This Saturday we are getting back to basics with organic wines from the diverse regions of France.  We’ll taste wines of the Lore, the Rhone, Provence, and Bordeaux.  We won’t taste any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, just good clean wine.
 
2017 Berthier, Coteaux du Giennois  $18
Sauvignon Blanc
Coteaux du Giennois is a small and recent appellation, even if one can find archeological evidences of winegrowing in this region since the 2nd century.  Coteaux du Giennois white is a fresh and fruity wine with floral aromas, and notes of white fruits such as quince and pear. It is a very crisp and minerally Sauvignon Blanc lovely, very clean citric aromas and flavors including grapefruit notes.  While not certified organic the vineyard is sustainably farmed with little use of chemical additive.

2017 Domaine Grands Bois, Cuvée Les Trois Soeurs  $14
65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Carignan
The Trois Soeurs is from estate grown fruit from 30- to 60-year-old vines in the Rhone Valley, and is named for the winemakers three daughters.  It is “a delicious mouthful of wine for a song.”  The wine has notes of dark chocolate, crushed berry fruit, earth, licorice and dry tannins.

2015 Chataeu Val Beylie, Plaisir Bordeaux  $13
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Organically grown grapes from estate vineyards just outside of St. Emillion make up this unoaked Bordeaux.  Deep purple color with clean, fruit forward nose, smooth in the mouth with red berry candied fruit with hints of smoke and good acidity, nice and balanced on the finish.

2017 Marc Plouzeau, Rive Gauche Chinon   $17
Cabernet Franc
This Loire red comes from organically farmed 30-year-old vines in Chinon.  It has attractive aromas of fresh fruit and spices, plenty of fruit and freshness, and a nice minerality.
 
2015 La Bastide Blanche, Bandol  $28
72% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, 1% Syrah, 1% Carignan
This Provence big bold red comes for organically farmed 30-year-old vines.  The wine has intense black-fruit aromas and a rich, spicy, herby flavors along with deep earthy notes. 

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.