Where's Your Safe Harbor? A couple of years ago we were sitting around a table with customers and friends and sharing wine, food, and great stories about New London - A Meeting Of The Minds. And it was decided that NL offers Safe Harbor to all that come to her harbor shores. The parade of characters we have met over the past 35+ years is truly remarkable. Musicians, Artists, Writers, Leaders, Followers, and the In-Between. Somehow they all managed to find their way here - to New London. At that gathering with the drinks flowing and the ideas bouncing we had the idea to create a tribute to this great city in the form of a libation. "Why not our own beer!," came the cry. - And that my friends is how it all started. The pieces of the puzzle came together slowly. The project needed people to make the beer. People to create the packaging, people to get it out to The People, and people to push the project forward. The great team at Cottrell Brewing stepped up to formulate the perfect combination of magic ingredients and create the special recipe. Test batches and tastings were the order of the day. And they did not stop until they got it just exactly right. The result is the best beer we have tasted in the past five years. Dikayl Rimmasch focused his skills on the remarkable design and packaging. It was decided that the American Pin-Up style artwork of the early years be used. It had to be reminiscent of the 40s and be a tribute to the maritime history of NL at the same time. The girl on the label is a local - do you recognize her? Eric Filardi and everyone at F&F Distributors went out of their way to make sure it will be available at all of your favorite places. Their army of reps will begin putting Safe Harbor out this week - 860-442-1265 - is the number to call if you can't find it in your favorite restaurant, bar, or store. We all like to think of Safe Harbor as the Official Beer Of The Whaling City - New London. There has already been talk of presenting each of the visiting ships that come to New London for OpSail with a case of Safe Harbor as part of the Welcome Ceremonies. There is more to the story of course - details that are best shared over a beer or two. We hope that you will take time to try Safe Harbor American Blonde Ale this Friday night. And keep your eyes open as other events and tastings are presented throughout The City. 
Wine & Cheese Tasting - Every Friday 5-8 p.m. - No Charge Villa Marchese Pinot Grigio 2009 - $14 
This is fruity and balanced, with hints of nuts and toasted bread. A perfect pair with hors d'oeuvres, soups and white meats and cheese. Winemaker's Notes: "If labels can define in color what a wine may taste like, this label defines this pinot grigio. Tangerine and citrus with white peach and stones, very light, very clean and refreshing. Perfect for warm weather." A beautiful Friulian pinot grigio with a medium-pale gold hue and even a hint of brown. Pinot Grigio grapes are actually quite pink for white wine grapes, so that can happen while the wine is still young. Some even pick up some pink from the skins.
The aromas are intensely fruity, with some delicious honeydew melon and pear, as well as honeysuckle notes. Very intriguing! In the mouth, it's very smooth. Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2009 - Rated 92 Points - $17 
100% Garnacha. Deep and sweet, Tres Picos Borsao is cherry red in color with a hint of purple tones. In the nose, there is a boundless bouquet of mature red fruits with traces of flowers that are typical of the best Garnachas. In the mouth, it is rich and well-structured simultaneously conveying flavours of blackberries, strawberries and tones of leather, vanilla and plums. Perfectly combined with a sweet and pleasant tannin, Tres Picos Borsao leaves us with a long, silky and balanced finish. Winemaker's notes:
"It has an ultra fragrant nose, filled with spicy aromas of freshly cracked black pepper and clove, dried figs, warm oak, and just a hint of black olives. And oh what a mouthful...dried cherries, cassis, and oak dominate the palate. Its got a pleasant bite to it, and notes of cinnamon and dark cocoa that sweep you away to its bone dry charred oak finish."
Critical Acclaim:
"The 2009 Tres Picos is a worthy successor to the string of splendid vintages which have preceded it. Heady black cherry and blackberry aromas, Asian spices, incense, and mineral notes lead to a dense, layered, rich old-vine Garnacha that over-delivers in a big way.
A tasting of every vintage of Tres Picos ever produced (back to 2001) at the Bodega in January 2011 indicates that 8-10 years of pleasurable drinking is a reasonable expectation. However, this is a wine that is ready to drink on release."
92 Points The Wine Advocate
This has always been a house favorite - please try it on Friday night and be sure to sample it with the cheese that we are serving at Brie & Bleu - it is magic. ···· Give us a call if you have any other questions The Lines Are Open: 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 6 8 1 7 8 6 0 - 4 4 3 - 9 4 6 3 Please pass this information along to your friends, it will help us to get the word out to everybody. Social Media Links Can Be Found At The Top Of The Email
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