This Sunday it’s a knock down rosé taste off pitting the Feisty French against the New World Americans. Representing France is:

2011 R. Dubois & Fils Rosé    ($10)
Pinot Noir
Sister and brother Béatrice and Raphaël Dubois have been running the estate together since 2006, winegrower in Burgundy for nine generations. Today, the young generation of the family shows an unusual collaboration between Béatrice, who, being a winemaker, takes care of the vinification with passion and Raphaël who is responsible for the vineyard and the wine marketing. The vineyard covers today 23.5 hectares. A succulent pink to hold us over until the boats come in. Was $15 now $10

Weighing in for the Americans we have:

2011 Sorter Vineyards North Valley Rosé    ($13)
80% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 4% Gewürztraminer
A somewhat odd blend of grapes for a rosé, but it totally works. Nice strawberry flavors mixed with a bit of spiciness from the Gewürztraminer. Sustainable.

Round four of our Sunday Sippers Series. This week we head to Italy to the Terre Margaritelli winery. Since 1870, the Margaritelli family has tended 52 hectares in the center of Umbria between Perugia and Assisi in the noted wine region of Torgiano, one of the first Italian DOCs. Around thirty hectares are for regular production and market, while the other 22 hectares consist of experimental vines. The winery recently built an experimental wine laboratory which will work with small quantities of diverse varietals to test the production of each and to optimize the process of vinification, in relation to the specifications unique to the territory of Torgiano. But that’s all just background for this Sunday Sipper tasting. We will be featuring one of their whites and one of their reds.

2010 Terre Margaritelli Roccascossa    ($9)
70% Sangiovese, 10% Canajolo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
From Umbria, a fresh all stainless Sangiovese blend. Was $12 now $9
Organic

2011 Terre Margaritelli Pietramala        ($10)
85% Trebbiano, 15% Grechetto
From Torgiano, a small hill town in the heart of Umbria, the Pietramala has Meyer lemon, salt-water stream, and green olive aromas. Grassy aromas and good body. Was $12 now $10
Organic

Starting May 26^th we will be kicking off our Sunday Sippers Series. An excuse to stop by and taste some new and interesting wines. Each Sunday we will have both a red and a white open. This Sunday we are starting with the:

2011 Moser Grüner Veltliner ($10)
This wine is 100% Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s most widely cultivated varietal. It is a young light wine with a fresh and spicy nose. The palate is spicy with a fruity body featuring notes of mineral and pear. Comes in a 1 liter bottle, perfect for 4 people on a weeknight dinner.

2010 Tikves Vranec ($10)
An unusual red variteal from Macedonia, This Vranec is deep and rich like full bodied Zin, but with more tannins and chewiness. Fun and interesting.