Saturday, April 26, 2014

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, April 26


Your host is Gino Pisani of Angelini Wines.

Apaltagua Carmenere Reserva 2012        $12.99
Dark fruit aromas carry the bouquet, which is compact and clean. Shows good texture and acidity to support herbal and traditional flavors of blackberry, plum and fig.

Zanatta Cannonau 2011                          $14.99
A medium-bodied red with foresty, earthy aromas and hints of violets. On the palate are blackberry and herbs and a nice long finish.

Shannon Ridge Chardonnay 2012          $13.99
This is an elegant multi-layered wine with great complexity.  It shows light tropical and vanilla notes that grace the nose and palate of this flavorful Chardonnay.

Angelini Pinot Grigio 2013                       $9.99
A soft, well balanced and dry white wine with flavors of tropical fruit and a clear, fresh finish; hinting of white peaches

Friday, April 25, 2014

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, April 25

Your host is Collin from Down East Cider.
 
Apple                   $8.49/4pc
Original Blend is the Auerbach to our Celtics, the Satisfaction to our Stones, the Agent K to our Men In Black, our foundation. From its humble beginnings in the basement of a Bates College dormitory, Original Blend is the result of hundreds of test batches aimed at crafting the best damn hard cider you've ever tasted. Original Blend is made from freshly pressed local apples because we not only believe in high quality cider, we believe in America. We use a secret blend of Red Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, and Gala apples, and NEVER add concentrate, artificial flavors or sweeteners. Original Blend is the way cider should be.

Cranberry  $8.49/4pc
A lot of cranberries grow in Massachusetts and an unnamed member of Downeast Cider has an affinity for them, dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and most of all, Cranberry Blend. This interesting twist on Original Blend won't make your lips pucker but will bring a smile.

Wine School hits the road (again)

A couple years ago William took a group out to Long Island on a winery tour that we called "William's Magical Mystery Tour" which was named after his very popular summer class at Harry's Wine School. It was a sellout and on a perfect summer day he led the group on a tour the lasted from the morning on into the evening and featured lots of wine, good food, and a terrific group of people that had a equally wonderful time.

Since that time we have wanted to expand on the idea and take a group abroad for an amazing experience in another wine region. We are regularly invited by Vineyard owners and Winemakers to visit them "if you are ever in the area" and on a couple of occasions we have had the good fortune of being able to take them up on the offer. Each time one of us does this kind of trip, we talk about the idea of bringing some of our wine calss students or interested customers along for the unique experience.

Last summer William stopped talking about it and started planning it!

On Sunday May 11, 2013 a group of interested folks will join Patrick and Jan along with good friend and wine tour specialist Vin Marottoli (Winelovers Tours) on a trip to and through Tuscany Italy. Many of the invitations to visit and taste wine with some of our favorite producers have been accepted, the times are set and along the way we have a few surprises planned. This trip will pack lots of wine, food and sites along the way and it will leave all of us with memories that are sure to be repeated to the people we meet in our future time and again for the rest of our lives. Can't wait!

Everyone will be able to follow along on our blog and Facebook page as we report back to our friends and family via the net.

If it all sounds great and you wish that you had joined our group but were unable to find the time or afford the trip, fear not, there is already talk about the "next" tour.

Ah, spring in Tuscany... in my mind I can see it already.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Craft Whiskey Class - The CONNtucky Derby Weekend Kickoff


CONNtucky Derby Craft Bourbon Class

Last year Heather Prost, Sazerak Portfolio Brand Manager, helped us to “Understand Pappy” and guided us through their craft Bourbons. The students were able to learn the Julienne "Pappy" VanWinkle story and a whole lot more about the secretive and booming world of craft Bourbon. 
Since that time we have been asked time and again to get her back in here and give some other people a chance to taste some of these legendary Whiskeys. We've reached out and with a bit of prodding, we were able to get her to commit to visiting us again.
 Wednesday April 30th, just in time for the 2014 run for the roses, she is back! We will start our evening with a traditional Mint Julep made from Buffalo Trace Bourbon to wet our palates then it is on to an evening of tasting rare and hard to find Bourbons and even a Rye or two along the way. Just like last year Pappy will make an appearance and we will also dig into our personal stash and break out some other impossible to find items from the legendary portfolio including one of Heathers personal favorites.

Intrigued?

We are taking just the first 20 responders so act quickly. Here are the details…

Menu:  Pappy VanWinkle, George T. Stagg Jr., E.H. Taylor, Elmer T. Lee, Blanton's, Sazerak, more...

Where: Harry’s Wine & Liquor 
When: Wednesday April 30th 2014
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: $30.00 per person
Reservation: Call Jan or Patrick (203)259-4692 or email harrys@snet.net

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, April 19

Your host is Emily Welch of 55 Degrees Distribution.

Pasquale Pelissero Barbaresco 2010                   $26.99
Mid ruby with orange tinges showing herbal notes and a touch of classic minerality. This wine is compact and will show its potential from 2015 to 2024.  Jancis Robinson Purple Pages, 15.5/20 pts  This estate is a member of a newly formed consortium of Langhe producers called "Biotipicita," founded by producers who all adhere to the "lotta integrata," an Italian regulation governing sustainable farming methods.

Bodegas Farina Spanish Sons Toro 2010                   $13.99
Bright cherry and dark berry fruit aromas along with licorice and vanilla.  On the palate are subtle notes of violet. This wine is medium bodied and versatile.   Its soft tannins make it a great every day drinker

Charles Gonnet Chignin Savoie 2012                $15.99
With an incredibly clear color, this gem from the French Alps near the Swiss border is very pure, showing a melon rind edge to the green almond and light pear notes with a refreshing finish.  100% Jacquere grape.   Importer’s Notes

Jean-Max Roger Sancerre Rouge 2009             $24.99
Our red Sancerre cuvée is produced from grapes grown on the estate’s oldest vines. The wine is aged in barrels for a minimum of 12 months to give the wine more intense concentration, a more complex structure and more focused tannins. It is the perfect accompaniment to red meats and game and may be cellared for 10 years or more.  100% Pinot Noir.   Winemaker’s Notes

Friday, April 18, 2014

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, April 18

Aside from our regular Friday night beer tasting, Renzo has raided his own personal stash at will be pouring a vertical of the Bershire Brewery's 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013 Barley wines to help kick off the spring in style. We are opening these four very special and rare Barley wines at 6:00pm sharp and serving them on a first come first serve basis.

We will have a limited amount of each to sell so come down and taste through with us on this rare opportunity. 

Your weekend just got better!

On our regular Friday night beer tasting, Your host will be Amy pouring Berkshire Beer Company.
 
Raspberry Barley Wine        $5.99/22oz
Full bodied with an amber/ruby hue. The ruby color is achieved from using a 1/2lb. of fresh raspberries per gallon of beer. This seasonal has a rich malty character with balanced hop bitterness and finishes with a potent berry taste.

Lost Sailor                              $3.99/22oz
A medium bodied India Pale Ale, dry hopped to provide a very pleasing flora, citrus aroma. Well balanced between malty sweetness and hop bitterness. A very thirst quenching IPA.

Steel Rail                                 $3.99/22oz
A light colored, medium bodied, full flavored American style Ale. Steel Rail E.P.A. is our flagship product that has a full malt flavor and is balanced with a pronounced hop flavor and bitterness.

Traditional                             $3.99/22oz
A traditional pale ale with a deep copper color, a caramel/malt flavor and a rich hop aroma and flavor.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, April 12

Winemaker/Owner Fred Peterson is signing bottles & discussing his wines.
Fred is an environmentally friendly minded man that creates unique and delicious wines on his estate in Healdsburg California. He is passionate about his approach to wine making and an engaging personality. Stop by between 1-4pm on this beautiful Saturday and get a bottle signed as Fred helps us to introduce spring 2014 in Ct.
  
Timber Crest Farms Sauvignon Blanc 2012     $19.99
A blend of tropical fruit and citrus with just a trace of grassiness offers up tempting aromas. The creamy, almost silken texture, balanced with refreshing acidity, reveals a delicious mix of lemon, pineapple, lychee, guava and other tropical fruit with a hint of white floral in the finish. Easy to sip poolside or when gathered with friends.  Winemaker’s Notes

Peterson Zero Manipulation 2011                     $17.99
Zero is a Rhone-style blend, built on the strong structure of old-vine Carignane, with small percentages of other varietals. It's easy-to-drink with clean vibrant fruit aromas and flavors, and has just enough structure to make it interesting without needing cellar aging.  Carignane 57%, Grenache 24%, Syrah 19%.     Winemaker’s Notes

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2011                      $22.99
Though all of our Zinfandels are made from Dry Creek Valley grapes, our Dry Creek Zinfandel is a wine that we hope reflects the overall Dry Creek Valley terroir. The intense blackberry aromas blend with subtle black pepper and a touch of earthiness. Food friendly and full bodied, this is Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel as it should be.

Donna Bella Tollini Vineyard Rosé 2013                      $16.99
Refreshing, crisp, and floral, this classic pink wine is from the Tollini Vineyard in Redwood Valley to the North. Cofermenting Grenache, Carignane, and Petite Sirah cold and slow in stainless steel helps create a lovely wine perfect for warmer weather or lighter fare

Friday, April 11, 2014

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, April 11th

Your host is Marcus from Captain Lawrence Brewing


750ml $10.99


12pk btl &17.99


6pk btl $9.29


4pk btl $12.49

Why Rye? Good question...

I have to say that you, our customers, are inspirational.

How is that for a start for a blog post?

It may seem like pandering but I assure you that it is not. I/we are regularly impressed by the insightful questions that we get from our customer base. Some of those questions are well framed and challenging, they are asked by people with a long history in this world that we work in and are asked about very specific subject lines that test our most experienced staff members with their difficulty to answer, while others are simply two or three word questions.

This past week I had one such moment when a very simple two word question that was asked in complete innocence provided and answer and then a conversation that lasted quite some time. I was working with a customer in our Bourbon section and we were talking about the resurrgence of the classic cocktails that we have all been reading and blogging so much about. During the conversation this customer told me that he was using Bulleit Bourbon to mix up his Manhattan's and wanted to know if I had another suggestion for a "mixing" Bourbon that might be good for his purposes. My answer seemed simple enough, since he was using their Bourbon, I suggested trying their Rye.

His response... Why Rye?

The conversation evolved.

Bourbon is primarily corn I told him. Bourbon is sweet, Sweet Vermouth is sweet, and Maraschino Cherries are sweet I told him. Bitters are obviously bitter and so is the Orange twist. Sweet and bitter offset eachother and each balances the other which is why thay are so good but there is another component to Bourbon that is also complimentary and that is Rye which is spicey. The Spiciness of Rye adds another dimesion that adds further interest to the cocktail.

Bulleit Bourbon is actually a favorite mixer for Bourbon based cocktails for just that reason. The truth (as I see it) is that many bourbons are a bit too sweet and caramelly with all of the other sweet stuff going on. Rye is a flip flop of Bourbon. Rye is primarily Rye and corn is a secondary component and that makes it more spicey and less sweet. Most mixologists agree that the same classic cocktails do better with Rye than Bourbon and my experience is that our customers that take the suggestion to go that route usually continue down that road.

Other topics we discussed that day included the other items used in the making of his new favorite cocktail.

Sweet Vermouth- Suggestions for one that is better that Martini & Rossi. Lots to talk about here too but to make it as simple as possible... Carpano Antico. Expensive but worth every penny. Punt e Mes (same producer and bit less expensive), Contrato, and Martinez Lucuesta, are other great choices and each is a bit different.

Maraschino Cherries- Luxardo are undoubtably the best in their category, "life changing" was a descriptor one customer used. Bada Bing is another great choice and less expensive than Luxardo.

A last thought. I had one customer tell me that he was purchasing a bottle of Jefferson's 25 year Rye to make his cocktail even better. This is a very expensive cocktail and sometimes the best intentions can have an adverse effect. The truth is that the Rye in this case is a very special opportunity to have and taste a very unique and highly prized Whiskey. It is my opinion that the only thing that this particular rye needs is a cool evening, a good sipping glass and perhaps a single ice cube. If you want to add your favorite cigar to the mix and/or a friend who is a good conversationalist and taster, it might aslo enhance the evening but neither is required.

Sometimes you can have the best intention and actually work against your goal of the perfect cocktail. We have a large number of great "component" Whiskeys to choose from, just grab one of our staff and we'll help to find the right one for you.

-Cheers


Saturday, April 5, 2014

Wine Tasting Saturday April 5, 1:00pm - 4:00pm & Saying Goodbye :(



 Today, Saturday April 5th, 2012, marks Gregory Woods last day of employment with Harry's Wine & Liquor Market. 

Saying Goodbye to (Uncle) Greg is not an easy thing to do, he has been a well liked wine staff member and a manager for this store since beginning his employment with us in 2010. Simply put, Greg has been a pleasure to have on staff and we were lucky to have him as long as we did. 

Now it is time for him to graduate from our ranks and step in to the next chapter of his professional career. Although his palate, good nature and hard work will be missed by all of us but we could not be happier for him as he gets a great opportunity that we can say with confidence, he has most assuredly earned. Greg is moving on to be a Manager and Buyer at 109 Cheese & Wine  in Ridgefield just down the road from his home. In our humble opinion, this store is very fortunate to be getting such a strong employee and will benefit greatly from his presence. 

Sometimes things just work right for someone and their life and in this case we believe that the move that he is making is good for everyone involved (maybe not so good for us). He will now be part of our graduated class and we are proud to say that he will always be a part of our history and alumni. 

If you have an opportunity today, please stop by and say goodbye and offer him well wishes and great success. He will be working until 4:00pm and I am sure he would appreciate it.


Barkan Merlot Argaman 2010            $11.99
The Merlot Argaman is a robust wine with depth, body and tannins, a combination of the character of Argaman and of Merlot. The wine is uniquely Israeli and goes well with a Mediterranean cuisine.

Barkan Pinot Noir 2012                                  $11.99
The wine is marked by soft, yet palpable tannin, with a fresh almost strawberry aroma with hints of black cherries and mint. Its medium body and crisp finish goes well with grilled salmon or veal, and is best served at a cool room temperature.

Bartenura Pinot Grigio 2012               $16.99
Well-balanced, dry with pear and honeysuckle flavors and a fresh clean finish.

Teal Lake Shiraz 2012                                    $12.99
Vibrant red in color, with very purple hues. This premium Australian Shiraz shows an intensely spicy, fragrant bouquet together with stylishly elegant berry fruit flavors on the palate.