Summer time and the living is easy.  To welcome it in we have assembled some easy drinking bubbles to match easy going the weather.  Stop by on Saturday as we pop the corks on these fresh sparklers that will match any Barbeque or lawn party.  The fat corks fly at 2pm and the tasting lasts as long as the wine does.  Come find a summer favorite.
 
Cune Cava Brut $11
50% Xarelo, 35% Macabeo, 15% Parellada
From a renowned Rioja producer CUNE expands out to Piendes to make these easy bubbles. It is a rich and crisp Cava with more body than you’d expect for the price. 
 
Borgo Maragliano, Brut  $15
Chardonnay
Borgo Maragliano sits 450 metres above sea level, in the heart of Loazzolo on a natural terrace in the Langhe hills. The chardonnay grape cultivated on these steep hills produces a sparkling wine via a process of refermentation in tank.  Fresh with bright acidity and steady effervescence.  The aromas are of citrus fruit, almonds and the aromas of freshly baked bread. 
 
Chateau Moncontour, Les Quinze Arpents, Vouvray Brut  $15
Chenin Blanc
The Chateau Moncontour winery is one of the oldest of the Loire Valley. It was created around the fourth century. Since the tenth century, caves have been excavated in the cliffs to vinify and preserve its wine. Their Quinze Arpents is a crisp Vouvray sparkler aged on the leas for 12 months.  It has notes of white flower, bread yeast and green apple flavors. 
 
Corteaura, Franciacorta  $20
Chardonnay
The Franciacorta region in Lombardy was the first DOC to specify that its sparkling wines be made metodo classico (like Champagne) and it has become recognized as the best area for sparkling wines in Italy.  Conteaura’s version has floral and fruity aromas of bread crust and yeast enriched with delicate notes of citrus and nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, dried white figs). The wine is savory, fresh, elegant and balanced.
 
2011 Graham Beck Brut Rosé $24
80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay
Graham Beck is a South African winery that focuses on bubbles made Méthode Champenoise.  Their Brut Rosé gains its hue from co-pressing the white and red varietals, followed by 36 months aging on the leas to build complexity.  It shows noticeable ripe blueberries and a subtle spiciness from the Pinot Noir with creamy complexity from the Chardonnay. An explosion of raspberry fruit and slight honeysuckle flavors on the palate, with a persistent yet delicate mousse.

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.