Saturday we are touring around Europe and tasting some fresh new arrivals from our friends at Vinea Imports. We’ll be visiting the Basque country in Spain, Hungary, back to Spain for a pink cava, then to Coteaux du Lyonnais in France, then finish up in Castilla y León. It’s a whirlwind weekend so come trek along.
2016 Rezabal, Txakoli Blanco – $15
100% Hondarrabi Zuri
Rezabal is a family owned winery located in the Basque country of Spain with a vineyard of 22-hectares planted in a traditional high trellis system. Hondarribi Zuri, a white grape variety, displays very bright, refreshing and fruity aromas and benefits from the constant see breeze blowing in the vineyard daily, bringing great freshness, salinity and acidity to those wines. Naturally fizzy, the wine has aromas of intense fresh citrus fruits and green apple, bright acidity and low alcohol.
2016 Evolucio, Furmint – $13
85% Furmint, 15% Harselevelu (Yellow Muscat)
This wine comes from 30-year-old Furmint vines growing on a mix of volcanic soils in Hungary. This Furmint features fresh pears and quaffable tropical fruits, all under a welcoming floral nose. A lush texture struck with an herbal finish leaves you feeling lip-smacking good.
2015 Jane Ventura, Reserva de la Música Brut Rose – $17
100% Garnacha
The vineyards for the Musica are at a high location, 700 meters. The wine is aged for 2 years on the leas setting it apart from most Cava. The expression of this grape is notable, as well as being very delicate and loaded with fragrance. The bouquet offers up a complex variety of harmonious aromas, with notes of cherries, green apple, strawberry, and cream, pearly minerals and floral perfume with small and delicate bubbles.
2016 Franck Decrenisse, Coteaux du Lyonnais – Mes Vieilles Vignes $14
Gamay
Located in the Monts d’Or, just north of Lyon, this estate is a leader in the rebirth of the Coteaux du Lyonnaid appellation. Franck Décrenisse has taken over from his parents in 1995 and currently exploits 37 acres of which 5 are planted with very old vines. The Vieilles Vignes is made from 70-year-old vines. The nose is very expressive, fruity and spicy. In the palate, the wine is very round and full of red berries with a bright finish.
2014 Lar de Maia, 5 – $17
Tempranillo, Garnacha and Syrah
Lar de Maía was founded int 2010 in Castilla y León by María Burgoa and Raúl Tamayo practicing organic viticulture, and original, natural winemaking. The 5 has intense red fruit aromas (cherry), blended with hints of vanilla, coconut and licorice that continue through to the finish.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2pm until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5pm.