Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Sep 29

Your host will be Esporao Wines.

Monte Velho White 2011 $10.99
A blend of 35% Roupeiro, 35% Antao Vaz, & 30% Perrum grapes. This light yellow colored wine opens with a ripe Anjou pear bouquet with a hint of white grapes and wet stone. On the palate, this wine is light to medium bodied and shows crisp mild acidity and some roundness. The flavor profile is a Granny Smith apple and Anjou Pear blend with notes of minerality and spice throughout. The finish is dry and clean. Pair this food friendly and affordable white with bacon wrapped scallops. Kenswineguide.com, 88 pts



Monte Vehlo Red 2010 $10.99
Aragones, Trincadeira & Castelao are the grapes. This dark ruby colored wine opens with a black raspberry bouquet with hints of black pepper and oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and easy going. The flavor profile is an oak and black raspberry blend with hints of black pepper and black currant. The finish is dry and displays mild tannins. This is a pleasant and good everyday offering. Serve it with a juicy burger. Kenswineguide.com, 89 pts



Assobio Douro 2009 $14.99
With an intense ruby colour, hints of bilberry and other red fruit, it boasts notes of typical Douro plants, like rockrose. Its very balanced palate combines elegance and finesse with body and structure, as well as a long and fresh finish. Versatile and gastronomic, it pairs well with a range of dishes, such as pork and chestnuts and duck. Made predominantly from Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca grapes,



Esporao Red Reserva 2009 $25.99
Colour: Deep, dark red colour.
Aroma: Intense, lifted aroma with ripe red berry fruits and well integrated new oak giving hints of chocolate and vanilla.
Palate: The palate is well balanced and elegant, with layers of ripe fruit and fine supportive tannins. Shows richness and complexity, with a long and persistent finish.
Grape Varieties: Aragonês / Trincadeira / Cabernet Sauvignon / Alicante Bouschet

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Sep 28

host is Rob of Beaver Beer.

Blonde Pale Ale $8.99/6pb
The brewing process begins with a proprietary yeast strain. Unlike most pale ales, this yeast provides a mellow estery aroma that enhances the malty flavor aroused from 2-Row and Cargill Europils malts, as well as lending a subtle crispness. Beaver Blonde is characterized by its balanced hop bitterness and noticeable citrus hop nose which is crafted by generous "dry hopping" of lusty Simcoe & Amarillo hops. A touch of white wheat malt enhances the drinkability of this gorgeous brew for a refreshing blonde that goes down easy time after time. This is one Beaver you won’t forget.



Brewnette Amber Lager $8.99/6pb
Beaver Brewnette is brewed with a combination of high quality domestic 2-row and specialty malts. True to style, Beaver Brewnette is bittered and finished with Noble variety hops. Slowly fermented with lager yeast, it is conditioned for weeks to round the flavors for a toasty malt character. Medium bodied with an off-white, clinging head, Beaver Brewnette satisfies from first taste through its incredibly smooth finish. A pleasure to enjoy, after just a little time together you’ll be going steady.



Big Red IPA $8.99/6pb
Crafted from a heady blend of English & domestic style malts, combined with a bodacious infusion of Pacific Northwest hops, Big Red is a sinfully delicious session brew. Big Red’s malt backbone lends a smoothness and balances the impressive hoppy tones added through the kettle & dry hopping process. Its citrus aroma, brilliant medium-copper color, and long standing foam provide a most satisfying sensory impression. Not astringent or sweet, Big Red Beaver is an IPA you can enjoy day or night . After one taste you’re sure to say "bottoms up".


Mix Pack $15.99/12pb

Our newest project...

Well it is finally time to announce William's newest endeavor!

Over the past few weeks we have been tasting a steady stream of the wines of Piedmont and have put together quite a nice collection of reds and whites from the region. Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara are well represented in a number of vintages and price points but that doesn't even scratch the surface, their little brother Nebbiolo, along with Barbera from Asti and Alba, Dolcetto (does Dogliani ring a bell?), Vespolina, and then there are whites like Moscato D'asti, Gavi's and Arneis to mention a few. The list goes on...

So, Why Piedmont? First of all the wines coming from the region are world class and year after year their little micro climate produces consistant weather which has given us an almost nonstop stream of great vintages dating back for more than a decade, more than 2 decades in fact. Secondly, the wines produced in the area are custom made for our fall weather here in New England. As the weather cools and we start our yearly change over to roasted and stewed foods the pairings are perfect.
Finally, we've noticed another great trend that is being seen almost nowhere else in the world. Pricing is coming down! Just a few years ago the pricing for world class wines in almost every great wine producing area of the world was in the triple digit numbers and most have held it even through the tough economy. Now, I don't know if it was the plan or if the producers were seeing less movement of their wines but last year and this year we are seeing prices fall back in this region. It doesn't take $70+ to get a great Barolo anymore, in fact we are seeing some pretty good performers at around $35 and many of the single vineyard or reserva wines are running $45 to $65. There are also a good number of Barberas, Dolcettos and Nebbiolos from $10-$20 so these don't have to break the bank and you don't need an excuse or occasion to pop one open.

Want to know more about the region? Grab someone on the winestaff and we'll tell you all you want to know. We are all very excited about the new Masterpiece that we have all had a hand in building and we are really looking forward to sharing it with all of you! Ask questions and give a a chance to put a great bottle in your hand for the fall season.

-Cheers

Rediscover Bordeaux!

In today's wine market it seems as though many people overlook the once sought after wines of Bordeaux. Consumers default to California and other "new world" sourced cabernets. Quite often at the mere mention of Bordeaux, people assume they will have to drop big bucks in order to delve into the wines of the historic region. Little do people know there are great wines at reasonable prices. In addition, we are in the midst of 2 excellent vintages for bordeaux - 2009 & 2010. Here are a couple wines that are great finds:

2009 Lillian Ladouys, Saint-Estephe,(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot)- $29.99/bottle. This wine can hold it's own against most California cabernets of this price. It has wonderful density, a rich and complex taste, and persistent finish. This wines begs for a nice juicy sirloin steak!

2009 Cateau Du Pin,(80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) - $9.99/bottle. Wow!, for 10 bucks you get a really nice entry level bordeaux. This wine, unlike the the first one, sees no time in oak barrel. As a result you get a vibrant wine showing loads of ripe red fruit. You can certainly drink this wine with red meat, but it also can be served with poultry dishes due to the lighter style that it is made in.

What should also be noted is the inclusion of merlot in most bordeaux wines. After the release of the popular movie "Sideway's", merlot experienced a dramatic decrease in consumption due to the movies "slam" to that grape varietal. To an extent, it was helpful in the fact that it knocked some poorly made and over-produced wines out of the market. What is unfortunate is that many people have taken on this anti-merlot stance without having ever tried it. Keep in mind they have been using merlot in Bordeaux for hundreds of years, that alone is a testament to the value of the grape. It adds depth and complexity. In the movie sideways the lead character, Miles, indicates that his most cherished wine is a bordeaux called Cheval Blanc, which is made mostly with merlot! Quite frequently

when a customer asks for a "softer style" cabernet sauvignon I recommend a merlot and all too ofter the customer cringes at the mention of merlot.

Now that we are entering autumn please come in and try a bordeaux and PLEASE don't eliminate merlot from your wine experience without giving it a chance.

Cheers!

-Greg

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Sep 15

Your host will be Bonnie Nather of Eder Brothers.




Ponzi Pinot Gris 2011 $14.99
Fragrant with floral notes, lemony fruit and hints of apricot, this is a tangy, textural take on Pinot Gris. Fermented in stainless steel and released young, it retains a bright and stylish profile right through a lingering finish, with a touch of sweetness. 92 pts, Wine Enthusiast - Editors' Choice.

Sofia Rosé 2011 $17.99
A festive rosé, with a bright pink hue, bold spicy and floral aromas and lively raspberry and cherry flavors. Syrah and Grenache. 89 pts, Wine Spectator

Gary Farrell Russian River Chardonnay $29.99
Clean and refreshingly rich without being weighty, this white delivers a core of creamy pear and apple, with spice and floral touches, ending with a lively white peach aftertaste. Drink now through 2020. 93pts, Wine Spectator

Bichot Cotes de Nuits Villages 2009 $24.99
With a nose of red and black fruits, this Cotes de Nuits has great purity and precision. It shows more red berry fruits on the palate along with a rich earthiness and spice notes. The finish is round and long lasting.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Sep 14

Your host is Howley of City Steam Brewery.






Naughty Nurse $9.69/6pb
Sunset in color, brewed with a combination of pale and crystal malts, London yeast, and a variety of traditional English hops for a spicy, slightly bittersweet finish and a wonderful fruity and flowery aroma. 12.5 degrees P.

Blonde On Blonde $9.69/6pb
A beautiful, fragrant golden-amber STOCK ALE, which is akin to a very bitter, fragrant and filtered I.P.A. 15 degrees Plato. Loads of hops! Oh Mama!

Innocence Double IPA $11.69/6pb
City Steam’s traditional unfiltered, dry hopped INDIA PALE ALE. It is very bitter and very fragrant - a pure hop lover’s delight!

Another Slamming Pinot!

As most of you are aware, I am a huge fan of Oregon Pinot Noir. For some reason they offer much more structure and character than most California and French Pinots. Their rich and bright notes give way to an expressive finish that almost seems to melt away on your palate.
One of my favorite producers is Ken Wright. Ken has helped shaped Oregon's wine region into what it is today and has always been at the forefront in developing truly remarkable wines. His name has become synonomous with Oregon and its production of Pinot noir, The Robert Mondavi of the Willamette valley some would say.
At a winetasting dinner that the wine staff at Harry's went to earlier in the year,we were introduced to a wine Called "Angela", An Oregon Pinot Noir from Clawson creek in Yamhill. I had not heard of this wine until then so my interest was peaked immediately. As I gained more knowlegde about this wine I came to find out that Ken Wright is the winemaker which probably explains why I feel strongly about this wine. On the nose this wine offers hints of dark red berries and a hint of orange. Upon taking the first sip the wine explodes onto your palate with touches of ripe cherry and raspberry that gives way to a soft lingering and refined tannic finish. A truley great expression of what Oregon has to offer.

Stop in and grab a bottle while you can because supplies are limited and I can assure you that you will not find this wine at other Ct. stores.

Angela Pinot Noir 2009 - $44.99

Chris OB

More press about this wine and its story...

2009 Angela Clawson Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
The story starts with friends of Ken Wright. They bought a prime locale for a world-class vineyard, had Ken’s vineyard manager plant it with the best clones and every bell and whistle that you could possibly imagine. Quite literally, no expense has been spared. Once the vineyard came into production, Ken stepped in and made the wine for them. That’s right, none other than Mr. Wright himself! If anyone remembers an “Angela” Pinot Noir produced in 2005 under the Ken Wright Cellar label, it was something that garnered incredible acclaim and sold out in a blink of an eye. That wine was the precursor to this wine, 2009 Angela Clawson Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Aromatics are intense with a pretty perfume of lavender, violets and fresh farm stand cherries. On the palate, a silky smooth mouth feel leads the way to fresh, lively fruit that finishes bright with lingering complexity.

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Sep 8

Your host is Gino Pisani of Angelini Wine. If you have never met Gino, you are missing out on quite a character. He adds fun and energy to any room he enters and his lively personality is infectious. We love to have him in for just that reason.

A couple of warnings... After tasting wine with Gino you will probably have a nickname (which by the way he will remember the next time he sees you), He will make you smile and perhaps laugh out loud, He will make a guess as to your heritage (likely the wrong guess unless you happen to be Austrian or Swiss, he likes those two). Stop in taste some wine and let Gino work his magic on you.

Finca El Origen Torrontes 2011 $10.99
Varietal: 100% Torrontés Riojano
Color: Straw yellow and pale green background
Bouquet: Fruity and floral aromas with a touch of citrus, resulting in a harmonious balance. Some fine balsamic notes and hints of eucalyptus and straw
Taste: Clean and balanced with a pleasant bitter finish

La Battistina Gavi 2011 $14.99
Varietal: 100% Cortese di Gavi
Color: Lively straw yellow
Bouquet: Delicate and smooth with the pleasant, fruity scents of ripe pears and nuances of peach Taste: It is rich with flavors of pears and peaches, zingy acidity, mineral notes and an immensely long finish

Piazzo Barbera 2010 $9.99
Varietal: 100% Barbera
Color: Intense, ruby red with garnet reflections
Bouquet: A combination of roses, jam, blackberies, and a touch of oak
Taste: Well rounded red and dark fruits with a jammy cinnamon note and firm tannins

Angelini Moscato N.V. $9.99
Varietal: 100% Moscato
Color: Bright straw yellow with lively effervescence
Bouquet: Tropical fruits and pears
Taste: Perfect balance of sweet white peaches and pineapple with a clean finish

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Sep 7

host will be the rep from Narragansett.

Narragansett Fest Lager $8.99/6pc 16oz
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.

Septemberfest?!

My oh my, the times they are a changin'!

This past summer was the season of the can in the world of craft brews. It seemed like everyone was on board as Renzo rolled out the new craft beer in cans section where you could build your own case by mixing and matching from a couple of dozen choices in order to customize your own craft brew case and it really went over well with our customers. Picnics, boating and back yard BBQ's had a new look! It was all about choice this summer, no longer were our beer friends getting a keg of Bud or Coors Light, Instead stacks of craft beers in cans were rolling out the door to fill the tubs and coolers. All to the delight of our Beer Maven, Renzo.
Now, as we switch gears again and Labor day has past signaling the end of summer, Renzo has turned his eye toward Harvest, Pumpkin and "Fest" beers. Every year it seems like the selection grows and the timing of their arrival is earlier. When he had stuff rolling through the door before Labor day I was really surprised and was trying to pull the reigns a bit so that we could officially close summer out before the pumpkin beers hit the shelves but this guy can't be tamed and he kept the supply building in the back store room until I had to relent and let him start building his newest masterpiece.

So, gone are the lighter summerfest beers and in are the Octobrefest and Pumpkin beers. Just a few years ago we might have had 2 or 3 Pumpkin and 6 or 8 octoberfest selections but already the selection has passed that and more seem to be coming in everyday. Just like our Rosè section has grown by leaps and bounds in the summer, so too has the seasonal brew section from the craft beer producers. Every season we are offered more and more selection and the job of wading through and choosing the best products keeps us very busy (Renzo that is). my latest count is showing nearly 20 Pumpkin/Harvest selections and a similar count for Oktoberfest/Fest choices. Keeping it all staight will be a fun challenge this fall.

Many of these beers will be the order as the crisp autumn air moves in to Connecticut and the foliage brightens our trees. The kids have gone back to school and the lawn chairs and Grills are being put back in the garage as we redecorate our lawns with Mums and scarecrows in anticipation of the upcoming season. Fear not fellow New Englanders the outdoor fun will continue on and that crisp air seems to be holding off for now. Remember the Harbor brewfest as you are making your plans in the upcoming weeks. Get your tickets for the September 22nd event here at Harry's and you'l pay just $30.

Special Tito's Vodka tasting for Labor Day Weekend 4pm-7pm today

Over the past few years Tito's has really climbed to the top of the premium Vodka market scoring very well in blind tastings as compared to many of the other top sellers. If you don't know the deal with it let us fill you in...
First of all it is made in Austin Texas by a guy named Tito! He started distilling it for family and friends are the holidays as gifts while he did his "real" job which was a mortgage lender at the time. He actually went to college and graduated with a degree in Geology and did some drilling for awhile but like many people decided he didn't like it and changed paths. He was sort of a reluctant success story since he never really fancied himself a distiller. It was at a party somewhere that one of the guests came to him and said, 'Hey you're the Vodka guy' and that started him thinking about actually being a Vodka guy and doing for real.

Great American success story and a very good product.

To top off this great tasting we are going to bring the price all the way down.

So, suggested retail is $37.99 1.75ltr.

We have it on sale at the moment for $31.99

from 4pm-7pm today we will have it on for $29.99!

Some fun recipes here:
http://titosvodka.com/blog/category/recipes/

Wine Tasting 1-4pm Saturday, Sep 1

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

Anne Pichon "Gris Montagne" Rosé 2011 $22.99 1.5 Liter
Composed of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, this is a light, elegant rose with a delicate floral nose leading to vibrant berry notes on the palate. A subtle spiciness emerges on the refreshing finish.

Hecht & Bannier Languedoc White 2011 $15.99
The Picpoul Blanc brings this crunchy and vivid character, which, blended with the Roussanne citrus fruits and white flowers notes, complete perfectly the aromatic pallet and give us a delightful volume in mouth. Roussanne: 50%, Picpoul Blanc: 50%

Senorio de Espiga Rioja 2011 $6.99
This reasonably priced Rioja makes for an ideal summertime red that not only serves up well on its own, but will accompany the simple comforts of pizza, hamburger or grilled chicken. Senerio De Espiga’s black and red fruit provides a purely ideal expression of young and succulent Tempranillo. The wine is silky textured with subtle tannin.

Calicanto 2010 $19.99
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Carmenere (21%), Cabernet Franc (14%), and Syrah (4%). Big traditional Bordeaux style blend with a dash of syrah. Dusty cassis and cherries fade into spice box with hints of tobacco and earth carrying through the long finish.

And while you are here...

Enter to win a Heineken i-pod tower with an i-pod shuffle.
Fill out a free ticket and enter to win!
Drawing to be held at 7:00pm today.