The TRUE sign of Spring... Groundhog Day? Daylight Savings Time?

I had a conversation with a customer this morning that made me smile and inspired this post. Shawn and I were talking about this past winter and how grueling it has been. Back on Feruary 2nd Punxutawney Phil told us that we had six more weeks to look forward to (grumble) and we have all heard the adage that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. If you are local, you also know that there is too much snow still left on the ground to see if the Daffodils have dared to poke through the soil.

The first week of March is in the rearview mirror and with Daylight savings this weekend and St. Patricks Day just around the corner, the icy grip of winter continues to hold on.

A daily conversation with any number of our customers  in the store is about how exhausting the winter season has been and if you want to see someones day change in a big hurry, all you have to do is discuss the next forecast. This past week the weather prognosticators got it wrong in our area. The threat of another 12-15 inches went by with only the lightest of dusting... but the cold remains. Next week we are supposed to get another storm and only time will tell whether they get it right this time.
 
So, when will Spring get here?

Well, Shawn had his own barometer for when he could expect Spring to finally push in. "Forget groundhog day, don't look for Daffodils or listen to the weather forecasters" he said. "If you want to know when spring is here, all you have to do is look at the Rosé racks at Harry's. When you guys have 30+ selections on the rack, it's Spring"!

That made me smile and I immediatlely went to the racks to get the count...

Twenty two, rats.

He looked at me and said very seriously... "Tell William to get them in here, I'm tired of winter".

Now I'm not making any claims as to how accurate his barometer is but I can promise you that by the end of next week we will have 30+ on the rack (I'm tired of winter too).

Keep your fingers crossed and lets see if we can break out of this winter with the help of some sunshine in a bottle!

-Patrick

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, March 1

Your host is Oliver MacKinnon 
of Highland Imports.

Parolvini Bianco di Custoza 2012                      $9.99

This clean and fruity white wine is grown adjacent to Lake Garda, Lombardy in northern Italy.  It is soft and succulent with fruity flavors and rich in mineral notes.  On the palate it is light-bodied with fresh citrus fruit flavors. 

Parolvini Barone Nero Veneto 2011                            $11.99

This wine shows a ruby red garnet color. The fragrance is intense with herbaceous and floral notes.  On the palate it is   dry and medium-bodied with long.  It is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Refosco, and Malbec.

Viejo Feo Carmenere 2012                                 $9.99

This handsome Carménère is brilliant with dark reflections and an expressive character. It’s smooth and sophisticated texture  makes it very attractive. Viejo Feo is a Chilean wine whose label shows an Ugly Old Man standing next to a mirror, revealing it is the beauty inside that counts!  Imported by Caesar Baeza, long-time visionary and partner behind Brotherhood Winery, America's Oldest Winery in the Hudson Valley.  Importer’s Notes

Viejo Feo Sauvignon Blanc 2013                       $9.99

An expressive bouquet with high-toned citrus and tropical fruit aromas predominant and subtle buttery vanilla adding complexity. Nice mouth feel with a beautiful balance between the creamy fruit and the bright green acidity. 12% alcohol by volume.  Importer’s Notes

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Feb 28

Your host is Jarrod Pietrella of Harpoon Brewing Company.

Harpoon IPA              $9.29/6pb

Filtered and force carbonated.
Ingredients: Water, Three malts, including a 2-row pale, Northwest Cascade Hops, and Yeast.
This copper colored ale is floral, medium bodied, with a crisp, refreshing finish. Originally our summer seasonal in 1993, it is now available year-round. Harpoon IPA was ranked atop both domestic and imported IPAs by Beer Connoisseur Magazine.

Long Thaw                $9.29/6pb

"Spring" in New England is fickle,but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it!Whatever the thermometer says,enjoy The Long Thaw.

Rich and Dan’s          $9.29/6pb

This beer is brewed with our proprietary yeast – the same yeast we’ve used since first brewing Harpoon Ale – and some interesting hop varieties. The combination of Pale, Rye, Caramel 60, Flaked Rye, and Vienna yield a complex malt body that stands up to the spiciness of the rye and the pronounced hop flavor. The rye also adds a reddish hue to the beer. The kettle additions of Centennial, Apollo, and Chinook, and the dry hop addition of Falconer’s Flight add a multidimensional hop character.

Harpoon UFO White            $8.99/6pb

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.

WINE CLASS: The Basic Blind Tasting – Like the Pros Do It!

This class is always a big hit for us. Intimidating? yes... Difficult?, yes... Fun? absolutely... and that's just the staff! 

This class always starts as a white knuckle ride into the unknown where we are sure that it is going to be difficult and we will all fail at our mission to discern and correctly guess the varietal that is being highlighted. As class wears on we find that the clues presented throughout the evening and the guidance that our instructor gives, allows us to learn about what our senses tell us with each sip and the journey becomes educational and fun rather than difficult and intimidating. 

In order to become a more skilled and experienced wine taster, it is essential to concentrate on each wine as you taste it.There is almost no better way to force this concentration than in a blind tasting format. 

Each week we will taste all wines of the same grape, each from a different country.The bottles will be in brown bags so you will not have any preconceptions! It is your goal to discern and learn more about the different styles and flavors of each wine.Oh, and a slight twist - one wine each session will be a different varietal, i.e, A Ringer, than the main grape of the night. . .see if you can pick it out! 

Cost:  $70 (includes both weeks)

When: Wed, March 12th & 19th 7pm-9pm 

Where: Harry's, 2094 Post Rd, Fairfield, 

Call to sign up 203-259-4692 ask for Jan

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, Feb 22

Your host is Peter Slywka of Michael Skurnik Wines.

Piaggia Il Sasso Carmignano 2010                          $27.99

Piaggia's 2010 Carmignano Il Sasso is delicious in this vintage. Freshly cut flowers, mint, sweet red, tobacco, cherries and raspberries burst from the glass in an energetic, vibrant wine that impresses for its overall balance and class. I would prefer to drink the 2010 over the next few years, while the flavors remain vibrant.  Il Sasso is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc and 10% Merlot.  vinousmedia.com, 90 pts

Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012               $22.99

Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose is appealing and picks up interest over time in the glass offering aromas of candied cherries, rose petals and pie spice. An Oregon-styled wine with mid weight flavors of tart cherries and cranberries, mild tannins, and a tight, hi-pitched finish. The PinotFile, 87 pts

Berger Gruner Veltliner 2012                                  $14.99

Fresh and espressive, with citrus, floral and mineral flavors that linger in the mouth. It practically invites you to have a second glass.  - Eric Asimov, The New York Times

Charles Smith Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2011           $16.99
Classy and refined, it's just damn amazing. Cassis, pencil lead, fresh herb and crushed granite.It is satin smooth and elegant, further defined with a super long finish.  80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 3% Merlot

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Feb 21

It's a nice day to be pouring some Goose Island Selections.

Sofie $8.99
80% Belgian Style Ale, 20% Belgian Style Ale aged in wine barrels with citrus peel. Champagne color, white pepper aroma, citrus & vanilla flavor, sparkling body.

Matilde $8.99
Golden sunrise color, baking spice aroma, fruity biscuity malt flavor, dry body.


Perre Jacques $8.99
Brewed with loads of malt and Belgian yeast, Pere Jacques is a wonderfully fruity, malty ale. Pere Jacques’ complex flavors stand shoulder to shoulder with the Belgian Dubbels enjoyed in the world’s finest beer bars. At the dining table it’s the perfect alternative to a glass of vintage port. 

Pepe Nero $8.99
Mahogany color, black pepper aroma, roasted malt and spice flavor, creamy body.

Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons. - See more at: http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/sofie/28.php#sthash.1o7Jg0nc.dpuf

Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons. - See more at: http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/sofie/28.php#sthash.1o7Jg0nc.dpuf80% Belgian Style Ale, 20% Belgian Style Ale aged in wine barrels with citrus peel. Champagne color, white pepper aroma, citrus & vanilla flavor, sparkling body.

Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons. - See more at: http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/sofie/28.php#sthash.1o7Jg0nc.dpuf

Bursting at the seams with selection in Connecticut

As the weeks and months continue to pass we are regularly reminded of how lucky we are to be in the great state of Conecticut when it comes to wine, beer, and spirits. It seems that every week we are being presented with another great craft beer, a unique wine or another small batch spirit. The problem of finding space for all of it is really the challenge we face. The days of carrying 10 or 12 types of Vodka, a handful of Bourbons and few types of Rum and other spirits from the national suppliers is a thing of the past... At least it is in Connecticut.

Our proximity to New York puts us in a very good place to have opportunities that most of america doesn't get. The two coasts and a couple of major transport hubs around the country are the lucky ones as products from all over the world land and become available for distribution.

Traveling around the country with an eye on selection quickly shows how little diversity exists in southern states and the markets in middle america. All of the national brands like Gallo and Smirnoff and Bud are available but while the list is recognizable all over the country, the diversity is chopped in so many markets. We have a pretty good internet presence and we are regularly recieve e-mails looking for help locating unique products. Frustrated consumers are trying to locate things that we just take for granted, simple things like Ballantine Ale?! The question: "Why can't I get it in my state?" when the person is just a couple hundred miles away, in a neighboring state is common. It is sad that so many of these things that we sell every day to our customers are a frustrating and toilsome search for people in other states.

In a recent NY Times Eric Asimov took a crack at a similar subject when he answered the critics of his weekly column who regularly ask us and other retailers how to find the wines that he is writing about (article here). In the article he takes a slightly different approach but offers an explanation of what it is that he is trying to accomplish. He interviews Neal Rosenthal (a wonderful small importer) who offers this advice to people trying to find these products via the internet search engines... "What can a consumer do when the internet tools don’t work? Plenty. It begins with finding and establishing a relationship with a good wine shop. And when not every bottle is available, it helps to be open to similar alternatives." Good idea to be sure but what happens when it is a state runs industry like New Hampshire who controls not only what is sold in its stores but won't even let us send products to a resident of their state for their consumers to enjoy? New Hampshire isn't alone, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and at least 6 others, suffer similar fates.

It is frustrating to having to explain to yet another customer who has read the most current article and is looking for a specific wine that is mentions by him that the item that he is writing about is not available in our state or that the vintage has long past but it does give us an opportunity in this state to open a dialogue about other things that are available it its category. In many other states even that is not an option.

The good (and bad) news is that in our market there is a wonderful amount of diversity and more and more unique items from small producers coming available every month. While it is tough to find shelve and/or cooler space for all of the things that are out there, with a little research and a day or two of lead time we can find most of what our customers are looking for. We are fortunate that this market isn't ruled by a couple of big name suppliers that dictate a narrow line of products to our consumer base. Connecticut and its residents are well educated and interested in the smaller production and harder to find items. We are fortunate to have a system set up that promotes smaller distributors and stores that can get their hands on so many industry leading trends years before other markets know they exist.

 Yes we have to deal with the high cost of living along with snow and traffic but we also get some pretty good fringe benefits from living here.

-Cheers

Vodka Tasting - Saturday feb 15th 2014 4pm-7pm

We have been working with this brand for the better part of 2013 and now moving into 2014. It is still one of the best kept secrets in Vodka. Most people have heard of Russian Standard Vodka but most people don't know about their second label called Green Mark. If you take all of the better known brands at the same price point and higher... Smirnoff, Viking Fjord, Svedka and the others. This one stands out for us Head and shoulders above the rest.

We thought that since the olympics were in full stride it might be fun to show a product from Russia. What better product to choose than a Vodka and what better Vodka to choose than Russia's #1 brand. Green Mark is still a bit of a secret but the quality to price ratio is great, $19.99 1.75ltr!

Google it!

Lots of great reviews and feedback

Wine Tasting - Saturday, February 15th 1-4pm

Your host is Winemaker/Owner Phillipe Leclerc. Vineyard owner Phillipe Leclerc is showing his wines today and the line of people that have come to meet him and taste his offerings has been nonstop. This is a great opprtunity to taste some truly world class wines, get a bottle signed and get an insiders view of what may be the worlds most reknowned wine producing region. He will be here until 4pm today. 

Bourgogne les Bon Batons 2010                          $24.99

Wood and reduction presently dominate the nose but there is fine vivacity and intensity to the solidly well-concentrated flavors that possess ripe tannins plus excellent complexity and persistence for a wine of this level. Well worth considering as this is a serious Bourgogne. Burghound, 88 pts

Gevrey Chambertin les Platieres 2010             $39.99

A gentle touch of wood sets off brooding and very somber aromas of cool yet ripe dark berry fruit and pungent Gevrey style earth. The medium-bodied flavors possess fine phenolic maturity along with excellent richness before culminating in a focused, balanced and serious finish that displays little rusticity. Burghound, 91 pts

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux 2010           $69.99

A noticeable lashing of wood frames airy, cool and ripe aromas of plum, cassis and wet stone. There is excellent intensity to the stony, rich and well-delineated medium weight flavors that are shaped by dense but relatively fine tannins, all wrapped in a mouth coating finish that delivers impressive length on the well-balanced finale.  Burghound, 92 pts

Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Cazetieres 2010        $79.99

Here the wood is noticeable but less conspicuous and does not dominate the cool and very stony dark berry fruit and pungent earth aromas. There is very fine volume to the stony and overtly muscular large-scaled flavors that are quite powerful but not rustic, all wrapped in an extract-rich finish that offers excellent length. Like the Combe Aux Moines, this is clearly built to age and will need 12 to 15 years of cellar time.  Burghound, 93 pts

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, Feb 14

Your host is Jay LeBlanc of Abita Brewing Company.

Amber    $8.29/6pb

Amber is a Munich style lager brewed with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops. It has a smooth, malty, slightly caramel flavor and a rich amber color. Abita Amber was the first beer offered by the brewery and continues to be our leading seller. Amber is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food. It has been voted "best beer" in numerous New Orleans reader polls and is used frequently in recipes of great Louisiana chefs.

Purple Haze    $8.29/6pb

Purple Haze® is a lager brewed with real raspberries added after filtration. It is brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. The berries add a fruity aroma, tartly sweet taste and a subtle purple color and haze...you may see fruit pulp in the beer.

Andy Gator    $8.29/6pb

bita Andygator®, a creature of the swamp, is a unique, high-gravity brew made with pale malt, German lager yeast, and German Perle hops. Unlike other high-gravity brews, Andygator® is fermented to a dry finish with a slightly sweet flavor and subtle fruit aroma. Reaching an alcohol strength of 8% by volume, it is a Helles Doppelbock

Jockamo IPA     $8.29/6pc

Abita Jockamo IPA® is an American IPA brewed with pale, red, and caramel malts. This copper-colored ale is liberally hopped and dry hopped with Willamette and Columbus hops. The flavor is bold like the “Mardi Gras Indians” who march through New Orleans in suits of feathers and beads.