Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Dec 29

Your host will be Len Gulino, "The Wine Tutor"

Len teaches the predominance of our classes here at Harry's and is lending his expertise for our annual pre-New years Bubbly tasting. Each year we select a handful of bubbly wines from different price points and goegraphic areas to feature for the holidays. This year we have a number of good choices... For my money the Besserat is the hands down favorite this season. it drinks as well or better than the one with the orange label and saves you some money to boot!

If you have a question about the world of wine feel free to pepper Len with your questions and put his knowledge to the test. It is what he does after all.


Rossinyol Cava N.V. $9.99
Visual: The bubble is small and persistent due to a very slow second fermentation in the bottle at low temperatures in the cellar.
Nose: Very fruity with aromas of apple and pear from the varieties Macabeo and Parellada. Very delicate aromas from the yeasts, which have been created from the long stay in the cellar before the degorging.
Taste: A very well-balanced cava; easy to drink, as it should be for a medium-alcohol cava, with good structure. Very elegant and ingressive due to a very gentle pressing of the grapes.

Lamberti Rosé N.V. $14.99
Pinot Bianco - 34%, Pinot Nero - 33%, Raboso - 33% sourced from the best hillside vineyards across Treviso in the Veneto. The red fruit is vinified with the saignée method. The wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in closed pressure tanks via the Charmat method to obtain a fine mousse. Bright coral color with beautiful aromas of rose petals and bananas, a delicate mousse, light body, a lovely balance and a fresh, lasting finish.

Besserat de Bellfon Champagne Brut N.V. $29.99
The medium straw colour has copper highlights and delicate fast moving bubbles forming a fine necklace. Its open nose leads to floral aromas and hints of dried flowers, while the paalate reveals fruitiness, white peaches and Mirabelle plums, followed at the end by hazelnut and caramelized nut notes. The gentle bubbles provide a creamy mouth feel and long finish. A classic blend of 35% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 45% Pinot Meunier.

Marguet Champagne Vintage 2006 $59.99
The blend is 70 % Chardonnay and 30 % Pinot Noir from old vines located in grand cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The wine is aged in the bottle on the yeast for at least 5 years thus ensuring a long period of autolysis that lends a unique complexity to the wine. This is a very rich and quite toasty brut composed exclusively of Grand Cru Mountain of Reims fruit. It has fantastic black cherry Pinot Noir fruit, savory intrigue and quite a lot of minerality on the finish.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Dec 28

Your hosts will be Alex and Mike of Harry's Staff


Stone Ruination IPA $6.99 22oz.
So called because of the "ruinous" effect on your palate! This massive hop monster has a wonderfully delicious and intensely bitter flavor on a refreshing malt base. One taste and you can easily see why we call this brew "a liquid poem to the glory of the hop!" Those who seek, crave and rejoice in beers with big, bold, bitter character will find true nirvana in Stone Ruination IPA!


Yellow Snow IPA $7.29 22oz.
Pale golden in color with a hoppy fruity aroma. Big hop flavor up front complemented by medium body and hoppyness mid-pallet. Finishes with a characteristic lingering bitterness.


BBC Lost Sailor IPA $3.99 22oz.
A classic British-inspired IPA, Lost Sailor keeps an even keel with a well rounded malt profile to support generous dry-hopping with the time-honored Goldings hop variety. With its floral and citrus aroma and medium body, Lost Sailor is the perfect session beer, whether lost at sea or in the comfort of your own home or a local pub.

Warm Holiday Wishes From Harry's

During the holiday season it gets pretty busy at the Harry's Corner, with Harry's, The Fairfield Cheese Company, The Pine Creek Deli, Fabricare and now the newest store, Tutto's Pasta, there is quite a bit of interest in our little square and the endless line of people continues to come. The spaces don't stay empty for long but there is a real joyous calm to it. Lots of waves and smiles go along with the holiday greetings as everyone makes room for the next person.

One of our favorite parts of the December rush is that so many of Harry's alumni come back to help and we get to catch up with all of their lives. Some like Ryan and Annie are home from college while others like Christelle, Mike and Carl hang up their 9 to 5 jackets and get back on to the wine sales floor to help us make sure that our customers get the individual service that we offer all year. I honestly don't know how we would do it without them.

Saul has been in helping to coordinate patries and deliveries and Scott is in to help the gang up front to get the lines moving. I think Scott said it best a couple of years ago when he said "I love the energy in the store at the holidays". Scott grew up working the holiday time at Harry's along with his sister Kira and brother David (our original craft beer guy), so it is a signal to him and the rest of the family that the season is here. His kids Mia and Anthony are now the fourth generation from the family to grow up coming to the store each week. Some of you will remember their art work that has been proudly displayed around the store much like your own kids artwork on the refrigerator at home. Anthony also carries the proud distinction of being our best climber of beer stacks back in the store room and when he reaches the top he looks like the king of the mountain perched up there.

We are all truly appreciative to Fairfield, Southport and the rest of our neighboring towns whose residents continue to make Harry's Corner such a viable place to work. Some of the faces that come in will only appear once or twice a year and in some cases share a story about the store from many years ago. We hear lots of people that grew up with, and remember, "Harry the duck" who still swims in the wine chiller to this day and is visited by many children while mom and dad pick something up.

While this time of the year is very busy, and the staff looks like they might just need a rest and some time to regroup, I can say with certainty that we all love this time of the year and we genuinely appreciate your patronage over the year.

From our family to yours we wish a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year. May it be blessed with all of the best that this time of the year can offer.

William
Patrick
Scott
Jan
Greg
Renzo
Chris
Stephanie
Andie
Kerry
Joe
Rob
Monica
Mike
Alex

and our alumni-

Saul
Christelle
Mike
Carl
John

The Newest Brewery in Ct... and the world is ending! so sad :(

So here it is the the last day of the world, 12-21-12 and these knuckleheads are starting a new brewery and introducing it today!

Renzo came to me a couple of weeks ago and asked if we could introduce just one more brewery brefore the world ended today. Me, being the pessimist that I am said "Yeah, go ahead and schedule it. The world is going to end anyway so I won't have to worry about how busy the store is going to be on the last Friday before Christmas".

So, now here we are with the store absolutely buzzing with people and there is Renzo setting up for the tasting that wasn't going to happen!

Your host will be Rick of Two Roads Brewery.

Ol’ Factory Pils $9.69/6pb
Traditional in concept with a Two Roads twist…dry hops. We use a combination of classic German as well as American hop and malt varieties in our Pils. We renovated a 100 year-old factory building and designed this Pils to have “extra” aroma…so, pardon the pun! Crisp…refreshing…refined.

2 Ruin DIPA $12.29/6pb
A big, hoppy IPA with plenty of bite! Our assertive, hop-centric Double IPA has a lean malt backdrop and is brewed with four American hop varieties – Summit, Palisade, Cascade and Magnum. Piney, citrus, floral, not-for-the-timid!

Worker’s Comp $9.69/6pb
A traditional farmhouse ale made with a very expressive yeast strain that contributes an array of tropical fruit, spice flavors and aromatics. Brewed with a variety of harvest grains including barley, wheat, oats and rye as was likely the case with farmhouse brewers of yore. The result is a complex, refreshing and distinctive example of this esoteric style. Intensely fruity (passion fruit, pineapple, mango, lychee), slightly spicy (clove, white pepper)

Holiday Toasts!

With Christmas just a few days away, it is a time for celebration and a time to spend with the ones you love.
Here at Harry's we have been in full throttle mode for the past few days and will only be getting busier as we close in on Christmas. There has been quite a bit of stocking shelves and filling the coolers to satisfy all of our customers’ needs. I am taking a break from the holiday madness and using this quiet moment to spread some holiday cheer! I’m sure many of you are still running around trying to get your last minute shopping done. Good luck, and keep at it... the clock is ticking!

Below, I have put together a few Christmas toasts that I hope will help you to bring some joy and holiday cheer to your family’s homes.

Enjoy!

I wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
A pocket full of money
And a cellar full of beer!

May you never be without a drop at Christmas!

May all your joys be true joys, and all your pain Champagne!

Here's to the bright New Year
And a fond farewell to the old;
Here's to the things that are yet to come
And to the memories that we hold.

On a personal note...
This will be my last blog post here at Harry’s as I have decided to fulfill one of my dreams and move to the land of palm trees and bright sunshine in San Diego, California. Christmas eve will be my last official shift.
I would like to personally thank Patrick and William for giving me the opportunity to grow and gain an incredible amount of knowledge over the past few years. I am proud to call Harry’s my home and would like to extend thanks to all of my customers who have relied on me to pick out the perfect bottle for them.
I wish you all the best and happy and healthy holiday season. Cheers!

Chris O’Brien

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Dec 15

Your host will be Alain Blanchon of Alain Blanchon Selections.

Clos Fussay Reuilly 2011 $16.99
Reuilly is a lesser known appellation in Loire Valley producing mineral driven, complex sauvignon blancs. The Clos Fussay Reuilly drinks like a Sancerre with a lovely mineral character from the rich limestone soil and just a hint of citrus fruit. Lean, dry, and refreshing.

Thevenot Haute Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2010 $19.99
This Burgundian AOC of Haute Cotes de Nuits allows the blending of Pinot Blanc, and indeed this wine is 80% Pinot Blanc and 20% Chardonnay. The Pinot Blanc, a very aromatic grape, gives pronounced floral and fruity notes while the Chardonnay brings a touch of finesse. The usage of only 20% new barrels helps to give the wine structure, and yet not get too woody. The nose is expressive and nicely divided between white fruit and floral notes.

La Campagne Pinot Noir 2011 $9.99
Medium color with aromas of cherry and strawberry fruit with a mildly tannic finish. This is a lighter-styled wine that is easy to drink, yet pairs well with food. It is a great value for Pinot Noir at this price point.

Chateau Puygueraud Cotes de Francs 2009 $25.99
Shows lovely black currant, floral and black licorice notes. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a tight bead of fruit and mineral throughout. Has a long finish.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Dec 14

Your host is Scott Valey of Charter Oak. Second time through for this local brew. We are doing our best to continue to think globally but to act locally. Charter Oak fills the bill for that. It is brewed right here in the great, Charter Oak state of Ct.

Pale Ale $8.49/6pb
Charter Oak's Royal Charter Pale Ale beer (named after the Connecticut charter hidden in the Charter Oak Tree) is the little brother to our IPA, but still brewed with plenty of flavor and hops. This top fermented ale will be solidly an American Pale Ale style; not too sweet and not too bitter, but complex enough to not disappoint you. From your first sip and scent of a citrus and floral aroma, a solid backbone of the Cascade Hop can be detected. We hope you will enjoy this well balanced, medium bodied, and deep golden appearance in our Pale Ale. We can assure you it is not intensely hopped up, but only a subtle bitterness and dry finish. This is a beer you can drink all night long!

Brown Ale $8.49/6pb
Charter Oak's 1687 Brown Ale (this was the year the legend of the Charter Oak took place, and Wadsworth hid the document in the majestic Oak Tree - later to become know as The Charter Oak) is an American style which is slightly more robust than the traditional English Brown Ale. This beer will be brewed to a dark copper shade and be somewhat sweet and malty with distinctive toasted flavors from both our premium specialty roasted and chocolate malted barley, also allowing for a faint undertone of caramel. This style is lightly hopped for balance and this ale will prove to be a wonderful selection for a sessionable beer. Our medium-bodied, limited bitterness and hop aroma will make this an excellent choice. Look for our 1687 Brown Ale at your favorite watering hole in June

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the store,
The patrons were shopping for spirits and more.
The bottles were placed with care on the rack,
In hopes they’d be purchased and put in gift wrap.


We open the doors at eight o’clock on the dot, and people are waiting to check our stock.
Wine, spirits, champagne or beer,
For all your holiday needs, know we are here.


The employees are polished and up to the job,
Just ask our wine staff, Greg, Chris, Joe and Rob.
Whether buying for Christmas, Kwanza, New Year’s or Hanukah,
Ring out with Andie, Steph, Kerrie, John or Monica.


There’s jovial William, so knowledgeable and quick,
And dependable Patrick with his diligence and wit.
Wine is their passion, wine is their life, red or white, they’ll show you the grape, that will bring you delight.


Buy Zinfandel, Buy Burgundy, Buy Malbec or Cabernet,
Buy Riesling, Buy Albarino, Buy Pinot or Chardonnay.
To the top of the counter, to the nets and the bag,
Package them quickly, 750 or mag.

Stouts, IPAs, or our holiday beer, no matter your desire,
Renzo is here.
With the help of our guys, Alex and Mike,
They’ll pick, box and carry, whatever you’d like.

And I’m Jan...bookkeeper, cashier, and ready to move the line,
I’m also the author of this cute little rhyme.
Patrick’s my husband, I readily admit and we work well together though he balks when I sit

We have corkscrews, aerators, waiters and stoppers, more than enough to please all the shoppers.
Gift certificates, baskets and holiday wrap, we have all you’ll need to make your gifting a snap.

We’ve been in Fairfield 71 years and counting, to our patrons and
friends our gratitude is mounting.

May your holidays be happy and your family be near, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good year!!

A drum roll please...

We are happy to announce that Tutto Pasta has opened its doors and is ready to serve you!
See their website here.

Another great reason to shop local!
Harry's corner continues to search out and find unique shops that add diversity and convenience to your shopping experience. This shop will add a new layer of that artisanal flavor and uniqueness that just can not be found at the big grocery store chains. This family owned store is offering fresh, made to order pastas of all types. When I was in there a few minutes ago they were hand rolling their first batch of Raviolis. If you need linguini, tagliatelle, pasta sheets, etc... they will make them in front of your very eyes. There are an assortment of sauces that are being made on premise daily that complement their fresh pasta and it could not be more fresh. We can't give it all away, you'll have to stop in and see it for yourself.

At our corner, we are all doing our best to service our community with the addition of stores whose owners are truly passionate about their crafts.
71 years ago a small liquor store opened in this location bearing the name of it's owner, "Harry's". Through the years we have had the good fortune of being able to build it into what we think is Connecticut's best wine, craft beer and liquor market. Over the decades many writers and critics have given us the nod and that continues to motivate us to strive to be better each passing year.
Many in our community are quite familiar with "The Pine Creek Deli" which has been a staple at the corner for more than a decade. "Fabricare Cleaners", originally Zoots, has occupied its place for a similar period of time. "Fairfield Cheese Company" has made its mark snuggled in next to Harry's for the past 4 years, garnering quite a bit of acclaim themselves. Recently Fabricare was convinced to split their space in order to help the corner continue to grow.
The shop has turned out beautifully and the construction and inspections have finally made way for the next generation of diversity at the corner.

Congratulations, and welcome!

Special Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur tasting 4-7pm

Your host tonight is Marian Cherrone and she is pouring a great new find for us here at Harry's. The timing is perfect for the holidays. One taste of this and you will be a believer too! Lots of these type of thing come through our doors but there aren't many that are show stoppers and to a person this was one of those products for us. Over Ice cream, with Peppermint Schnapps, Amaretto or by itself. Yum...

Chopin Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur is a unique combination of exceptional Polish tastes: Poland's finest chocolate and Chopin Vodka, the world's finest single ingredient vodka. This masterfully blended creamy liqueur can be enjoyed neat, on ice, with coffee or over ice cream! 36 Proof
$24.99 750ml

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Dec 8

Your host will Deidre Magnello of Deidre Magnello Selections.

Medeville Graves Blanc 2011 $19.99
Sauvignon Blanc provides fruit, aroma and freshness to the wine, and Semillon imparts roundness and finesse. A touch of Muscadelle adds perfume. This blend is the best expresion of white Graves and helps to achieve balance between freshness and structure.

Les Trois Pecheurs St Veran 2010 $14.99
From the village of St Veran comes this unoaked chardonnay which is the white grape of Burgundy. It has a richer flavor and mouth feel than the entry level Macon-Village of this region. The aromas and flavors are all about the crisp citrus notes and underlying minerality.

Puig Parahy Georges 2010 $14.99
The Puig-Parahy 2010 Cotes du Roussillon Georges - about to be bottled when I tasted it - offers its usual exuberant, infectiously juicy, impeccably-clean, tart-edged fruit, reflecting a blend of Carignan, Grenache, and a smidgeon of Syrah, raised in tank. Blackberry and purple plum are tinged with brown spices, bittersweet herbs, and peat-like smokiness. Given the pricing of past vintages, we can expect that this 2010 rendition of "Georges" will once again offer outstanding value over the next several years. Robert Parker, 90pts

Lafond Canon Fronsac 2009 $19.99
Notes of blackberry and pepper. The palate is well balanced, complex, silky with vanilla note, liquorice and eucalyptus. Half of the vineyard surface is cultivated with herbs between the rows to maintain a good microbiological life in the soils. 80% Merlot – 20% Cabernet Franc

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Dec 7

Your host is Barry of OPA OPA Brewing Company.




IPA $9.59/6pb
This beer is brewed for those who appreciate the pure pleasure of the Hop. The malt comes through, but its not long before the hops take over! Aromatic, bitter and a bit strong, this beer graduated from the more is better school.



Red Rock Ale $9.59/6pb
A blend of German vienna malt and English crystal malts create this malty and slightly fruity beer. Sweet caramel flavors give way to a surprisingly soft and smooth finish.



Light Lager $7.99/6pb
Clean, crisp malt flavors are accentuated by a delicate hop fragrance in this low-calorie pilsner style lager.



Pale Ale $7.49/Growler
Clean malt flavors are the heart of this copper colored American styled ale, and the snappy hop finish is its soul.

3 Great Burgundies! (Affordable too)

It's easy to find great burgundies, but here at Harry's we are always searching for great burgundies that won't break the bank.  Heading into this holiday season we are happy to report we have a bevy of great burgundies to offer.  Below are some noteworthy wines to check out:

2009 Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Blanc $25.99/bottle

Just in!  We have always loved this producer regarless of vintage and just yesterday we took delivery of several cases of the 2009 vintage of this wine - great producer & great vintage! This is a white burgundy made from the chardonnay grape within the area of Chassagne-Montrachet. You could refer to this wine as a "baby chassagne".

2009 Harmand-Geoffroy Gevry-Chambertin Rouge $39.99/bottle

This wine continues to impress.  We started working with this wine early in the fall and each time we open it up we can't believe it comes in under $50 a bottle.  This "Gevry" has the structure and body to stand up meals including roasted meats and game.  100% pinot noir.

2010 Cheveau Macon-Fuisse Blanc $21.99/bottle

A super-versatile white burgundy, like the Pillot, made 100% from chardonnay.  I love this wine, it has fresh and vibrant fruit with a creamy texture.  This wine is vinified and aged exclusively in stainless steel vats.  The body and texture are achieved through the use of grapes harvested from old vines and aging with longer lees contact.  I especially like serving this wine with an asortment of cheeses.

Stop in and pick up some of these wines to try.  These are all small production wines so supplies are limited.  Hopefully we have enough to last through the holidays.

-Greg

Special Tasting 4pm-7pm Minsk Vodka

Elena Shulman is here to introduce our customers to Minsk vodka. Some of you will recognize Kristina (right) who is part of the Harry's Alumni and still makes the occasional appearence to help out on a busy day. Today she just stopped in to say hi to her buddies still on staff.


For tonights tasting we are offering special pricing on this "perfect for the holiday party" Vodka.
Reg. $29.99 1.75ltr
tonight $26.99 1.75ltr

It has been a good find for us. good taste and good quality. More here

Stop by to try it!

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Dec 1

Your host will be Ian Scudder of Serge Dore Selections.

Pfaffenheim Gentil 2010 $14.99

Dry and crisp, ‘Gentil Pfaff’ unveils subtle mineral notes, translating into purity and freshness with a fine, silky texture. Wines from this ultra-reliable producer (often voted 'Best in France') are sought-after worldwide. The ‘Gentil’ is a blend of five grape varieties that come together in one synchronous glass. Pinot Blanc 28%, Pinot Gris 23%, Gewurztraminer 16%, Riesling 16%, Sylvaner 16%, Muscat 1%.

Xavier Frissant Touraine 2011 $14.99
The hillside micro-climate and the soil with a high proportion of stones has a great influence on this wine, which is evident in the striking minerality at first sip.A pale shimmer in appearance, the wine reveals an expressive nose of lychee and linden flower. It is fresh and mineral in the mouth, with lively aromas of citrus and exotic fruit notes.


Macard Bordeaux Red 2009 $14.99
Ripe and dense, but fresh, with silky-textured plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit carried by sweet spice and maduro tobacco notes. The fleshy finish shows nice drive. Should open up more with brief cellaring. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 50% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. Drink now through 2011. Wine Spectator, 90 pts


Adissat Cotes du Rhone 2010 $16.99
Dark purple. Perfumed bouquet of spicy dark berries, cherry and cracked pepper. Pliant blackberry and bitter cherry flavors display good depth and restrained sweetness. Finishes with good lift and cut, leaving black pepper and licorice notes behind. Pretty serious for a Cotes du Rhone. (55% grenache, 40% mourvedre and 5% syrah; all raised in concrete): International Wine Cellar, 89 pts

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Nov 28

We hav a retro tasting on the offing tonight as Jeff comes in to pour some of your fathers favorites. Funny to see how history repeats itself and we see them making a comeback.


Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer $5.99/6pcan 16 oz.
Better known these days is simply PBR and what a comeback in the past couple years

Ballantine Ale $8.29/6pbtl
We get requests for this one from all over the country.

Lone Star $6.99/6pbtl
Another PBR product out of Texas

McSorely's Pale Ale $8.996pbtl
Have to finish it right when you do a retro tasting and this one fits the bill

Special Justin Winery Tasting Event Tonight! 4:30-6:30

Are you in the holiday spirit? Lots to do and so little time to do it...

Lots of gift buying to do and oh yeah, I need to get my wine and liquor for the holiday party.

Why not kill two birds with one stone and enjoy some wine at the same time.


We are hosting a special tasting this evening with the wines of Justin winery from 4:30pm-6:30pm

In the line-up:

Justin Isoceles 2009 $49.99
Appearance: Dark ruby in the glass with a violet rim Aroma: An alluring, rich mix of ripe black currants and berries faceted with vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa highlights. Palate: Full bodied and complex with multiple black fruit elements of lush currants, berry, and cherry layered with spice of licorice and vanilla accented with chocolate, roasted coffee bean, and tobacco. The finish is extremely long and complex, showing firm plush tannins that pull the wine’s many elements together making it hard to resist drinking it now, but implying an auspicious long-term cellaring potential.

Justin Cabernet Savignon 2010 $25.99
Appearance: bright with a deep ruby core and violet rim Aroma: Attractive mix of red and black fruit of currants, cherry and blackberry layered with spicy notes of anise, vanilla and with a subtle cedar character from an American oak influence. Palate: Complex with bright fruit of blackcurrant, cherry, and boysenberry mixed with licorice and subtle cedar notes on a long finish along with some mineral and cherry candy notes supported by smooth rounded tannins.

Justin Chardonnay 2011 $19.99
Appearance: Clear, day bright, golden straw Aroma: Lemon, peach, apple with some tropical notes and toasted butterscotch Palate: Crisp, medium intensity, with peach, citrus and green apple flavors on entry and a slightly herbal mid-palate and with subtle toasted French oak highlights on the clean, refreshing finish.

Justin Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $17.99
Appearance: Starbright, with a pale straw color with green highlights Aroma: An alluring mix of lime, grapefruit, green apple, pear, citrus flower and blackcurrant bud Palate: Balanced and clean with lemon-lime and guava on the entry, a mid-palate of white peach and passionfruit, and a touch of minerality and green apple on an amazingly crisp and refreshing finish. A perfect pairing with pear and goat cheese crostini, calamari fritti or on its own.

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Nov 24

Your host will be Christelle Marilhet of Metrowine.
Many of our loyal customers know Christelle very well from our staff. In a good news/bad news senario Christelle has moved on from Harry's (with our whole hearted support)and is now working the other side of the sales counter as she has become our sales rep for Metrowine. She is still on staff for the busier days coming into the holiday and was nice enough to help us when we counted inventory some weeks back. Today she is visiting with us and showing some of the wines from her portfolio. Please stop in and say hello and congratulations on her new adventure.



Casali Maniago Friulano 2011 $13.99
An inviting bouquet with the characteristic aromas of acacia flowers, thyme, chamomile and fragrant fruit.

Vaucher Meursault 2011 $34.99
The wines of Vaucher Pere et Fils can be found in many high-end restaurants. This wine shows the characteristic citrus, vanilla, and spice of a well-made Meursault.

Chateau la Pigotte Terre Feu 2010 $12.99
Cabernet Sauvignon 50% - Merlot 50% -- A deep burgundy color with bold berry and plum flavors and a nice undertone of cloves and cinnamon.

Beau Pere Cellars Petite Sirah 2010 $15.99
Layers upon layers of dark berry fruit are framed by a touch of spice and vanilla undertones. Complex and rich, this extremely limited release wine does not hold back.


Also...

Don't forget that AMEX is in the midst of small business Saturday. Support your small businesses and each time you spend at least $25.00 you will receive a $25.00 AMEX gift card by registering your card.

Lots to be thankful for...

As Thanksgiving disappears in the rearview mirror, it reminds all of us to take some time to reflect and consider all of the things that we are fortunate enough to have.

On the surface and in some cases much deeper it feels like the past few weeks have given us in the northeast lots to consider. Hurricane Sandy came through and destroyed many communities and our own towns were among the very hard hit. Many of Harry's friends and neighbors continue to feel the effects of her wrath and our local beaches and the houses that run along them are in many cases in ruins.

Why then am I describing a time when we should be considering our good fortune? Well to start with just think about the strong sense of community there is in Fairfield and the towns surrounding us. The number of stories that have been shared across the counter and on the sales floor with us about family and friends that opened their doors and wallets to help others that weren't as fortunate. Neighbors that gave shelter to someone living near them that had a tree fall on their house or was washed away in the flood, an old friend reaching out and offering their home to someone displaced from the beach community.

There have been plenty of sad stories coming through our doors and conveyed to our staff and some very proud people have been pushed to their breaking point but as the days and weeks go by there is an amazing resiliance that is showing also.

This Thanksgiving was met by a community that is strong in the face of adversity and able and willing to take the challenge. This Thanksgiving we heard about more large get togethers as the celebrations include a few more mouths. People were thankful for their hosts and seemed to be genuinely looking forward to what may just be americas most important holiday. The one were we sit down across the table and literally break bread with our neighbors and those that are important to our lives in one way or another.

It is inspiring that in the worst and most unfortunate situations, when the chips are down and the stress is high, We find a way to dig deep and show the best of what humanity has to offer. Our community is bouncing back and we offer our thanks to all that have helped in one way or another to make this a memorable Thanksgiving in our area.

Now, on we go into the madness of the upcoming season!

We look forward to a great one,

William, Patrick and the Harry's family

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Nov 17

Your host will be Michael Tobin from Worldwide Wines.

Lamberti Rosé Prosecco N.V. $14.99
The Non-vintage Spumante Rose reveals sweet roses, herbs and flowers on a soft, delicate frame, with a fine mousse and lovely balance. Wine Advocate, 88 pts

Marziano Abbona Barbera d’Alba 2010 $24.99
Aromatic, with black cherry, cooked plum, and anise on nose, over notes of smoky wood and minerals. Ripe on the palate with mature blackberry, licorice, and chocolate flavors, and a touch of tar. Balanced, spicy finish to pair with Italian style grilled rib-eye.

Marziano Abbona Dolcetto Dogliani 2011 $29.99
This has intense, fruity aromas of raspberry, and floral notes. In the mouth the wine is ripe and rich, with fresh tannins. The plum, red fruit and pepper flavors have a full, mouth filling character before a persistent, tangy finish.

Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella 2010 $14.99
Intense cherry aromas on the nose, very inviting and attractive combined with hints of violets. Instantly noticeable freshness on the palate, with good supporting acidity and excellent balance marked by soft and silky tannins. The biggest fruit component is cherries sweetened with touches of vanilla. 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Molinara.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Nov 16

Your host will be the rep from Narragansett.








Narragansett Mix Pack $17.99/12pc

LAGER
Roll out the Barrel: 5.0% Alcohol by Volume and 12 IBUs. A classic American lager and the workhorse of the Gansett stable. Available all year long in bottle, can and on tap! Quality Supreme: We brew our lager with six row malt, seedless hops, corn from Iowa, our lager strain (the same one the brewery has depended on since just after Prohibition), and the purest water from Lakes Ontario and Hemlock. Taste & Enjoy: This beer is brewed just right for drinking¡ªcrisp and refreshing. It¡¯s got more flavor than other premium lagers, yet it¡¯s one of the most drinkable beers in the world. Narragansett has the highest rating of all domestic premium lagers on BeerAdvocate.com, and received the bronze medal for American Lagers at the 2008 World Beer Cup The History: The Lager is old reliable. It was the first beer brewed by ¡°The Original Six¡± back in 1890, the bestselling beer in New England from the 1930s to the 1970s, and the official beer of the Boston Red Sox from 1944-1975.


CREAM
¡®Gansett Cream is our first year-round craft style and is a perfect example of a Pre-Prohibition cream ale ¡ª only slightly hoppier. Available on tap and in 16oz cans, ¡®Gansett Cream delivers that refreshing straight from the barrel taste of days gone by. ¡®Gansett Cream is made with quality ingredients like 2-row pale, Munich, Vienna, and Cara-malt for a creamy head! We used Columbus hops for bittering and a touch of Willamette hops for a slight hop aroma. Bright gold in color and brilliant in clarity, this session ale delivers an extra pop of hop bitterness found only in cream ales of the early 1900¡äs.


FEST
This traditional German Oktoberfest style beer is brewed with the highest quality German malt & hops. Available during the fall season on tap and in 16oz Cans. The Fest is crafted in small batches at Cottrell Brewery in Pawcatuck, CT and at the award-winning High Falls Brewery in Rochester, NY under the supervision of Brew-master Sean Larkin. Vienna, Pilsner, Light and Dark Munich malts make up the backbone of this beast, and Northern Brewer & Tettnanger hops are added to give it a crisp but subtle hop flavor.


BOCK
Contract brewed by Cottrell Brewing Co. 18 IBU¡¯s; a traditional dark lager beer that delivers a uniquely delicious flavor experience. Brewed with summit hops and six types of malts including chocolate malt, cara-malt and crystal malt

Thanksgiving Recommendations

Well lets start with the obvious...

We at Harry's recommend that you do your best to enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Sounds passè but it is worth consideration... It seems that during the holiday season life has become so busy for so many of us that the enjoyment of this wonderful time of the year with family and friends is lost. Unfortunaltely by the time we get everything done and are ready to relax into the season, it is January and we've missed it.

There will be plenty of running and stressful moments in the upcoming weeks. It is up to each of us as individuals to take the time for ourselves and our loved ones so that we can enjoy the quality of time over the holidays that we are working so hard to create. A favorite thing for me in the holiday time is to take some strategic time where I just stop and look around at all that is happening. I try to seperate myself from all of the craziness that is happening for just a few minutes each day/week to look at what is happening as an observer. Kids are particularly fun to watch since their innocence really does exemplify what we are all trying to create and enjoy!

Now, onto the wine recommendations...

On Wednesday evening we did another installment at Harry's wine school, This time the theme was "Pairing food and wine for Thanksgiving". Chef Chris Palumbo from Fairfield Cheese Company stepped to the plate and cooked up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the soldout class and not only knocked it out of the park with the quality of the food but also with the wonderful selection of both traditional and modernized traditional recipes. We paired a number of wines and served everything family style. For our students it was a dress rehearsal for the upcoming week and was well received.

Some ideas:

Sharpe Hill Vineyards "Ballet of Angels" $12.99
Locally produced wine that pairs well with Turkey and the sides.

Hecht & Bannier White $15.99
A blend of Picpoul and Roussane (will be on my table this year)

Dr. H Thanisch Bernkastler Badstube Kabinett $17.99
German Riesling that is not overtly sweet and pairs well with you traditional meal/

Byron Pinot Noir Nielson 2009 $26.99
Nice balance and spice note that will make it to my table this year.

Angela Pinot Noir $44.99
One of Chris O'Brien's Favorite wines in the store (more here)

Bichot Cotes du Nuits $24.99
Elegantly styled Pinot Noir from Burgundy

Starry Night Zinfandel $19.99
From the Russian River in Sonoma. A slightly different look in red from Pinot Noir and worked really well at our class.

Artner Blauer Zweigelt 2010 $12.99
From Austria, a unique grapes that plays well with the traditional American dinner.

The list goes on...

These are just a few ideas that hope to offer some inspiration to you and yours. As always, our staff stands at the ready to help you individually and get you something that will fit your unique needs.

Happy Holidays!

-Patrick

Onyx Moonshine tasting 4pm-7pm

Wow, it has been a very busy day here at the store! Lots of people stopping in to replenish after the storm, saying Happy Anniversary... and truth be told, tasting the days offerings.

Right Now Jeff is tasting us on "Apple Pie Moonshine" which is an original recipe from Onyx and consists of Onyx (of course) Apple cider, brown sugar, and Cinnamon. Delicious and perfect for this time of year.

Lets keep this celebration rolling

-Cheers

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Nov 10

Your host is Martine Warner of Connecticut Distributors.

Please note:
Proceeds of all Kenwood wines sold in November will be given to the Connecticut Food Bank.
-nice touch in our opinion




Kenwood Chardonnay 2010 $10.99
This Chardonnay nicely balances the classic fruit flavors of this varietal with subtle notes of French oak aging. Fruit aromas of Pippin apples and Meyer lemon combine with gingerbread and vanilla notes, lush and viscous mouth feel with a crisp mineral quality to the finish.


Carmel Road Pinot Noir 2010 $17.99
This is supple and rich with flavors of red berries, warm spice, earth, and chocolate, along with mineral characteristics that are reflections of this cool climate region. The toasty finish is silky and long.

Donna Chiara Falanghina 2011 $12.99
Straw yellow in color with a bouquet intense fruit and floral notes of acacia, kaise pear, apricot and candied citrus. Dry, soft, with a great mouthwatering acidic structure.

Bogle Phantom 2009 $18.99
The Phantom has reappeared…Bogle's heady apparition of fierce berry and sensual spice returns to haunt wine lovers. Marked by a bright entry, a full-bodied mid palate and a firm finish, this wine showcases the best of these three unique varietals. Blend: 52% Zinfandel, 46% Petite Sirah, 2% Mourvedre

Is there anything better than Piedmont?

Many of our customers have been noticing the new rack which has been expanding very rapidly in the front of the store. This may now be my new favorite section! For a little over a month, we here at Harry's have been featuring one of the most important and delicious wine regions in the world... Piedmont.
If you are not familiar with Piedmont, it is located in the North West region in Italy at the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Known for their exotic and expressive wines, Piedmont is truly unique and has characteristics that other wines can not offer. The big boys from this region are Barolo and Barbaresco (both made from the Nebbiolo grape) and are truly remarkable. Deep rich fruit give way to a tannic but mouth watering finish. There are other reds that are phenomenal as well and tend to be more of the "everyday" type of wine. Dolcetto and Barbera are two other types that offer a great expression of Piedmont as well. Dolcetto tends to be a little weightier with denser darker fruit where as Babera is a little bit more subtle and has brighter fruit more reminiscent as cherries and raspberry. Piedmont also produces white wines like Gavi and Arneis. Both are lighter and drier with hints of citrus and crisp acidity. And we can't forget the ever so delicious wine Moscato that has a touch of Honeyed sweetness that is a perfect after dinner drink. So whatever style of wine you like, Piedmont is sure to have it well covered. Stop on by and check out our selection and you have my personal guarantee that you will have a smile on your face when you are pouring yourself a glass.

Here are a few of my personal favorites currently in stock...

Marziano Abbona Dolcetto 2011 - $29.99
Vietti Barbera D'Asti 2010 - $17.99
Damilano Nebbiolo D'Alba 2009 - $17.99
Conterno Barolo Riva Del Bric 2007 - $44.99

Cheers!

Chris OB

Jefferson 18yr Bourbon tasting 4-7pm "Van Winkle" Connection...

Kris Lawther is here to taste our customers on Jefferson Distillery's Presidential select. This is a limited release Bourbon from the distillery that crosses paths with Pappy Van Winkle. Before the iconic Stitzel-Weller aka Pappy Van Winkle Distillery closed its doors in 1991, Jefferson was able to select a number of barrels from Pappy and has been aging the in their own barrel room. At 17 years, Jefferson decided to bottle their first limited release of this amazing Bourbon and put the "Presidenttial Select" label on it. Now the second release is here and has started to get some well deserved buzz in the whiskey world.

We were able to taste this amazing bottle a few months ago at a trade tasting here in Ct that the master distiller himself attended. Before we left the room that day it was certain that we would be showing this bottle on our anniversary weekend. As it stands today, Harry's owns every bottle that is available in the state and it has been going out of here in a hurry.

The more research people do on this and the better they understand its connection to Pappy and the more they want it. We will get some Pappy in the coming weeks but the wait list is so long at this point that we really aren't sure how long it will be before everyone on the list gets some. This is a great way to get your hands on some of this hard to find whiskey and it makes a great gift.

If you are in the neighborhood stop in for a taste. If you are not in the neighborhood, find a way to get here!

-Cheers

Jefferson Presidential 18yr $89.99 750ml

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Nov 3 "Happy Anniversary"

HARRY'S 71ST ANNIVERSARY

Speaking to his staff Harry always put forth this message...

"It's my job to get them to come here. It's you job to get them to come back"

Harry's Wine and Liquor Market has, and always will be a customer service
store with a very strong emphasis on teaching and learning. Our patrons will be the judges on how well we do our jobs.


Today-

Your host will be Len Gulino "The Wine Tutor".

Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2010 $37.99
The 2010 vintage is rich, powerful and well-balanced, with a plenty of liveliness and mineral notes. Forward, and fine textured. Apple, pineapple, and a little peach on the nose, with some hints of flint. This had subtle floral and citrus aromas. Medium length, impressive freshness and concentration for a wine at this price.

Marziano Abbona Dolcetto Dogliani 2011 $29.99
This has intense, fruity aromas of raspberry, and floral notes. In the mouth the wine is ripe and rich, with fresh tannins. The plum, red fruit and pepper flavors have a full, mouth filling character before a persistent, tangy finish.

Vall Llach Embruix 2009 $24.99
This red has a smooth, polished texture, which carries harmonious flavors of berry, plum, licorice and mineral, joined by notes of wild herbs and chocolate. Approachable, but shows depth and intensity. Drink now through 2015. Wine Spectator, 90 pts

Oakville Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $49.99
This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon is a style that reflects modern Oakville, while at the same time captures the classic flavors of the region. Well balanced with intense fruit and intense color. Showcasing blackberry and cassis aromatics this vintage shows hints of violets, tobacco and eucalyptus. On the palate it is very round and seductive. It starts with a lively grip and gains size and depth as it opens up. Will age well, drink now through 2020. Varietals: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Verdot, 3% Malbec Aging: All aged 24 months in 50% new French oak barrels.

The Iceman cometh!

We've had many requests for ice over the past couple of days. After many phone calls and a trip by our supplier all the way up to Rhode island they showed up just now with a good supply. In the picture we have our driver Victor and his assistant (not seen)stocking us up! Please help us to get the word out that it has finally gotten to our door and we want to help as many people to stock their coolers as possible.

Thanks!

Harry's

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Nov. 2nd

Your host will be Gerard from Goose Island Brewery.
In the picture circa 1967, you will see two of our employees, Mike and Alex along with Gerard standing at the tasting table that we still use today... erm, ok, that is a lie... It really does look like it could be from the 60's though and since the store has so much history, I'll bet some of you bit. It is Mike and Alex, along with Gerard but the picture was taken just a few minutes ago. Some very good Goose Island stuff to taste tonight so come by if you can.



Sofie $8.99 22oz.
Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons.

Mathilde $8.99 22oz.
Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying – Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it’s the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing at the bar.

Pere Jaques $8.99 22oz
Brewed with loads of malt and Belgian yeast, Pere Jacques is a wonderfully fruity, malty ale. Pere Jacques’ complex flavors stand shoulder to shoulder with the Belgian Dubbels enjoyed in the world’s finest beer bars. At the dining table it’s the perfect alternative to a glass of vintage port.

Pepe nero $8.99 22oz.
With an aroma of roasted chestnuts and a mysteriously dark, mahogany hue, Pepe Nero is a farmhouse ale brewed with black peppercorns. His roasty sweetness melds into a lingering, earthy, black pepper finish that is ideal for pairing with grilled meats and roasted vegetables.

Harry's 71st Anniversary celebration is under way!

HARRY’S… a name associated with Fairfield since 1941. We are now celebrating our seventy-first year. The store was founded by my father Harry Pollack and his wife Betty. It still remains at the same location, although it’s gotten a little bigger.

This has been and exciting year for Harry’s, with lots of changes, which many of you may have noticed. I got my walking papers a while back and the store is now run by two of my long time employees William Miller and Patrick Monteleone, who are well schooled in the business. My son Scott who, with his wife, has handled all of our financials for many years and of course you will also recognize Patrick’s wife, Jan, who handles the administrative duties at her office in the middle of the store.

The store has remained the same in many respects. Customer service is still our number one goal. It’s a pleasure to walk in and have customers say they love shopping here because the staff is so knowledgeable and helpful. We work at it every day. Our inventory keeps growing and I still think of us as the number one wine shop in Connecticut.

The computer that sits on my shoulders is not big enough or strong enough to keep up with all of today’s needs, so it’s time to be a casual observer. I love it! After six-day weeks and 7:00 a.m. arrivals, I get to stay in bed. My wife and I have been doing some traveling but we return home and into the store pretty regularly. I’m still in the store while people take vacations and during the holidays so don’t forget to come in and say hello.

Our little corner is also going through some changes. We are about to welcome our newest retail store “Tutto Pasta”… homemade pasta and great Italian dishes you can take home to warm up. The Fairfield Cheese Company has just won
their second “Best in the State” award along with being recognized by Food and Wine as a must stop. Pine Creek Deli and Fabricare Cleaners are still the tops by all reports.

All of this and Harry’s too… stop by for a great tour of our one-stop shopping center. Our center is truly accommodating. That old fashioned friendliness is still alive and well. It’s always a pleasure to shop where your interests are still the number one reason for us being here.

- Saul

Keep reading...

First, we are glad to hear many reports from our customers that suggest power is being restored around town. If you are one of the lucky ones, Congratulations! We have heard many stories about helpful people that are going above and beyond to help their neighbors and friends. If you are like me and have not gotten your power back, hang in there. It was a cold one last night but it makes for good snuggling.

We are doing our best to help out so come by the store if there is something we can do for you we are happy to help. There are cellphone charging stations set up, Warm water to wash up and are happy to get you a sip of wine or whiskey to warm your bones. Our store was fortunate enough to get our power back yesterday afternoon and we would like to help where we can. I received a phone call a few minutes ago from our ice supplier and he promises me that we will have ice by 4pm.

Finally, We have some fun things planned for the weekend in order to celebrate our 71 years in business that include a great beer tasting from 4-7pm (more here). Our Saturday wine tasting has been kicked up a notch (more here)and s special Jefferson Presidential 18yr "Pappy" Bourbon tasting from 4-7pm Saturday.

Lots going on in Fairfield this week!

We hope you can join us,

Patrick, William and the staff

Working girl

A couple of months ago I brought Lily to work with me on a Sunday and it was a big hit. Since then on my scheduled Sunday it has become something of a habit, she really loves to interact with people. She is a very social pup and I've had many people tell me that we should make her a regular fixture at the store since she is so well mannered. We'll see how it all shakes out but in the mean time every third week or so she will come in with me on Sunday to be our greeter and child care provider. She is very loving and children are her favorite people.

With Sandy around the corner I came in to help with the rush of people picking up their supplies so she came with me. Next week she'll be on staff also.

Come by and say hi!

- Patrick

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Oct 27

Your host will be Ken Dane of Winesellers.




Dr H. Thanisch Bernkastler Badstube Riesling Kabinett 2011 $17.99
Fine level of acidity on the palate with notes of lush lemon peel, apple, and clover honey. There is ripe yellow fruit on the long finish. Exceptional balance.

Besserat de Bellfon Champagne Brut N.V. $29.99
The medium straw colour has copper highlights and delicate fast moving bubbles forming a fine necklace. Its open nose leads to floral aromas and hints of dried flowers, while the paalate reveals fruitiness, white peaches and Mirabelle plums, followed at the end by hazelnut and caramelized nut notes. The gentle bubbles provide a creamy mouth feel and long finish. A classic blend of 35% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 45% Pinot Meunier.

Montgravet Cotes de Gascogne 2011 $8.99
From southwest France comes this engaging, medium-bodied wine that offers notes of melon, candied apricot, green apple, lime and cream. This wine is made completely from the Colombard grape which is also traditionally distilled into Cognac or Armagnac.

Santa Julia Organic Malbec 2011 $9.99
Purple red colour. This is a rich yet fruity wine with a nose of sweet violets as well as ripe fruits such as figs and raisins. The palate is packed with flavors of plum, cherry and strawberries with hints of chocolate and a spicy finish.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Oct 26

Your host is Lattie Beth from Weed Brewery.

Weed Brewery Amber $8.99/6pb

This has a great nuttty, caramel note with a light bitter from the hops. Notes of dark chocolate, salted nuts and strawberry. Really tasty and refreshing.

Wine Tasting and Silent Auction

FAIRFIELD FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION
WINE TASTING AND SILENT AUCTION
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM

A FUNDRAISING EVENT TO BENEFIT INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS IN THE FAIRFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER
370 BEACH ROAD, FAIRFIELD, CT
$35 SINGLE, $60 COUPLE
TICKETS BY MAIL, ONLINE, OR AT THE DOOR
WWW.FAIRFIELDFFE.ORG

LIVE JAZZ AND LITE BITES

WINE TASTING COURTESY OF HARRY’S WINE & LIQUOR MARKET

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Oct 20

Your host will be Leslie Calatayud of Majestic Fine Wines.

*A gentle reminder*
that we will be
CLOSED SUNDAY 10/21/12 FOR INVENTORY*

Arrowood Chardonnay 2009 $19.99
Crisp, delicate and clean Chardonnay, with zesty citrus acidity, like a squeeze of lime. Tastes savory, with lime, white flower and mineral flavors. A likeable young wine that’s a good pairing with shellfish. Wine Enthusiast, 88 pts


Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $35.99
Good bright red-ruby. Cherry, redcurrant and flowers on the nose. Supple on entry, then a bit youthfully clenched in the middle, showing good grip to the flavors of cassis, minerals, licorice and herbs. Not hugely rich or fleshy but has good structure. A tad dry and peppery on the finish. This wine was to have been bottled in April. International Wine Cellar, 90 pts


Byron Nielson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 26.99
The 2009 Nielson Pinot Noir displays aromas of dark plum, blueberry, cinnamon, clove, and hints of floral and smoke. The flavor profile has a core of dark cherry and dark plum, with hints of brown sugar and allspice. With big, rich tannins, structure and velvety texture, this wine is backed by a long, lingering finish. The fruit for this Pinot Noir came from selected high-density blocks planted to Dijon clones. After harvest, the clusters were hand-sorted and cold-soaked for three to five days to intensify fruit character, color and body. Small batches were processed in 2 -6 ton tanks of which 5% incorporated stem inclusion during the fermentation process. Lots were kept separate until blending to maximize the quality of the blend.


Angela Pinot Noir 2009 $44.99
Medium ruby in color, the bouquet opens up with a forward note of terroir and minerals over perfectly ripe black raspberry and blueberry aromas, along with a subtle hint of oak spice. Plush and forward, it shows surprising richness on the palate entry, but regains its balance deftly. Soft and rich dark berry flavors are tinted with colas and tea notes.

Beer Tasting 4pm - 7pm Friday, Oct 19

Your host is Angela Deon of Crispin Cider.

Cider $7.29/4pb
Crisp, refreshing natural hard apple cider Crisp over ice. A classically styled, but untraditional hard apple cider. Fruit forward, with a fresh, crunchy appley nose and a deliciously creamy, refreshingly crisp mouth feel.

Honey $5.59/22oz
Crispin Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve™ is a small batch, hand crafted, super-premium hard apple cider smoothed with real organic honey for a rich, creamy, full-bodied crisp taste. Smooth over ice.Cloudy Hard Cider™. For the discerning drinker, Honey Crisp’s artisanal style is embodied in our unique Cloudy Filtration™ process, using racked unfiltered apple wine that leaves residual natural apple wine sediment in the bottle. Every bottle should receive a full Bottoms-Up! tilt and swirl before opening and enjoying.Naturally fermented using a premium apple juice blend, not from apple juice concentrate, with no added malt, spirit or grape alcohol. Honey Crisp is smoothed with pure organic honey, with no added sugar, colorants or sorbate or benzoate preservatives. Honey Crisp's apple juice is a fresh pressed blend of 3 to 5 different apples. We do not use the Honeycrisp apple, a very fine dessert eating apple, but in our experience and in our opinion, not a fine base for apple wine.



Saint $5.59/22oz
Prepare to be converted. The Saint is a uniquely debonair & elegant cider, a cider to convert skeptics. Naturally fermented using a premium blend of fresh pressed apple juice, not from concentrate, and fermented with Belgian Trappist beer yeasts, The Saint boasts a sweet floral bouquet that develops a yeasty, herbal complexity. The Saint is uncorrupted by added malt, spirit or grape alcohols, and is free of added sugar, colorants, sorbate and benzoate preservatives, and is filtered cold for crisp refreshment. A small batch, hand-crafted, super-premium hard apple cider, The Saint is smoothed with pure organic maple syrup for a silky, sustained mouth-feel that develops complexity on the palate. The Saint is vinted to a 6.9 percent ABV for a full body, yet remains exceptionally easy to drink from the first crisp sip to the last drop.It's very, very good. The Saint has an elevated drinkability that is never sacrificed to overbearing complexity. Cloudy Filtration. The embodiment of artisanal style, The Saint uses rack-aged apple wine through our cloudy filtration process. Discerning drinkers will find residual apple wine sediment in each bottle for a rich full-bodied flavor that's true to the apple and good to the last drop. Give a full Bottoms-Up! Tilt & swirl to disperse the apple-wine sediment evenly and to ensure an even taste profile through the entire bottle.



Fox Barrel Pear Cider $7.29/4pb
Naturally fermented using 100% pear juice, not from pear juice concentrate or pear-flavored hard apple cider. Filtered cold for extra purity, and smoothed with pear juice. With no added colorants, sugar, sorbate or benzoate preservatives. No added malt, spirit, grape or apple alcohols. Naturally elegant and refreshingly adult with a sparkling clean natural pear finish, and a subtle woody complexity, completed by an intense fresh pear bouquet.

Closed for inventory Sunday Oct. 21st

Hi all,

This is the official reminder that we are closing this coming Sunday, October 21st, for inventory.
We've had signs up in our windows and on our doors to let all of our customers know in advance but it sure doesn't hurt to send out a reminder. We're trying to make sure we reach as many of our customers as possible so that you aren't inconvenienced with your shopping and a blog post and reminder on our weekend e-mail seems prudent.

Our hours look like this for the next fews days:

Friday 10/19 8:00am-9:00pm

Saturday 10/20 8:00am-9:00pm

Sunday 10/21 CLOSED

Monday 10/22 8:00am-8:00pm

As always, We thank you for your continued patronage!

- William, Patrick, and the Harry's Staff

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Oct 13

Your host is/was Michael Kane of Neil Rosenthal Merchants.
Ooops... As I was standing with one of our loyal followers of our Facebook and our Blog, it suddenly occured to me that I had forgotten to post it today. Michael Kane is still here for a little while and is a wealth of knowledge and passionate about his portfolio. If you are in the area, the lineup is great and the man pouring the wines also terrific.


Bisson Glera N.V. $19.99
This lightly sparkling wine is particularly distinctive as the winemaker insists on producing our cuvee in a bone-dry style. The Prosecco is bottled early to maintain its freshness and is released in the early months of the year following the harvest.



Monsecco Vespolina 2010 $19.99
Tons and tons of spicy black pepper, earth, sandalwood, sottobosco and both deep black and bright red cherry aromas, the wine has lovely weight and richness. There is indeed a pronounced streak of acidity, but it is in lovely balance with the generous fruit and well structured tannins.



Cheveau Macon Fuisse 2010 $21.99
The village of Fuisse is known to yield some of the greatest white wines in the Maconnais. Planted in soils of limestone and clay, these 40 year old vines yield a white burgundy with a rich, generous texture and clean minerality.



Geoffroy Gevrey Chambertin 2009 $39.99
A classic Gevrey sourced from multiple small parcels (covering more than four hectares) throughout the village which enables the wine to capture the true nature of this grand appellation; the youngest vines for this cuvée are 25 years of age with the oldest being 80 years old (calculated as of 2011). Rich, yet graceful, this Gevrey shows the wild berry fruit and charming rusticity that are the hallmarks of true Gevrey Chambertin.

Friday Beer tasting 4pm-7pm

Your host will be Alex from our staff.

Goose Island Matilda $8.99/22oz btl
Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying – Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it’s the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing at the bar.

Goose Island Sofie $8.99/22oz btl
Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons.

Corsendonk Pater Dubbel $8.99 750ml
Mahogany brown color. Mild aromas of lemongrass, lime leaf, mint, pepper and cocoa with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, zesty citrus, dried peach, spiced nut, mineral and pink pepper finish. Distinctively limey and delicious.

Tasting like a professional

As a follow-up to last weeks post, I thought I would share the techniques and concepts that we use as professionals in this industry. I am not giving up trade secrets or compromising some code of ethics. I am just trying to open the door to what happens on your palette when you taste food or wine. This will be a simplified look at what we teach in our classes but it will give you a few pointers on how it works.

First and foremost, the 4 tasting zones on the human tongue:

1. Sweet
2. Salty
3. Sour
4. Bitter

That is it!

Did you know that these are the only things that the human tongue can tell us? Flavors like Raspberry, Vanilla, Apple, etc... are detected with your nose. Don't believe me?
Try this, Grab a handful of Jelly beans and put them out on the table. Using just your sense of sight determine the flavor of the different candies in front of you Purple = Grape, Orange = orange and so on. Now, drop Jelly beans in a brown paper bag. Next, close your eyes, hold your nose and try to discern the flavor of one or two of them.
Can't do it, right? ok, last step, let your nose go and you will notice that magically you know exactly which flavor it is! You are still blindfolded so your sense of sight hasn't influenced you and your taste buds are doing exactly what they were doing just a minute ago and yet now you can "taste" the flavor.

The 5 S's of wine tasting:

1. Sight
2. Swirl
3. Smell
4. Sip
5. Slosh

All of your senses are in play when you are tasting wines.

Look at the color of the red wine you are tasting. Is it lightly colored an easy to see through? It is likely lighter fruited, and lighter bodied on your palette. Does it have dark inky purple hues? Chances are that it is probably heavier in your mouth and darker fruited... generally.

Now swirl it in your glass to build up an aroma cloud and put your nose right down in to the glass. Smell the wine... Are you getting Raspberry and Cherry aromas or more brooding Cassis, and Blueberry notes? This is another clue as to what you can expect when you taste the wine.

Third we will put a taste of the wine in our mouth and tilt our chin down (important), next you kiss and/or lightly sip air over the wine that is toward the front of your mouth to help accentuate the flavors and aromas.

The next step will be to slosh the wine around in your mouth so that it touches all of the different areas of your palette and the soft tissues in your mouth. This helps to show the level of acidity and tannins.

At the store our wine staff uses this technique time and again throughout the day to help us evaluate wines that we are considering for our shelves. These are also the steps used by critics, collectors and many other wine fans to help them to enhance their experience while enjoying their bottle of wine.

This is a very simplified overview of one of the topics and techniques we teach in "Wine 101". Learning this has opened the door to many of our students and customers and gives anyone using the steps a much greater tasting experience.
I invite you to try it and see if you agree.

Please feel free to ask questions about this and other things that can help you to increase you knowledge and enjoyment of wine.

We are here to help!

-Cheers

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Oct 6

Your host will be Christelle Marilhet of Metrowine.
Many of you will readily recognize Christelle as one of our managers and a member of our wine team. recently Christelle accepted an offer from Metrowine to help them on the wholesale side of the business. Needless to say, we are disappointed to lose her but also very happy to see her continue her accent in the world of wine. Harry's will be one of her key accounts and you can be sure that we will call on her time and again to help on the wine floor during the holidays upcoming and as a fill-in when other members of the team take vacations and so forth.
Stop down and congratulate her on the new adventure and let her know that she has been appreciated by our loyal customers.



Grand Antoine Bordeaux Blanc 2011 $9.99
Bright citrus notes complemented by a unique mineral component that takes you right to Bordeaux without even going there. A classic white wine, tailor-made for seafood and other lighter fare.


Belfort Medoc 2010 $11.99
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 55% and Merlot 45%, this Medoc shows a level of complexity that belies its price point. A great 2010.


Starry Night Russian River Zinfandel 2007 $19.99
Delicious and very focused, with fruit flavors of juicy blackberry, red cherry, raspberry, cassis and a tender hint of red plum. These combine with later flavors of earthen spice of black pepper and white pepper. Toward the end, flavors of blackberry bramble, soft cocoa powder and soft oaky vanilla show up at the back of the palate


Filhot Sauternes 2005 $17.99
Pineapple skin, apple and honey on the nose. Full-bodied, very sweet and very lively, with intense acidity and a spicy aftertaste. The best in a while from this estate. Best after 2009. Wine Spectator, 90 pts