Marche
Etna
Chianti
Valpolicella
Saturday, May 21st, 2pm
Saturday we’ll be tasting some classic wines from Italy, starting with a seaside rosé for the Marche, proceeding to a complex Nerello Mascalese from Sicily, two examples of serious Sangiovese and then to a great example of Veneto Valpolicella. These wines all show true terroir and lively complexity.
2015 Vallevo, Costa dei Trabocchi, Rosé $12
Sangiovese
This Rosé comes from the Marche region of Italy on the Adriatic Coast. The wine is fruity and crisp with notes of strawberry, red fruit and soft floral notes that are bright and refreshing.
2012 Tornatore, Etna Rosso $19
Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
This estate sits on the north slope of Mount Etna Where the volcanic soils nurture the local Nerello grapes. The rosso has fresh and active aromas of savory flowers and cherry notes. It is medium-bodied red with spice and eucalyptus alongside polished tannins and fresh acidity.
2011 Casa Vinicola Triacca, Bello Stento Chianti Classico $17
90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 5% Colorino
The La Madonnina estate lies at the heart of Chianti Classico at an altitude of 350 meters. The Bello Stento is made from the early harvest from the La Madonnina vineyard. This classic Classico sees one year in barrel and shows good aromas of tea, tobacco, violets and berry.
2011 Casa Vinicola Triacca, La Madonnina Chianti Classico Riserva $23
Sangiovese
The big wine from the La Madonnina vineyard, this Reserva comes from the later harvest and ages for 2 years before bottling. The wine has soft fruit of plum & cherry with classic tea and earth notes and a velvety smooth richness.
2013 Cá Salgari, Valpolicella Classico $15
Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and Croatina
The Salgari estate dates back to 1840. The grapes for this Valpoicella are lightly dried before its 7 to 10 days of skin maceration. The wine shows fragrant notes of red flowers, fruits and prominent notes of cherries, soft tannins and good persistence.
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.