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Did you get these newsletters? If not, then why not signup for our email list?Francos September Specials & Labor Day Weekend Tasting!
Summer is coming to a close, but why not close it in style! The weather is still fabulous and beckons to fire up the grill for those last few summer barbecues! And just in time, Francos Wine Merchants is featuring the perfect wines to celebrate the Labor Day Weekend. We have some phenomenal wines showcased as our Cellar Specials this month, and they are sure to please – taking you from France, to Spain, to California with the pop of a cork! The 2009 Louis Max Beaucharme Chardonnay Bourgogne ($10.99) is a refreshing wine exemplary of Burgundy's signature white varietal. It offers a unique blend of creamy white fruit notes and crisp, bright acidity, making it lush and refreshing all at once. This is the perfect wine to serve alongside any seafood or shellfish menus, or grilled chicken and white meat dishes.
The 2008 Louis Max Beaucharme Pinot Noir Bourgogne ($10.99) is a remarkable red wine, and a further credit to the acclaimed vineyards of Louis Max. Soft and lively, it presents all of the subtle game and earth notes for which red Burgundy is most well regarded, white maintaining an expressive character of bright red fruit. Its long finish makes it the ideal pairing for any casual dishes.
The 2003 Señorio de Villarrica Reserva Rioja ($17.99) is a shining example of Spain's signature Tempranillo grape. Ranging from reputable Rioja, this reserve wine displays all of that region's famed dark fruit and earth notes balanced by a mature floral character and long, elegant finish. This is an excellent choice for serving alongside hearty red meat dishes. The 2007 Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir ($24.99) is a sophisticated red wine from California. Carneros is nestled between Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, and wines from there are infused with a striking combination of lively red cherry notes and a distinct minerality. Its long, intricate finish makes this the ideal complement to a wide variety of dishes, from lighter fare such as grilled salmon and poultry to heartier fare such as beef and lamb. Find out more about these delicious wines on our Home Page. And please join us this Saturday, September 7th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM for our Labor Day Weekend Tasting. We'll be sampling the 2007 Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir ($24.99) as well as the exceptional 2008 Botani Moscatel Seco ($14.99), a refreshing and dry white wine from Màlaga in Spain that offers a perfect balance of crisp acidity and bright fruit. Read more on our Wine Tasting page. Labor Day Hours: We will be open our regular hours on Friday (8:00 AM-8:00PM) as well as Saturday (8:00AM-7:00PM) – but please be aware that according to Connecticut State Law, Liquor Stores will be closed on Sunday and Monday. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Food Friendly Spanish Wines!
Spanish wines are famed and respected for their propensity for pairing alongside a wide variety of dishes, and we have some delicious suggestions for your summer menus here at Francos Wine Merchants! The 2008 Botani Moscatel Seco ($14.99) is a delicious white wine from Sierras de Màlaga. Màlaga's location in the southeast of Spain, in the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean Sea, provides a unique climate for winemaking. The intense heat means that most of the Moscatel planted in the region is used for desert wines. However, Jorge Ordoñez' Botani is typically harvested in the beginning of summer, much earlier than is usual, to ensure the wine is crisp and dry. It retains Moscatel's bright natural fruit, but is not sweet in the least thanks to a lively acidity and long, refreshing finish. It is an excellent choice to serve alongside all kinds of seafood dishes, though it is perfect with any summertime meal. Try it alongside seafood paella for a fun twist on a classic pairing. The 2003 Señorio de Villarrica Reserva Rioja ($17.99) is an exceptional red wine, and a shining example of Rioja's signature Tempranillo grape. Founded in 1940 by Florentino Fernàndez, the Señorio de Villarrica vineyards have consistently developed some of Rioja's finest wines. The 2003 Reserva is no exception, with round and sultry flavors of dark fruit and earth leading to a long and complex finish. It is an excellent wine to serve alongside heartier fare such as grilled red meat or lamb dishes. Try it with grilled chorizo to accentuate the wine's robust flavors and balance the sausage's spiciness. Find out more about these excellent wines by following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. And please join us this Saturday, August 28th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM as we sample the 2008 Château Bertinerie Bordeaux Blanc ($13.99) and the 2007 Rock.Face North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99) at our weekly, in-store wine tasting. Find out more about these wines by following the Wine Tastings link on our Home Page. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Great French Wines for August!
The Dog Days of August are upon us, and the warm weather calls for refreshing and fun wines. How convenient, then, that we have you covered here at Francos Wine Merchants! The 2009 Château Calissanne Blanc ($14.99) is one of the rare few white wines from Provence. Though the region is most well known for their rosé wines, Calissanne serves as a beacon of quality for the Provence whites. A blending of grapes native to the region, Calissanne offers a unique tasting experience. Its crisp white fruit notes are complemented by a bright and lively acidity leading to a sharp and dry finish gripped with lingering hints of citrus. Like its rosé cousins in Provence, Calissanne is ideally suited to serving alongside a wide variety of dishes, from light pastas and salads to seafood and shellfish, and even heartier fare such as roast chicken and white meats. For a real treat, try pairing it with steamed mussels stuffed with pistou. Sommelier Olivier Lemasson has a passion for natural wines, and his Les Vins Contés best reflect this zeal. His negociant business, in which he buys grapes from other growers and vinifies them himself, allows him an unprecedented amount of control over the winemaking process. The 2007 Olivier Lemasson Les Vins Contés Gama-Sutra ($16.99) is exemplary, comprised entirely of Beaujolais’ signature Gamay grape. Its soft palate is balanced by bright and expressive fruit notes leading to a lively finish. Its lighter style and rich fruit flavors make it a versatile wine to serve alongside lighter fare such as salads and light pastas, or poultry dishes. Try it with a slight chill and paired with coq au vin. Find out more about these and many other delicious wines by following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. And please join us this Saturday, August 21st, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM for our weekly, in-store wine tasting. This week we’ll be sampling the 2008 Diehl Pfalz Kabinett Gewürztraminer ($11.99) and the 2008 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Rossa ($10.99). Find out more about these wines by following the Wine Tastings link on our Home Page. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Louis Max Beaucharme!
Great everyday wines from Louis Max have arrived, and we'll be tasting them this Saturday, August 14, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM here at Francos Wine Merchants. The Louis Max Company was founded in 1859 in the esteemed commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges at the heart of Burgundy. To this day, the wines are produced by the Louis Max family, now in its fourth generation of winemakers. Their Beaucharme Bourgogne wines are exceptional, especially for more casual summer fare. The 2009 Louis Max Beaucharme Chardonnay Bourgogne ($10.99) is a remarkable white wine. Its forward fruit notes are balanced by a creamy texture and bright acidity, leading to a crisp and refreshing finish. It is an ideal pairing for seafood and poultry dishes, salads and light pastas, or even as a thirst-quenching treat on a warm summer day. Not to be outdone, the 2008 Louis Max Beaucharme Pinot Noir Bourgogne ($10.99) is a delicious red wine. An inviting soft ruby in color, the wine presents aromas of cherry and red fruit, with subtle notes of earth and spice. Seductive flavors lead to a surprisingly long finish, making this the ideal wine to serve alongside a wide variety of dishes, from grilled salmon and tuna to roast chicken and lamb, as well as any casual meal on the barbecue. Find out more about these delicious wines by following the Wine Tastings link on our Home Page. And please join us this Saturday afternoon between 1:00 and 5:00 PM as we sample the phenomenal wines of Louis Max. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Francos Sizzles with August Specials!
August is here! As people start getting ready for their Summer Holiday, Francos Wine Merchants has an excellent selection of wines to take along as you head to the shore, mountains or where ever your vacation takes you! The 2009 Domaine de la Pepière Muscadet Sur Lie ($13.99) is characteristic of classic Muscadet. Ranging from the westernmost region of the Loire Valley along the Nantes River, the wine is especially lively and flavorful. Its pale color and nose of soft citrus and white fruit lead to crisp flavors emphasized by a bright acidity and balanced by an especially dry finish. It is easy to see why Muscadet is considered the perfect wine for oysters. The 2009 Clos des Briords Muscadet ($14.99) also ranges from Marc Olivier's Domaine de la Pepière vineyard, but it is substantially different in style. The old vines and particular soil ensure the grapes present a more mineral quality, allowing for a more concentrated Muscadet that sees a beautiful gripping finish. As the classic wine to serve alongside seafood and shellfish, Clos des Briords is especially well suited to a wide variety of dishes.
The 2008 Domaine de Roally Viré-Clessé ($22.99) is a shining example of one of Burgundy's newest appellations. The Viré-Clessé appellation was created in 1999 in order to differentiate between the specific style of wine produced in the villages of Viré, Clessé, Laizé, and Montbellet and the wines from the greater Mâconnaise region. Domaine de Roally is intensely flavored, with bright, subtly honeyed fruit notes leading to a long, crisp, and lively finish. It is ideally suited to pairing alongside hearty seafood dishes such as grilled salmon or swordfish.
The 2009 Jean-Paul Brun Côte de Brouilly ($19.99) is exemplary of Beaujolais' grace and elegance. More robust than its cousin, the Côte de Brouilly's darker color and gamey nose betray flavors of dark cherry with hints of earth leading to a long, gripping finish. Served lightly chilled so as to concentrate the flavors, it is well suited to pairing with a variety of dishes, from light fare such as grilled salmon and chicken, to rack of lamb.
We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Louis/Dressner Wines Redux!
By popular demand we're once again sampling the wines from importer Louis/Dressner, here at your friendly neighborhood Francos Wine Merchants! Join us this Saturday, July 31st, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM, as we taste a selection of fine French wines that are perfect for the summer, and especially for a trip to the shore. Muscadet is the traditional French shellfish and seafood wine, and acclaimed winemaker Marc Olivier is an indisputable master of the art. He is patient and careful in his craft, hand harvesting the grapes, using natural yeast, and bottling with very light filtration. The Sur Lie process he employs ensures the wines have lees contact until bottling, emphasizing crispness and texture. His 2009 Domaine de la Pepière Muscadet Sur Lie ($13.99) is bright and refreshing. The wine is flush with lively fruit notes, leading to a particularly long and invitingly dry finish. Olivier also produces a Muscadet from particularly old vines, the 2009 Clos des Briords Muscadet ($14.99). Made from the first vines on the property, planted in 1930, it is a remarkable white wine. It is more forward than his other Muscadet, the older vines concentrating the flavor, yet sees a deliciously mineral character. Muscadet is the perfect wine to serve with oysters, and is excellent with any seafood dish, be it lobster, shrimp, or fish.
White Burgundies are reputed as amongst the finest and most versatile wines in the world. That versatility stems from Chardonnay's natural pliability. Here is a grape that is heavily influenced, perhaps more than any other, by terrain, climate, and elevation. This is what makes the 2008 Domaine de Roally Viré-Clessé ($22.99) such an exciting and delightful wine. Ranging from the Maconnaise AOC of Viré-Clessé, the wine is more rich and flavorful than many of the wines from the region, but true its roots, it remains sharp and dry. Its wealth of honeyed flavors of white fruit and soft citrus, and especially its seductively long finish, make this the perfect wine for hearty seafood dishes, as well as grilled chicken and white meats.
Find out more about these wines by following the Wine Tasting link on our Home Page. And please join us this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM as we sample these delicious wines, sure to be a hit at the beach. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
New Arrivals from Louis/Dressner!
New wines from esteemed importer Louis/Dressner have arrived here at Francos Wine Merchants, and we are anxious to share them with you! We also invite you to join us this Saturday, July 24th, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM as we sample these delicious French wines. The wife and husband team of Denyse Louis and Joe Dressner insist on the wine they import be produced following biodynamic, sustainable, or organic practices. As such, these wines are exemplary of their unique appellations and styles. The 2009 Domaine de la Pepière Muscadet Sur Lie ($13.99) is a delicious white wine from the Loire Valley. Comprised of the rare Melon de Bourgogne grape, Muscadet is France's traditional seafood and shellfish wine. Its crisp, dry character and refreshingly bright acidity make it ideal for serving as an aperitif, or alongside shrimp cocktails or clams on the half shell. The 2009 Clos des Briords Muscadet ($14.99) is a delightful white wine harvested from sixty-year-old vines. It presents a distinct minerality balanced by complex and structured fruit notes, making it the perfect wine for lobster bakes or for pairing with pasta in a white clam sauce.
The 2008 Domaine de Roally Viré-Clessé ($22.99) is produced from the finest terroirs in Viré and Clessé in the Maconnaise District of Burgundy. An exciting example of Burgundy's signature Chardonnay grape, Domaine de Roally is a dry wine with ample notes of honey balanced by a crisp minerality and lively acidity. It is especially well suited to pairing with hearty grilled fish such as tuna or salmon.
The 2009 Jean-Paul Brun Côte de Brouilly ($19.99) is a fine red wine from Beaujolais. Firm yet soft, with supple red fruit notes and a long, lively finish, this is a wine best served slightly chilled and alongside grilled salmon or chicken dishes. So please join us this Saturday afternoon between 1:00 and 5:00 PM as we sample these excellent French wines from Louis/Dressner. If you are unable to stop by on Saturday, you can order this wines right thru the Wine Tastings link here or on our Home Page. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Single Malt Scotch!
Though we are best known for our wide selection of fine wines, we here at Francos Wine Merchants are especially proud of our Single Malt Scotch, and are anxious to share some of our favorites. The Black Bottle ($22.99) is a delightful and unique whisky. Black Bottle is a blend of each of the distilleries on Islay, and its sharply smoked and peated character shows this prestigious pedigree in full. The whisky prominently displays lush smoky flavors balanced by subtle honeyed notes, leading to a long, warm finish. The Tobermory 10yr ($26.99) is an excellent Single Malt Scotch. Tobermory is the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, and the whisky displays a fresh and light peat with soft smoke and a clean finish.
The Cardhu 12yr ($35.99) hails from Speyside in the Scottish Highlands. Cardhu makes its return after a decade-long absence, and is now aged for 12 years rather than the previous 10. The resulting whisky is truly remarkable, displaying a fount of peat and smoke balanced by honeyed fruit and leading to a pleasantly long finish. Find out more about these and many other whiskies by following the Single Malt Scotches link here or on our Home Page. And as always, please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Note: This is the first of our "Scotch" newsletters. You are receiving this because you signed up for our scotch emails. We will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. If you know anyone else who is a scotch lover, and may not know about our scotch email list, please let them know they can sign up using our regular newsletter signup and checking the "Scotch" box. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Sidewalk Sale Tasting!
It's hard to believe that it's the middle of July already, but for those of you familiar with some of the New Canaan Traditions you know that the third Saturday of July is the Sidewalk Sale & Village Fair and Francos Wine Merchants will be sampling some delicious summer wines during our Weekly Saturday Tasting from 1:00-5:00PM. The 2009 Fuzelo Vinho Verde ($5.99) is a fun and refreshing white wine from Portugal. Ranging from the Minho region in the north of Portugal, the wine derives its name, which means Green Wine, from its youthfulness. Fuzelo presents a subtle effervescence and bright acidity coupled with lively fruit notes, all aspects that are emphasized in the wine's youth. This is a great wine to serve on a hot day. The 2009 Muga Rioja Rosado ($11.99) is a delicious rosé wine from Spain. A blend of Garnacha, Viuda, and Tempranillo, the wine displays a soft salmon color that hints at aromas and flavors of soft fruit and spice. Its dry finish and refreshing character make this the ideal wine to serve on a warm afternoon, especially with seafood and grilled chicken dishes.
If you are unable to stop by on Saturday, you can order this wines right thru the Wine Tastings link here, or on the Wine Tastings icon on our Home Page. Also, Please remember that Elm Street will be closed to vehicular traffic as merchants and vendors will have their wares out on the street. Please come and join in the fun! Reminder: Are you or a loved one a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
July Specials Sizzle at Francos!
Francos Wine Merchants July Cellar Specials are here! With Summer in full swing it's the perfect time to look over our selection of wines that would be an excellent match for your summer menus. The 2009 Château Calissanne Rosé ($14.99) is a phenomenal wine from Provence in France. Its rose petal color and intense aromas of bright fruit lead to a crisp, dry mouth-feel with hints of citrus fruit and strawberry. Its precise acidity and balance culminates in a lingering finish, making this the ideal wine to serve on a hot afternoon, either as a refreshing aperitif or alongside lighter fare such as seafood, grilled chickens, or salads and light pastas. The 2007 Orogeny Pinot Noir ($19.99) is a truly remarkable red wine from California. With vineyards nestled in the diminutive sub-appellation Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, Orogeny displays a unique and distinctive character. Its aromas of bright cherry and dark earth, and soft flavors leading to a round finish, make this a particularly versatile wine. It is the perfect match for grilled salmon or roast beef dishes, and anything in between.
The 2007 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($42.99) is a shining example of the winery's dedication to Chardonnay, and representative of the Sonoma Coast character. Its golden straw color promises aromas of white tropical fruit and citrus notes balanced by a distinct minerality. Flavors of white fruit and apricot with soft hints of toasty oak and spice lead to a long, elegant finish. This is the quintessential complement to grilled chicken or white meats such as pork roast or veal. The 2008 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($43.99) is the winery's signature varietal, and with good reason. Its bright red color and aromas of cherry and plum lead to alluring flavors balanced neatly by firm, supple tannins and a soft acidity. Its particularly long finish makes this the perfect wine to serve along rack of lamb. Find out more about these delicious wines on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Reminder: Are you or a loved one a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Happy 4th of July from Francos Wine Merchants!
Our Summer Wines list on our Home Page is the easy way to buy wine for your summer gatherings. Here you can choose from a variety of wines to go with your warm weather menus. Two interesting wines which we would like to highlight include the Domaine Begude Rosé and the Rock.Face Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 Domaine Begude Pinot Rosé ($10.99) is a delicious Rosé wine comprised entirely of Pinot Noir. Ranging from the Pays d'Oc in Southern France, Begude is an elegant and refreshing wine. Its salmon color betrays a particularly dry style, making this the ideal wine to serve on a warm day. The 2007 Rock.Face North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99) is a remarkable red wine from California. Rock.Face is sourced from vineyards ranging from Sonoma to Napa, hence the unique North Coast appellation. This process allows the wine to be uniquely representative of California grapes, with ample black currant notes and hints of earth and spice leading to a long, smooth finish. This is the perfect wine to serve with grilled meats.
Find out more about these and many other excellent wines by following the Summer Wines link on our Home Page. Saturday Tasting: Please join us this Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, as we sample the 2007 Rock.Face North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99), as well as the 2008 Botani Moscatel Seco ($14.99) and the 2009 Nieto Senetiner Reserva Pinot Noir ($10.99). Holiday Hours: We will be open our regular hours this weekend — which are Friday, 8:00AM-8:00PM and Saturday 8:00AM-7:00PM. Please be aware that July 4th is a Sunday and we will be closed — and since the Federal Holiday is being Observed Monday, we must be closed July 5th as well, according to Connecticut State Law. Please plan accordingly! We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
The Return of Orogeny Pinot Noir!
Always a welcome sight, the Orogeny Pinot Noir has returned, and we are pleased to offer it, on sale, here at Francos Wine Merchants! The 2007 Orogeny Pinot Noir ($19.99) is an astonishing red wine. Hailing from California's Russian River Valley, Orogeny gets its name from the process by which mountains are formed. The wine is a unique Pinot Noir, a notoriously difficult grape that strongly reflects where it is grown, displaying distinctly floral aromas and flavors of dark cherry and precise berry fruit. A heartiness of character and soft tannic structure make this delightful wine a treat to serve alongside a wide variety of dishes, from grilled salmon to roast red meats. Along with Orogeny, we are also pleased to offer two deliciously refreshing white wines that are perfect for the hot summer days that lay ahead. The 2009 Fuzelo Vinho Verde ($5.99) is a wonderful offering from Portugal, and one of the quintessential summer wines. This crisp, dry wine displays a wellspring of invitingly bright fruit, balanced neatly by the subtle effervescence for which Vinho Verde is most well regarded. This is the ideal wine to serve as an aperitif on a warm summer day. The 2009 Bodegas Eidosela Albariño ($13.99) is a brilliant example of Spain's signature white varietal. Ranging from the majestic Rias Baixas, Eidosela presents vivid, lively aromas of white fruit and crisp minerality, leading to rich flavors and a particularly long, dry finish. This is the perfect wine to complement seafood and shellfish dishes. We will be pouring all three of these wines at our weekly Saturday Wine Tasting — June 26th from 1:00 — 5:00 PM, so please plan on stopping by for a taste! Reminder: Are you or a loved one a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Veuve Clicquot Tasting!
Join us this Friday, June 18th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM as we sample the world famous Veuve Clicquot Champagne here at Francos Wine Merchants! The esteemed NonVintage Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label ($39.99) is one of the most well-known and reputable wines from Champagne. Instantly recognizable, Clicquot has been a champion of Champagne for over 200 years, and their flagship wine demonstrates exactly why this is the case. This is the quintessential French sparkling wine, worthy of its heritage, with forward and elegant flavors leading to a particularly crisp, dry finish. Please join us this Friday evening, between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, as we taste this delicious sparkling wine.
And please join us on Saturday, June 19th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM as we sample the 2009 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($21.99), the 2007 Jacques & Nathalie Saumaize Pouilly-Fuissé ($21.99), and the 2006 Château Patache d'Aux Médoc ($17.99). Don't forget Father's Day is this weekend! If you missed our "Father's Day Email" be sure to check it out for gift ideas for Dad! Reminder: Are you or a loved one a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Great Gifts for Father's Day!
Father's Day is just around the corner, and we have some great gift ideas for the occasion here at Francos Wine Merchants! Consider some of our Summer Red Wines, such as Rock.Face or Gama-Sutra, which are perfect for an afternoon by the grill.
The 2007 Rock.Face North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99) is a delicious red wine from the North Coast of California. Comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, Rock.Face features trace amounts of Merlot (8%), Cabernet Franc (5%), and Petit Verdot (1%) to add a distinct roundness and supple texture. The grapes are sourced from vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma, making Rock.Face exemplary of California's distinct style. This rich, full-bodied wine is perfect with hearty red meat dishes. The 2007 Olivier Lemasson Les Vins Contés Gama-Sutra ($16.99) is a remarkable red wine from France's Loire Valley. This fine example of the soft Gamay grape is bright and flavorful. Lemasson is adamant about ensuring his wines are made by hand and as naturally as possible. The result is a light-bodied yet forward red wine that is lively and refreshing.
The Glenfiddich 12yr ($37.99) is an excellent whisky from the Scottish Highlands. Glenfiddich presents complex flavors of peat and smoke balanced by elegant notes of toasty oak. The Aberfeldy 12yr ($36.99) represents the finest whisky made by Dewar's. As the heart of Dewar's White Label, Aberfeldy is a smooth and sophisticated malt, with a light air of fruit to balance the soft peat flavors.Find out more about these and many other great wines and whiskies by following the Summer Wines and Single Malt Scotches links on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Reminder: Are you or a loved one a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Duckhorn Decoy Tasting!
Join us this Saturday, June 12th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM for our weekly, in-store wine tasting. This week, we are featuring the Duckhorn Decoy Wines as presented by Alex Meier-Tomkins, Wine Director for Slocum & Sons. The Duckhorn Decoy wines have been produced for over 20 years, and have evolved from being a single wine from Duckhorn Vineyards, to an entire line in the Duckhorn Wine Portfolio. These are exceptional wines meant to drink early, showing the full range of the varietals' complexity in their youth, and made with the same care and dedication for which Duckhorn is most famous. The 2009 Duckhorn Decoy Sauvignon Blanc ($15.99) is a delicious white wine. Its pale straw color and floral aromas of citrus and white fruit betray lively flavors and a precise acidity. A particularly long, dry finish lends this wine to serving as a refreshing aperitif, or pairing alongside light fare such as grilled tilapia or light salads. The 2007 Duckhorn Decoy Merlot ($22.99), as its dark purple color implies, is a rich and full-bodied red wine. Aromas of bright red fruit and plum lead to intense flavors with hints of earth and spice. Its smooth finish and soft, balanced acidity makes this the ideal wine to serve alongside a variety of dishes, such as chorizo or spicy Italian sausage, and hearty pastas. The 2008 Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon ($22.99) is an exciting and full flavored red wine. A dark ruby red in color, the wine offers intense aromas of black currant and soft earth notes, leading to ample dark fruit flavors and a particularly gripping finish. This intense and hearty wine is tailor made for steak on the grill. Find out more about these and many other delicious wines by following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. Reminder: Are you a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Francos June Specials!
Summer is right around the corner, and we are showcasing the perfect wines for the season as our Cellar Specials here at Francos Wine Merchants! The 2009 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($21.99) is New Zealand's most well known wine. Founded in 1985, Cloudy Bay was and has been instrumental in attaining Marlborough's prestige, and this Sauvignon Blanc shows exactly why this is the case. This is a wine that displays all of the citrus and grapefruit notes for which the varietal is most well regarded, and maintains a distinct minerality and bright acidity that makes it refreshing and lively. Cloudy Bay is the ideal wine to serve alongside seafood and shellfish, or white meat and poultry dishes. The 2007 Jacques & Nathalie Saumaize Pouilly-Fuissé ($21.99) is a shining example of white Burgundy. The Saumaize family has been making wine for several generations, and a lifelong dedication to the craft is evident in every bottle and glass. The Pouilly-Fuissé is a particular joy, an alluring golden straw color in the glass, with floral aromas of white fruit and hints of clean minerality betraying soft flavors and a long, crisp finish. This is a wine especially well suited to complement a wide variety of dishes, from grilled chicken to steamed mussels and anything in between. The 2003 Señorio de Villarrica Reserva Rioja ($17.99) is a delicious example of Spain's signature Tempranillo grape. Bottled from the vineyard's best wines of the vintage aging in the Villarrica cellars, this astonishing Rioja offers deep, dark fruit notes along with hints of coffee and spice. These rich flavors lead to an especially long finish, making this the perfect wine to serve alongside roast and grilled red meats such as lamb and beef, or with sausage. The 2009 Chateau de Lancyre Pic Saint-Loup Rosé ($16.99) is a remarkable rosé wine from France's Languedoc region. A blend of Syrah and Grenache, with small amounts of Cinsault, Lancyre is the quintessential summer wine. Its rich, bright fruit flavors and long, dry finish make it the ideal complement to seafood or white meat dishes, and it is especially suited to serve as an aperitif.
Find out more about these excellent wines on our Home Page.
Saturday In-Store Tasting
Reminder: Are you a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
2007 Justin Isosceles Tasting!
We are very pleased to have Mr. Stephen Greenwood — Northeast Manager of the San Francisco Wine Exchange — hosting our In Store Tasting this Saturday, May 29, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Please join us as we sample wines from the San Francisco Wine Exchange Portfolio. The 2007 Justin Isosceles ($54.99) from Paso Robles in California is the vintage everyone has been waiting for — and here is your chance to sample this terrific wine from this exceptional vintage. Comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has blended into it trace amounts of Cabernet Franc (8%) and Merlot (4%) to add structure and balance. Its dark, dense color and alluring aromas of blueberry and black fruit, with hints of oak and spice, betray intense, full flavors balanced by its long finish. Isosceles is a brilliant example of one of California's great vintages, and is ideal with hearty beef and steak dishes. The 2006 David Bruce Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($25.99) is a remarkable red wine from California. The David Bruce Vineyards have long held a well-earned reputation for excellence, and have mastered the production of Pinot Noir. Their Sonoma Coast offering displays the varietal's characteristically floral aromas of cherry and earth, leading to richly enticing flavors of dark fruit with hints of vanilla. The perfectly balanced acidity and structured tannins give the wine an impressive and captivating finish. This is the perfect wine to complement a wide variety of menus, from lighter fare such as salmon, white meats, and game bird, to heartier fare such as lamb or roast red meats. So please make time to stop by and meet Stephen Greenwood as we sample these delicious offerings from the San Francisco Wine Exchange, this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Reminder: Are you a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
Three Countries, Three Wines - This Saturday!
Join us this Saturday May 22 between 1:00 and 5:00 PM when we will be sampling a selection of wines from Spain, France and California that you will definitely want to consider for your upcoming Summer menus. The 2008 Henri Bourgeois Les Bonnes Bouches Sancerre ($20.99) is a delicious offering from France. This delightful Sauvignon Blanc offers all of Sancerre's lively fruit and crisp minerality, with distinct hints of richness and a bright acidity that is refreshing and invigorating. This is the perfect wine to serve on a warm afternoon as an aperitif or alongside seafood and shellfish, and is particularly well suited to pairing with poultry and white meat dishes. The 2003 Señorio de Villarrica Reserva Rioja ($17.99) is a stellar example of Spain's most well known red wine. Showcasing Rioja's signature Tempranillo grape, Villarrica proudly displays all of the varietal's tenacity and richness of fruit. Its dark ruby color and inviting aromas of black cherry with hints of coffee and earth promise flavors of dark fruit with excellent balance and texture, and an especially long, smooth finish. Villarrica is the perfect wine to complement grilled meats, and especially lamb, chorizo, and hearty paella. The 2008 Crosby Cabernet Sauvignon ($9.99) from California is a flavorful and hearty red wine. Full-bodied, but with ample bright red fruit notes and a smooth finish, Crosby is ideal with hamburgers and hotdogs. We certainly hope you can join us on Saturday, but if not you can order these wines online by clicking on the wine names or images above, or following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. Reminder: Are you a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. Hope to see you online or in our store soon! The Franco Family
Single Malt Scotch Specials for May
We have some spectacular Classic Malts on sale this month here at Francos Wine Merchants. The Oban 14yr ($62.39) is the definitive West Highland Single Malt Scotch. The town of Oban is the Gateway to the Isles, and was founded around Oban Distillery, which was built in 1794. The distillery only has two pot stills, making it among the smallest in Scotland, and the care and precision taken to make this phenomenal whisky is evident in every glass. Thanks to its unique coastal location, Oban strikes the perfect balance between the dry and smoky style of the Isles and the lighter, sweeter Highland malts. The Lagavulin 16yr ($65.99), is perhaps the most well known and esteemed of the Islay whiskies. The distillery was founded in 1816 in the town of the same name, and has had a long history of excellence. Its distinctly peated style and warm flavors make for a remarkable and unmistakable experience. Find out more about these and our many other whiskies by following the Single Malt Scotches link here or on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Reminder: If you are you a single malt scotch lover and want to keep getting emails like this one about our scotch specials and new arrivals, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon. The Franco Family
New Arrivals for Spring!
Spring weather calls for spring wines, and there have been some new arrivals here at Francos Wine Merchants. The 2009 Finca Venta de Don Quijote Blanco ($6.99) is a crisp, refreshing white wine from Spain. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Macabeo, it displays bright fruit notes and hints of citrus, making it ideal for a lazy afternoon by the grill. The 2007 Plume Bleue ($11.99), a blend of Grenache and Syrah, is a delicious French wine. This medium-bodied red shows ample dark fruit and earth notes balanced by a long, dry finish. It is perfect alongside hearty grilled and roast meat dishes. Finally, the 2008 Crosby Cabernet Sauvignon ($9.99) from California is a remarkable red wine. Its bright aromas of dark cherry and black currant lead to intense, concentrated flavors and a long, smooth finish. This is the perfect wine for steak on the grill. Find out more about these delicious wines by following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Reminder: Are you a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. Hope to see you online or in our store soon! The Franco Family
Francos May Specials!
We have some extraordinary Cellar Specials to share with you this month here at Francos Wine Merchants! The 2009 Chateau de Fontenille Entre-Deux-Mers ($11.99) is a delicious white Bordeaux wine. An intricate blend of Sauvignon Blanc (35%), Sauvignon Gris (15%), and equal parts Muscadelle and Semillon, this incredible white wine is refreshing and intriguing. Its fresh aromas of citrus and grapefruit, followed by crisp flavors with hints of peach, make for an exemplary food wine. Fontenille is particularly well served for pairing with seafood, and especially shellfish. The 2009 Vietti Roero Arneis ($19.99) is a delightful white wine from Piedmont in Italy. The Arneis grape is especially rare, but has recently seen a resurgence of interest thanks in no small part to winemaker Alfredo Curnado, who has been growing this unique varietal in Roero for some few years now. The wine is crisp and lively, with a long dry finish laced with subtle hints of almond and citrus fruit. This Arneis is versatile and flavorful, making it an ideal match for seafood and poultry dishes, as well as heartier fare such as pork or veal.
Last but most emphatically not least, we are pleased to present the 2007 Justin Isosceles ($54.99). Ranging from esteemed Paso Robles in California, this intricate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot is an astonishing red wine. Its intense and precise flavors of dark fruit and earth notes are balanced by excellent structure and memorable texture. Soft, well-integrated tannins and a long finish make Isosceles the perfect wine to serve alongside any grilled steak or roast beef menu. Find out more about these excellent wines on our Home Page, and please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Are you a single malt scotch lover? Do you want to keep getting emails about our scotch specials and new arrivals? If so, please let us know that by signing up again for our newsletter (here), or simply reply to this email saying, "Yes, please send me scotch emails" and we'll take care of it for you. In the future, we won't send every scotch email to our entire list, but only to those of you who indicate that you are a scotch lover. We may wait a few weeks before implementing this new policy, until enough of you have updated your signups. Once we start using the "scotch" indicator, we will usually send you one scotch email a week, in addition to our regular weekly wine newsletter. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Thursday Night Wine Tasting & 2nd Annual Design District Benefit
This Thursday, April 29, marks the second annual New Canaan Design District Benefit. Last year's Design District event was a great success and this year should prove to be just as exciting. So, if you are in town, please stop by from 6:00 to 8:00 PM to sample two extraordinary wines we will have open. The 2009 Château Calissanne Rosé ($14.99) is a delicious spring and summer wine from the Provence in France. It offers aromas of bright, inviting fruit with soft floral hints, followed by lively flavors of cherry and strawberry. Calissanne is a crisp and refreshing dry wine that is ideal as an aperitif or when served alongside seafood dishes, and especially shellfish. The 2006 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico ($16.99) from Italy is a shining example of Tuscany's signature Sangiovese varietal. Aromas of ripe cherry and violet notes lead to rich flavors of dark berry, with hints of toasted oak. Its long finish makes this the perfect wine to serve with grilled meats and chicken dishes.
Be sure to join us this Thursday, April 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM as we sample these delicious wines. And as always, if you are unable to attend, you can find these wines by clicking on the wine names above, or on the links on our Home Page.
And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. This week we will be featuring a selection of delicious Argentine Malbec.
We hope to see you online or in our store soon.
The Franco Family
Spring Wines Under $15
As grilling season starts up, we here at Francos Wine Merchants like to keep an eye out for excellent, affordable wines for the season, and we're pleased to offer some of our favorites! The 2008 Edna Valley Chardonnay ($9.99) is a delightful white wine from California. Its soft oak and layered, buttery character are neatly balanced by bright fruit and a crisp finish. Edna Valley is an excellent choice to serve alongside fresh seafood, grilled chicken, or roast pork dishes. The 2008 Virginie Taunt Sauvignon Blanc ($12.99) is a fine example of New Zealand's signature white varietal. This refreshing wine from Marlborough displays the characteristic aromas and flavors of bright citrus and grapefruit, while the finish is enticingly dry and mineral. This is the perfect complement to any seafood or shellfish meal.
The 2008 Block Nine Caiden's Vineyards Pinot Noir ($11.99) hails from California. Its soft ruby red color and gamey aromas of bright cherry and earth betray lush flavors of dark fruit and spice, leading to a long and dry finish. This delicious, light-bodied wine pairs well alongside grilled meat dishes, as well as lighter fare such as poultry or salmon. The 2006 Vista TN Reserva ($11.99) is a full-bodied red wine from Portugal. This is a powerful and richly flavored wine, with ample dark fruit notes and a long, earthy finish. The Touriga Nacional, Portugal's finest varietal typically reserved for Port wine, is an ideal choice to serve alongside hearty grilled and roast meat dishes. Find out more about these excellent wines by following the New Arrivals link here or on our Home Page. And please remember our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, this week featuring the 2008 Virginie Taunt Sauvignon Blanc, the 2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin, and the 2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
18-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch!
April 16, 2010 — We are proud of our vast selection of Single Malt Scotch here at Francos Wine Merchants, and we are pleased to share some of our favorites with you. Single Malt Scotch needs to age in cask for at least 8 years before being bottled. Because the whisky will change and mature the longer it ages, many distillers will let their batches sit for longer, with most single malts being bottled after 12 years. However, some of the finest whiskies are the more rare 18-year-olds, and the extra care and effort involved in aging these further helps to develop some truly spectacular scotch. The Talisker 18yr Single Malt Scotch ($67.99) is the only whisky from the Isle of Skye. Talisker is an alluringly sweet and full-bodied whisky, with rich aromas and a distinctly smoked character.
The Glenlivet 18yr Single Malt Scotch ($72.99) is an elegant and rich Speyside whisky. The Glenlivet is a perfectly balanced malt, with concentrated fruit and spice notes leading to an especially long, warming finish.
The Glenmorangie 18yr Single Malt Scotch ($89.99) is an astonishing whisky from the Scottish Highlands. Its rich bouquet and full, rounded flavor lend to it the elegance and poise that makes for a truly memorable experience. Find out more about these and many other excellent whiskies by following the Single Malt Scotches link here or on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Malbec Mania!
Malbec Mania has arrived at Francos Wine Merchants, and we have three Argentinean Malbecs that fit the bill! The Malbec grape originates in Bordeaux in France, and has long been used as one of the six classic grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. However, it is perhaps most well known as an Argentine varietal. Introduced to Argentina in the 19th century, the grape found its foothold in Mendoza and has been used to make remarkable wine ever since. The 2007 Mil Piedras Malbec ($9.99) is a classic example of Argentine Malbec. Rich and full-bodied, the wine offers delicious dark fruit notes complemented by a supple texture and a surprising and enticingly long finish. Mil Piedras is ideal alongside grilled meats and poultry. The 2008 Ben Marco Malbec ($15.99) is fiercely vibrant and flavorful. Unique in that it features a blending of trace amounts of the rare Bonarda—better known as Charbono—grape, the wine is well-rounded and perfectly balanced, with the length to stand up to the heartiest of meals yet a distinct liveliness of fruit making it equally complementary to lighter fare. The 2007 Catena Malbec ($17.99) is the flagship wine of Catena Zapata, a family of masterful winemakers who have been practicing and perfecting their craft in Mendoza for the better part of four generations. This delicious wine is intricately complex, with ample raspberry and cherry notes leading into a distinct earthiness. Its fullness of body is balanced by bright fruit, making this the perfect wine to pair with grilled meats and sausage, roast chicken, or lamb. Find out more about these and many other excellent wines by following the New Arrivals link here or on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting, which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Francos April Specials!
Spring has arrived here at Francos Wine Merchants and so have our Cellar Specials for April. We are presenting some astonishing wines this month for our Cellar Specials and we encourage you to take a look! The 2007 Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley Chardonnay ($19.99) is a remarkable white wine, and a prime example of California's signature white varietal. Masterfully produced, it offers bright aromas of tropical pineapple and mango with hints of apple and pear. Perfectly balanced flavors of white fruit and a soft minerality are held together by a backbone of soft toasty oak. Ferrari-Carano once more provides an exceptionally complex wine that perfectly complements a variety of meals such as shellfish, poultry, white meats, and pasta dishes. The 2006 Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($21.99) is a phenomenal red wine. Comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), its structure is rounded by traces of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine displays intense aromas of black currant with hints of spice, leading to a rush of rich dark fruit flavors with firm tannins complementing the long finish. Its weight and roundness makes this the ideal wine to serve alongside hearty steaks and roasts.
Burgundy's 2006 Maréchal Savigny-les-Beaune ($32.99) is a wonderful offering from the wife and husband team of Catherine and Claude Maréchal. This truly outstanding Pinot Noir shows distinct earth notes beneath flavors of dark red fruit. Its inviting softness and lingering finish make this the perfect wine to pair alongside salmon dinners.
Find out more about these excellent wines on our Home Page, and please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Wetzel Family Estate presents Alexander Valley Vineyards!
We are proud to showcase some of the excellent wines from Alexander Valley Vineyards here at Francos Wine Merchants, and we have two of them featured on sale this month. California's Alexander Valley is famed for the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon grown there, but this has not always been the case. Until 1962, this pristine valley in Sonoma County was mostly prune orchards and pastures. That year, Harry and Maggie Wetzel purchased the nineteenth century homestead of Cyrus Alexander, after whom the valley is named. The Wetzel family took a cue from neighboring Napa Valley and began to plant a number of grape varietals, and produced Alexander Valley Vineyards' first wine in 1975. And the rest, as it were, is history. The 2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99) is a truly remarkable wine, and a signature example not only of Alexander Valley Cabernet, but also of the Wetzel Family Estate's mastery of the art of vinification. Characterized by its richness of color and precise, concentrated flavors, this is the perfect wine to serve alongside hearty grilled red meats. The 2007 Sin Zin ($16.99) is Alexander Valley Vineyards' deliciously decadent Zinfandel. This robust red wine proudly displays the expressive aromas of bright red fruit and spice, leading to intense flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and black pepper. The label depicts Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, engaging in his favorite pastime, and no wine would better do the image justice. This is an ideal complement to a wide variety of dishes, from poultry to game to roast beef dinners. Find out more about these and many other wonderful wines by following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. And please remember our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
New Offering from Italy
We are excited to have just received a remarkable red wine here at Francos Wine Merchants. Piedmont in the north of Italy has a long vinicultural history. Barbera itself, a grape native to the region, has been made into wine since the thirteenth century. Inviting and food-friendly, Piedmontese wines are always a delightful treat. The Damilano Winery was founded in 1890 by Giacomo Damilano, and is one of the oldest wineries in Piedmont. The 2008 Damilano Barbera d'Asti ($14.99) is a stunning showing from this prestigious family. The 2008 is the first vintage from Damilano's vineyards in Asti, having previously been produced in the neighboring town of Alba, and the move has afforded a favorable shift in the wine. This delicious Barbera shows richly concentrated flavors of bright dark cherry and raspberry, with lush hints of spice of soft earth. A perfectly balanced, lively acidity and especially lingering finish make this an excellent wine to serve alongside a very wide variety of dishes, from hearty pastas and rich roast meats to chicken and veal parmigiana. Find out more about this and many other exceptional wines by following the New Arrivals link here or on our Home Page. And please join us this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM for our weekly, in-store wine tasting, when we will be sampling the extraordinary 2008 Damilano Barbera d'Asti. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Francos March Specials
Roaring in like a Lion — Francos Wine Merchants has a selection of featured wines to help wash away the last bit of remaining snow and to clear way for spring! From Italy we present the 2006 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico ($16.99). This phenomenal Tuscan wine presents the bright aromas and flavors characteristic of Chianti's signature Sangiovese grape. Bright red cherry notes lead to dark fruit and a distinct earthiness, with a long finish that makes this wine ideal for pairing with chicken or veal parmigiana, hearty pastas, and roast red meat dishes. France offers the 2006 Château Patache d'Aux Médoc ($19.99). An impressive display of Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this vibrant red wine is at once elegant and bold. A fullness of body and rich, dark flavors are perfect for serving alongside robust red meat dinners.
The 2006 Ramey Claret ($29.99) is a masterful blending of Cabernet Sauvignon rounded by trace amounts of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This bright and flavorful red wine is delightfully fruit-forward and lively, with a backbone of dark cherry and blackberry with earthy hints of spice. Its masterful balance and structure, tempered by a notably long finish, are sure to make this wine a model complement to a wide variety of dishes. The 2007 Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($29.99) is an amazing offering, with a richness of fruit and texture that is as inviting as it is delightful. This fine white wine displays an aromatic bouquet flush with white tropical fruit and warm earth notes, while creamy flavors flood the palate, leaving a lingering finish of toasty oak and vanilla. This is the quintessential wine to complete with white meat, fish, and poultry menus. Find out more about these fantastic wines on our Home Page, and please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Reminder: Jacques Lardière Wine Dinner
Just a reminder regarding our Wine Dinner with Mr. Jacques Lardière, Winemaker for Maison Louis Jadot on Tuesday March 9th, at Cava Restaurant. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Lardière able to stop here on his visit to the United States and host our wine dinner. Mr. Lardière is a pre-eminent spokesman for France's Burgundy region, and this event should prove to be particularly insightful for those who have taken positions in the Jadot portfolio as well as for those interested in learning more about the Jadot wines or the Burgundy region.
The price for this extraordinary event is $89.00 per person, plus tax & gratuity. You can view the menu at the Cava Restaurant website and reservations must be made through Cava at 203-966-6946. We look forward to seeing you there.
The Franco Family
Single Malt Scotch!
Here at Francos Wine Merchants we are especially proud of our vast selection of Single Malt Scotch, and we are pleased to present a rare and delightful offering! Belgian wine-maker Michel Couvreur makes his home in Bouze-les-Beaune in Burgundy, where he has been making fine wine for many years, but his false passion has always been for Single Malt Scotch. Since the 1970s, Couvreur has been making whisky in the Scottish Highlands. After aging for the requisite three years and one day, he moves his Scotch to his cellar in Burgundy, where the whisky is then aged in specially selected sherry casks to age for the next nine years. The result is a selection of truly impressive whiskies that are as unique as they are rare. The Michel Couvreur 12 year-old Malt Scotch Whisky ($64.99) is a dark golden amber in color. Invitingly smoky aromas of dried flower and almond lead to firm spicy flavors and a particularly long finish. The Michel Couvreur 12 year-old Pale Single-Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($89.99) is a Single Malt Scotch bottled from a single cask. A honeyed gold in color, this fine malt offers floral aromas of delicate fruit and spice, while rich and smooth flavors of sweet fruit flood the palate, leaving a long and warm finish. To find learn more about these and many other excellent whiskies, please follow the Single Malt Scotches link here or on our Home Page. And we ask that you please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Burgundy Wine Dinner Hosted by Jacques Lardière
Our Wine Dinner Series continues as we welcome Mr. Jacques Lardière, Winemaker for Maison Louis Jadot. We feel very fortunate to have Jacques Lardière, pre-eminent spokesman for France's Burgundy region, conducting a wine dinner here in New Canaan. This event should prove to be particularly insightful for those who have taken positions in the Jadot portfolio as well as for those interested in learning more about the Jadot wines.
The price for this extraordinary event is $89.00 per person, plus tax & gratuity. You can view the menu at the Cava Restaurant website and reservations must be made through Cava at 203-966-6946. We look forward to seeing you there.
The Franco Family
Marietta Old Vine Red Returns!
The venerable favorite, Marietta Old Vine Red, has returned to Francos Wine Merchants, and we could not be more excited to see it again! Marietta Cellars has been family owned and operated since 1978, when Chris Bilbro, who now runs the vineyards with his sons Jack and Scot, founded it. Though the first vineyard was opened in Dry Creek Valley, over the years Marietta Cellars has expanded their winery into Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. The Marietta Old Vine Red Lot Number 51 - On Sale for $12.99 - is a delicious red wine. Old Vine Red is always a Zinfandel based wine, but Gamey Syrah and spicy Carignan round out the wine, and give it a distinctive dark purple and ruby color. Intense aromas lead to flavors of bright fruit with solid structure and a long finish, making this the ideal wine to serve alongside a variety of dishes such as grilled or stewed red meat, roast chicken, or hearty pasta. Find out more about this and many other excellent wines by following the New Arrivals link here or on our Home Page. Thanks to all who came out to the Roagna Wine Dinner this week. If you weren't able to attend you can still view/order these wines online or in our store. And as always, we remind you to please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Champagne for Valentine's Day and February Specials
Valentine's Day weekend is upon us and those of you planning a special evening will want a bottle of Champagne on hand to insure a romantic evening. For Valentine's Day we have a variety of Champagne on sale including the Veuve Clicquot "Yellow Label" for $39.99, the 2000 Dom Perignon for $149.99 and the 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal on sale for $249.99. Visit our Home Page for a complete list of Champagne and Sparkling Wines. You might also want to check out our February Cellar Specials:
Finally, California's fantastic 2008 Newton Red Label Chardonnay ($18.99) is an astonishing blending of Chardonnay from Napa County and Sonoma County. Distinctly mineral, this white wine nonetheless displays the buttery oak flavors for which California Chardonnay is known. Visit our Home Page to find out more about these Specials. Don't forget our weekly in-store wine tastings which take place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00-5:00pm. We look forward to seeing you online or in our store again soon!
The Franco Family
Luca Roagna Wine Dinner PostponedSadly, because of the impending snow storm, the Luca Roagna Wine Dinner at Aloi Restaurant has been rescheduled to Tuesday, February 16th. Please call Aloi At 203 966 4345 to reconfirm your reservations. Likewise, if you had been unable to attend because of unavailability on the original date of the dinner, please call Aloi Restaurant, as postponement of the event will most likely create some availability to this previously sold out event. 
Luca will have returned to Italy by then, so the speaker that evening will be Kevin McKenna of Louis/Dressner/McKenna, Luca's importers here in the U.S. Kevin is a very fascinating individual and we can still guarantee a very interesting and informative event.
I hope everyone can still attend as Margerhita is planning a fabulous evening.
The Franco Family A Fine New Offering from Bordeaux!
Bordeaux has long been considered one of the world's premier winemaking regions, with many long-lived and influential vineyards. We here at Francos Wine Merchants are pleased to present a fantastic offering from prestigious Bordeaux! The 2006 Château Haut-Beauséjour Saint-Estèphe ($22.99) is a truly remarkable wine. Jean-Claude Rouzaud, president of Champagne Louis Roederer, founded the vineyard in 1992 after he acquired and combined the acclaimed vineyards of Château Picard and Château Beauséjour. The resulting wine is a beautiful example of Saint-Estèphe Bordeaux. Saint-Estèphe is one of the four major winegrowing appellations of the Médoc, and as such the wines from the region are comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon balanced by Merlot. Saint-Estèphe wines, being from the West Bank, tend to be more full-bodied and robust than from the East Bank appellations such as Saint-Emilion & Pomerol. The Château Haut-Beauséjour is a rich, sustained red in color with a striking clarity. Delightful aromas of blackberry are intermingled with soft hints of tobacco. The wine is soft and rounded, with a touch of liveliness as it develops on the palate. Rich flavors of dark fruit lead to a long finish balanced by firm tannins. Haut-Beauséjour drinks well now, especially when paired with roast or grilled red meat dishes, though it could just as easily be cellared for the next five or six years. We'll be tasting the Château Haut-Beauséjour this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM so please stop in if you are in town! Find out more about this delightful wine and our other specials on our Home Page. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Single Malt Scotch!
While fine wine is our forte, we here at Francos Wine Merchants are especially proud of our Single Malt Scotch selection, and this month we're anxious to share with you some of our favorites! The Black Bottle Scotch Whisky ($22.99) is an enigmatic pure malt. Smooth and well balanced, this carefully crafted blend combines fresh, honeyed aromas with delightfully smoky flavors and a long, warming finish. A unique blending of single malts from each of the distilleries in Scotland's most revered whisky producing island of Islay, the Black Bottle is a delightful treat for any lover of Scotch. The Oban 14 Year ($52.99) is a remarkable West Highland Malt, and one of the acclaimed Classic Malts. Distinctly smooth and flavorful, it is easy to see what makes Oban one of the most well loved of whiskies. Finally, we are pleased to present the Lagavulin 16yr ($65.99). The most famous of Islay's Single Malts, and another of Scotland's Classic Malts, Lagavulin is a truly remarkable scotch. Markedly peaty, with intense flavors a long, warm finish; this is the perfect whisky for a cold winter's night. To find out more about these and many other excellent whiskies, please follow the Single Malt Scotches link here or on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Rosso di Casanova di Neri Tasting this Saturday!
Join us this Saturday, January 30th, as we present a special tasting of the 2007 Rosso di Casanova di Neri ($23.99), here at Francos Wine Merchants! The Casanova di Neri Vineyard was founded in 1971 by acclaimed winemaker Giovanni Neri. Located in Montalcino in Brunello, the Casanova di Neri wines are shining examples of Tuscany's signature Sangiovese grape. The Rosso di Casanova di Neri is a masterful red wine. Expansive flavors of dark cherry and hints of smoke are balanced by outstanding depth and terrific balance. This is the perfect wine to serve alongside hearty pastas or red meat dishes. We invite you to join us this Saturday, January 30th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM as we sample this delicious wine. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Wine Dinner with Luca Roagna
Our 2010 Wine Dinner Series comes out of the blocks quickly with a wine dinner hosted by Luca Roagna — 5th generation winemaker of the Piedmont Estate that bears his family's name — on Wednesday, February 10th. Northern Italy has been home to the Roagna family, who have been winemakers in the village of Barbaresco since the mid 1800s. The Roagna family owns one of the most fascinating properties in Piedmont highlighted by small, but extremely choice plots in some of the region's best vineyards.
Once again, the date is Wednesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm. The cost is $80 per person, plus tax & tip. Reservations must be made through Aloi Restaurant at 203-966-4345. We hope you can join us for this incredible evening.
The Franco Family
Francos January Specials!
Please excuse our absence – sometimes it just takes us a few days to get our bearings straight once the rush of the holidays are over and done. But we are back, and the a new year calls for new wine choices - and we here at Francos Wine Merchants are proud to offer a particularly fine selection for this month's Cellar Specials. From France's Loire-Atlantique we present the delectable 2008 Domaine de la Pépière Cuvée Granit ($12.99). A unique blend of Gamay, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, this delicious red wine is soft bodied and particularly fruit forward, with a satisfyingly smooth finish. Also from the Loire Valley comes the 2007 François Cazin Le Petit Chambord Cour-Cheverny ($14.99). A fine example of the rare Romorantin grape, which is cultivated only in the village of Cour-Cheverny, this is an enticing and unique white wine. Rich in white fruit flavors and citric character, and with a dry and mineral finish that is crisp and refreshing, this is the perfect wine for chicken and seafood dishes.
Finally, we are pleased to present the magnificent 2007 Rosso di Casanova di Neri ($23.99). This is an incredible red wine from one of Tuscany's premier wine makers, and a shining example of the region's signature Sangiovese grape. Rich and expansive, with ample red and black fruit notes, this tantalizing wine is best paired with red meats and hearty pasta dishes. Find out more about these excellent wines on our Home Page, and please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Happy New Year from Francos Wine Merchants!
New Year's Eve is fast approaching, and with no better way to celebrate than with some of the world's finest bubbles all available here at Francos Wine Merchants! The Roederer Estate ($17.99), produced by Louis Roederer in California's Anderson Valley, is a truly exemplary sparkling wine, with rich flavors of apple and citrus fruit blended liberally with notes of toasty oak and cream. The Gruet Blanc de Noirs ($16.99) and Gruet Brut ($16.99) are ideal choices. Made in the Champenoise style, with ample fruit notes and a crisp dry finish, one would never guess these to be produced in New Mexico!
France's Champagne region also offers the remarkable Larmandier-Bernier Blanc de Blancs ($49.99) and the Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus ($54.99). These delightful sparkling wines made by the wife and husband team of Sophie & Pierre Larmandier are superb examples of Champagne wine. The wines are strictly low-dosage or no-dosage, making them particularly dry and crisp in style. Finally, we are proud to present the 2000 Dom Perignon ($194.99). A wine known the world over, Dom Perignon is the quintessential Champagne wine. Masterful and elegant, bold and yet softly demure, this is the perfect wine with which to ring in 2010.
To find out more about these and our many other excellent sparkling wines, please click on the links in this email, or follow the Champagne link and the Other white sparkling link on our Home Page. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store in 2010!
The Franco Family The Final Stretch!
Here we are – the final few shopping days are upon us- and while things might get a little harried, Francos Wine Merchants will be here to help you cross those last few items off your list. If you are in need of a some "price friendly" wines to pour for guests – may we suggest either the 2005 Badiolo Chianti Reserva on sale for $10.99, the 2008 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio on sale for $14.99 or the 2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon on sale for $16.99.
Our store hours for this week remain mostly the same. We will be open from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. And on Thursday, Christmas Eve, we will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We will be closed Christmas Day. May we also take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for your business over the past year, Best Wishes for 2010 and as always, Peace on Earth. We hope to see you online or in our store soon!
The Franco Family Great Wines for the Holidays!
We know the days are winding down, and if you're stuck for gift ideas or wines for the holidays, the Francos Staff is ready to help! An easy place to start is with the 2005 Chateau La Fleur Poitou ($16.99). A remarkable wine from one of Bordeaux's greatest vintages, and hailing from picturesque Saint-Emilion, this delightful blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and flavorful.
Olivier Lemasson offers us the 2007 Les Vins Contés Pinoir de Soif ($22.99), a delicious Pinot Noir from France's Loire Valley. This naturally produced wine is fresh and delicious, with a light-bodied style that is ideal for a wide selection of meals, from salmon to lamb to heartier holiday fare. The 2007 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay is at an incredible price this month: $39.99. This is an impressive white wine with a layered, buttery style flush with notes of toasted coconut and caramel, and flavors of golden apple and toasty oak with hints of soft citrus fruit. Finally, we have the 2006 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia ($159.99). A perfect holiday gift, this truly breathtaking red wine is full and hearty and extremely memorable.
Give a "Mixed Case" as a Holiday GiftIs all this gift giving too much to think about? If so, let Francos Wine Merchants put something together for you! Simply choose from several different price point categories under our Mixed Case Options at our website. Mixed cases are listed at their high-end price, but are adjusted to the actual price of the bottles in your case before your order is processed. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy Tasting this Saturday!
Join us this Saturday December 12th from 1:00-5:00 as we welcome back Mr. Philippe Marchal of Maison Louis Jadot. Philippe will be sampling a selection of Burgundies from the 2006 Louis Jadot portfolio. If you missed Philippe back at our November Tasting, here is your chance to taste some of the fine wines of Louis Jadot. 2006 was an especially fine year for Burgundy. We recently cornered the market on the wines from this excellent vintage produced by world famous Louis Jadot. Find out more about these wines by following the 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy link on our Home Page. You can also view our most recent New York Times advertisement featuring the 2006 Louis Jadot wines we have on sale. Mixed Cases Now AvailableThinking of giving a Mixed Case of wine as a Holiday Gift, but don't know the wines to choose? You can have someone on the Francos Staff make the selection for you. Simply choose from several different price point catagories, and we put the gift together for you! You can look at the Mixed Case options at our web site. Mixed cases are listed at their high-end price, but are adjusted to the actual price of the bottles in the case before your order is processed and your credit card is charged. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family Francos December Specials & Holiday Gift Ideas
The Holidays are upon us and the Francos Staff has chosen some extraordinary wines as our Cellar Specials, perfect for the celebrations in the coming weeks! The delightful Roederer Estate Brut ($17.99) from California's Anderson Valley is a delicious sparkling wine made in the world-renowned tradition of Louis Roederer Champagne. A unique blend of estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, as well as oak-aged reserve wines, create a particularly complex and dry sparkling wine. The 2008 Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse ($19.99) is one of the most well known and beloved wines from Burgundy's Maconnais region. Its bright citrus fruit and crisp, dry finish is coupled with an underlying hint of creamy vanilla. This is the perfect wine to serve alongside fish or light chicken dishes. Last but most decidedly not least, we present the 2008 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir ($24.99). A remarkable example of California Pinot Noir, this delicious red wine is made by the masterful winemakers of Caymus fame, and their expertise shines through. Flush with bright cherry fruit notes leading to a seductively long finish. An excellent wine to pair with grilled or roast meats, as well as chicken or salmon dishes. Please also visit our web site to see more about our Veuve Clicquot Special and upcoming Wine Tastings - as well as excellent gift items such as our Single Malt Scotch collection and our 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy acquisition. You can also view a PDF of our most recent New York Times advertisement featuring our Louis Jadot Burgundies. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Holiday Gift Giving
While we are still trying to figure out creative ways to use our Thanksgiving leftovers, it's hard to believe that the Holiday season is now upon us! But the staff at Francos Wine Merchants has been working hard to make Holiday Gift Giving as easy as possible this year.
While we will be suggesting many gift giving ideas in the coming weeks, we did want to mention that we will be offering our most popular gift giving idea from last year. A one bottle gift package of Champagne Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label – can be sent as a gift anywhere in the United States via FedEx Ground for $49.99 – Tax and shipping included. It's a great way to let friends and colleagues know you are thinking about them over the Holiday. We would also like to take this opportunity to mention that as the Holiday's get closer, the last dates to order an item for guaranteed gift delivery in time for December 25th are the following: December 16th for Guaranteed Ground Shipping Orders must be received by 12PM on the dates specified for guaranteed delivery. Orders that come in later may still arrive in time, but are not guaranteed. Please look for our Holiday Specials online in the coming weeks – and remember that if you are in a quandary for a gift giving idea, the Francos Staff is ready to help! It can be as simple as just telling us how much you'd like to spend and then let one of the staff put the gift together for you – or we can help you along with your choices. Either way please don't hesitate to ask us for assistance! We hope to see you online or in our store soon!
The Franco Family Happy Thanksgiving from Francos Wine Merchants!
We here at Francos Wine Merchants just want to let you know that we are here to help you with your last minute Thanksgiving choices. Just a reminder that we have the 2007 Belle Glos "Clark & Telephone" and "Las Alturas" Pinot Noir, both on sale for $40.99, as well as the Newton "Red Label" Chardonnay for $17.99. You can find all of these wines as well as other choices for your Thanksgiving table on our Home Page. We would also like to mention that we did receive a shipment of 2006 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, on sale for $24.99. Our wide selection of Single Malt Scotch is also on sale. Our 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy tasting was a great success, but if you were unable to join us, there is still time to take advantage of our special sale of these amazing wines. Please be aware that we will be open our regular store hours of 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Wednesday November 25th, but we will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon, and we wish you the very best for your Thanksgiving Holiday.
The Franco Family 2006 Louis Jadot Grand Cru Wine Tasting!
This Saturday, November 21st from 1:00-5:00 our host, Mr. Philippe Marchal of Maison Louis Jadot will be conducting an extraordinary tasting of 2006 Grand Cru Burdundies here in our store. The Grand Cru wines to be tasted for Red Burgundies include the 2006 Jadot Clos Vougeot ($101.99), 2006 Jadot Chapelle Chambertin ($128.99), and 2006 Jadot Corton Greves ($82.99). And in Grand Cru White Burgundy, we have the 2006 Jadot Batard Montrachet ($198.99) and 2006 Jadot Corton Charlemange ($114.99).
Other Burgundies from the 2006 Jadot Portfolio to be tasted include the 2006 Jadot Chassagne Montrachet "Morgeot" ($56.99) for White Burgundy, and for Red Burgundy include the 2006 Jadot Nuits-Saint-Georges "Les Boudots" ($64.99) and the 2006 Jadot Beaune "Clos des Ursules" ($45.99). Please make time to stop by and meet Philippe Marchal, samples his wines, and hear him talk about this legendary vineyard. Those of you unable to make our tasting on Saturday can view and order all of our 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundies on our website. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family November Specials!
Things have been busy here at Francos Wine Merchants — we've had much excitement with our 2006 Louis Jadot Arrival. But we wanted to also let you know about our November Specials, just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday! We have an array of Wines, Ports & Single Malts on sale, as well as some exciting Wine Tastings coming up, and we'd like to take a minute to tell you about them. There are so many good choices for the Thanksgiving meal that it was hard to narrow them down. But if serving Pinot Noir at your Thanksgiving table comes to mind, Francos has three exciting ones to choose from! From California, the Wagner Family of Caymus fame bring us the 2007 Belle Glos "Clark & Telephone" and the 2007 Belle Glos "Las Alturas", both on sale for $40.99. And from Oregon's Willamette Valley, the 2007 Argyle Pinot Noir announces its presence with a bright garnet color and nose of red fruit and cranberry. On sale for $22.99.
Lastly, if a full flavored California Cabernet is on your list, the 2007 Caymus Cabernet with its deep flavors of cassis, chocolate and vanilla definitely fulfills those requirements. On sale for $64.99. 2006 Louis Jadot Grand Cru Burgundy Tasting! — This Saturday, November 21st, between 1:00 and 5:00pm, Philippe Marchal of Maison Louis Jadot will be on hand to sample some of 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundies that have recently arrived. Please make time to stop by to sample some of these fabulous wines. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family Francos Corners 2006 Burgundy Market
Francos Wine Merchants has just purchased and accepted delivery of every case of 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy in the United States. This was one of the largest tranactions for Burgundy in the United States and certainly the largest for us. While Francos Wine Merchants was one of the few retailers who honored their commitment on our original order of 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy, the current economy over the past year left a large quantity of wine unsold from restaurateurs and retailers who cancelled their orders. Realizing the excellent value and quality of the 2006 Burgundies, Francos stepped up to the plate and made this amazing purchase. Represented is a cross section of Village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines. Some have a fairly deep inventory and others are very limited. The wines are arriving in two large shipments. We have received our first shipment and the second is scheduled to arrive by December 1st or shortly thereafter. All the wines are listed on our website here; wines that are in stock will show prices; those that aren't yet here will not have prices. While the wines that have yet to arrived cannot be purchased immediately, you can create a "Wish List" to help you remember them, and order them more easily after they come in.
Please follow this 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundy link to view the entire list, or this link to see only those in stock now. Highlighting our list are the 2006 Louis Jadot Beaune Clos Ursules, the 2006 Clos Vougeot, and the 2006 Savigny-les-Beaune Clos des Guettes. These three wines are a good representation of wines that you might either want to "drink now" or cellar. But, truthfully, the entire lot - without exception - are at the sharpest prices you will ever see for these extraordinary wines. All these wines will be featured in our upcoming November ad, but as subscribers to our Email Newsletter, you are the first to see them. We will be conducting an In-Store Tasting of some of the 2006 Louis Jadot Burgundies, so please be sure to stop by the store both this Saturday, November 14th as well as next Saturday November 21st – between 1:00-5:00pm - to sample some of these fabulous wines. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family Single Malt Scotch Specials!
Nothing takes the chill off these Autumn nights like a nice Single Malt Scotch. As the temperature drop, so do the prices on our Single Malts. Francos Wine Merchants are proud to offer the following on sale! The Glenmorangie 10yr ($36.99), referred to as The Original Glenmorangie, is a Highland single malt matured in bourbon casks. This process adds layers of complexity to an already elegant whisky. The Springbank 10yr ($49.99), with its golden color and bouquet reminiscent of a soft sea breeze, is a delightful malt that is softly peated and smooth. Its particularly long finish makes this an excellent choice for classic scotch lovers. Dewar's own Aberfeldy 12yr ($36.99) is a Highland malt with a warm golden color. The full and lively palate leads into a lingering finish. Finally, the Oban 14yr ($62.39) from the West Highlands is elegant and glowing, marrying a sea air character to a richly fruited style. Learn more about these and many other excellent whiskies by following the Single Malt Scotches link on our Home Page. There are still a couple of openings left for our Caymus Dinner this Wednesday, November 4th 6:30pm at Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant. If you are interested, please call Cava at 203-966-6946 for reservations. You can view the Caymus Dinner Menu at the Cava Restaurant website. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family Caymus Wine Dinner
If you have not made your reservations for the Caymus Wine Dinner being held at Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant, please don't delay; the dinner is almost sold out. The event is Wednesday, November 4th and our guest speaker that evening will be Mr. George Louis, Sales Director of Caymus Vineyards. Should you be unable to attend our event you can find the featured wines from the dinner on the Wine Tasting link on our Home Page – all available for online ordering.
Featured wines include the 2006 Mer Soleil "Silver" Chardonnay, 2007 Mer Soleil "Barrel Fermented" Chardonnay and the much anticipated and newly released 2007 Belle Glos Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs — the "Clark & Telephone" and the "Las Alturas". Also featured will be the 2007 Caymus Napa Cabernet. This event is filling up quickly – please make your reservations now. Reservations must be made thru Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant at 203-966-6946.
The Franco Family New Italian Arrivals!
Autumn has arrived in force, and we here at Francos Wine Merchants are proud to offer a selection of excellent Italian wines for the season. This fall sees the return of the ever-popular 2008 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio ($14.99). A delightful wine, this fine example of Italy's signature white varietal is extremely flavorful. Its enticingly mineral bouquet and dry palate makes this the ideal wine to serve as an aperitif or pair alongside seafood dinners, as well as poultry and white meat dishes. From Tuscany we are pleased to present the 2007 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina ($15.99), a remarkable red wine with a complexity and depth characteristic of the Sangiovese grape. Rich with fruit notes leading into an elegantly lingering finish ensure this Chianti is the perfect accompaniment for hearty pasta dishes and robust red meats. Finally we offer Piedmont's 2008 Vietti Tre Vigne Dolcetto d'Alba ($19.99). Harvested from select vineyards throughout Barolo, this enticing red wine perfectly balances a rich allotment of dark red fruit with a velvety texture and long finish. Dolcetto is an excellent choice to serve alongside grilled vegetables and light pasta dishes. Find out more about these and many other excellent wines by following the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. In Store Tasting this Saturday, October 24th between 1:00 and 5:00 PM when we will be tasting both the 2007 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina and the 2008 Vietti Tre Vigne Dolcetto d'Alba. Please stop by. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Rake in the October Savings!
Francos Wine Merchants invites you to our 75th Annual Fall Sale. We have a wide selection of wines for your autumn menus, as well some Single Malt Scotch, all on sale. Featured this month from Sonoma we have the 2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99. This superb cabernet sauvignon from the Wetzel Family shows off the talents of Maggie and Harry Wetzel. A perfect choice for your fall menu as the temperature starts to drop. Also from California, we are proud to offer the 2006 Mer Soleil "Silver" Chardonnay from Monterey, $24.99. An elegantly styled chardonnay, this wine is fermented in both stainless steel and cement barrels. An excellent choice if you are looking for a clean, pure chardonnay. As roasted chicken, duck, and salmon start to make their way back to the table, you might to consider the 2006 Maréchal Chorey Les Beaune, $29.99. Catherine & Claude Marechal have worked hard on their land producing a wine in "natural" fashion without the use of chemicals. If you have yet to sample any of their wines, the Chorey Les Beaune is an excellent place to start. Lastly, from Piedmont in Italy we have the 2007 Cascina Degli Ulivi Gavi, $15.99, from Stefano & Zita Bellotti. This versatile white wine made from the Cortese grape would be our choice for your fish or fowl menus. You can find all these wines on our Home Page as well as the other wines we are featuring on sale. You can also view a PDF of our current print ad if you wish. Also check out our "Wine Tasting" link for our upcoming events. While our Veuve Clicquot Dinner has sold out, reservations are being taken for the Caymus Dinner coming in early November. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Italian Wine Tasting
This Saturday, October 10th from 1:00 – Donna will be pouring two wines from the Italian Estate of Galarej, the 2004 Galarej Barolo and the 2006 Galarej Barbera D'Alba. The 2004 Galarej Barolo (on sale $38.99) is 100% Nebbiolo grape aged for two years in oak casks followed by another twelve months in the bottle. This lengthy ageing results in a robust, well-bodied wine, packed with structure. Perfect pairing for your Autumn menus. The 2006 Galarej Barbera D'Alba (on sale $13.99) is 100% Barbera grape, is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in oak casks. This produces a wine with deep, ruby-red color accompanied with an intense nose of wood, spice and hint of vanilla. Dry and velvety, this wine is an excellent paring with full-flavored meats and cheeses. So please join us this coming Saturday, October 10rd, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM, as we offer a taste of these delectable wines from Galarej. Unable to join us? No worries, you can find both of these wines by clicking here or on the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. Also, don't forget our upcoming Veuve Clicquot Wine Dinner hosted by Cyril Brun, Winemaker of Veuve Clicquot, on Monday October 19th. The menu is now posted at Cava Wine & Restaurant. Please make your reservation by calling Cava at 203-966-6946. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Chateau Ksara Tasting
We are always on the lookout for unique wines here at Francos Wine Merchants, and thus we are extremely pleased to offer two wines from highly regarded Chateau Ksara. Join us this Saturday afternoon, October 3rd, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM for a special tasting of these exemplary wines. Chateau Ksara overlooks the picturesque Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, one of the world's oldest and most prolific vinicultural regions, with thousands of years of rich history. Both of the Ksara wines we are showcasing reflect this long history and innovative winemaking. The 2008 Chateau Ksara Blanc de Blancs (on sale for $14.99) is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (50%) and equal parts Chardonnay and Semillon. Extremely versatile, the wine is medium-bodied and displays an excellent balance of fruit, soft creamy oak, and a bright acidity. The Blanc de Blancs pairs remarkably well with a wide variety of fish and chicken dishes. The 2005 Chateau Ksara Red (on sale for $21.99) is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), and a touch of Petit Verdot to round out the wine an introduce a further layer of balance and complexity. Its weight and full flavor make it the ideal wine to accompany any autumn beef menu. Please join us this coming Saturday, October 3rd, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM as we offer a taste of these delectable wines from Chateau Ksara. Unable to join us? No worries, you can find both of these wines by clicking here or on the New Arrivals link on our Home Page. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Veuve Clicquot Champagne Dinner, October 19th
Francos Wine Merchants and Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant are pleased to announce the first Wine Dinner of the Fall Season On Monday, October 19th at 6:30 pm Champagne Veuve Clicquot will be in house to taste Champagne from the Veuve Clicquot portfolio. Mr. Cyril Brun, Winemaker at Champagne Veuve Clicquot will be our host. Champagne to be tasted include the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label ($39.99), Veuve Clicquot Rosé NV ($49.99), Veuve Clicquot Vintage 1998 ($59.99), and Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec ($51.99). For reservations and more information, please contact:
Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant Don't miss this fabulous event; we hope to see you there! All of these wines are on sale, so you might want to try out a bottle even if you can't make the tasting.
The Franco Family Pure Malt Scotch from Compass Box
We are particularly proud of our expansive selection of Single Malt Scotches here at Francos Wine Merchants, and so would like to showcase a selection of Pure Malts from acclaimed producer Compass Box. Single Malt Scotch is made through a process that ensures all of the malt in a particular batch, and subsequently barrel and bottle, originates in a single distillery. Comparatively, Pure Malts are blends of different malts, often from completely different regions of Scotland entirely. This unique process serves to add layers of complexity and balance to the whisky. The Compass Box Asyla ($37.99) is a delicate and soft whisky that is sweet and smooth on the palate with subtle flavors of vanilla cream and apple. A blending of unpeated malt whiskies from Linkwood, Glen Elgin, and Teaninich masterfully combined with delicious grain whisky from Cameron Bridge makes Asyla a delicious and refreshing Scotch. The Compass Box Oak Cross ($39.99), a blend of 10 and 12 year old Highland single malts from Teaninich, Brora, and Carron, is aged in new oak American casks and French first-fill Bourbon barrels. This process instills a distinct clove and vanilla accent to the sweetly malted whisky. Finally, the aptly named Compass Box Peat Monster ($47.99) is a particularly robust whisky. A blend of Islay malts from Port Askaig, and combined with the world famous Ardmore, the Peat Monster is rich and loaded with smokiness and hints of fruit and spice leading to a particularly long finish of echoing peat and smoke. Find out more about these and many other excellent malt whiskies by following the Single Malt Scotches link here or on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Upcoming Wine Dinner: Mr. Cyril Brun, winemaker of Champagne Veuve Clicquot, will be hosting a Wine Dinner at Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant on Monday, October 19th. Menu pairings are being developed; please check back for details. For those of you who want to make reservations early, please do so by calling Cava at 203-966-6946. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Everyday French Reds!
From Corbières in the Languedoc we present the 2007 Trillol Cuvée Fruitée ($10.99). A blend of the Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes native to the region, this expressively rich wine is earthy and particularly flavorful, making it an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats. The Loire Valley, most well known for their crisp white wines, have long had a history of producing charming reds such as the 2007 Wild Pig Pinot Noir ($11.99). Characterizing the mineral and earth notes of the Cévennes Mountains, this excellent Pinot Noir maintains lively hints of bright red fruit. The Wild Pig pairs beautifully with roast meats and game, as well as lighter fare such as grilled chicken or salmon dishes. Last but most decidedly not least is the 2008 Domaine Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône ($12.99). A masterful blending of the Rhône's Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, and Cinsault grapes, this delicious wine is sure to impress. Rich and full-bodied, it is sure to complement a wide variety of grilled meats and hearty stews. Find out more about these excellent wines by clicking on the wine names or images in this newsletter, or follow the New Arrivals link on our Home Page for these and other newly in stock wines. And please remember our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Francos September Specials: Exemplary!
From Austria we present the 2008 Felsner Grüner Veltliner ($12.99). A delicious example of Austria's signature white varietal, this wine offers lovely fruit flavor and a bright freshness that makes it an easy drinking and particularly food-friendly wine. The 2007 Thomas-Labaille Sancerre Chavignol Les Monts Damnés ($22.99) from the Loire Valley is a superb Sauvignon Blanc, layered and subtle with a surprisingly rich and rounded palate. This is the ideal wine to pair with seafood and shellfish dishes. Another fine and distinctive offering from the Loire is the 2007 Olivier Lemasson Les Vins Contés Gama-Sutra ($24.99). A distinctly styled, bright and flavorful wine exemplifying Gamay's often under-appreciated complexity, Gama-Sutra is flush with cherry and plum notes and a sharp freshness. Finally, from Burgundy we are pleased to present the 2006 Maréchal Chorey-les-Beaune ($29.99). A masterful effort from the husband and wife team of Catherine and Claude Maréchal, this naturally produced wine displays Pinot Noir's most enticing characteristics while maintaining a bright and lively fruit profile. This is the perfect wine to pair alongside roast and grilled meat dishes. Find out more about these fantastic wines on our Home Page, and as always please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family Happy Labor Day!
This last weekend of summer will still give you a chance to enjoy one more barbecue, and hopefully the weather where you are will provide the perfect opportunity. What better way to add to it than to consider some of our best choices for the backyard! Spain's exquisite 2008 Don Pedro de Soutomaior Albariño ($13.99) is a refreshingly crisp white wine with ample fruit notes that is perfect for seafood, and especially shellfish dishes. California's 2007 Bodan Roan Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.99) with its rich and smooth palate is ideal for any meat you might be throwing on the grill. Finally, France's 2006 Pierre André Bourgogne ($15.99) is a prime example of delicate, subtle Pinot Noir that is the quintessential red wine for the season. Learn more about these delicious wines by clicking the links here or on our Home Page, and please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Just a reminder: Liquor stores are closed on Labor Day in Connecticut, so shop early! We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family Single Malt ScotchWe are especially proud of our vast selection of Single Malt Scotch here at Francos Wine Merchants, and here are a few choices we are showcasing for August and are on Sale! The Tamdhu 10yr ($21.99) is a delicate and smooth Highland malt, with soft creamy flavors and a distinctly peaty finish. 
Speyside's delightful Cragganmore 12yr ($40.99) is a sophisticated, complex whisky. Astonishingly fragrant, it offers a distinctly malted smokiness and long finish. The Dalwhinnie 15yr ($43.99) is the classic Highland malt. Smooth and subtle, this fine whisky is mellow and honeyed, with a distinct delicacy and depth yielding flavors of creamy vanilla and sweet heather. The smoky finish is surprisingly intense. Find out more about these and many other excellent whiskies by following the Single Malt Scotches link off of our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon!
The Franco Family Francos August Specials: Astonishing!
France's extraordinary 2006 Michelot Bourgogne Chardonnay ($21.99), with its soft acidity, creamy fruit notes, and almost imperceptibly subtle hint of oak, is a wonderful white wine that is crisp and refreshing. This is the ideal pairing for seafood dinners, and especially sea bass and salmon dishes. From Italy we present the 2005 Badiolo Chianti Riserva ($10.99), a delightful wine with its brilliant ruby color and distinctive bouquet of rich red fruit. A clean, lively palate makes it the ideal wine to accompany roast game dishes and grilled meats. The 2008 Domaine de la Pépière Cuvée Granit ($14.99) from France's Loire-Atlantique is a remarkable red wine. A masterful blending of Gamay, Côt, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot makes for an enticingly smooth, elegant offering. A distinct purple in color, this delightful wine displays an aromatic bouquet of bell pepper and spice, leading to a flavorful palate that is soft and refreshing, with a beautifully long finish that makes this a wonderful accompaniment to sweet Italian sausage and grilled chicken meals. And finally, we are pleased to present the exemplary 2006 Domaine Rossignol-Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin ($29.99). A shining example of Burgundy's signature Pinot Noir grape, this delightful Gevrey-Chambertin's enticingly soft ruby color and earthy bouquet of red fruit and floral notes promises a complex palate rich in black cherry and berry, with a hint of toasty oak leading into a particularly long and lingering finish. This is the perfect wine to serve alongside grilled red meats, and especially lamb dishes. Find out more about these excellent wines on our Home Page, and as always please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
Wines Under $15: Great for your Summer Get-a-way!
The 2008 Muga Rioja Vino Blanco ($14.99) is a delicious and refreshing white wine from Spain with a flavorful richness balanced by a long and crisp finish. A rare blend of white varietals native to Rioja, the wine offers a distinctly complex style with a pronounced elegance making it the ideal wine to serve alongside seafood, white meats, or grilled chicken dishes. From France's prestigious Loire Valley we present the 2007 Francois Cazin Le Petit Chambord Cour-Cheverny ($14.99). A shining example of little-known Romorantin, a grape so rare it is only grown in the village of Cour-Cheverny, this delectable white wine displays a distinctly herbal bouquet followed by an explosion of flavor, at once concentrated and broad, and a razor sharp acidity at the finish. This is the perfect wine to serve with seafood, especially shellfish. The 2006 Cantele Primitivo ($10.99) from Puglia in Italy is a rich red wine with a bright bouquet of berry fruit and bell pepper, and a succulent and fruitful palate. Primitivo has long been a great accompaniment to rich summer fare. California's 2007 Bodan Roan Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.99) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast. This lends the hearty red wine an unmitigated elegance and concentrated fruit, rounded by subtle pepper and a velvet texture. The delightfully long and smooth finish lends this wine brilliantly to grilled meat dishes. Consider also some other enticing wines perfect for the weather, such as the 2007 Rosemount Estate Shiraz ($8.99), the Marietta Old Vine Red Lot Number 49 ($12.99), the 2008 Chateau du Donjon Minervois Rosé ($12.99), the 2007 Clos des Briords Cuvée Vielles Vignes Muscadet ($12.99), the 2007 Felsner Grüner Veltliner Lössterrassen ($13.99), the 2007 Xarmant Txakoli Arabako Txakolina de Alva ($13.99), the 2006 Norton Ridge Chardonnay ($14.99), or the 2007 You Are So Nice ($14.99). To find out more about these and many other excellent wines, by clicking here or on the Under $15 Wines link on our Home Page. And please keep in mind our weekly, in-store wine tasting which takes place every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you online and in our store again soon.
The Franco Family
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Greeting wines and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 and we would like to have everyone seated by 7:30.
