It is an adventurous weekend here at Madrona Wine.  We’ll be exploring wines from the foot of the Alps mingled with sea mist from the coast of Sardinia then traipsing the Languedoc region in southern France to scoop up some great values.    Come hit the trail with us.

Saturday, we are tasting wines from Tenuta Sella in the far north of Piedmont and Contini in the clear blue of Sardinia.
2015 Contini, Vermentino Tyrsos $12
2016 Tenuta Sella, Bianco Doranda $17
2015 Contini, Nieddera Rosato $12
2015 Contini Tonaghe  Cannonau di Sardegna $13
2014 Tenuta Sella, Orbello Coste Della Sesia $17

Sunday, we are pouring two wines from Mont Gravet in the Languedoc.  These wines are both incredible values.

2016 Mont Gravet Cinsault Rosé                                             $10
A dry Languedoc rosé with aromas of raspberries and pears.

2015 Mont Gravet Carignan Vieilles Vignes                              $9
A smooth and silky old-vine red with lots of flavor and no pretensions.

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.

This Saturday we are going to the ends of Italy with two wineries – one in the very north in the shadow of the Alps and one from the island of Sardinia in the Tyrrhenian Sea.  They both use their unique terrain and local varietals to make very distinctive wines.
 
2015 Contini, Vermentino Tyrsos $12
100% Vermentino
The Contini Winery has been making wine in Sardinia for over a century.  Their Vermentino is elegant and mineral-driven, this refreshing white offers alluring scents of Spanish broom, acacia flower, peach and aromatic herb. The bright, polished palate delivers ripe pear, green apple, apricot and mint alongside fresh acidity. A note of white almond closes the clean finish.
 
2016 Tenuta Sella, Bianco Doranda $17
100% Erbaluce
The Tenuta Sella estate is located in northern Piedmont, right at the foot of the Alps of Biella. It is owned by the Sella family who purchased their first vineyards in Lessona 1671. The Doranda is Intense, fruity and floral, with pear and grapefruit notes.  It is full and supple with a vibrant acidity.
 
2015 Contini, Nieddera Rosato $12
90% Nieddera, 10% other local red grapes
The origins of this variety go back to ancient times and it is found only in the Lower Tirso Valley of the island.  It is a very expressive rosé.  The wine exudes delicacy while being intensely fruity and aromatic.
 
2015 Contini Tonaghe Cannonau di Sardegna $13
90% Cannonau, 10% other local red grapes
Cannonau, the islands version of Grenache,was brought to Sardegna by the Spanish. The Tonaghe is produced from vineyards in Ogliastra, Oliena and from the Sinis peninsula. It has aromas of ripe plums and blackberries.  The palate has lovely grippy tannins; warm and full-bodied with blackberry notes and juicy, ripe plum flavor.
 
2014 Tenuta Sella, Orbello Coste Della Sesia $17
50% Nebbiolo, 20% Barbera, 15% Croatina, 10% Vespolina, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
A family blend of Northern Piedmont varietals from vineyards located in Villa del Bosco, Brusnengo and Lessona, the Orbello has complex aromas with berry and cherry notes.  The flavor is full and supple with good acidity and a long mineral finish.

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.

We’re spending the weekend in France here at Madrona Wine.  Tasting seven wines over two days from most of the major wine regions.  It is a great reason to stop by the shop.

Saturday, we have Red, White and Rosé.
2015 Chateau Laballe, le Terres Basses, Gascogne Blanc $9
2016 Chateau de la Clapiere, Cotes du Provence Rosé La Violette $18
2016 Domaine Gueguen, Bourgogne Rosé $15
2014 Domaine Laurens, Marcillac Rouge $12
2015 Domaine Charles Helfenbein “La Syrah” VDP Collines Rhodaniennes $15

Sunday, we have two Frugal French for the budget minded.

2015 Vrai Caillou Entre deux Mere  $10
40% Sémillon, 35% Sauvignon Gris, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
A great little Bordeaux Blanc. Aromas of white fruit and wildflowers. A light, fruity and pleasant wine. Very fresh.

2015 Notre Dame des Pallieres, Les Riens Cotes du Rhone  $10
60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
A good everyday Cotes du Rhone from a Gigondas winery.

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.

It is perfect weather this weekend here in Madrona with highs in the mid to upper 70’s.  Here at Madrona Wine we are cooling off and even the reds will have a bit of chill on them.

Saturday we’ll have a lineup of fresh and crisp wines from Germany and Austria that are perfect for summer weather.  
2014 Biohof Pratsch, Grünier Veltliner $14  1ltr
2014 Dr. Heyden, Silvaner Trocken Alte Reben  $13
2014 Paul Anheuser, Schlossbockelheimer Konigfels Riesling Kabinett  $16
2016 Schafer Dry Rose $13
2013 Biohof Pratsch, Zweigelt  $14  1ltr

Sunday we’ll have two French wines to beat the heat.

2015 Chateau Bizard Blanc d’Amour  $13
40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier, 10% Marsanne, 10% Rousanne
A full and resinous Rhone white with lots of pear and apple notes. Who doesn’t love d’Amour?

2014 Le Fay d’Homme La Part du Colibri,
Gamay  $12
La Part du Colibri means the part of the hummingbird from an ancient Indian parable meaning that even if you do just a little bit but the best you can, you contribute to a better place. This pure Gamay is from organic 40-year-old vines and is a nice balance of fresh fruit and minerality and goes great with a slight chill on 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.

Saturday, we are heading North — Northern Europe that is.  We’ll be tasting some cooler climate grapes from Germany and Austria that are perfect for summer weather.  Think cool and crisp with refreshing acid.  Plus, you can pronounce such words as Zweigelt, Niederösterreich, Königsfels and Schlossbockelheime, all which roll off the tongue after a few sips on a hot afternoon.

2014 Biohof Pratsch, Grünier Veltliner Weinviertel DAC $17
Biohof Pratsch is an organically certified winery in the appellation of Niederösterreich in Austria. The family business goes back about 8 generations. This Grünier has aromas of herbs, nuts and pepper, followed by lots of fruit and animating acidity.

2014 Dr. Heyden, Silvaner Trocken Alte Reben  $13
From the Rheinhessen in Germany, this Silvaner comes from 50 year old vines.  This is a great introduction to Silvaner or a fine example even if you are old friends.   Lemongrass and herb notes lend a zesty herbaceousness to this medium-bodied wine. It’s dry on the palate, with tart but concentrated white peach and grapefruit flavors accented by a dusty, smoky minerality.

2014 Paul Anheuser, Schlossbockelheimer Konigfels Riesling Kabinett  $16
The Anheuser family has been making wine for 14 generations (one black sheep spun off at one point to make beer in America)  The Königsfels (‘King’s fields’) is a single vineyard site solely owned by the Anheuser family It sits on the upper Nahe river where it’s incredibly steep rocky slopes made of porphyry (a type of igneous) rock makes viticulture incredibly challenging, but very rewarding as its southerly slope as well as moderating temperature and reflective powers of the river make complex, concentrated wines There’s a particularly lean, light-footed quality to this minerally off-dry Riesling. The palate boasts fresh lemon and lime flavors shaded in savory tones of earth, dust and bee pollen. The finish is long and lemony.

2016 Schafer Dry Rose $13
Pinot Noir
The Schäfer family has been cultivating vines since 1709.  This Pinot Rosé comes from their organic vineyards in the Rheinhessen.  A delicate and dry Rose featuring aromas and flavors of wild strawberries, peach and pear backed by crisp, refreshing acidity.

2013 Biohof Pratsch, Zweigelt  $14  1ltr
Certified organic, Pratsch’s Zweigelt has dark red fruit aromas of black currant, spices, and cherry.  It has raspberry, cherry, spices and black pepper on the palate with well-integrated acidity.  It is a great summer red that can take a bit of chill on a warm day.

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.

Independence Day is Tuesday, and this has the feel of a long weekend (even if you have to work Monday)  Here at Madrona Wines we busy tasting some great wines to get ready for the 4th.  Please note: We’ll be closed Monday and Tuesday, some come in and stock up early.

This Saturday we’ll be tasting diverse mix of Spanish wines along with a dash of Slovenian Zellen (just because we can.)  It is a mixed and delicious line up.
Falma de Or, Cava  $12
2014 Guerila, Zelen $16
2016 Txakoli Rezabal Rosé $15
2014 Lar de Maia $16
2011 Pardas, Negre Franc  $20

This Sunday we’ve rounded up a couple of West Coast wines to round out your Independence Day. We’ll be showcasing a Rosé from Oregon and a big ol’ California Cabernet. Come celebrate the celebration of our union.

2016 Lorelle Pinot Noir Rosé  $11
A lighter Pinot Noir Rosé with cherry and blackberry fruit and a medium-to-light body.  Was $15 now $11

2014 Twenty Bench Napa Cabernet  $20
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Malbec
A correct Napa Cab with a ripe black cherry core, twining with blackberry syrup, a subtle minerality, with the smokiness of charred French oak on the nose. The mouth is creamy and dense, with layered of juicy berries, the darkest of dark chocolates, rich espresso and black pepper.

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.

This Saturday we’ll be tasting diverse mix of Spanish wines along with a dash of Slovenian Zellen (just because we can).  It is a mixed and delicious line up.
The Countries: Spain, Slovenia
The Regions:  Vipavska Dolina, Castilla y Leon, Catalonia, Getariako Txakolina, Penedes
The Grapes:  Xarello, Macabeu, Parellada, Zellen, Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Belza, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sumoll

The Wines:
Falma de Or, Cava  $12
50% Xarello, 30% Macabeu, 20% Parellada
This crisp Cava spends 14 months secondary fermentation on lees giving it a bit of richness along with its apple, pear and citrus fruit notes.

2014 Guerila, Zelen $16
The Guerila winery sits just over the Slovenian border from Friuli.  They practice spontaneous fermentation and do little or no filtration.  Zellen is an historical varietal of the region.  It has herbal aromas of bay, rosemary, thyme combined with fruity and floral notes. It is a delicate, mineral wine with freshness and smoothness.

2016 Txakoli Rezabal Rosé $15
Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Belza
This vivacious rose from the Basque region in northern Spain has lip-smacking acidity, wild strawberry, sea salt and fresh grapefruit impressions that make for a delicious thirst quencher.

2014 Lar de Maia $16
75% Tempranillo, 25% Grenache
Lar means home and Maia is the goddess of Spring.  The grapes are grown in small organically farmed plots.  The wine is aged in French and American oak barrels for 16 months, then in the bottle for two years. It is a juicy wine with red fruit aromas, blended with hints of vanilla, coconut and licorice.

2011 Pardas, Negre Franc  $20
60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Sumoll
A rich and full Bordeaux styled wine from a small artisanal winery Penedes with ripe fruit aromas with a hint of creamy oak.  The palate is complex, with chocolate, mineral and a full mouth of delicious fruit exhibiting toastiness and ripe tannins.  Organic

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.