Originally published on September 26, 2010.
Yes, this is a direct cut and paste from the Frankly Wines newsletter that was just sent out earlier today. But hey, I’ll recall rules from my old corporate days – when I actually had money to manage a media buy. This cut and paste job is not laziness…this is FREQUENCY! And it’s good – and necessary – and cuts through the clutter. So if you’re really paying attention to Frankly Wines missives, just ignore this. If not, read on.
When fall weather hits, even the staunchest “crisp white wine” person may start to crave something red in the glass. But, like Goldilocks, you want something not too big, not too light…but just right. These two wines, both from stand-out vignerons, are just right.
CATHERINE ET PIERRE BRETON TRINCH! 2009 1.5 Liter (Bourgueil, Loire, France):
A double bottle of red wine happiness. The Bretons are tip top producers in the Bourgueil sub-region of the Loire Valley. This region is where Cabernet Franc stands on its own, unblended with its usual partner, Cabernet Sauvignon. While the Bretons make some complex, age-worthy versions from single vineyards, their Trinch! is meant to be drunk young, fresh, and in quantity. It’s an ideal introduction to Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, with red berry fruits and the underlying aromatic earthiness that sets the grape apart from Cabernet Sauvignon – but not so much as to scare off a Cab Franc beginner. And the name? Trinch! It’s the sound that glasses make when clinked together. Which should be done frequently.
Price: $42.99 (equivalent to $21.50/bottle)
MARCEL LAPIERRE RAISINS GAULOIS VIN DE FRANCE IX (Beaujolais, France): Beaujolais has a bad reputation. Much of it tastes like bubblegum and bananans. While this might sound like an excellent new lollipop flavor, it’s not what most people want in their wine. But this is not one of those Beaujolais. This from Marcel Lapierre, one of the masters of Beaujolais that tastes like real wine. We carry his Morgon from time to time and at under $25, it’s one of the great bargains in the wine world, capable of graceful aging, if you can keep your hands off it when it’s young. This one, which translates to “French Raisins,” is meant to be drunk now, like this afternoon.
Price: $11.99