A warm afternoon and a bottle of cold bubbles. What could be better? This Saturday we’re popping the corks on five fresh sparklers. While the price on these wines is modest, they are loaded with variety and complexity. Come stock up for the season.
Rive Della Chiesa Pinot Grigio Frizzante $10
Light and apple-driven, and clean. The flavors are like lime lollipops and orange juice, which may sound unappealing but that’s not the case. 11% alcohol by volume
Palama Arcangelo Salento Bianco Frizzante $12
A lightly sparkling Malvasia from Puglia. The wine is refreshing, quite dry, fizzy with a touch of salinity and lemon peel. 11% alcohol by volume
Vieux Pressour Fines Bulles Rosé Samur $15
Cabernet Franc
This Méthode Ancestrale sparkling is 100% Cabernet Franc, and usually comes from a single vintage. The vines range from 18 to 30 year old, and are planted on limestone soil with grass growing between the rows. The grapes are destemmed and macerate for 24 hours at 16° C to preserve the freshness of the aromas. The wine is vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks, with blocked malolactic in order to keep its vivacity. It is aged for 15 months on its fine lees. 8 grams dosage, giving 5 grams of RS per liter. Delicate and fresh bouquet of red fruits, firm acidity.
2011 Delmas Cuvée Mémorie Brut Nature $15
Mauzac, Chardonnay
A nod to Bernard’s grandfather’s ancestral technique of ageing (24 months) in oak barrels, this wine has generous aromas of pear, with good minerality and richness, and a long finish. 12.5% alcohol by volume Was $25 now $15
La Collina Lunaris Secco $18
Malvasia di Candia
From Emilia-Romagna, this distinct sparkling wine has aromas of orange blossom, apple and a hint of buttery brioche. Lively and fresh, with red apple, toast, and peppy bubbles. Honey and a squeeze of lemon on the dry, fruity finish. Crisp and easy drinking, yet with a creamy undercurrent. The wine is biodynamic & organic. 11% alcohol by volume
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.