Happy 4th Birthday Lily!

 



Today is Lily's 4th birthday and she has to work...

Working is one of her favorite things in the world to do so she is a very happy girl.

In front of our beautiful girl you see her present...

It looks an awful lot like a wrapped bottle of wine.

Well, she is 28 in dog years right?

She doesn't look particularly thrilled that this might actually be a bottle of wine that Dad will take later on today and just put in the cellar.

She does seem to like the Bow though...

Well I knocked it over and there is no wine leaking out from a broken bottle...

Hmmm, maybe it isn't a bottle of wine afterall.












This is much too light to be a bottle of wine!

This is exciting... I wonder what it could be?!













Time to get down to business and get this thing open!










It is ok if I tear this open right?

Yes Lily... It is your present, Have at it!









It's a toy! It's a toy!

I love these toys... Can we go play?

Not right now Lily, We have work to do...






  
That was tough work getting my present open.  Sorry for the mess...

I can't wait to show it to the people that come in to visit me today!

Wine Tasting - Saturday 1-4PM, May 3

 There is a lot happening in our area today! Locally, we are celebrating the Dogwood festival up in Greenfield hill and the weather couldn't be more perfect. If only the Dogwoods would have bloomed a little earlier like last year. Oh well, we can't let it dampen our spirits on such a gorgeous day. 

At the store we have Vineyard owner Pablo de Simon visiting from 1pm-4pm to show us his line of wines and sign bottles if you like. William certainly is making a habit of getting these rockstars of the wine world to come by and show us their creations and you, our customers really seem to enjoy them. Today is another great opportunity to meet and ask questions to one such character.

At the same time...

We are going to be serving Blanton's Mint Juleps to our Kentucky Derby motivated friends. This past Wednesday we did a great Bourbon class that showed off the Sazerak portfolio and the Mint Julep turned out so well that we thought it would be fun to wet your whistle again before the big race. Great price $44.99

Finally, we have put all of our Cinco de Mayo beers on sale through the weekend in preparation for the big day. There are also a bunch of Tequilas at great pricing. 

This is the day to get out there and welcome spring by moving around town and stopping in to say hi to your friends here at Harry's!

See you soon

 Your host is Pablo de Simon – The owner of Bodega Valserrano in Rioja with wine info from the Bodega.    http://valserrano.com/

Blanco 2013                  $15.99

We use grapes from the vineyards situated at the highest altitude where they receive plenty of sunshine. Fermented and aged in new Allier oak casks.  “Silky and elegant, and yet long and lively”.

Crianza 2010                $15.99

An example of the best Rioja Alavesa Tempranillos.  “Fresh, tasty, powerful and long. To enjoy at anytime”.

Reserva 2005                $21.99

Selected from our vines for their quality and age.  “Powerful and complex on the nose and in the mouth. To accompany a tasty meal in good company”.

Graciano 2005              $39.99

Garnet-red with medium-high depth and little sign of evolution at the rim of the glass.
Expressive and typical of the variety of grape. When you swirl the glass hints of blueberries, cocoa, hay and milky nuances appear with a touch of minerality.

A wine which is still very lively, with powerful tannins. The red-berry fruit flavours and mineral tones reappear. A very long, fresh, flavoursome finish with reminders of lavender and wild herb.

Beer Tasting 4 - 7pm Friday, May 2

Your host will be Christina from Heineken USA. 

SOL                                $11.49/12pb 

Has a sparkling gold hue and exciting aroma and flavor of malt. 

Tecate                            $8.99/12pb 

A Lager beer with a delicious aroma of malt and hops and a delicate balance in its subtle refreshing taste. 

Dos Equis Amber                   $12.99/12pb 

Dos Equis Amber is a rich, full-bodied Mexican import with a reddish-gold color and is made from the finest ingredients, representing the brand’s traditional Mexican heritage. The history of Dos Equis Amber is traced to the development of the popular Oktoberfest-style of Vienna lager originally created during the mid-19th century. 

Dos Equis Lager                $12.99/12pbA

crisp, refreshing, light-bodied malt-flavored beer with a well-balanced finish. A Lager that drinks like a Pilsner. A liquid embodiment of living life to the fullest. A beverage made from pure spring water and the choicest hops. A beer with such good taste, it’s chosen you to drink it. A beer with such good taste, it’s never seen in bad company.

Spring Sale Starts Today! Celebrating The Dogwoods, Derby, Cinco de Mayo and Mom

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

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.

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 30^th, 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 30^th 2014

Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Cost: $30.00 per person

Reservation: Call Jan or Patrick (203)259-4692 or email harrys@snet.net

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

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.