This Saturday we’ll be tasting diverse mix of Spanish wines along with a dash of Slovenian Zellen (just because we can). It is a mixed and delicious line up.
The Countries: Spain, Slovenia
The Regions: Vipavska Dolina, Castilla y Leon, Catalonia, Getariako Txakolina, Penedes
The Grapes: Xarello, Macabeu, Parellada, Zellen, Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Belza, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sumoll
The Wines:
Falma de Or, Cava $12
50% Xarello, 30% Macabeu, 20% Parellada
This crisp Cava spends 14 months secondary fermentation on lees giving it a bit of richness along with its apple, pear and citrus fruit notes.
2014 Guerila, Zelen $16
The Guerila winery sits just over the Slovenian border from Friuli. They practice spontaneous fermentation and do little or no filtration. Zellen is an historical varietal of the region. It has herbal aromas of bay, rosemary, thyme combined with fruity and floral notes. It is a delicate, mineral wine with freshness and smoothness.
2016 Txakoli Rezabal Rosé $15
Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Belza
This vivacious rose from the Basque region in northern Spain has lip-smacking acidity, wild strawberry, sea salt and fresh grapefruit impressions that make for a delicious thirst quencher.
2014 Lar de Maia $16
75% Tempranillo, 25% Grenache
Lar means home and Maia is the goddess of Spring. The grapes are grown in small organically farmed plots. The wine is aged in French and American oak barrels for 16 months, then in the bottle for two years. It is a juicy wine with red fruit aromas, blended with hints of vanilla, coconut and licorice.
2011 Pardas, Negre Franc $20
60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Sumoll
A rich and full Bordeaux styled wine from a small artisanal winery Penedes with ripe fruit aromas with a hint of creamy oak. The palate is complex, with chocolate, mineral and a full mouth of delicious fruit exhibiting toastiness and ripe tannins. Organic
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.