This Saturday we are featuring wines from the northeast of Italy in Colli Orientali del Friuli and Valpolicella. Colli Orientali is known for its outstanding whites and Valpolicella for its Amarone.  Imported importer Fulvio Longo will be on hand to show off these fantastic wines.
 
2016 Colutta, Pinot Grigio  $20
The Colutta Farm – “Bandut” is named after an ancient piece of land bought by Antonio Colutta in the early 1900s, which now belongs to Giorgio Colutta.  Colli Orientali vineyards are influenced by the breeze from the Adriatic.  This Pinot Grigio has effusive aromas of apple blossoms and quince with underpinnings of bitter almonds. It is intense with rich and refreshing flavors.
 
2016 Colutta, Ribolla Gialla, Gran Cru  $33
Truly unique, Colutta’s Ribolla is elegant, delicate and floral, with notes of jasmine and orange blossom. 
 
2016 Mauro Maschi,  Veneto Merlot  $11
The Maschi is a distinct expression on Merlot from the Northeast of Italy –and it is at a great price.
 
2014 Ca Salgari, Valpolicella Classico Superiore D.O.C. Ripasso Vajoi  $24
Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina
The Salgari family’s wine making dates back to 1840, when Luigi Antonio built his manor house with an underground cellar.  It has a historic rural courtyard surrounded by centuries-old cypress trees and is located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area in the Negrar valley. In February, the Valpolicella Superiore undergoes a light maceration and re-fermentation, mixed with skins and seeds remaining after the first fermentation of Recioto and Amarone to become Ripasso.  The wine is then aged at least 12 months in oak casks.  This Ripasso has a rich range of fragrances with persistent notes of ripe red fruits, tobacco, spices and light vanilla.  It is warm, soft and embracing, with elegant tannins, and a well-balanced structure.
 
2013 Ca Salgari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G  $38
Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina
In September the grapes for this Amaorne are manually harvested, and the best ones are placed in small wooden trays and left to dry for at least 4 months. During this period of natural drying, called appassimento, the grapes lose about 40% of their weight, developing larval forms of noble rot such as botrytis cinerea. This mold naturally contributes to the increase of glycerol concentration, giving a softness and characteristic aroma to this great wine.  A soft pressing and slow fermentation at low winter temperatures follows.  The wine has an intense and complex bouquet of red flowers and fruitiness including notes of cocoa and vanilla. 
 
Petrizzelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mono Cultivate  $18
The Petrizzelli is ade exclusively from the Coratina Olive a very small, low yielding varietal that rewards those who have the patience to work with it. Come taste it.

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