Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Jun 30

Your host will be Inaki Castro of Maja Imports. William describes Inaki as The international man of mystery and likens him to the man in the Dos equis commercials. Pictured with him today is Fairfield Cheese Company's newest addition, Stephanie terenzio. Stephanie stated with them about a month ago and has quickly become one of the gang over there. A recent graduate of the university of New Hampshire where she had a double major in Ecogastronomy and Nutrition it seems to be a perfect fit. She has an easy smile and a helpful nature which Chris and Laura picked up on immediately, in fact before she actually started Laura told me about her and i could tell that she was happy that Stephanie came looking for a job. Welcome to the neighborhood!

There is also a few other new people to meet in the coming weeks as we add a new store to Harry's corner. If you've been by in the past week or two you have seen some of the work going on and we think it will be another great addition. More on that in the coming weeks...


Anjos Vinho Verde 2011 $7.99
Vinho Verde wines come from the northwest of Portugal, and are intentionally made in a zingy, zeasty, lively style. This one is slightly fizzy with a little spritz on the tongue which contributes to its liveliness. The crisp flavors of apples and citrus make this a refreshing summer wine to sip alone or with all types of light foods.


Val Sotillo Ribera del Duero Crianza 2009 $25.99
A superb, rich and concentrated crianza, showing a deep and atractive cherry colour with purple glints. On the nose there are powerful ripe fruit aromas with balsamic and mineral hints. It is round with good backbone, a lingering finish, and excellent aging potential. This wine had lost its CT distributor for several years, so now it is great to have it back in stock – a top-shelf Ribera.


Canasecas Prieto Picudo Red 2010 $8.99
Prieto Picudo is a fantastically rare grape indigenous to the northwestern reaches of Castilla y Leon in Spain. Its name translates basically to "black beak" referring to the crow-headed shape of each cluster of grapes. Rich and filled with black pepper, spice and rustic brambliness, this example from Meoriga (which specializes almost exclusively in Prieto Picudo) gives us a clear look at the dark and mysterious character of this illusive grape.


Canasecas Rosé 2011 $8.99
Hints of wild cherry, strawberry, and spice. The palate is dry and zesty with pale red fruits, citrus, and a lean yet supple finish.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jun 29

host is Lisa Turso of Grey Sail Brewing.
Grey sail is brand new to the state! There were only 60 cases available for the whole state and we got our hands on 10 of them. Stop in and help us to launch another great new beer. We're beginning to run out of room for all thes fun new finds that Renzo keeps coming across this summer



Flag Ship Ale $8.99/6pc
Flagship is a session-style beer. Very crisp and flavorful, a craft brew, but on the lighter side.


Extra Pale Ale $8.99/6pc
Delightfully fresh, light, flavorful, and drinkable example of the style.

Golf balls and Two Glasses of wine

A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items on his desk in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.


He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.


The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.


The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'YES.'


The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.


'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.


The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.


The sand is everything else; the small stuff.


If you put the sand into the jar first', he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the good things that are important to you.


Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. Do one more run down the ski slope.


There will always be time to clean the house and fix the cistern. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'


One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.


The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.'

...


This was sent to me by a friend, His timing was perfect... Recently things in my life have been very busy and it seems that sometimes life gets to be about the sand. From more than a thousand miles away he was able to tap me on the shoulder and point me in the right direction.

A few weeks after I recieved this nice reminder his wife came to visit the area for a couple of days. My wife and I took the opportunity to sit with her and some other friends for dinner and a nice bottle of wine on a perfect evening at a house on the beach here in Fairfield.

She told us that evening that her husband had been to the doctor and they found a lump. He has been diagnosed with cancer.

He didn't know at the time that he was about to find this out, sometimes things just happen that way. The good news is that the doctors think that they found it in time and are optimistic about treating him. Thank goodness

Now it is my turn to pay it forward. I hope that by posting this it will cause someone else to reaccess the golfballs and wine in their own life. For myself... I am looking forward to sharing time and a glass of wine with him at the end of the summer on our annual weekend together on Block Island.

Please share this with someone you care about.

Cheers

-Patrick

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Jun 23

Your host will be Elena Shulman of New England Wine & Spirits.

Vallesanta Orvieto 2011 $9.99
Pale straw in color with a delicate, slightly nutty aroma. In the mouth, it is dry, crisp and fresh, with earthy flavors and a suggestion of pear, fading to a crisp and balanced finish.

Vieux Clocher Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2011 $9.99
This has aromas and flavors of strawberries and red berries. It is light and refreshing

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2010 $12.99
Enjoy aromas and flavors of green apple and tropical fruits, balanced by subtle oak, cinnamon and vanilla from barrel aging. With a mouth-filling body and balanced acidity, this wine delivers a medium-long, refreshing finish.

Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $12.99
This Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits flavors of cherry, dark plum and a hint of coffee. Rich, yet approachable tannins provide a long, smooth finish.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jun 22

Your host will be Ron of Long Trail.

Long Trail Ale $14.49/12pc $7.99/6pc
This full bodied amber ale is modeled after the "altbiers" of Dusseldorf, Germany. Our top fermenting yeast and cold finishing temperature result in a complex, yet clean, full flavor.

Belgian White $8.99/6pb
Our Belgian White Ale is modeled after the original Belgian Witbiers brewed in monasteries during the early 14th century. The soft notes of citrus and spice are topped with a light fluffy head that finishes clean and crisp. This all natural ale is our latest seasonal brew, perfect for lounging at lake-side or celebrating at trails end...

Summer Survival Mix Pack $14.99/12pb
Includes: 3 - Long Trail Ale, 3 - Blackberry Wheat, 3 - Traditional IPA and 3 - Belgian White.

Blackberry Wheat
Light, crisp and refreshing, Blackbeary Wheat is modeled after the spontaneously fermented "Lambics" of Belgium. Real blackberries added to the fermentation contribute a subtle fruitiness to this Summer Quencher! Available May through August.

Traditional IPA
British brewers of colonial times utilized the preservative qualities of hops and alcohol to assure that their "pale ale" survived the long trip to colonial India. We believe this to be one of the HOPPIEST brews in the States.

Glenmorangie 10 year old tasting 4pm-7pm

Round one is over and we slide in to our second tasting of the day on fathers day weekend. Now we move to a 10 year old single malt from Glenmorangie. If Dad is so inclined we would suggest that you bring him by for a taste of this good value. We've got it at $39.99 for the weekend and the package includes three tag along bottles of other single malts produced by the distillery. If he likes the 10 year the others are sure to please.

It has been called the perfect ten and most Glenmorangie drinkers will readily drink to that! After 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks, the Glenmorangie spirit has had enough time to mature and mellow into a beautifully balanced yet marvellously complex malt whisky. Enjoyed by newcomers and connoisseurs alike, it's Scotland's favourite malt whisky, hand-crafted with pride by the Sixteen Men of Tain.

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Jun 16

Your host will be Anish Ajoomal of Classic Wines.
Lots going on around Harry's today... Busy weekend with dads taking center stage and are celebrated for all of the things that make them special throughout the year. Anish is taking the first shift and is pouring four wines from Spain. They have been selling briskly since he started at 1pm today. At 4 o'clock we'll be starting a single malt scotch tasting that will feature Glen Morangie 10 year.

There were a limited supply of a special gift pack this year that features samples of 3 other singlemalts in their line and we got them all! The best part of the deal is that they come in the package with no added cost so you can give dad the opportunity to taste some new bottlings.

While this is all happening, Renzo put together "The offshore pour" which is a craft beer festival on the water that left out of Norwalk with almost 400 attendees on the Island Belle for a beautiful day of beer, food, and music as they cruise around for the afternoon. This is Fairfield county's first ever Beer festival and was a complete sell-out!

Bizz-buzz climbed on board along with channel 12 news, The Yankee brew news, members of the Fairfield theatre company and of course the breweries, more than 20 of them in all. A live band is playing music, there is loads of Bobby Q's food. Reports back tell me that they are having a great time and really enjoying all there is to offer!

Check back with the blog after a bit and we'll post more on the tastings

Fefinanes Albarino 2010 $19.99
The entry-level 2010 Fefinanes was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Mineral, melon, and lemon zest inform the nose of this crisp, vibrant, savory offering. This well-balanced effort will drink nicely for another 2-3 years. Robert Parker, 88 pts

Abadal Rosé 2011 $15.99
This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 90% and Sumill 10%. It starts with sweet strawberry and raspberry aromas. On the palate it shows pure, enticing watermelon, nectarine and raspberry flavors.

Ondarre Rioja Reserva 2005 $14.99
Bright ruby. Dried cherry and herbs on the pungent, smoky nose. Firm red berry and bitter cherry flavors gain sweetness with air and turn spicier on the back half. Refreshingly bitter and linear on the finish, which echoes the cherry and spice notes. International Wine Cellar, 90 pts

Cerro Anon Rioja Gran Reserva 2004 $24.99
(80% tempranillo, with mazuelo, graciano and garnacha): Dark ruby. Assertive aromas of cherry-vanilla, spices and rose, with a hint of licorice in the background. Lush and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, with very good clarity to its red fruit and floral flavors. Shows no rough edges and finishes with impressive energy and length. International Wine Cellar, 91 pts

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jun 15

Your host will be Rick Sirrocco of Element Brewing Company.

DARK ELEMENT $15.29/750ml
This New American Black Ale, our strongest signature beer, has the malt profile of an Imperial Schwartz Beer and the floral characteristics of an American IPA. Saturated in hops, this intrepid style offers smooth dark toffee and chocolate flavors without the roasted bitterness found in many "dark" beers.


EXTRA SPECIAL OAK (ESO) $13.29/750ml
This innovative ale, burnished chestnut in color, contains the malt characteristics of an "English Strong" without the typical bitterness. Lighter carbonation highlights the oak-aged tones of toasted vanilla and spice.


RED GIANT $13.29/750ml
Deep ruby in color, Red Giant contains caramel malt sweetness combined with significant hop bitterness and leathery aroma, resulting in a balanced flavor profile. Red Giant’s complexity offers a new flavors from beyond with every sip.

Bourbon the King of Whiskey?

I'm sure most of us have a vivid recollection of a time in college or back in the glory days, were we have experienced the "whiskey hangover". We swear that we will never touch the stuff again but we always find ourselves with another glass in our hand. Whiskey has been one of America's favorite and most popular liquor for quite some time and the demand is still growing. Whiskey, especially bourbon has seen a huge craze not only in the states but across the world. More and more consumers are becoming intrigued and distilleries are pumping out more and more product.

Bourbon is unique to itself and varies from other different whiskeys such as Scotch. Bourbon must be made up of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Bourbon can not be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).It must be entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume) and be bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume).

With my recent trip to the Belmont Stakes(where Woodford Bourbon is the drink of choice), I couldn't help myself and grabbed a bottle to make the famous "Belmont Jewel". By the way I was a little disappointed that I was not able to witness a possible Triple Crown, but I digress. Woodford has always been a favorite of mine because of the unique bottle and its strong characteristics. Unlike some other bourbons I have tried, Woodford offers it's drinkers a journey in each sip. Up front hints of charcoal and oak can be seen but gives way to touches of honey, spice and even flowers. This bourbon has great depth and finesse that others simply can't match.

So if you are looking to try something new and different or are still looking for that perfect Father's Day gift, Woodford will not dissappoint. Warning: Woodford is 45.2% alc/vol (90.4 proof). Enjoy responsibly.

$35.99 a bottle
$32.99 for Father's Day weekend
We also have a few bottles of Woodford Reserve Double Oak that is very limited. $49.99

Also if anyone is interested in making their own Belmont Jewel the recipe is below:
1 1/2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
2 oz lemonade
1 oz pomegranate juice
lemon wedge or cherry for garnish

-Chris OB

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Jun 9

On a drizzly afternoon it is time to hang up the lawn tools and let mother nature take her cousre. The sun is sure to shine again soon and until it does you might consider catching up on your inside work, namely stocking up on wine, beer and liquor for the summer (do you like the way I did that, changed the focus to Harry's)On our tasting today, Your host will be Christopher Lawther of Hartley Parker Select Brands. He's got 4 good wines to try, the Verdicchio in particular stands out in my mind for its flavors of green tea. See if you agree!


Capestrano Verdicchio 2010 $12.99
The wine shows dark straw yellow color with greenish reflections. On the nose it has notes of Golden apples and walnuts, juniper and jasmine. Nicely smooth and fresh on the palate with good body and long, clean finish.

Bargemone Rosé 2011 $15.99
Showing candied red fruits, spicy and classically elegant, this rosé offers a refreshing coolness in a glass full of red fruits.

Angeline California Pinot Noir 2010 $10.99
Light and fruity, with sweet cherry aromas and flavors, accented by hints of pepper. It has a silky smooth texture and light dusting of cocoa powder on the finish.

Argiano N.C. 2009 $21.99
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 20%, Syrah 20%, Sangiovese 20%. The inherent sweetness of the Merlot acts as a bridge between the firm earthiness of the Sangiovese grape, the spicy blackcurrant of the Cabernet and the warm red fruit of the Syrah. It has a rich inviting texture with toasty flavors from wood aging, and shows generous, round tannins for early drinking.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jun 8

host will be Todd from George Washington Brewery in Connecticut.


George Washington $8.49/6pb
Craft brewed for the mainstream, gw Beer is a golden amber American Pale Ale, lightly malty, with a smooth balance of toasted caramel sweetness and American hop flavor and aroma.

This is Todd's second visit to the store. His last visit was in January when he first launched the beer here in Ct. He tells us that his beer is based on the original recipe from our founding father himself. More here

SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES: Louis Latour Burgundy Wed, June 13th 2012 7pm-9pm

Summer Speaker Series:

Louis Latour Burgundy with
Timothe Cousins, Brand Manager
Wed, Jun 13, 7PM
$40 per person
RSVP Harry’s – 203-259-4692

Maison Louis Latour is one of the most highly-respected négociant-éléveurs in Burgundy, France, and they produce of some of the finest Burgundian wines.
Joining us this evening for the first event in our 2012 Summer Series is the Northeast Brand Manager, Timothe Cousins. He hosted a fantastic Vintage 2009 Louis Latour wine dinner for us a few months ago.
The wines were great, fantastic food, and his wine knowledge and crowd presence shined just as brightly! You’ll definitely want to join us for this kick-off event where Timothe will taste us through a selection of terrific Latour wines, and also present and discuss some great information about one of the great Vignerons of France.

WINE DINNER: Alfresco Italian Wine Dinner- Tue, June 12th 2012 7pm-10pm

Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, 55° Restaurant and
Vias Imports Present:
Alfresco Italian Wine Dinner
With Guest Host Michael Petrizzo, Northeast District Manager
Tuesday, June 12 – 7PM
$78 plus tax and tip


Passed canapés
Bisol Prosecco Jeio N.V.

Sweet pea ravioli, fava beans, asparagus, butter poached langoustines
Capestrano Verdicchio 2010
San Michele Pinot Bianco 2010

Roasted monk fish, potato gnocchi, black mission figs, smoky bacon, dandelion greens Del Cerro Chianti Colli Sensi 2009
Argiano N.C. Toscana 2009

Grilled Angus sirloin, short rib ragu, rosemary, white bean puree
Colpetrone Sagrantino Montefalco 2007
Produtorri del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2007

Chocolate tart, strawberries, Chantilly
Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui “Pineto” 2010


For reservations please contact:
55° Restaurant
55 Miller St, Fairfield
Phone: (203) 256-0099
info@55winebar.com
http://www.55winebar.com/

American Craft Beer introduction underway

Renzo, Joey, Chris and the rest of us have been impatiently waiting for the day to arrive and finally it is here. The weather hasn't cooperated the way we had hoped be from the look of things it is going to clear off in the near term. It should make for a good day of tasting these long awaited gems from near and far.

If you have been following along we announced earlier in the week that we were featuring a special tasting today that would feature Green Flash, Clown Shoes, and Six Point (more here) in 1 hour blasts from 12pm-3pm. Colin and the crew are on site and have started the Green flash part of it. So, if you are feeling like tasting some great new artisanal brews now is the time!

Check back through the day for updates to the tasting as each brewery comes up to the tasting bar.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jun 1

host is Jared from Harpoon.

Rich and Dan Rye IPA $9.29/6pb
Arrived with a thick, creamy two finger head and a slightly hazy light brown body. Aroma of piny hops with a little bit of caramel. Some rye spiciness was present as well. Floral and piny hops were up front in the taste along with some yeast. Spiciness was not as predominant as I was expecting. A little bit of pipe tobacco on the finish with a moderate to high bitterness. Mouthfeel was full and creamy.

Leviathan Great Scott $10.29/4pb
Leviathan Great Scott pays homage to the celebrated Wee Heavy Scottish Ales of the past. This beer is a full-flavored, full-bodied dark ale with a complex malt character. The hint of smokiness is a tribute to the peated malts that were historically used in Scottish brewing. Relax and enjoy with bagpipes playing in your head (kilt optional).

UFO $8.99/4pb
Light, crisp, refreshing UFO White follows in the tradition of spiced wheat beers that have been brewed in Belgium for well over 300 years. Brewed with orange peel and a unique blend of spices, UFO White is the perfect choice for a summer’s barbecue, a night out with friends or any time you¹re thirsting for something a little different. Like UFO Hefeweizen and UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen, we leave UFO White UnFiltered for a more natural taste and appearance.

Cider $8.99/6pb
Harpoon Cider is made from a blend of locally grown apples including the New England favorite, McIntosh. By fermenting this blend of varieties with our own yeast we are able to produce an aroma that has a clean, fruity character. This crisp, refreshing cider has just the right balance of ripe apple sweetness and tartness from the fruit’s natural acidity. The color of this smooth tasting cider is very light as a result of using only freshly pressed apples. Without the addition of preservatives, artificial colors, or sweeteners we have created a cider that is fresh, pure, and delicious. Enjoy!