For today’s installment in our local holiday shopping series, we spoke to Carl Franco of Francos Wine Merchants on Elm Street.
Here’s a transcription of our conversation.
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New Canaanite: How’s the holiday shopping season been for you guys?
A six-bottle case of 2010 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($9,000). It has a 100 point rating from Robert Parker, a rarity for a wine lover. Credit: Michael Dinan
Carl Franco: It’s been a little delayed. But I think people are starting to wake up and realize that Christmas is in two weeks.
What are some of your best sellers?
There’s always the traditional Cabs and Pinot Noirs and areas that people feel comfortable shopping in because they know them. But Italy’s always very big at Christmas because of a lot of menus—especially on Christmas Eve—and then it’s had an excellent 2019 vintage, which has just been released. And so Italy’s seeing a lot of action and Bordeaux’s seeing a lot of action. Same thing. Also, a very good vintage with the 2019s, which are just hitting the market.
You guys have been here for 100 years, but let’s imagine there’s new residents who haven’t come in. What would you say distinguishes Franco’s?
Large-format bottles are always popular for the holiday table, whether it be champagne, Bordeaux or even a 2019 Brunelo. These all run under $300. Credit: Michael Dinan
If you are looking for a gift and you don’t know much about wine or much about the person you’re giving the gift to—and you’d like to find something that’s appropriate and will impress±we can always find something for you. That’s what we’ve been doing here for the past 90 years. And, it gets wrapped up, it gets delivered if it’s local, it gets shipped out if it’s not local, and or you can just take it with you.
With New Canaan and Elm Street—you take these great photos in the morning—we’ve got the garlands up, the holiday lights, the gingerbread houses in the windows. Talk to me about what it’s like to be part of the heart of New Canaan at this time of year.
These are Italian wines, for highlighting an Italian meal for Christmas Eve or Day, these are all between $100 and $150. Credit: Michael Dinan
I post those photos and it gets responses, because these days you have followers all over the place.I have a lot of European followers just because I follow their wineries and they get a lot of likes and I think people who are not familiar with New Canaan realize—I don’t say what a special place it is, but it’s special, unique. It definitely has a sense of community and the town and the Chamber do a great job at making sure everything looks great every season of the year, not just Christmas.
Caffeine & Carburetors has partnered with the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce to encourage local holiday shopping by increasing the purchase power of the New Canaan E-Gift Card program by 40%. The gift card can be used at over 45 different retailers in town. More information is available here.