20 Sep How apropros is this? For back-to-school, a wine from the schoolhouse, L’Ecole Frenchtown Red

There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are turning and the kids are complaining about homework.

It’s back-to-school time!

Keeping in the spirit, we’re recommending a wine that not only is a good deal, it’s named after an historic schoolhouse.

Chances are you’re familiar with the winery, L’Ecole, which is French for “school”.  Located near Walla Walla, currently one of the wine world’s hottest spots, L’Ecole produces multiple tiers of red wine, from entry level to collectible.

Frenchtown is the name of the 100-plus year old schoolhouse depicted on L’Ecole’s labels.  It’s also the name of their solid red blend.

We found Frenchtown virtually everywhere.  Depending on the store, you’ll see either the 2015 or 2016 version.  We tasted both and could barely discern any difference…no surprise as both ’15 and ’16 were above-average vintages in Eastern Washington.

Merlot is the dominant grape with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and others rounding out this dark, sturdy blend.  It’s a couple of bucks more than the average Washington or California red blend but if you like a structured wine with deep berry flavors, it’s worth it.

Now I have to go to get ready for…I’m not kidding…my daughter’s back-to-school night!

As of September 19, we found L’Ecole Frenchtown Red at:

Eastside

Fred Meyer  Hollywood        $20.99       Fred Meyer  Hawthorne      $20.99

Safeway  NE 69th & Sandy   $21.99        Safeway  Hawthorne           $21.99

QFC  NE 56th & Burnside     $21.99

Westside

Fred Meyer  NW Burnside       $20.99    Fred Meyer Beaverton        $20.99

Fred Meyer Walker Rd.            $20.99     Fred Meyer Raleigh Hills   $20.99

Bale’s Thriftway  Cornell Rd.   $20.99     QFC  Barnes & Miller Rd.      $21.99

Market of Choice  Cedar Mill   $21.99    Safeway NW Lovejoy              $21.99

Safeway Cornell Rd.                  $21.99    New Seasons NW Thurman   $21.99

New Seasons  Cedar Mill            $21.99    Zupan’s Burnside                    $23.97

South

Fred Meyer  SW Barbur               $20.99      Fred Meyer  Tualatin          $20.99

New Seasons  Mountain Park LO  $21.99   New Seasons  Tualatin      $21.99

Market of Choice   SW Terwilliger   $21.99   Market of Choice  West Linn   $21.99

Safeway   SW  Barbur                     $21.99     Safeway  Lake Oswego       $21.99

Zupan’s   SW Macadam                   $23.97