Some like it hot, but others like it not. This Saturday we are taste touring some of the cooler regions of Europe with stops in Germany, Austria, the Jura and the Loire. The cooler climate keeps the acidity high and the wines fresh. Come join us.
Domaine Saint-Just, Crémant de Loire Brut $18
60% Chenin, 40% Chardonnay
This 99-acre estate is just 5 miles south of Saumur village. An area famous for heavyweight Chenin Blanc and Cab Franc, the vineyards around Saumur also produce some great Chard for blending into its sparklers. This rich Crémant has a fruity nose followed by almond, quince, and pear on the palate. This finish has an elegant creamy texture with long flavors.
2016 Biohof Pratsch Gruner Veltliner $13
100% Gruner Veltliner
Biohof Pratsch is an organically certified winery in the appellation of Niederösterreich in Austria. The Pratsch family goes back about 8 generations in the region livestock, wheat and barley and a few hectares of vines. In the early 80s Wilhelm Pratsch wanted to improve the quality of the products he sold, and switched the farming to organic. The Gruner is herbal, fresh, and spicy with notes of white pepper, apple, and citrus on the palate.
2016 Weinhaus Schloss Koblenz GmbH, St. Christopher, Württemberg Gewürztraminer $12
This German Gewürzt’s earthy mineral notes are brightened by whiffs of white blossom and grapefruit in this subtly sweet Gewürztraminer. Soft acidity and feather-light texture add to its delicate feel.
2016 Biohof Pratsch, Zweigelt $13
Zweigelt is a cross between St Laurent and Blaufrankish (Lemberger). The Pratsch has dark red fruit aromas with black currant, spices, and cherry. The Palate shows raspberry, cherry, spices and black pepper with a well-integrated acidity.
2011 Domaine Rolet Arbois Rouge Tradition $19
40% Poulsard, 30% Trousseau, 30% Pinot Noir
Désiré Rolet who in 1942 began making wine in the small region of the Jura in eastern France. In 1958, his 4 children all decided to stay in the family business and took over from their father. Since that time the domaine has acquired prime old vine vineyards in Arbois, Côtes du Jura and L’Étoile. The domaine has always been committed to sustainable farming and hand harvesting, which in their steep-sloped vineyards can be quite difficult indeed. No chemical herbicides are ever used and the soils are constantly ploughed – creating beautiful, healthy vineyards. Rolet makes mineral-driven wines that can only come from the Jura. The wines always exhibit a focused purity and intensity of flavor which maintain the cool climate typicity of this mountainous region. This traditional light-bodied red from the Jura region has aromas and notes of current and raspberry.
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.