A good wine is greater than the sum of its parts.  The enjoyment in drinking it adds up to more than its notes and flavors.  Let’s call them Summary Wines.  This Saturday we’re pouring five wines from Italy that exceed their addition.  They are all fresh and lively and jump from the glass.  They also just happen to be perfectly suited to our nice weather.  So they are both Summary and Summery.  Come join us and do the math.
 
2014 Vini Iovine, Falanghina Pompeliano  $12
The Iovine family owns vineyards in the Penisola Sorrentina, Irpinia and Benevento areas of Campania . Their snappy and bright Falanghina spends some time in barrel giving it an added texture.  The wine has aromas of citrus, tangerine skin, green melon and peach backed by just a shy touch of vanilla and bitter almond.
 
2013 Pupillo, Cyane, Dry Moscato $16
This ancient Sicilian estate dates back to the 12th century and has been in the Pupillo family for four generations.  The “Cyane” is their bone dry version of a grape often used for sweet wines.  The Sicilian sun ripens these grapes quickly and they are picked as early as the first week of August in order to maintain their acidity.  The wine is full of lemon curd, lime zest, minerals, crab apples, white flowers and orange pith greet the nose and the palate.
 
2013 Bisci, Verdicchio di Matelica  $16
From the Marche, Bisci practices organic agriculture, but is not certified organic. The vineyards of Verdicchio di Matelica were totally replanted starting from the seventies and are located at an altitude of 300-350 mts on sea level with southern exposure. The alternation of sunny days and of fresh and dry nights gives the grapes character and an extremely fine fragrance with aromas of white flowers, and green apple.  The flavor is intense, quite warm, and well balanced, with a slightly bitter ending.  “Verdicchio is one of the joys of Italian oenology that rarely gets the respect it deserves, and few producers do it better than Bisci.” – The Wine Advocate

2013 Tenuta Rubino, Oltremè  $14 
Susumaniello
Found only in  Salento in Puglia Sisumaniello is an ancient grape variety that is regaining its popularity.  This unique wine has fragrantly fresh notes of red fruit: cherries, pomegranate, raspberries and mature plums. Sapid, mineral and round, with pleasantly soft tannins.  A balanced and velvety wine, with an elegant and persistent texture; its harmony, persistence and elegance are truly enchanting. Its varietal notes stand out clearly.
 
2012 Villa Ligi, Grifogletto $22
Aleatico
From the Marche, Grifogletto is made from Aleatico, a distinct red grape that was introduced to the area in 1234.   The grapes come from a single vineyard of 50 years old vines. The wine has an expressive nose of rose blossoms, wild strawberries and raspberries; on the palate it leaves a dry and fresh sensation with mild tannins, round and distinct character. “Grifoglietto” is traditionally served with prosciutto and cold meat or dishes with white meat, truffles or mushrooms and with fish soups. It is a perfect match with the local “Lumache in Porchetta”, a spicy marine snail stew.

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.