No need to wait ’til New Years, sparkling wines are good year round and especially on a hot afternoon. This Saturday we’re pouring all bubbles. They are crisp, refreshing and taste great by themselves or matched up with all kinds of foods. We’ve been collecting these wines over the summer and want to show them off. We have bubbles from Australia, Spain, the Loire, and Limoux, and they are all everyday affordable. The corks fly at 2pm and we’ll pour them as long as the bottles and bubbles hold out. Come effervesce with us.
De Bortoli, Sparkling Brut $11
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
This Australian sparkler has fresh fruit and citrus notes, creamy bubbles and a clean, crisp finish. The De Bortoli is a well-made and good value bubbly.
2012 Jané Ventura, Brut Nature $16
Xarel-lo, Maabeu, Parellada
A quality zero dosage Cava with an aromatic herb and floral bouquet and a crisp flinty palate reminiscent of aromatic herbs like “fennel” and citrus and white flower notes. The wine is very fresh with a toasty end, enhancing the fresh sensation in the mouth.
Moncontour, Cremant de Loire $18
40% Chenin, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Cabernet Franc
This crisp bubbler has complex aromas with accents of brioche and roasted notes and has beautiful subtlety on the palate.
J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux Brut – Special Tasting Price $15
60% Chardonnay, 30% Chenin Blanc, 5% Mauzac, 5% Pinot Noir
The Laurens has zingy lemon-lime flavors which evolve into fuller pineapple and citrus, and light, cardamom-like spice. Its rich yeasty character adds breadth and weight.
J. Laurens, Cremant de Limoux Brut Rosé – Special Tasting Price $15
60% Chardonnay, 25 % Chenin, 15 % Pinot Noir
The Brut rosé has a gentle yeastiness accompanying its effusive effervescence, but the real story is its rich, tangy, full-in-the-mouth, appealing fruit.
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.