Pierre Bonaface Apremont: From the Alps near the Swiss border, this white is dry, crisp and refreshing with a floral quality and light green apple flavors.

Region: Savoíe, France.

Price: $17.

Goes with: Fondue, cheeses, roasted chicken.

Why I chose it: A great fondue wine for the cooler season, plus it’s really something different from typical white wines.

2010 Black Pearl Vineyards ‘Oro’: Cabernet sauvignon with shiraz brings out explosive dark fruits, spice and that distinct smokiness South African red wines are famous for.

Region: Paarl, South Africa.

Price: $16.

Goes with: A nice spiced skirt steak or rich stew.

Why I chose it: South African wines often get overlooked, they give you a great bang for the buck.

2011 Cantina Di Casteggio Barbera: Meant to drink young, this wine bursts of red fruits like raspberry and cherry. A very easy drinking medium-weight wine with a bright, tangy finish.

Region: Lombardia, Italy.

Price: $14.

Goes with: Pizza, pasta and all of grandma’s Italian specialties.

Why I chose it: Barbera from nearby (and more famous) Piedmonte can sell for much more, but may not taste as delicious as this particular wine. This is your new Tuesday night pizza wine!

2011 Domaine Chauveau “La Charmette” Pouilly Fumé: Made from the sauvignon blanc grape, so you get citrus, lemon zest and brightness from the acidity, but Pouilly Fumé in particular has a distinctive flint-like smokiness to it – unique to this region.

Region: Loire Valley, France.

Price: $27.

Goes with: Shellfish like raw oysters and clams, or enjoy with pungent French cheeses.

Why I chose it: Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé’s neighbor, may be more well known, but Pouilly Fumé has different soil, which changes the aspect of the wine. A great change from the same-’ol Sauvignon Blanc.

2010 Domaine Lalande ‘Les Hauts de Lalande’: This medium-bodied blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and petit verdot is complex and elegant with blackberry and cherry fruit. Aged for 6 months in oak for added complexity and richness.

Region Languedoc, France.

Price: $16.

Goes with: All types of cuisine from grilled meats to chicken and even rich vegetarian dishes.

Why I chose it: This is a great transition wine. Not too heavy nor too light, it works well with both summer fare and heartier foods.

As the owner of a boutique wine shop I understand the risks and rewards of owning a small business. Wine shops, in particular, are very community oriented. Most customer come from a localized area whereas large shopping destinations like malls or big box stores (Best Buy, Home Depot, etc.) attract people from a much wider radius.

As a result smaller stores need to be very savvy in the way they compete. There is a smaller community of potential customers, which makes any advantage worth pursuing.

As a former Public Relations professional I knew coming in that PR and marketing were key factors in the success or failure of my shop. Now this doesn't mean I don't make mistakes. I spent alot of money in initial advertising that turned out t be a waste. I also, however, utilized my background to look at free marketing ideas.

Getting local articles in the paper, Appearing on a local cable access TV show and making myself available to local media for interviews or wine suggestions when their writing called for it can help get your name out.

One of the best free items recently has been the onslaught of social media . Facebook, Google+ and Twitter (amongst others) are great ways to get the word out for free.

Used in combination with traditional marketing and advertising social media can help the small business compete with the big guys..at least in the virtual world.


Google, for example recently started their interior "streetview" campaign. A photography team come inside your store and uses their streetview 360-degree photographic technology to completely recreate your store on Google.

Now when someone Google's my store the can take a virtual tour of the interior..it's like being right there.

I imbedded this into my web site..so take a look and let me know what you think.

www.vino100whiteplains.com

What new technologies and ideas will come down the road? Who knows? But whn it does you know I'll check it out.

Cheers

2012 Domaine Bellevue Touraine Rosé: A dry rosé made from Cabernet Franc. While full of berry flavors, this wine also has a light spice component.

Region: Loire Valley, France.

Price: $15.

Goes with: Great with barbecued chicken, appetizers or any lighter fare.

Why I chose it: It might be after labor day, but it’s still warm and rosé is perfect for late summer dining.

http://food.lohudblogs.com/2013/09/03/2012-domaine-bellevue-touraine-rose-lohud-wine-of-the-week-mixed-case-7-bottle-1/

2007 T’Jara reserve Red: Push any preconceptions of New York wines out of your head. This bold Merlot blend is full of dark and red fruits like plum, cherry and blackberry. Drinks like a nice Northern California-based wine with its rich style and lingering finish.

Region: North Fork, Long Island.

Price: $36.

Goes with: Steaks, grilled lamb chops.

Why I chose it: The bold style and incredible quality of this wine is personified by the people of New York.

http://food.lohudblogs.com/2013/09/10/2007-tjara-reserve-red-lohud-wine-of-the-week-mixed-case-7-bottle-2/

Yup, your's truly has been named wine expert for the journal News newspaper here in Westchester County, NY. Check out the link below to see me in action.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20130903/LIFESTYLE01/309030047/Meet-our-new-wine-expert?nclick_check=1

Ahh, those relaxing days of summer when you want to be outdoors grilling up ribs for your friends and family and quaffing that great, fruity wine drink, Sangria.

Nobody has the exact date or location associated with the invention of Sangria, but it is believed that it derived from a red wine punch that was popular in Spain and throughout Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. It took almost another hundred years to get it here when Sangria was introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, and it’s been a hit ever since.

People have different opinions as to what constitutes Sangria. It is sold as a pre-mixed wine product in jugs, made with red or white wine—also known as Sangria Blanco, with or without brandy or other liquors and mixed with sugar, honey or fruit juice for sweetening. Some even add spices like cloves or cinnamon sticks…almost like a mulled wine.

So you want an easy and inexpensive recipe for a summertime party. Well, here’s my delicious, unusual and, yes cheap recipe that is so insanely simple you’ll feel guilty for accepting complements on it.

            Simply mix together:

 

            1 part Manischewitz Concord grape wine (Yes, that sweet Passover stuff)

           

            1 part dry red wine (Any decent, inexpensive table wine is fine)

 
            Add a little Peach Schnapps to taste


           
            Fruit cut up into bite-sized pieces (Apples, oranges and peaches are great)

 

            Let sit for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator and enjoy.

 

Optional: If you like a little fizz, then add a splash of seltzer to your glass before serving.

 

However it’s done remember that this addictive drink screams for a PARTY, so make sure you have a crowd, great food...and, of course enough Sangria. Now excuse me, I have to go check on those ribs.