Brawn is not always best, but in the case of our tasting this Saturday, there is plenty of muscle on show.  We gathered the wines from Molise, Puglia, Tuscany, Veneto and Lombardy.  Don’t look for wall flowers in this lot, just rich deep flavors to fill out the gloomy corners of January.  
 
2015 Terresacre, Falanghina  $22
Terresacre vineyards are located in the beautiful countryside of Montenero di Bisaccia, where the hills of the lower Molise are caressed by the sea breeze in a prime location that receives the beneficial influence of maritime climate.  Their beautiful Falanghina is elegant on the nose, with hints of tropical fruit, citrus fruits, and acacia flowers.
 
2012 Luccarelli, Negroamaro  $13
From Puglia, Luccarelli makes this workhorse Negroamaro that is full of blackberries, cherries with a touch of thyme, earth and bitter chocolate.
 
2013 Fattoria Uccelliera, Ginepraia  $23
70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot
A Brunello producer in Montalcino, Uccelliera also makes this Super Tuscan blend.  It is a complex wine with layers of red fruit of Kirsch and currants and spicy notes of cinnamon and vanilla, long spicy aftertaste.
 
2007 Ca’ Salgari Amarone $39
Amarone is made from Corvina Veronese and, in lower proportion, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina grapes. In September, the grapes are harvested and placed in small wooden trays and left to dry for at least 4 months. During this period the grapes lose about 40% of their weight, developing larval forms of noble rot such as botrytis cinerea. The mold naturally contributes to the increase of glycerol concentration, giving the characteristic aroma to the wine with a bouquet of red flowers and fruitiness including notes of cocoa and vanilla.  The taste is warm and soft, lightly tannic with a pleasant finish of spirit-soaked cherries.
 
Cantina Quisello, Lambrusco $12
Lambrusco Ruberti Monovitigno
From Lombardy, Cantina di Quistello was formed in 1928 by a group of growers who wanted to make their own wine.  In their Lambrusco the bouquet features blackberry and red plum accompanied by floral notes of violets.  It is pleasantly soft on the palate with a slightly velvety closure.

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.