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

Wine Made From Steele?

 

Wine and Cheese Tasting

Every Friday from 5-8 PM

No Charge

Message from The Man Of Steele:

This year  marks my forty-fifth year of being involved in making wine in California.

From my start as a cellar worker at Stony Hill in Napa Valley in 1968, to starting Edmeades in the Anderson Valley and being there for ten years, to then starting Kendall-Jackson and working there for the first nine vintages of that wildly successful winery (I left the year we broke the million cases per year production mark), to the start of our own STEELE Wines in 1991-it has been an incredible ride.

From viewing the actual number of wines we bottle, you might think that we are a large winery. However, this is not the case, as we specialize in many wines where the final bottling is less than 1,000 cases.

This approach allows us to maintain the practice of true craftmanship in the production of our small lot bottlings. I hope you enjoy our wines.

Jed Steele

Owner/Winemaker  

This Friday night we will taste the wines of Jed Steele.

Steele Chardonnay

Out Kaste Red

Steele Zinfandel 

Steele Chardonnay Cuvee

The Cuvee consistently exhibits excellent depth of flavor, wonderful acidity and complex aromas.

The Santa Maria vineyards add a tropical fruit character to the wine, flavors and aroma of mango, pineapple, and papaya. The Sonoma vineyards attribute citrus character and acid to the cuvee.

The Mendocino vineyards flavor profile leans toward citrus fruit and minerality from DuPratt and Lolonis contributes the warmest-climate grapes to the cuvee with flavors and aromas of baked apples and cinnamon. 

 

 

 

 

Out Kaste Red Blend

 

"Because of the location - We in Lake County, feel ourselves to have become an "Outcast."

 

The special blend in this bottle clearly demonstrates the excellence of wine from Lake County grapes.
In drinking and enjoying this wine, you will be helping us to shed the chains that have for so long bound us in the role of "Out Kaste".

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEELE ZINFANDEL

This wine is known for its spicy, brambly and mildly tarry character.  The nose has the previously mentioned characteristics in addition to a bacon (or pancetta) and a white pepper element.   

The palate is full of berries, spice and a hint of cola, with a dusty chocolate finish. The wine has great structure, is well balanced, and has a nice finish.

Food Pairing

Enjoy this wine with roasted meats (particularly if accompanied by a rich red fruit reduction), BBQ of any kind, rib steak fresh from the broiler, and a variety of cheeses.

 

 

WHISKEY NEWS

 Balcones Rumble

A one-of-a-kind Texas spirit made from the finest local wildflower honey, mission figs, turbinado sugar and natural Texas Hill Country spring water and aged to perfection in small oak barrels.

Rumble defies categorization, both in ingredients as well as the final product. It has elements reminiscent of tequila, scotch, young cognac and rum.

Just five years ago, Balcones was little more than an idea fueled by a ruthless drive to create something new, something genuine, something worthwhile - a Texas whisky tradition.

It all started with an old welding shop under a bridge. We hammered and welded our own stills, and sawed and nailed on that little shack to build the distillery that we use to this day.

Since then, we have released seven unique spirits of which we are very proud and won 40 national and international awards from the world's top judges and critics. We don't just make whisky in Texas. We make Texas whisky. 

 We got it on our shelves - but it does go quickly.

 

NEW ARRIVALS

Jasper Hill Moses Sleeper - A bloomy-rind cheese developed by Mateo Kehler at Jasper Hill Farm. When young the flavor is buttery, bright, and savory, and when longer-aged it is creamier and takes on the aroma and flavor of vegetables.

Brie de Nangis  - Hails from Brie, just southwest of Paris, France, and is one of the milder, more buttery Bries.  Brie de Nangis is creamy and smooth and has a slightly chalky center that becomes runny with age. This cheese pairs well with a Sauvignon Blanc and bigger reds such as Merlot.

Fromager d'Affinois - This French innovation may look like pudgy brie, but it's actually much creamier. The mild, buttery flavor has a sweetness that goes very well with champagne and fresh fruit.

It may remind you of a triple-creme, so loaded it is with silky fat. It's one of Our Top 10 sellers, every year, without fail.

Ask for a sample the next time you visit the store.

 

 

 

Please Join Us.

It's Fun, Informal, And A Great Way To Start Your Weekend.

 

Thames River Greenery

Thames River Wine & Spirits

70 State Street

New London, CT 06320

 

860-443-6817