Saturday, July 26, 2014

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, July 26

Your host is Spencer Hess of Village Wine Imports.  


Coeur Esterelle Rosé 2013               $13.99
A perfect Provence rose.  It is crisp and refreshing with classic cherry and strawberry flavors that all finish with a touch of spice.  Sip on this all summer long!

VRAC Macon 2013                         $10.99
From the village of Macon in Burgundy, France comes this quite quaffable Chardonnay with no wood.   It is a crisp, medium-bodied white wine with notes of citrus and spice.

VRAC Beaujolais 2013                   $11.99
This may well become your go-to summer red wine.  Light bodied, crisp and clean, with juicy notes of strawberry and pomegranate. Chill it slightly and enjoy with everything from the grill.

Chavy Saint Aubin 2011                 $29.99
On the nose are citrus, floral and white fruit aromas.  These lead to distinctly stony medium-bodied flavors where the citrus element is reprised.  This wine is balanced and complex with a lingering finish where the barest trace of wood can be discerned.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jul 25

Your host is Karl of Thomas Hooker Brewery.


Blonde                  $9.29/6pb
Smooth flavor with a subtle malt sweetness accented with the delicate aroma of Czech hops. This brilliant gold ale is a mellow but flavorful microbrew.

IPA                      $9.29/6pb
A blend of cascade, centennial and zythos hops give this beer a citrus aroma and piney finish. Balanced but complex, this beer is a refreshing brew.

Munich Lager     $9.29/6pb
A true Helles style, our lager is golden in color with a pleasant, malty aroma balanced by a rich, smooth flavor. Using only the finest Bavarian malts and finished with Saaz hops, one sip will make you feel like you're in one of Germany's finest beer gardens.

Watermelon                  $9.29/6pb
The light and crisp Ale has a hint of watermelon essence resulting in a very refreshing thirst quenching brew. Our Watermelon Ale is sure to please a variety of palates lending itself to being the perfect summer treat.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Eclectic, Eccentric, & that unforgettable smile! A memorable night...

De Dolle Brouwers
"The Mad Brewers"

                
              Have you ever wondered what your Harry’s beer crew does on their spare time?  Besides researching and tasting amazing beers for our own pleasure. We scour the area for local breweries that rival established overseas breweries.  That exploration ensures our shelves are jam packed with the finest and tastiest beers for your delight.   

           This past Wednesday Renzo and I drove up to OEC Brewing in Oxford Connecticut.  OEC presented an intimate evening with Kris Hertleer of De Dolle Brouwers from Esen, Belgium.  Kris Hertleer is the owner and brewer of De Dolle and a highly animated man.  As with most individuals in the beer world, you have to possess a certain level of crazy and passion.  Kris has ample amounts of said qualities, and it was a complete joy to be in his presence.  A perfect example would be his passport picture.  On numerous occasions, he is stopped at the customs counter because the agent believes his passport to be a fraud or a joke.  His photo consists of an ear-to-ear grin while wearing a red bowtie with white hearts that surpasses his smile by 4 inches on both sides.  Some would say clownish, I say, pure class with a dash of merriment, as shown by the hearts. I wish I had taken a picture of it to show my readers.  While at the counter, the agent inquires about the authenticity of the passport and Kris asks why it has been mistaken to be a fraud.  After a few minutes of deliberation, Kris reaches into his carry-on bag, retrieves the same bowtie from his picture, and commences to put it on.  His signature smile is next to be put on to await the laughter and stamp of approval from the border agent.  I could not imagine pulling off the same stunt.  As I said, brewers need a small amount of crazy. 

                 
           Kris brought six of his beers; Arabier, Oerbier, Boskeun, Export Stout, Stille Nacht 2008, and Stille Nacht 2013.  Currently at Harry’s, we carry Arabier, Oerbier, Boskeum, and Export Stout.  We will carry the seasonal winter, Stille Nacht “Silent Night” later this year.   It was a treat to try the ’08 and ’13 Stille Nacht in one setting.  Age has done wonders for the ’08 as it had an oak and maple nose, with licorice up front that finished huge in smoked oak.  It reminded a few of us as a barley wine.  The ’13 had a berry and floral nose, and a spicy taste that lead way to medium alcohol heat.  The ’08 was the winner but it was old in a good way, not past its prime, but old.  I think the ’10 would taste best right now.  


The Oerbier has great tartness and masks the 9.0% ABV.  The Oerbier label has been something   Kris let us in on another cool fact about one of De Dolle’s icons.  You can find it on this label.  It is Kris’s vision of what his yeast cells would look like.  The yeast cell is holding a brewers fork in its right hand and beer in its left.  It symbolizes the science and hard work that comes together to produce their beer.  The 1980 on its sash marks the end of the decline of breweries and the resurgence of new breweries as well Oerbiers birth. 
I have always overlooked.




Arabier was interesting as it brought out my wine side taste buds.  It tasted like pears with the slightest hint of Riesling.  A very complex beer that has some spice and earthiness. 
 





 

The next beer is the Easter release, Boskeun.  The name means “rabbit of the wood” and the label displays a   It is complex, yet light on the mouth.  There are many contrasting flavors giving it much depth.  It starts with peanut and caramel giving way to pepper and yeast. 
rabbit relaxing in the spring with a beer.






The last beer is the Special Extra Export Stout.  The nose brings dark fruit like prunes and figs with some cocoa nibs.  The taste is fruity, dark, and tart, which I like in a beer. 

                Overall, the night was filled with great beer and people.  This was my first introduction to OEC Brewery and their beers.  I was completely blown away by their creations and was more than happy to be there.  I would say they rival many overseas breweries and we are lucky to have OEC in our backyard.  I will do a follow up on OEC’s beers another day, for today it is all about De Dolle.  

- By Billy Sanchez

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Buoncello Tasting July 19th 4pm-7pm

Family owned and Locally made in Bethel Ct.
http://www.buoncello.com/

Lemon Cream $25.99
Take a sip of this classic flavor while you close your eyes and become fully immersed in the aroma of the lemons. It will be sure to immediately take you to the sunny Amalfi coastline on the deep blue Mediterranean. The silky, cream-like texture will leave you refreshingly satisfied.

Orange Pineapple $25.99
This twist on the Orange flavor combines orange zest with fragrant fresh pineapple to create an irresistible varietal of BuonCello

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, July 19

Your host is Monica McCall of Martin Scott Wines.  


Houchart Rosé 2013                                  $13.99
Domaine Houchart is one of the top estates in the Sainte-Victoire. This ripe while deliciously fruity and fresh wine is full of raspberries, ripe red currants and a refreshing line of acidity. Editors' Choice, Wine Enthusiast, 90 pts

Valentin Bianchi Elsa Torrontes 2013     $10.99
The 2013 Elsa Bianchi Torrontes has a complex nose and fruity palate. The wine has well-integrated scents of grapefruit, spice, orange blossom and apple are apparent. On the palate, one immediately enjoys the crisp, refreshing mouthfeel with flavors similar to the aromas and a clean, bright finish.  Importer’s Notes

Tavignano Verdicchio 2012                      $12.99
Straw yellow in color, this wine offers typical varietal notes of fresh fruit, green apple and tropical fruit, brush flowers and hay with a slightly bitter aftertaste of almonds.

Courteillac Bordeaux Rouge 2010           $21.99
Nice and dark color. The attack is round, full and very fruity. The wine is dense, rich, complex and exuberant, with a very sweet, harmonious and unctuous finish. Character a little non typical of the usual style of the property.  70 % merlot, 10 % cabernet franc, 20 % cabernet-sauvignon.  Winemaker’s Notes

PRESSE :

 Bernard BUTSCHY – Le Figaro – The best vintage ever produced...

Bettanne & Desseauve : Very nice wine, intense and elegant, with the superb freshness of a very pure fruit. Highly recommended 16/20.
 
Robert PARKER – The Wine Advocate : 87/88 sleeper of the vintage.

LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE, Spécial Millésime 2010 :
Among the great success of the vintage.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Pour me, pour, pour me... From way up high - Txakoli!

I was recently reading an article by Luis Gutiérrez, wine critic for Robert Parker, which talked about the Txakoli or Txakolina (pronounced Chacoli) wine that is found in northern Spain in and around San Sebastian and Bilbao. 

Txakoli is a slightly sparkling, high acid wine that is served in virtually every Tapas bar in the region. Its low alcohol and high acidity make a perfect pairing for the foods of the Basque region. Aynone that has had the opportunity to visit the area will remember a few things. First and foremost, the FOOD! Each Tapas bar has a signature item on their bar along with perhaps a few dozen other selections. A tapas crawl, as they are called, can take up much of your night as you and your group meander from one bar to the next enjoying the delicacies that each new place offers.

The constant at each of these bars are two things. First, the quality and diversity of snacks is top notch at every stop. There is an unspoken competition for innovative and delicious foods that vary at each stop. Many of the foods look the same and even taste similarly but each house has a slightly different spin on the recipe it seems. 

Second, and perhaps most consistant is the wine called TXAKOLI! 


If its your first visit you will be immediately taken by the strange way they pour this unique wine (See pictures). The men and women behind the bar are all pouring this unique wine from way up above their heads and the glass that they are pouring it into is down there on the bar or they are holding it down next to his or her waist?! "What is going on here" you might ask yourself.

Why aren't they pouring this into the glass the way the rest of the world does? 

Is it some sort of a show? Are they supposed to be imitating Tom Cruise from the movie "Cocktail"?

What is all the pageantry about? It all seems so purposeful...

And what is that little plastic thing at the top of the bottle?

The truth is that there is alot happening here so we'll let you in on all of it.

The reason that it is being poured from so high up is undoubtably in part for the show and pageantry of it. Many of the men and women that serve their guests have a bit of a show that comes along with the glass of wine. I have seen it poured from up as high as the server could reach into a glass all the way down on the floor, Behind the back, Glass by the hip and the bottle drawn away from it like he was unholstering a sword, and as simple as a foot or two above the bar and straight down into the glass. Some of it is the show.


The purpose is the same no matter which way it is poured however and that is to force air into the wine and create a light froth on top. It sort of wakes the wine up and makes it snappy. Generally the size of the pour is just a couple of ounces and is just enough for one or two Tapas before contiuing your crawl. The wine is perfect for food as the acidity and the bubbles in the wine cleanses your palate for the next taste and keeps it refreshed by continually refreshing it. The low alcohol means that on a long Tapas crawl, you are not actually crawling back to your room at the end of the night two sheets to the wind.

Summer is a great time to experience this wine for many of these reasons. Lighter, smaller foods as we congregate in the back yard or on the patio. Foods coming off of the grill and evenings spent with friends socializing. We are not all as experienced as the servers in San Sebastian so as we learn the correct pouring technique, a little spill on the grass or the patio is less a faux pas. 

Give it a try and wow your friends with this fun wine and its uniqueness while the weather is right and people are gathering to eat, drink and socialize.

-Cheers



Ps. That thing at the top of the bottle... A pourer. It helps to control the flow and keeps the messiness under control. 

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Pitu Cachaça Tasting Saturday July 12th 2pm-5pm

The Caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil. Originally known as the peasant's drink, it found its way into the capital cities of Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and from there to the most stylish bars and restaurants all over the world. With Pitú, you will make the very best Caipirinhas and other fruit cocktails:
(scroll down to see more drinks)

PITÚ BRAZILIAN CAIPIRINHA

One-half lime
2 tsp. granulated or bar sugar
Crushed ice
2 oz. Pitú Cachaça
Garnish with slice of lime
Cut lime into small pieces and place in an old-fashioned glass. Add sugar. Muddle lime and sugar with a pestle or spoon. Fill glass with ice. Add Pitú. Put contents in shaker, shake well, return contents to glass and serve.
THE BRAZILIAN PINEAPPLE

4 oz. Pitú Cachaça
2 oz. Pineapple juice
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons simple syrup
1 cup crushed ice
2 pineapple wedges (garnish)


Combine Pitú cachaça, pineapple juice, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a cocktail glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge. Makes 2 servings.

THE BRAZILIAN ORANGE
1 oz. Pitú Cachaça.
Fresh orange juice
Orange slice for garnish
Put ice in tall glass. Add 1 oz. Pitú Cachaça. Fill with fresh orange juice. Stir and garnish with orange slice.
THE BRAZILIAN MARGARITA
(Cacharita)

1-1/2 ounces Pitú Cachaça
1-1/2 ounces Triple Sec
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
Put ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

THE BRAZILIAN BLOODY MARY

2 oz. Pitú Cachaça
4 oz. Tomato juice
½ oz. Lime juice (1 tablespoon)
½ oz. Lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon Horseradish
½ teaspoon Lea & Perrins worchestershire sauce
Pinch Cumin (if available)
Pinch Kosher salt
Fill cocktail shaker three-quarters full with ice. Add all ingredients, cover, and shake well. Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
THE BRAZILIAN COLA

1-1/2 oz. Pitú Cachaça
Coca Cola©
Ice cubes
Fill a 10 oz. glass with ice cubes. Add Pitú. Pour at least 4 oz. Coca Cola©. Stir and serve with a slice of lime.

THE BRAZILIAN BULL

2 oz. Pitú Cachaça
Red Bull© (or other energy drink)
Lemon or Lime wedge
Ice cubes
Ice a tall glass, add 2 oz. Pitú, fill with Red Bull or your favorite energy drink. Garnish with wedge of lemon or lime.
THE SPIDER FROM IPANEMA

2 ounces Pitú Cachaça
1 ounce Grand Marnier
Splash white creme de menthe
6 ounces fresh apple cider
Apple slice and sugarcane swizzle-stick garnishes
Combine all of the ingredients in a 14-ounce highball glass filled with ice. Stir and garnish with slice of apple and a sugarcane swizzle stick.

PASSION-FRUIT CAIPIRINHA
(Makes 1 drink)

1/4 fresh lime, cut into 4 pieces
2 teaspoons superfine granulated sugar
3 oz. (6 tablespoons) pure passion fruit juice
1-1/2 oz. (3 tablespoons) Pitú cachaça
Add lime wedges and sugar to an 8 oz. short glass and muddle with a pestle or spoon until sugar is dissolved. Fill glass with ice and add passion fruit juice and Pitú. Stir well and serve.
BRAZILIAN MOJITO
(Makes 1 drink)

10 Fresh mint leaves
2 oz. Pitú cachaça
1-1/2 oz. Fresh lime juice
1 tsp. Simple syrup
Club soda
Muddle mint in glass, add Pitu, simple syrup, and lime juice. Half fill glass with crushed ice. Stir with bar spoon, add more ice and club soda, and stir again. Garnish with mint leaves and serve with straws.

CAFE A LA RIO

1-1/4 oz. Pitú 3/4 oz. Kaluha Coffee Liqueur
1 oz. Illy Express (cold)
3 dashes Fees Orange Bitters
Sweet whipping cream

***YOU WILL NEED 2 SHAKERS***
In the first shaker, add all ingredients (except the whipping cream) with cracked ice, shake well and strain into a martini glass.

In the second shaker, add only the sweet whipping cream (no ice) and shake vigorously to add air, but no so much that it is too thick to pour.
*** by adding air the cream will float***
Carefully, starting on the outside of the glass, slowly pour the cream over the drink, circling around until the center.
Garnish with a sprinkle of ground coffee.

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, July 12

Your host is Tim Huminski of Best Valley Wines. 
 
50 Vendimias Rosé 2013           $9.99
This wine is full of bright red fruits with refreshing aromas of strawberries and raspberries.  The minerality provides good balance with great acidity.

Kremser Weinzierl Gruner Veltliner 2013         $11.99   1L
Fresh and fruity with aromas reminiscent of white currant, citrus fruits and white pepper.  On the palate are notes of  apricot and apple on the clean, crisp finish.

Chateau Lamothe White Bordeaux 2013          $14.99
Sauvignon Blanc (40%), Sémillon (40%), and Muscadelle (20%).
Color: gold with green highlights
Bouquet: floral aromas and fruity aromas (hawthorn, grape fruit).
Palate: round and fresh, slightly pearly wine. Crispy and long finish

Baron de Funes Red 2012                                  $7.99
Medium-bodied and dry. Deeply colored in the glass with aromas of ripe brambleberry fruit and a hint of pepper. The palate is dense and rich with black fruit and smooth tannin.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Jul 11

Your host is Nicole from Beaver Beer Company

Big Red                $9.49/6pb
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".

Blonde                  $9.49/6pb
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            $9.49/6pb
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.

Rosés in short supply already? But it's only July!

It is great to see how many people have discovered Rosé over the past few years. It is also nice to see that so many vineyards have picked up on the trend and are producing more selection and styles for us to discover. This year we topped out at more than 130 different selections on our shelves (an all time high) and we are presently at the top of that peak. Great news right?

Not so fast...

The month of June ended with some disturbing news, the supply chain is drying up for the season on some of our most popular selections! In fact, by weeks end our count will begin to dwindle a bit and some of the wonderful quaffs will be unavailble until next year. Things that are coming to a close might surprise you and all of our best efforts have not yeilded answers that we were hoping to hear so lets put the word out and help to make sure that our customers have the opportunity to stock up.

Chateau des Ferrages 2013  $9.99
This is this years best value and it is selling extremely quickly. No doubt that this little gem will be history this weekend. We have been warning all of our Rosé fans that it is "get it while you can" time. There is no more to be had and our storage room is just about empty of it.

Whispering Angel 2013 $21.99
We did a dinner with Chateau D'esclans earlier this summer and it has been a top seller for us this year and just like last year it is going to dry up much to early. Estimated time left on this one is also less than a week. So sad...

Chateau Miraval 2013 $23.99
We had a little more warning on this one from Brangelina and were able to stockpile some of this very popular one. Our storage area is presently stacked to the ceiling but the quality is very good this year and once the Whispering Angel goes this will really pick up steam. This should make it through July and into August if the trend that we expect holds.

Commanderie Bargemone 2013 $15.99
There is still a pretty good stack of this lovely, pale Salmon treat in back but there will be no more coming in on a truck to the store so consider yourself warned. If we are trying to put a out of stock date on it... August 1st is the latest I would be guessing. We likely won't make it to that date if people start to stock up though.

Gobelsburger Cistercien 2013  $16.99
One of our perrenial favorites from Austria and it is going to come to a screeching halt withing the next couple of weeks. It is another one that we bought a bunch of but our best guess when we filled the back room with it to get through the summer has been shown to be not enough. Estimated date of depletion? lets call it the end of next week.

Domaine Ott Clos Mireille 2013 $49.99
Lets just say that it could all be scooped up in one shot if the right customer walked in today. Less than two cases remain. Are you interested? Now is the time.

Charles & Charles 2013 $11.99
Perhaps our fastest moving domestic Rosé comes from Washington State and has a label that represents the amarican flag at first glance. The price is reasonable and if the current buying trend stands, it will be less than a month. If it picks up in sales, it could be quicker.

Last but not least...

A single bottle of robert Sinskey Vin Gris Rosé remains @ $34.99. Want it? You better get to it before I change my mind a take it myself!

The point is that we are right in the thick of Rosé season and some of our favorites will soon be gone. That is the bad news, the good news is that we are liking alot of what 2013 has to offer and we are enjoying many others too. No one needs to panic and skip out of work early to get their supplies but we will be wishing farewell to some of this seasons favorites far too early this year.

As William always says "There is always another vintage!" and we will enjoy revisting many of them again next year. For now, stock up and get yours while the gettin' is good.

-Cheers

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, June 28

Your host is Len Gulino, The Wine Tutor. 
Ok lets get them all out of the way...
No, Len is not part of a Barbershop Quartet...
He is also not scooping icecream today or impersonating the flag as someone suggested!
Len is manning the tasting table today and showing off his patriotism on this Independence day weekend. Good wines in the lineup so stop by and let him guide you through the selection.



Anne Pichon Gris Montagne Rosé 2013            $24.99  1.5 Liter bottle
30% Syrah, 25% Cinsault, 20% Old Carignane, 25% Grenache Noir.  The nose brims with fresh notes of raspberry and cherry, and the palate has bright fruit notes.  A light mineral note emerges on the crisp, clean finish.

Cascina Radice Gavi 2013                                  $12.99
This wine sparkles green with a straw yellow color.  The nose is delicate with essence of fresh fruit, and it has a clean, dry mouth feel with herbal flavors and a smooth texture.

Louis Chevallier Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2012   $15.99
Hand harvested and aged in French oak barrels for six months, this Bourgogne Rouge has aromas of sweet plum, cinnamon and berries.  It shows exceptional smoothness, a muted woody fragrance and a silky mouth feel with flavors of red fruit and spice.

La Manarine Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2013                $16.99
A brisk, energetic white wine with a whisper of nutmeg to the nose, crisp sleek white peach fruit, and underlying stone to the palate.  A glimmer of cool green tarragon lingering on the finish, this is fresh as a daisy.  It is a classic Provencal white wine blend of 50% Clairette and 50% Bourboulenc - two of the most ancient white grape varieties traditional to the South of France.