Italy has more different wines than any other wine growing country.  That makes exploring its wines a seemingly endless pleasure.  Join us Saturday as we take another dip into its vast variety.

2012 Medici Ermete, Lambrusco Rosé Secco Quercioli Reggiano  $12
Lambrusco Marani
Lambrusco is normally thought of as inky dark with a balance of sweet fruit and bitter tannins, but there are different Lambruscos that are lighter and more supple, like this Secco Quercioli from a fourth generation winemaking family in Emilia-Romagna.  The wine is pleasant and persistent, with violet scent, dry, fruity, fresh, lively, pleasantly harmonious.

2012 Fantinel, Pinot Grigio $13 
This third generation family estate in Friuli has prized vineyards in the Collio, Grave and Colli Orientali del Friuli DOCs.  The Pinot Grigio has fresh, floral scented aromas and an excellent body.

2013 Kermit Lynch, Rosso del Monferrato $18
50% Barbera, 20% Dolcetto, 15% Bonarda, 10% Croatina, 5% Freisa
Sustainable
Kermit Lynch seems to have his fingers everywhere.  This unusual Rosso from the Piedmont is made by Alessandra Bodda at Tenuta La Pergola which Kermit helps blend and puts his blessing on. Kermit says that it reminds him of the Piedmontese wines of old. It is made using carbonic maceration where the winemaker loads whole clusters of grapes into a vat and lets gravity break the skins and start fermentation naturally with native yeast. This wine is all about umami (savory) flavors: earth, mushroom, rock along with an encyclopedia of Piedmontese grapes.

2012 Velenosi, Lacrima di Morro d Alba,  $18
Lacrima di Morro is a classic indigenous variety that is found only in the Marche noted for its intensely floral aromas.  The nose is packed with intense, fruity, floral, strawberries, cherries, violet, pink.  In the mouth it is round, fresh, slightly tannic, almond and harmonious with a long and persistent finish.

2009 Borgogno, no name  $45
Nebiolo
From the winemaker:  “I have chosen one of my best wines and called it No Name as a quiet protest against the bureaucracy that afflicts the Italian agriculture and wine world.”   The wine comes from the cannubi, Fossati and San Pietro delle Viole vineyards which Borgogno farms organically and sustainably. They use at least 80% less sulphites than permitted.  As for food matches:  “We believe that advice with what to drink our wines is wrong, each has its own ideas and its pleasures, but we can advise who to drink it with.  Drink it with everyone!”  Come drink it with us this Saturday.

This Sunday we have a special treat – we will be pouring FOUR vermouths from Woodinville’s broVo. They are Washington’s FIRST Vermouth producer.  Mac Kenney of broVo will be answering questions from 2-4PM, but we will be pouring these four unique vermouths all day. Drop in an savor in the flavors.

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Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5. No matter what day you stop by we always have something open to sample.