Sampler Packs – Bending Elbows

Causse Marines – A Very Nice 3-Pack

A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: I adored these wines… and this is a good reminder that I need to look them up all these years in the future. I still have this sweet memory of meeting vigneron Virginie at a tasting and talking about the sparkling Mauzac. She said they loved it, but it was “old people wine.” That was close to 15 years ago, so I guess I could say I was an old soul. But now… I’m just… old people. (I joke a bit, I’m really not that old. But I’m definitely not young!)

Long time, no blog. But lots of Twitter. Oh, those were the days. You can still follow me at Follow me @franklywines where you can get exxtremely up-to-the minute musings on life as a wine retailer. I probably won’t blog about the fun that is running from an off-site distributor tasting to pick up a pre-schooler while trying to wipe the purple stains from my teeth. But I will tweet about it. Because that’s exactly what Twitter is for!

A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: Oh Twitter, RIP. How I loved you back in the day. It’s hard to image now, but Wine Twitter (before we knew to call it Wine Twitter) was a fun, kind, even charming place to hang out. Joe Dressner was the closest we came to a villian, and to call him that would be in correct. He was more like the Socrates of the platform -keeping us all honest and challenging our beliefs. This was also the time of #reallylongpunnyhashtagsjustforfun. Lyle Fass was the king of this. You can still follow me at @christy.frank.wine or over at IG’s Threads, but I rarely play on those platforms. I’m still on IG as myself and as Copake Wine Works, just because it’s so darn easy. Or for kicks, do some deep scrolling on my old Twitter a.k.ka. X account to see what it was like back in the day.

But in the hopes of getting this blog rolling again, I’ll do one of my quickie cut-and-paste jobs from the web site. I could feel guilty about these cut-and-pasties, but I’m a big believe in frequency and repetition. I know most of you aren’t reading this blog…and the newsletter…and the tweets…and the facebook page…oh wait, there’s no facebook page….yet. So I’ll just keep posting the same things in multiple places in the hopes that most people catch everything at least once.

So…in the name of frequency and repetition, here we go…again…

Domaine de Causse Marines – Tres Cool, Tres Tasty

I will admit it. For a long time I had a thing against the wines of Causse Marines. The label was just a little too cheekily cute, the name was almost certainly a pun that was far beyond my less-then-beginner French, and the bottles kept appearing on the menu and shelves of every new hip wine bar and shop. In other words, I was convinced these wines were far too cool to be any good. Well, shame on me. Because when I finally got around to actually trying these wines, poured for me by one of the owners, I was completely smitten.

Causse Marines is the domaine of Virginie Maignien and Patrice Lescarret, two charming young vignerons. They’re doing their little part to preserve obscure local grapes like Mauzac, Duras, Braucol, and Loin-de-l’oeil. Their wines fall firmly into the “natural wine” category, with nothing added (except the very minimal amount of SO2 needed to keep the wines from getting all funky), nothing taken away. The vines are tended biodynamically with no pesticides, fungicides or artificial fertilizers. All this adds up to vibrant, unique, highly-drinkable…and yes…very cool wines.

3-Pack includes:

Domaine de Causse Marines Les Grielles Blanc 2008: This could be the perfect spring/summer wine. It’s a blend of the not-so-well-known grapes Muscadel, Loin-de-l’oeil, and Mauzac. The Muscadel adds a bit of a floral touch, but the overall taste is crisp, clean and delicious – sort of like springtime in a bottle.

Domaine de Causse Marines Peyrouzelles Rouge 2008: You’ve probably never heard of Duras or Braucol (also known as Fer Savadou.) These are the local red grapes of Gaillac which on their own, make for lighter, spicy, aromatic reds. This one has touch of Syrah in the blend, which plumps it up just a bit. It’s an easy drinking wine which is especially nice with a bit of a chill.

Causse Marines Preambulles Vin Mousseaux Brut 2009: A petillant natural made from 100% Mauzac. The funkiest of the bunch with a bit of a bruisey green apple, but it finishes crisp and clean. Think of it as a grape-based beer alternative. Or just think of it as good!

Price: $50

GIFT IDEAS #4 & #5: Safe and Not-So-Safe 3-Packs

You know you want to give wine – because you know they like wine. But you don’t know exactly what they like. We put this 3-Pack together with that very common request in mind. Three proven favorites: a not-at-all over the-top Hunter Valley Shiraz, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a bottle of Champagne. What’s not to like?

SAFETY SAMPLER 3-PACK*
Keith Tulloch Kester Shiraz 2003 (Hunter Valley, Australia)
Alana Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Marlborough, NZ)
Duc De Romet Champagne (Champagne, France)

Price: $75

Or…..

Let’s say, this time around,,,

You know they like wine – and you know they’re a bit adventurous. So we put together a 3-Pack featuring wines made from obscure grapes grown in obscure places. A red, white, and sparkling. Nothing too funky, but unless they’re Jura fanatics or roam the heights of the Italian Alps, chances are good they’ll be discovering something new.

NOT-SO-SAFE SAMPLER 3-PACK

Jacques Puffeney Poulsard M 2007 (Arbois, Jura, France)
Grosjean Muscat Petit Grain 2009 (Vallee d’Aoste, Italy)
Domaine de Montbourgeau Cremant NV (Jura, France)

Price: $72

*Don’t worry, we won’t mention “safety pack” on the actual gift pack itself. You giftees will officially be getting a “Holiday Sampler 3-Pack”

Holiday Gift Idea #3: Musar 2-Pack

Originally published on December 10, 2010.

A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: Look at that price! Fourtheen years later, the a single bottle would cost $90 (which is still not a bad deal, given what these wines are!

This may not come as a surprise, but Frankly Wines is a little obsessed with Chateau Musar, the Lebanese wines with a back story that’s the stuff of legends. Winery and vineyards located in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Founded in the 1930’s, with wine produced in nearly every harvest despite battles waged among the vines. Cellars that served as bomb shelters in the 80’s. Certain vintages that taste of gunpowder.

What I really like about Chateau Musar is that it tastes like nothing so much as itself. When describing wine to customers, I’ll often compare regions and grapes, like some wino-version of a Hollywood pitch (it’s like a Beaujolais on steroids with a little bit of Shiraz-spice thrown in.) But with Chateau Musar, there are no comparisons. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault and a few other grapes. It’s a constantly evolving mix of exotic spices, stunningly vibrant fruit, earthy, gamey, meatiness. It lasts practically forever and is a classic example of a wine that you want to keep tasting as it changes. You want to grow old together.

If the reds last practically forever, the whites last even longer. They’re best served near room temperature and Serge Hochar, the legendary figurehead of Chateau Musar, insists they’re served after the reds. I certainly can’t disagree.

And that’s just the reds! The whites are just as fascinating – maybe even more so. Made from the Merwah and Obaideh grapes, the wine reminds me a bit of traditional aged white Rioja. Well, not exactly, but it’s in that realm of wines done in a slightly oxidized style. It’s nutty, with notes of caramelized nuts, dried fruits, a bit of honey (but not at all sweet) and exotic church spices. (I can hear you ask, “church spices?” Think incense, the scent of midnight mass, exotic, heady spices.) If the reds last practically forever, the whites last even longer. They’re best served near room temperature and Serge Hochar, the legendary figurehead of Chateau Musar, insists they’re served after the reds. I certainly can’t disagree.

Chateau Musar Rouge 2001: A very classic Musar, with trademark red fruits, spice, tea leaves, and funk are all nicely in balance. It’s drinking nicely now but has the bones to age for a very, very, very long time.

Chateau Musar Blanc 2001: Just a baby, as far as Musar whites go. At this young age, it really is closest to a white Rioja – tightly wound, racy acidity, some citrus, a bit of a waxy texture, exotic spices just starting to reveal themselves. Keep it for about, oh, 50 years and it will really start to show its stuff.

Price: $90

Holiday Gift Idea #2: Lopez Love 3-Pack

Originally published on December 10, 2010.

Not a holiday goes by that I can’t find a reason to mention Lopez de Heredia. If this is the first you’re noticing…we’ll you’re really not paying attention! But if I learned anything in my corporate marketing days, it’s all about repeat exposure so….here we go again!

I’ll keep this post short and sweet – just a list of the wines in the 3-Pack. But just go to the web site to learn more. Or read this old post. Or this one. Or this one. Or even this one.

Or to get someone else’s perspective, check out the Anchor Wine blog for a recap on a recent visit (and some spectacular photos.)

3-Pack includes:

Lopez de Heredia Bosconia 2002 (Red)
Lopez de Heredia Gravonia Blanco 2000 (White)
Lopez de Heredia Rosado 2000 (Rose)

Price: $80

Holiday Gift Idea #1: Chardonnay-Hater’s 3-Pack

Originally published on December 8, 2010.

A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: This was a fabulous pack back then. And it would still be a fabulous pack today. Maybe it’s time to get another I Hate Chardonnay Pack happening.

Everybody loves to hate Chardonnay. But there’s a lot more variety to the grape than most people expect. Give the hater in your life this cheeky 3-Pack of Chardonnay-based wines that taste nothing like the typical “Chardonnay.”

3-Pack includes:

Philippe Chavy Bourgogne Blanc 2008 (Burgundy, France): Many people don’t realize that white Burgundy is made from Chardonnay. But it is – and it’s generally considered the mack daddy of Chardonnay expression. Other regions around the world strive for the balance of elegance, richness, nuttiness, minerality and subtle fruit that is good white Burgundy (a.k.a. Chardonnay)

Chateau de Beru Chablis 2007 (Burgundy, France): This is miles away from the big, buttery Chardonnay bombs that the haters love to hate. From the cool, northerly part of France, it’s all minerally and razor-edged – like green apples, shimmery oyster shells, and chalky stones

Michel Gahier Arbois “Les Crets” 2006 (Arbois, Jura, France): This doesn’t taste like any other Chardonnay you’ve ever had – unless you’re already a fan of this obscure region near France’s board with Switzerland. It’s made in the Jura’s traditional, purposely oxidized style, which gives it a nutty, twangy, slight sherry note. Sound scary? It’s stunning with cream and mushroom–based dishes.

Price: $69

What to Drink on a Holiday Weekend: Suggestion #1 – Cheap & Cheerful Stock-Up Cases

Originally published on May 26, 2010.

Every day through Memorial Day, I’ll be making a suggestion of what to drink during the holiday weekend. These suggestions don’t expire on Monday. They’re good all summer long. And yes, they’re available at Frankly Wines. Because this is a store blog.

Holiday Weekend Suggestion #1: A Case of Something Cheap and Cheerful

Summer weekends, especially holiday weekends = roof parties. Beach houses. Or maybe just quality time on your tiny balcony or fire escape. In any case, you’ll need something to drink. And something to serve your friends to drink at your place. And something to take to their place…

So if ever there was a time to stock up and buy wine by the case, summertime would be it. Nothing too complicated. Nothing that breaks the bank*. Just cheap and cheerful crowd pleasers. Ideally a mix of whites, reds, and roses.

If you ask, any good wine store should be able to put a summer stock-up case together for well under $150. At Frankly Wines, we can get you a 12-bottle case of mix and matched reds and whites for $100.Or 8 reds/white + 4 roses for $120. If you stop by this Thursday (May 27), we’ll even let you try before you buy. Click here to learn more.

*If you do want to break the bank, we’re happy to make some recommendations.

Need a new New Year’s Resolution?

Originally published on January 10, 2010.

Over the holidays we did a good business in grab-and-go gift box sets, especially our Old World/New World sets. For the Chardonnay pack, I paired a classic rich, buttery California version of the grape with a more minerally, subtle example from the Macon region of Burgundy. The Malbec set paired a juicy, fruity Argentine version with an earthy, structured version from Cahor, the grape’s original home in France.

Now there’s a certain part of the wine world that would say this is ridiculous – that it’s not about the grapes. It’s about the place. Chardonnay grown in Burgundy isn’t “Chardonnay” – it’s Burgundy. And yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it.

But I’m not in the business of defending any particular philosophy of place or grape type or winemaking method. I’m in the business of selling people good wine that they’ll enjoy, helping them understand why they enjoy it (and why it’s good), and hopefully convincing them to explore a bit beyond what they already know.

And pointing out that California Chardonnay and a Macon are both made from the same grape (even if the bottle doesn’t say this) is a good way to start that process. Even better – getting them to taste both side by side, which is the main point of these packs.

So….if you’ve already burned through your first set of New Year’s Resolutions (like exercise every day. Or give up carbs….or Facebook and blogs) why not make a resolution to learn more about wine? I would be happy to help.

Thanksgiving Day Suggestion #7, #8, and #9: For the Grab & Go Set

Originally published on November 24, 2010.

Since Suggestion #6 involved a wine I couldn’t even sell, these next suggestions center on wines exclusively available at Frankly Wines. OK, the wines aren’t exclusive to my store, but I dare you to find all these ones at any one place…other than Frankly Wines!

All horn tooting aside, last year, it became very clear that many customers really don’t want to think too much about what they’re serving for Thanksgiving. Sure, there are plenty of customers that do want to discuss the intricacies of their various side dishes or the specific ingredients in their stuffing, but they’ve generally not doing their shopping the day before Thanksgiving. For those last minute shoppers, I’ve put together three different 3-Packs. Each includes a red, white, and rose, all boxed up and ready to grab and go.

Here they are:

THANKSGIVING WINE 101
All three of these wines were Frankly Wines best sellers. They’re all tasty, easy-drinking crowd pleasers that won’t offend your turkey (or your crazy aunt.)

Sebastiani Chardonnay 2007 (Sonoma, California): Creamy Chardonnay goodness balanced by a crisp citrus edge. This is even a hit with those who “don’t like Chardonnay”

Mark West Pinot Noir 2008 (California): Bright, pure fruit with a hint of spice. Not too heavy, not too light – it’s the ideal accompaniment to a table full of Thanksgiving treats.

Crios Rosé of Malbec 2009 (Mendoza, Argentina): Made from the Malbec grape, this is a rose with a kick. Big fruit, big spice – it’s a red wine that just happens to be pink.

PRICING:$36.99 (regular price $40.97)

TURKEY DAY UPGRADE
Show your bird a little love and upgrade the liquid portion of your dinner These grape varieties are just one or two steps removed from the usual suspects – without being weird or wine geeky.

Markus Fries Bernkasteler Schlossberg Kabinett 2007 (Mosel, Germany): Almost-dry Riesling from a tiny producer. Despite fears to the contrary, that tiny bit of sweetness is what makes this a perfect paring for nearly anything.

Noëlla Morantin Mon Cher Gamay 2008 (Loire Valley, France): Think of Gamay as Pinot Noir’s vibrant country cousin. This one is made by a young winemaker from fruit sourced from the culty Clos Roche Blanche vineyards.

Nigl Zweigelt Rose 2008 (Kremstal, Austria): Nigl is a tip top producer in Austria. Zweigelt is a red grape rarely (ever?) seen outside of Austria. And this rosé is a smashing blend of fresh berry fruit and a white pepper kick.

PRICING:$49.99 (regular price $57.97)

THANKSGIVING ADVENTURE PACK
Face it – turkey day food can be a little boring. But you can bring an a little adventure to your table with this 3-Pack. Yes, these wines are at the bleeding edge of wine geek coolness, but they also happen to be pretty tasty. Don’t be scared….

Bornard Arbois Pupillin Melon Le Rouge Queue 2006 (Arbois, Jura, France): In the Jura region, Chardonnay is called “Melon.” But the taste is totally different. Pure, clean fruit with a slightly sherry-like tang. Weird but good.

Cos Cerasuolo Vittoria Classico 2007 (Sicily, Italy): A blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato from Sicily. You can taste the Sicilian sunshine, but not in a cooked way. It’s all bright cherries, fresh earth and a whiff of spice.

Lopez de Heredia Todonia Rosado 1998 (Rioja, Spain): From one of the last 100% old school producers in Rioja, this is not your typical rosé. A perfect balance of sherry-like tang, exotic spices and ghosts of fruit.
PRICING:$74.99 (regular price $97.97)

Another 3-Pack: No Tricks, Just Treats

Originally published on October 31. 2009.

So Halloween is today and Tribeca’s little people will be on a trick-or-treating rampage. All the stores decorate and offer goodies to all the neighborhood kids. But their adults need something too, and at Frankly Wines, we happily oblige.

Our Halloween spread will include the three wines on offer in our latest 3-Pack. The two reds, the Velvet Devil Merlot and The Chocolate Block, may not win any cool-kid-my-palate-is-cooler-than-yours contests, but they are quite tasty. As much as I love turning customers onto wines that qualify as “weird but good,” Halloween is not the night to attempt the hand selling required to do it well. No, on Halloween, I want to open something yummy and crowd pleasing that doesn’t require an explanation.

On that front, we have The Velvet Devil Merlot 2007 from Washington State and The Chocolate Block, from South Africa. Charles Smith (not to be confused with Charles Shaw of Two Buck Chuck fame,) makes the Velvet Devil.

Boekenhoutskloof, best know at Frankly Wines for fan favorite, Wolftrap, makes the The Chocolate Block. These are both full-bodied wines with plenty of fruit and a balancing, earthy (and in the case of The Chocolate Block, funky) complexity.

But our third wine does manage to fall off the beaten track. It’s a sparkling apple cider from Normandy with one of those typically romantic wine story: sommelier at Three Star restaurant in Paris can’t resist the pull of the old, old apple and pear trees on his family’s property back home in Normady. So he leaves the big city to tend the orchards and make cider from the fruits of his labor.

And the ciders are very good. They taste like autumn in a bottle. We’ve included the Cydre Doux in our Halloween tasting. It’s a lightly sparkling, slightly sweet apple cider. The sweetness doesn’t really come off as “sweet,” but more like the sweet spice/warm apple tastes of apple pie. But a very grown-up apple pie. Eric also makes a sparkling pear cider, Poiré Authentique, and a couple reserve bottlings from only the exceptionally old (as opposed to just “old”) apple and pear trees on the property. I had the Authentique recently and it’s very tasty and would be fantastic with cheese. It’s a definitely more thought-provoking than the Cydre Doux, but on Halloween, I don’t really want to deal with thought-provoking. I want tasty and immediately lovable. Which is the Cydre Doux. It happens to have wine geek cred as well, but that’s just bonus.

Another 3-Pack: Jura Obscura

A NOTE FROM TEH FUTURE: Ok, ok, ok. The Jura isn’t actually an Alpine region. It’s pre-Alpine. Back in the day I was a little over-eager with my yodel references. The dear and brilliant Wink Lorch set me straight!

Originally published on September 1, 2009.

OK, full disclosure…this 3-Pack is really a 2-Pack. But we like consistency in titles, so live with it.

Onto the wine…continuing with the theme of Weird but Good, we’re heading to a obscure region where obscure grapes are used to make wines in obscure styles.

The Jura is a region in the far east of France – so far east that it’s practically Switzerland. We’re heading into Alpine territory here, and these are wines that make us want to yodel!

You’ve probably never heard of the Jura’s most famous wine, vin jaune, which lasts forever and has some of the same funky, tangy nutty notes as a good sherry. You’ve probably never heard of some of its most important grapes (Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau.) And you’ve probably never had wines that taste quite like the wines in this 2-Pack. But there’s a good chance you’ll like them.

We’re featuring a red and a white from Domaine Andre et Mireille Tissot, both made from grapes grown in the Arbois region of the Jura. Many producers in this region farm biodynamically and produce wines as naturally as possible, adding nothing except possibly a very small amount of sulfur. The Tissot husband and wife team is no exception. If you’re curious about natural wines this is a great region – and producer – to check out.

Tissot Arbois Selection 2004 (Chardonnay/Savagnin): Yes, that’s Savagnin, not Sauvignon. And you may think you know Chardonnay, but we can practically guarantee you don’t know this Chardonnay. Made in the traditional Jura style, the wine is slightly oxidized, but in a good way. You’ll get bruised apples, nutty notes, a slight sherry tang and a spine of racy acidity that keeps the wine going for days. It actually improves if you leave it open for a couple days. Yes, days. It’s a great match with stinky cheeses, chicken dishes, and pork chops.

Tissot Arbois Vielles Vignes 2006 (Poulsard): There’s some Pinot Noir grown in the Jura, but the wine geek favorite would be the rarely-seen-elsewhere Poulsard. This grape makes for a wine that’s light in color, medium in body, but big in flavor: bright, fresh, slightly tart cherries, exotic spice, a hint of autumn underbrush, and a fresh minerality, like fresh chalky soil. Bright acidity and surprisingly sneaky tannins give the wine some structure. Best with a very slight chill, it’s a wine that can pair with a surprising variety of foods, but duck with cherry glaze or lamb rubbed in fresh herbs might be just about perfect.

PRICING: $35.99 (regular price $39.98). Click to buy your little piece of obscurity.