When local West Chester restaurateur, Alberto Guadagnini - and proprietor of Tuscany's Casali di Bibbiano - walked into the Gold Ballroom for our 13th Annual Marquee Charity Event, Frank's Golden Wine Event, I'm sure he had no idea what was in store for him.   Without a doubt he stole the show!!  Of the 35 vendors present Alberto kept his corks poppin' and guests writing orders more than anyone else in the room.  His table which featured 3 of his Tuscan reds had everyone clamoring with empty glasses held towards him at arms length - and being the gracious gentleman that he is - he poured freely with a genuine smile!  72% of our guests that ordered wine that evening purchased at least one bottle of Alberto's Tuscan red... truly a "Super Tuscan!"

Hidden in the hills of Tuscany is one of the most luxurious and exclusive destinations in Italy – Casali Di Bibbiano. This villa, vineyard and winery offers a bit of "heaven on earth" to its visitors.
Let Alberto Guadagnini, proprietor, master chef and winemaker, plan the vacation you will tell your friends about and remember for a lifetime. From private hot air balloon rides above Tuscany to personalized tours of the piazzas of Siena to hands-on Italian culinary courses in Alberto’s kitchen, the experience of Casali is like none other.

Late October is about playoffs and pumpkins, but it also means red wine. I tend to veer toward lighter red wines during this time of year, especially fruity wines such as Grenache and Tempranillo, as they match fall produce so well. But let’s not forget — truffle season is almost upon us, so Monastrell is most definitely in the mix. But in these hard economic times, many of us are still searching for great values. Being that value is relative I've put together a $99 case of bangin' reds which will keep your soul warm and wallet in tact!  The 3 wines I am recommending are very high quality compared with their low price. The best place to go for these quality-driven value wines is Spain! Protocolo 2007 Tempranillo - Manchuela $10.19 (regularly $11.99) Made from 100% Tempranillo, this traditional red table wine from Manchuela is medium-bodied with flavors of black cherry with undertones of vanilla and oak. Jorge says: "Earthy and meaty with mild acidity, bright blueberry, black cherry, white pepper and a vanilla finish."

Wrongo Dongo 2008 Monastrell - Jumilla $10.19 (regularly $11.99) 100% Monastrell. Bright purple. Primary dark berry aromas are brightened by baking spices and cracked pepper. Juicy, straightforward blackberry and cherry flavors offer youthful bitterness and good cut. Fattens up on the finish, which is sweet and deep. A great value. Jorge Ordonez dubs this the “Silver Oak of Spain.” Elegance defined: tight vanilla oak tannins, black cherry, raspberry tobacco spices, earthy rosemary, and sweet chocolate once it sits in the glass awhile.

Bodegas Ateca 2008 Garnacha de Fuego - Calatayud $10.19 (regularly $11.99) 100% Grenache of fire! I guess that means it’s pretty darn hot in Catalayud, Spain, where the vines of this grape Garnacha/Grenache is a hot weather whore of a grape, much like Syrah and Zinfandel. On the nose this wine shows ripe black fruits: black raspberry and prune, with a touch of eucalyptus, pepper, and a smidgeon of earth. The palate offers a silky smooth texture, warm black raspberry, black cherry, and plum, with a touch of spice – maybe vanilla? Acidity and tannins are medium, appropriate for food but not so high that they’re overbearing when this wine is drunk by itself. This is what JO has to say about it: "Ripe raspberry, creamy vanilla and spicy licorice mingle in this exuberant red, which is alluring, plush but tender, structured more by acidity than tannins."

Frank's Spanish Red 12pack Sampler!
You Get 4 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $99.99! You Save $43.89… That’s 31% Off!

Saint Estephe Horizontal of Chateaux Cos d'Estournel, Montrose, Calon Segur, Meyney, Phelan Segur and Lafon Rochet from various vintages.  All six bottles come packed in a handsome brass-hinged and lacquered wooden box.

Chateau CALON SEGUR 2001
$129.99
3rd Classified Great Growth
Color:very intense crimson.
Nose: fruity, complex and powerful.
Palate: simple and fresh, well-balanced tannins
and good length.

Chateau COS O'ESTOURNEL 1999
$299.99
2nd Classified Great Growth
Color: very intense ruby-red.
Nose: fruity and powerful.
Palate: starts out very powerful, beautiful structure
with firm tannins.

Chateau LAFON ROCHET 1999
$79.99
4th Classified Great Growth
Color: brilliant, intense garnet-red color.
Nose: attractive, powerful and oaky.
Palate: well-balanced, soft and rich,
with well integrated oak.

Chateau
MONTROSE 2002
$119.99
2nd Classified Great Growth
Nose: powerful and aromatic.
Palate: lots of tannin. Slightly harsh, but long aftertaste.

Chateau PHELAN SEGUR 1995
$99.99
Cru Bourgeois
Color: garnet-red color with tile tints.
Nose: complex and good strength, with red-fruit
aromas and cocoa notes.
Palate: delicate but powerful,well matured tannins, with firm red-fruit aromas.

Chateau MENEY 2001
$69.99
Cru Bourgeois
Color: intense deep-red color.
Nose: elegant, powerful, with oaky and spicy notes
and red-fruit aromas.
Palate: distinguished, well-structured
with firm tannins.

Frank's St. Estephe 6pack Sampler
You Get One Bottle of Each for Only $399.99
You Save $399.95… That’s 50% Off

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Frank Pagliaro and Keith Wallace, founder of
The Wine School of Philadelphia (www.vinology.com),
have joined forces to better educate the wine lovers of the Tri-state area!

Xselections by Frank & Jonathan Newman, former Chairman of the PLCB
Yes, you read it right! Frank joins former rival Jonathan Newman to bring back his stellar selections and offer them to Tri-state area wine lovers! Introducing the Xselections by Jonathan Newman, former Chairman of the PLCB at Frank's!

Jonathan Newman, former Chairman of the PLCB, who revolutionized the concept of purchasing great wines at amazing prices for the State of Pennsylvania and created the Chairman's Selection Program. During his tenure at the PLCB, Jonathan was instrumental in directing numerous initiatives that created a more wine-friendly environment in Pennsylvania for suppliers and consumers. These initiatives included the creation of the Chairman’s Selection program, which used the state’s tremendous purchasing power to offer high quality wine at the best prices in the U.S.

Even the best wineries sometimes have trouble selling their best wines. No matter how good it is, wine sitting in a warehouse isn't helping their cash flow or brand awareness. What if the winery could get cash right away for that wine -- while building the brand? This is what Jonathan did as Chairman and will continue doing in the private sector beginning this spring. Jonathan deals only with excellent quality wine, and he samples everything he buys. If he likes the wine -- that's key -- the winery's problems are solved. Jonathan will buy it all and pay them promptly. Obviously he's worked out a stellar deal with the winery, and he'll pass those great deals along to me which in turn I'll get to you....what a beautiful thing! Your goblet is full, the winery's banker is happy, and Jonathan and I have a smile on our faces for such great charity work! That's the way business should be done.

So, here's a great scenario of exactly how it'll work:
You just bought a great bottle of wine for $12.99, a fraction of what you expected to pay for it. And you're wondering, how did this happen? Jonathan Newman & Frank's Union Wine Mart makes it happen. We comb the world looking for outstanding ultra-premium wines that, for whatever reason, aren't selling as quickly as the winery would like. We taste everything we buy, and we deal only with excellent wines. We walk away from more deals than we make. The end result is your excellent bottle of wine.

Enjoy it -- it's a one-time purchase that probably can't be repeated. In fact, if you like it, you should hurry back to buy more. But don't worry if it's sold out. Check back next week and you might join in on our latest score -- if you're quick enough!

Xselections