Sounds like a good idea to me!

We discovered this poster in the lobby of a Hong Kong hotel:

Bascially it’s $15-20 USD depending on the exchange rate. Novatel CityGate in Hong Kong, 5 minutes from the airport.

Just a reminder that Madrona Wine Merchants carries accessories that every wine lover needs.

FIND IT IN YOUR CELLAR

Make it easy to find things in your cellar with these set of 50 cellar tags ($5)

GET IT OPEN

This double-hinge action cork screw is gentle on the hands and makes opening the toughest of bottles easy ($4)

For a buck more we have a model with a spring-loaded double hinge ($5)

GET SOME AIR IN IT

Aerate while you pour with this aerating pour spout ($5)

SAVE IT FOR THE NEXT DAY

Save those bubbles with this champagne capper ($5)

Keep your wine fresh a day or two longer with the VacuVin ($8)

Comes with one stopper, additional two-packs of stoppers ($4)

ANIMALE is a very small winery hidden away in the outskirts of pastoral Ballard with an annual production of just around 200 cases. There Matt Gubitosa, winemaker, cellar master and head bottle washer produces his hand-crafted, full-flavored red wines from some of Washington’s lesser known grapes. It is hands on winemaking at its most pure level. His preference for aging in neutral oak barrels accents each varietal’s unique characteristics and lets the wines speak for themselves. Matt will be at the shop Saturday pouring some of his newly released 2010 vintage as well as the scarce 2009 Petitie Sirah (a personal favorite). 2010 was the coolest Washington growing season since 1999. The new wines are balanced, concentrated, nuanced and complex; they exhibit distinctive varietal character Come have a sip.

2010 Cabernet Franc, $25
95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
This Cab Franc comes from McIntire Vineyard, a late-harvest vineyard which also provides the grapes for the Petite Sirah. Medium-dark ruby-red color; complex assortment of delicate aromas including fresh cherries with hints of cherry candy, pomegranate, pimento, clove and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, fresh and zesty, with moderate tannins suststained through a long finish. This wine will reward many years of aging, courtesy of the 2010 vintage.

2010 Dolcetto $22
From 24 K vineyard on Waluke Slope, the 2010 Docetto has brilliant, bright purple-black color; complex and spicy aromas of blackberry and freshly-ground peppercorns, with hints of anise, blackcurrant, cola, and wisps of violets and sweet smoke. A zesty, medium-bodied wine with flavors of fresh berries and a soft but lingering finish.

2009 Petite Sirah $26
A standout in the Animale line up, the Petite Sirah has explosive aromas of fresh blackberries, and a hint of menthol. The wine is medium bodied with flavors of ripe plum, berries, and dark chocolate.

2010 Zinfandel $25
76% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah
Who says you can’t get Zinfandel ripe in Washington? Even in the cooler 2010 growing season this Zin out of Prosser has dark red-black color; aromas of fresh raspberries, blackcurrant and plums with hints of white pepper, leather, lemon, grapefruit peel and fresh flowers; rich and full-bodied with citrusy freshness and notes of chocolate and cherry pie.

Yep, that’s right, we are open until 3pm on Thanksgiving for those last minute wine emergencies.

Talk Turkey Pilgram.

Now that the “Wining and Dining” season is upon us, we’re extending our hours until 2013.

Our holiday hours are:

 Tuesday-Friday – 12-7

Saturday – 11-7

Sunday – 11-5

Thanksgiving Day – 11-3
(yes, we’ll be open on Thanksgiving for those last minute emergencies)

Christmas Eve – 12-7

 New Year’s Eve – 12-7
(still closed Mondays, just like the barber)

American Express® Shop Small® Program

The AMEX Shop Small program will give you a $25 credit on your bill if you register your AMEX card and shop small on Saturday, November 24th.

Come buy some wine and get a refund from the big boys.

Here is the link to register your card:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/

10% OFF

Stragglers

Nothing wrong with these grape jewels other than they are the last stragglers from a particular vintage and we want them gone to make way for exciting new wines.

Please, help us out – Take Home An Orphan

Look For The Neon Tag

Sunday, August 19

2010 Laya
70% Grenache, 30% Monastrell
The Laya is a full and fruit packed Spansh blend from Bodegas Atalaya. Grown on high altitude vines in Almavasa, it is just another example of what great values new Spanish wines can be. Stop in and try it.

Beat the heat on Saturday by beating it up to the wine shop to check out some fresh and refreshing new local wines. We’ll have some bubbles, a little mystery, some refreshing reds and a little magic.

Treveri, Extra Brut, Columbia Valley $14
Chardonnay
Treveri Cellars is a newer addition to the Washington Wine scene that specializes in Methode Champenois sparkling wines. Winemaker Juergen Grieb learned his craft in Germany before moving to the states. This Blanc de Blanc is zero-dosage, completely dry, with hints of apple, complex yeast tones, and acidity. On top of that it is really affordable and NOT made by St Michelle. What else can you ask for?

2009 NW Vine Project, Riesling Willamette Valley $10
The Northwest Vine Project was born from the idea that delicious, mouth-filling wines can be handcrafted at reasonable prices. Partnering with a rotating selection of big name winemakers who usually aren’t named, they source good fruit and make a range of quality inexpensive wines. Sourced from the Hyland Vineyard in McMinnville from vines planted in 1971, the Riesling is elegant and complex with a soft, supple sweetness balanced by lively acidity.

2009 NW Vine Project Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $15
Blended from sites throughout the Willamette Valley and raised in stainless steel to maintain pure varietal fruit character and freshness with about a quarter new French oak for greater complexity and structure. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir has a straight forward appeal and matches well with a wide range of foods.

2009 Walter Dacon, Skookum Red $20
47% Sangiovese, 47% Syrah & 6% Grenache
Walter Dacon focuses on Rhone and Mediterranean style wines sourced from select vineyard sites in the Yakima, Columbia Valley. The Skookum Red has aromas of fresh blackberries, strawberry and black fruit, just lively enough not to be too tart. It is smooth and refreshing with only minimal tannin making it an excellent complement to summer fare.

2010 Sleight of Hand Cellars, Spellbinder Red $18
36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 5% Sangiovese, 4% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot
Sleight of Hand Cellars, a tiny “garagiste” winery located in Walla Walla, is the brainchild of winemaker Trey Busch producing “Simply Magical Wines”.
The 2010 Spellbinder was aged in older French oak barrels for 11 months. The cooler growing season allowed for extended hang time for the fruit, allowing for full flavor development while retaining the natural acids that make this such a terrific food wine. Loaded with black and red fruits, this wine has supple tannins and it should age for a while, but it drinks so well right now, who can wait?

For a limited time Madrona Wine Merchants is including a free reusable 100% Bamboo Fiber Towelette with every purchase – just wrap, add a little water, and presto, you have a 12″x20″ towelette. Great for cleaning up those wine spills. Handy to keep in the car for that last minute polishing.

Just our way of saying thank you for your business.

Depending on where you check, the forecast for this afternoon is either bright and sunny or thunder showers. But no matter the weather, we will be pouring six fun and delicious wines starting at 2 pm. Bring your sun block and an umbrella.