Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Oct 5

Your host will be Mike from Sixpoint.

Righteous Ale $9.49/4pc 16oz
They should be good men; their affairs as righteous: But all hoods make not monks. Beneath a deep blanket of snow there is a cereal grain that can survive the harsh winters and acidic soils - RYE. Like a draped hood over a monk, it is the righteousness inside that shines.


Bengali Tiger $9.49/4pc 16oz
Sixpoint Bengali Tiger is reminiscent of the century-old English IPA. In my perspective, many current IPAs suffer from lacking substance; unbalanced by a hoppy assertiveness that is not substantiated by a strong foundation of rich malt flavors. Our interpretation uses the highest-quality, floor-malted base malt, which lends a full-bodied and rich caramel flavor. We mash at high temperatures and add generous amounts of specialty malts to further emphasize a strong foundation of malt as leverage for our generous additions of hops… Which are indeed generous. We use a total of three different hop strains, and add a total of six different additions throughout the process. The Bengali Tiger has a hoppy snap upfront, but strides at a steady pace, and finishes balanced. The signature characteristic of the Tiger is the aroma… we use massive quantities of whole East Kent Goldings hops to dry hop in our conditioning tanks. The result? The essential oils from the hops are an enticing treat before every sip. Notice the lacing of stripes around the pint glass as you finish your glass; it’s the mark of the Tiger.


Sweet Action $9.49/4pc 16oz
Ah love is bitter and sweet, but which is more sweet, the bitterness of the sweetness, none has spoken it. Sweet action is an idea; a concept. It is a simple representation of what makes beer great - the marriage of barley and hops in a harmonious balance of sweet and bitter!

School is in session... Wine School that is

Our Fall semester is now in full swing and last night we finished up our second session of Wine 101 this fall semester. This is my personal favorite of all of the classes we offer because we see an amazing amount of growth in a very short period of time. In the class students are exposed to a wide range of Varietals, Vintages, Countries and styles that open their eyes and minds to the wonderful world of wine.
In most cases our first time students come in a little unsure and a bit nervous about what they have gotten themselves in to. We see a quick evolution to confident understanding of what they are experiencing.
It is funny, The wine world seems to have this feel of mystery to it. We are quick to point out that that the idea of the haves and the have nots is a barrier that we struggle with everyday at the store. There is this silly perception that a person is somehow smarter or more well informed because they understand wine better than someone else. Too many times I see in the eyes of a customer the struggle to be "good enough" to enjoy wine. It seems really counter productive to the aim of its intention. What is all of the arrogance about?? Wine is meant to be connective and inclusive not devisive. What could be more connecting than to sit with friends or family and enjoy a great bottle of wine with dinner. Why the exclusivity?
We really work hard on this in wine 101 and at the end of the session there is a fun, light hearted confidence that questions are a good thing and preferences a purely individual. What a great feeling it is when your students feel like they "get it"
We hear stories time and again from our students about great events they put on for their friends and family using the techniques that they learned that help open the world to others around them. Very rewarding! At Harry's we love what we do! We love to share the experience with everyone that is interested in learning more. What could be more rewarding than unlocking the door to a world that brings us such great pleasure in our personal and professional lives?

There is still some space in a few of our classes and if you have never joined us for one or if you want to join the legions of students that have made our classes so successful, please consider this your invitation.
(Information on all upcoming classes below)

Its funny, As we think about our mission for the store we always come back to customer service and education and as our staff developes and evolves we hear over and over again... "I love my job!" I ask you, What could be more rewarding than having people working in the job they love?
A group that really does want to teach and learn?

Pretty good job I have.

-Cheers

Patrick


Wines of France Wed, Oct 17 and Oct 24
SOLD OUT – WAIT LIST
We are excited to once again offer a two-week program of the wines of France. French wines are the epitome of class, excellence and character, and they are renowned throughout the world for their superlative quality and understated elegance. At these two classes you will taste wines from the great regions of: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley, Rhone Valley, and several others. This will be a retrospective on one of the world’s greatest wine-producing countries. $70 both weeks
SEATS STILL AVAILABLE - thru Fairfield Continuing Ed - Thurs, Oct 18 and Oct 25, Register at (203) 255-8376 --
Fee $60 + $20 materials fee payable at first class. (Keep your Riedel wine glass!)


Wine and Food Pairing Wed, Nov 7 and Nov 14
Not only do we have the terrific Fairfield Cheese shop next door to us, but we have the shop’s co-owner, Chef Chris, to prepare a couple of wonderful tasting menus. Each week Chris will prepare a six-course menu, from appetizer to dessert, and we will pair the appropriate wine for each entree. Together we have done about a dozen of these wine and food pairing menus, and it seemed like each one was better than the previous one! $100 both weeks


High End Holiday Wines Wed, Nov 28 and Dec 5
Yes, there are thousands of affordable wines on the market. We carry many of them and offer them to our customers with pride. BUT, when the appropriate occasion calls for something special and on the higher-priced scale, we have those too and are just as proud and very excited to pour them for you at this very special event! We’ll taste whites and reds along with a few bubblies and dessert wines. Sells out fast, don’t wait. $150 both weeks

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