday December 7th - James Gilles Friday December 14th - Alan Goodman Friday December 21st - Eric Bellnier         ​Meet your friends, sample and taste and start your weekend with us. Drink Different! 860-443-6817

SIP OR TREAT! The Annual Halloween Tasting - Lets Drink!

TRY AN ALL NATURAL BEAUTY         Drink Different! Natural Wine, Organic Wine, Biodynamic Wine - What's all the fuss about? How do you tell them apart?  These are wines made with minimal chemical and technological intervention, both in growing grapes and making them into wine. Natural - The term is used to distinguish such wine from organic wine and biodynamic wine because of differences in cellar practices. All natural wines are, however, farmed organically at a minimum and many growers are biodynamic in the vineyard as well. Strictly speaking, natural wines are wines that are produced without adding or removing anything during winemaking, although some growers add tiny quantities of sulphites at bottling, so that strictly speaking their wines are not natural wines, but 'only' organic (and possibly biodynamic). Organic wine is organic in the sense of having been produced from organically grown grapes, but may be subject to chemical and physical manipulation in the winemaking process. It is a little confusing. So start slowly - we have assembled a nice little collection of Natural, Organic, and Biodynamic wines for you. And, we have put them together for easy review. Take a look the next time you visit the store. Start your weekend here  - a little wine, a little cheese, and maybe a surprise or two. Don't Wine Without Us Please join us on Friday night. 5-8pm - No Charge         HAPPY HALLOWEEN - SIP OR TREAT! 5:00 - 8:00pm - No Charge         The Man Of A Thousand Faces         This Friday we welcome back Mr. Eric Bellnier. This will be his 4th Annual Halloween tasting -  He will be in costume - but it is a closely guarded secret.         Laroque - Pinot Noir Laroque is made from historical vineyards in the ancient region of Carcassonne that produces an extraordinary and unique wine made from 100% Pinot Noir. Laroque (from the latin roqua) derives its name from the Menhirs (a single standing stone that dates back to the middle of the Bronze Age like Stonehenge) which are found around Carcassonne. During the Middle Ages, the vineyards belonged to the Bishop of Carcassonne, who was renowned for making the best wines in the region. Local legend has it that the devil, upset with the Bishop of Carcassonne for stealing his “clients,” tried to stone the Bishop with giant rocks. Following the attack, the Bishop constructed the fortress of Cazilhac with these Menhirs and marked the event by placing a cross on the last remaining Menhir. Earth and fruit aromas with a fruity sweetness and dried spices on the nose. The mouth is charming, juicy and straightforward. Medium tannins linger on the finish along-side a hint of roasted cocoa nib. An excellent option for those who enjoy a more gentle and approachable style.         Podere Castorani - Cadetto Rated 88 Points Wine Spectator Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is one of Italy's most famous wines, and can be found on wine store shelves all around the world. This classic, well-rounded, plum-scented Italian red is made from Montepulciano grapes grown in the Abruzzo region, on Italy's Adriatic coast. It is quite distinct from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is a Sangiovese-based wine from Tuscany. Ruby red with violet tones. Intense red fruit notes, with light hints of spices and chocolate. Medium bodied with mature tannins and notes of spices and chocolate. This very affordable red is a treat and I encourage you to try it this Friday night.         Les Hauts de Trintaudon, Rated 90 Points - Haut-Medoc, France Haut-Medoc is the large southern section of the greater Medoc district of Bordeaux in south-western France and also the name of the appellation that covers the vineyards here. It accounts for two-thirds of the Medoc peninsula and produces more fine wine per acre than almost anywhere else in the world. The Haut-Medoc is home to the 'famous four' Bordeaux appellations of Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estephe and Saint-Julien. Chateau Larose Trintaudon's Les Hauts de Trintaudon is produced from the younger vines of Larose Trintaudon. This wine is vinified with the same care as the 1st wine. A shorter fermenting time allows for riper fruit and mellowness to come to the fore earlier. The 2014 vintage is particularly rich in aromas of small berries - woodland strawberries, red currant. In the palate this wine has good tannic structure . A wine to be enjoyed now.​​​​​​​ A tremendous food wine and something you should be drinking now. Please try it this Friday.         SPECIAL EVENT         Gonzalez & Byass - Sherry Tasting Wednesday November 14th 6:00pm - RSVP Required No Charge - Limited Seating 860-443-6817 FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT SHERRY Ready for a vinous oxymoron? Sherry, for ages one of the most tradition-bound, staid and ignored wines in the world, is surging in popularity. Over the past few years, a new generation of wine drinkers has embraced this ­idiosyncratic, fortified product from Spain’s deep south. According to tastemakers—i.e., the sommeliers who sell Sherry daily - people have become enthralled with discovering Sherry’s myriad styles, flavors and nuances, especially if the wines are made in tiny batches by small bodegas. Join Us for Tapas, History, and a Portfolio Tasting from one of the most awarded Sherry producers in the world.         Mad River  A Craft Distillery Located in Vermont’s Mad River Valley.         Saturday October 27th 1:00 - 4:00 PM Please Join Us - and meet Kayla Hedman Brand Ambassador "We started the distillery in 2011 on a 150 year old farm nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains.  Mad River Distillers is committed to making spirits that celebrate local producers and sustainable agriculture and we distill all of our spirits by hand and from scratch.     We believe that the spirits we distill should be a reflection of the grains and fruit from which they are drawn.  As a craft distiller, we are small batch producers. We ferment, distill and bottle bourbon, rye, rum and apple brandy."  John Egan, Founder Join Us And Sample The Entire Portfolio - A Real Treat         Questions - 860-443-6817 Friday October 26 - Eric Bellnier - Halloween Tasting SATURDAY October 27 - Mad River Sprits Tasting - 1-4pm Friday November 2nd - Coppola Directors Cut Friday November 9th - Special Hugel Tasting - Don't Miss It. Friday November 30th - Icardi Italian Wines - Vinifera Wednesday November 14th - RSVP REQUIRED The History Of Sherry - Gonzalez & Byass Tasting​​​​​​​         ​Meet your friends, sample and taste and start your weekend with us. Drink Different! 860-443-6817

The Experts We Trust - Lets Drink!

Drink Different! Regular customers know that we like bringing unusual, hand-picked yet approachable wines to our shelves. We look for wines that are of intrinsically high quality irrespective of the price point – with all of our selections we like to say 'Drink Different!'  The truth is in the glass  – just taste them and discover thrillingly distinctive and enjoyable wines. Our goal is to look just a little bit harder for wines that are off the beaten track and which offer both good value for money and unqualified.....Yummyness.   Most of the wine we offer comes from family owned vineyards.  People that work in the fields, harvest the grapes and make the wine authentically - no tricks, no manipulation, the same methods that generations before them have used to make something special. These wines are not mass produced, they do not come from modern factories - they come from the heart, with equal amounts of pride and accountability for whats in the bottle. Take a look the next time you visit our store. Start your weekend here  - a little wine, a little cheese, and maybe a surprise or two. Don't Wine Without Us Please join us on Friday night. 5-8pm - No Charge Please Bring Your Friends And Join Us On Friday 5:00 - 8:00pm - No Charge This Friday we welcome Mr. Chris McDermott back to the store. He has carefully cherry picked wines from his portfolio that are exactly what you need now. We are featuring wine that pairs perfectly with the chill in the air.  DR FRANK GEWURZTRAMINER Finger Lakes - New York  Dr. Konstantin Frank ignited the “Vinifera Revolution” a movement that forever changed the course of wine growing in the Finger Lakes and the United States. Dr. Frank’s vision, knowledge and determination are credited with elevating the New York wine industry from a state of happy mediocrity to a level that today commands world attention. This is a delicious, zesty wine with complex mineral overtones and a long, clean, fresh finish with notes of ripe pineapple and green apple.   These old vine vineyards are among the oldest in the United States. While they produce fewer grapes, the quality of the fruit results in more complex wines. 100% Gewürztraminer from Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake estate vineyards. Please try it this Friday night. Légende Bordeaux Blanc Château Lafite Rothschild Owner of Château Lafite Rothschild for five generations, the Rothschild family has been based in this Bordeaux vineyard since 1868. High values and the respect of traditional methods make them passionate about harmony and excellence.  Their skills have patiently enriched through the generations, with world-renowned success. Lovingly cared for by a multitude of winegrowers, the common characteristic of Bordeaux’s vineyards is the elegance and freshness of their wines which, while they reflect a rich culture and are are surrounded by a certain grandeur, are nonetheless easy to drink.   The Collection’s Bordeaux Blanc, made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, explodes with freshness on the palate, in a direct, straightforward style, going beyond a “high tech” product to offer the simple pleasure of a fresh, lively white.   This is a real treat, please try it this Friday. Planeta La Segreta Bianca SICILY ‘It is a new way of thinking about the journey through Sicily; after Menfi, Vittoria, then Noto, then Etna, then Milazzo. Not a random route, but one strongly linked to the variety of countryside, to the winds, to the character of the people and thus of their wine…’ - Diego Planeta La Segreta takes its name from the woods which surround our vineyard at Ulmo. This young fresh wine principally produced from Grecanico grapes gains personality and style with the addition of some international variety grapes.  All grapes are cultivated in the vineyards owned by Planeta. La Segreta is the perfect approach to Sicilian wine, guaranteed by the Planeta family’s patient input, from vine to wine. A tremendous food wine and something you should be drinking now. Please try it this Friday. SPECIAL EVENT Gonzales & Bayass - Sherry Tasting Wednesday November 14th 6:00pm - RSVP Required No Charge - Limited Seating 860-443-6817 In 1849 Manuel Maria Gonzalez created his own brand Tio Pepe, the first registered trade mark in Spain. In 1835, a young man called Manuel María González Angel arrived in Jerez, intent on making a name for himself in the thriving and lucrative sherry business. Encouraged by the consistent growth in exports, that same year he purchased a small winery and began to produce and export his own wines. This was the start of Bodegas Tío Pepe - Today, Bodegas Tío Pepe is known around the world as one of the leading producers of sherry and Brandy de Jerez.  Join Us for Tapas, History and a portfolio tasting of the most awarded Sherry producer in the world. West+Wilder  A great bottle of wine that happens to come in cans. Drinks Well Anywhere! This crisp sparkling white is sunshine in a can. The lively green papaya, jasmine, and lemon lime zest signal refreshment. The majority of fruit for this wine comes from coastal Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Albariño, with small touches of Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Gris to focus the palate. Pleasingly graceful with its playful acidity and balance, this wine is delightful to drink and turns heads with its style.  Absolutely perfect for any on the go occasion. Football games, camping - this is the best in cans so far!  Please try it this Friday Night. Questions - 860-443-6817 Friday October 12th - Chris McDermott Friday October 19th - Zambuni Wines Friday October 26 - Eric Bellnier - Halloween Tasting SATURDAY October 27 - Mad River Spirts Tasting - 1-4pm Wednesday November 14th - RSVP REQUIRED The History Of Sherry - Gonzales & Byass Tasting Friday November 9th - Special Hugel Tasting - Don't Miss It. ​Meet your friends, sample and taste and start your weekend with us. Drink Different! 860-443-6817