From Frankly Wines - Looks Like Summer Really Is Over

Frankly Wines logo + address

IN THIS ISSUE

Tasting Schedule

Last Call for Summer Favorites

Weird but Good Month(s)

Fancy Pants Wine

Featured Article

etc etc etc

Announcement:

OUR WEB STORE IS UP!!

We'll just keep on saying it until it sinks in.

Check it out. You can actually buy our wine online. We'll even deliver it. Just like the big stores do!

TASTING SCHEDULE

WED Sept 16

5.30PM - 7.30PM

Kosher wines. Good Kosher wines. (This is not an oxyoron)

THU Sept 17

5.30PM - 7.30PM

Yatir Cab/Merlot/Shiraz blend. From Israel. Very Kosher and very good.

DESSERT & WINE EVENT...mmm

Now that you no longer need to be swimsuit-ready, you can happily indulge in Swirl's latest Dessert & Wine Pairing Event. You'll get to try sweet treats from local, NY sweets makers while sipping on great wines - some of which you may recognize from the Frankly Wines shelves.

September 23rd

7PM - 9PM

AVEvenue

15th W 28th Street

Tickets: $15

Buy them here.

OK, SO FALL REALLY IS HERE

When the last newsletter went out two weeks ago, it seemed like Fall was a long way off. The sun was out. The aircon was on. Roses were still on my mind.

Alas, how quickly things change.

- Christy

(Time for a little self-promotion)

Shine a Light on Frankly Wines

American Express and NBC are running this Shine A Light promotion - up for grabs is $100K to a lucky small business owner. Perhaps Frankly Wines!

Frankly Wines was nominated by one of my former employees (check it out here) and now I'm seeking endorsements. I already have the 50 needed to quality for the judging phase, but the more endorsements, the better.

To help out, you'll first need to register.

(The info is only used for the contest, not for general AMEX selling purposes.)

After registering, go to the nominations page, search "Frankly Wines" and I should pop up.

Then, click on the "endorse" button to register your vote. (It's the small rectangular button on the top left, just below the Frankly Wines logo.)

And that's it. You'll have my eternal gratitude. And no more requests for favors for a while....or at least until we make it to the Finalists Round!

Deadline: September 13th. Yup, Sunday.

FANCY PANTS WINE:
Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rosado 1998 (Rioja, Spain)

A Fancy Pants Wine that clocks in at just $24.99? It's not cheap and cheerful, but $25 isn't really that fancy, is it?

It is when it's a rose with over 10 years of age on it. And when it has so much complexity, funkiness, and general fabulousness that it requires a warning label. And when it comes from Lopez de Heredia, one of the last bastions of traditional Rioja winemaking. Well, then yes, it is fancy!

We talk about Lopez de Heredia a lot, so we won't repeat ourselves. We'll just stick to praise for the Rosado.

Its age plus the traditional winemaking techniques used to make it result in a slightly oxidized style of wine with the tang of a Fino Sherry. The 1998 is rounder and more tropical than the last vintage, but that doesn't mean it's fruity. Really, the fruits are almost ghost-like - there, but not there, balanced by exotic spice notes.

$24.99 may be a lot for a typical rose. But this is definitely not typical. If you're feeling adventurous, it's well worth a try.

Price: $24.99 Click to buy.

3-PACK: GOOD & KOSHER (this is not an oxymoron)

Say it. "Kosher wine." I'm guessing your head isn't being flooded by thoughts of tastiness, complexity, or anything you would want to drink if it wasn't required. But your head is wrong. These days, there are some very good Kosher wines out there - wines you might want to drink regardless of the occasion. This 3-Pack features a red, white, and bubbly, with an even bigger selection at the store.

Bartenura Prosecco NV (Italy): Produced in the tank method, most Proseccos are lighter than their Xhampagne relatives, and the Bartenura is no exception. It shows crisp, green apples on the palate, followed by peaches, pears, and notes of citrus. Ring in the new year with a toast of bubbly!

Ella Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Israel): A crisp sauvignon blanc with tropical fruits and a hint of grassiness, this is the perfect accompaniment to fish or chicken at your holiday meal.

Gamla Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Israel): This delicious cabernet is smooth and luscious. It has beautiful blackberry and black currant fruits and would pair beautifully with a brisket (and some scrumptious kugel.)

PRICING: $55.99 (regular price $61.97) Click to buy.

GOING, GOING, GONE:
J. Mourat Collection Blanc 2007 (Fief Vendees, Loire Valley, France)
This wine is proof that it pays to have an open door tasting policy with distributor sales reps. If I refused to see sales reps wandering in off the street without an appointment, I would never have discovered this wine. And quite a few customers would have nothing to drink tonight.

It's just a great, highly drinkable, highly versatile white wine. 50% Chenin Blanc, 50% Chardonnay, it's crisp, but not too crisp, round but not too heavy, with notes of citrus and bright, crisp pear. Like those really expensive, almost crunchy Japanese pears. It's a nice change from the usual suspects like Pinot Grigo, unoaked Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. I can't think of anyone who's tried it that doesn't like it.