Italy has more grape varietals than any other country which makes it endlessly interesting to try new wines.  This Saturday we’ll be pour just five varietals, but they each have their distinct character.  Come join us as we sip through Pinot Bianco, Verdicchio, Ciliegiolo, Sangiovese and Aglianico.
 
2013 Viticoltori Alto Adige, San Pietro Pinot Bianco $13 
Viticoltori Alto Adige is a co-operative of six wineries in Veneto. Their Pinot Blanc is aged in stainless steel and delivers crisp and clean flavors of peach and apple, supple complexity and a hint of minerality.
 
2014 Bisci,  Verdicchio di Matelica  $17
Bisci’s vineyards in the Marche region have 30-year-old vines and are organically farmed. The resulting wine shows lovely floral and green apple characters with a nice acidity and minerality that linger to an elegant finish.
 
2014 Mantellassi, Maestrale Ciliegiolo $10 
The Maestrale or Mistral wind comes from France, passing over Corsica and reaches Italy blowing through the pine forests of the coast and bringing light floral scents that flood the Mantellassi vineyards in Tuscany.  The Maestrale Ciliegiolo is a lighter fresh red with aromas of a flowery bouquet and wild berries, cherry and raspberry. The flavor is pleasant, fresh, balanced, fruity and persistent.
 
2009 Maria Caterina Dei, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano  $20
Sangiovese
Maria Caterina Dei’s estate at the foot of Montepulciano extends over 44 hectares and is divided between the hamlets of Bossona, Martiera, La Ciarlana and La Pioggia.  The Vino Nobile has a rich texture. Refined aromas of cherry and plum follow through to a full-bodied palate, with soft, round tannins and a flavorful finish. 
 
2011 Salvatore Molettieri, Irpinia Aglianico, Cinque Querce $18
Molerieri’s “Cinque Querce” vineyard is the Cru of their estate in Campagna with a selection of local Aglianico clones.  Some of the vines are pre-phylloxera and ungrafted.  The wine spends 18 months in barriques and in large oak casks, then 6 months in bottle before release in order to soften up the muscular Aglianico.  It has an intense and deep nose with spicy notes of nutmeg, elegant balsamic nuances that mingle with ripe marasca cherry, cloves and cocoa notes. The palate is warm, full, supple, and long with complex aromatic persistence and tightly knit tannins. There is a long finish of ripe fruit and coffee toasting.

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.