The Languedoc AOC France is a treasure trove of delicious value. Join us on Sunday as we pour three examples from the region and show off the area’s charm.

2012 Domaine de Coujan, St Chinian Blanc, Bois Joli $12
100% Rolle
Rolle is the same grape as Vermentino in Italy. This one is dry, full-bodied with notes of pineapple citrus fruit, with pretty bitter notes on the finish.

2014 Bergerie de l’hortus, Pic Saint Loup Rosé $ 18
50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre.
From organic vineyards in Pic St Loup this direct pressed rose is full of wild strawberries, plums, apricots and mandarin oranges, and floral notes.

2012 Chateau Massiac, Minervios $18
75% Syrah, 25% Carignan
The flagship wine from the Chateau. “Enticing notes of juniper, rosemary and thyme as well as the savory flavors of wild berries and a hint of the ‘animal’.

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 a beautiful weekend here in Madrona, perfect for stretching the legs and exploring the world of wine.  So put on the sun screen and saunter on down to the shop and see what we are pouring.

Saturday, we have a line up from Illahe Vineyards in Oregon.  These guys are about as old school as you can get.  The grapes are dry farmed, the vineyards worked by horses, and the wines made more by hand than machine.  Come taste the results at 2 this afternoon.

Sunday, we are having a special tasting L’Adventure Languedoc.   The Languedoc AOC France is a treasure trove of delicious value and we’ll pour three examples from the region and show off the area’s charm. We’ll also have a guest sommelier to tell us a little more about the region from 1 to 4.

2012 Domaine de Coujan, St Chinian Blanc, Bois Joli  $12
100% Rolle — Rolle is the same grape as Vermentino in Italy.  This one is dry, full-bodied with notes of pineapple citrus fruit, with pretty bitter notes on the finish.

2014 Bergerie de l’hortus, Pic Saint Loup Rosé $ 18
50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre.
From organic vineyards in Pic Staint Loup this direct pressed rose is full of wild strawberries, plums, apricots and mandarin oranges, and floral notes.

2012 Chateau Massiac, Minervios $18
75% Syrah, 25% Carignan
The flagship wine from the Chateau.  “Enticing notes of juniper, rosemary and thyme as well as the savory flavors of wild berries and a hint of the ‘animal’.

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.

Located in Dallas Oregon just west of Salem, Illahe is and 80 acre estate of south-facing vineyards.  The mature grapes are dry farmed.  As one of Oregon’s few horse-powered vineyards, we utilize a team of Percheron drafts to mow and deliver grapes to the winery at harvest.  They do much of the winemaking by hand on small lots with age-old techniques and without enzymes or additives and still use a gentle wooden basket press for pressing.  This Saturday we’ll be tasting some of the fruit of their labor.  Come get a taste for yourself.
 
2014 Illahe Vineyards, Estate Gruner Veltliner  $18
Fremented partially in Acacia barrels, Ilahe’s Gruner has aromas of grapefruit, white pepper, lemon pith, sweet pea flower, licorice fern and tarragon.  The palate is lithe but commanding, tethered by wet stone minerality, fresh cut hay and a candied lemon.
 
2014 Illahe Vineyards, Viognier, Willamette Valley $18
Illahe’s Viognier has effusive aromatic notes of apricot, honeycomb, and peach pulp that leap out of the glass to greet the nose and are followed by more subtle notes of teatree oil, lime, and gardenia. The wine plays on the palate with a tantalizing acid backbone that is generous, opulent and unassuming.
 
2014 Illahe Vineyards, Tempranillo Rose  $18
Illahe’s Tempranillo Rosé is a whole-cluster pressed, resulting in a delicate wine with a pale salmon color and aromas of strawberries and cream, and a crisp, fleshy palate.
 
2012 Evesham Woods, Illahe Vineyard Pinot Noir $30
Evesham Woods uses fruit from Illahe vineyard is its larger production Willamette Valley blend, but the favorite, most expressive barrels receive additional age and make up this single vineyard Pinot. The wine is very forward with dark berries and a great velvety texture balanced with ample acidity. Only 300 cases were produced.
 
2012 Sparkman Cellars, Wilderness Red, Columbia Valley $20
37% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 24% Tempranillo, 5% Petit Sirah, 5% Touriga Naçional and 5% Petit Verdot.
As a bonus we had to include this last wine from Sparkman Cellars.  A few cases of their Wilderness red have flawed labels and to clear them out they have dropped the price.  The fruit for the Wilderness comes from Olsen, Klipsun, Red Heaven, Boushey and Lonesome Spring vineyards.  The wine has notes of graphite, spice, violets, blueberry, and blackberry with savory, ripe flavors, and a lengthy finish.  Was $30 now $20

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 Sunday we’ll have two intriguing Italians open and pouring. Both clock in at 13% alcohol by volume so you can have that second (or third) glass on a weeknight. Stop in for a taste. They are unique and delicious!

2014 Fratelli Povero Roero Arneis    ($14)
A classic Peidmontese white with an intense and fresh bouquet, and dry flavors of fresh hay, the pippin apple, almond and pineapple.
13% alcohol by volume

2010 Talamonti ModA’    ($10)
100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
A full, dark and chewy Montelpuciano. Lots of fruit and a little brooding herbaciousness.
13% 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.

The weather is screaming ROSÉ this weekend and we are ready to comply.  And there is a lot going on to accompany some dry crisp wine. Later today American Pharaoh will try and win the third leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park (the last horse to win all three races was Affirmed in 1978).  We’ll be watching it at the shop.

In other sporting events, today is the day for Hopscotch CD, where you can help set all sorts of records by Hopscotching through the Central District.  See more at www.hopscotchCD.com

And today at 2pm we’ll be studying some French Fun(damentals).  We’ll be pouring two Loire Rosés, a White and a Red from Bordeaux, and a “Black Wine” from Cahor that might set some records for thirst quenching.

Sunday, we’ll have two intriguing Italians open and pouring all day from 11-5pm.

2014 Fratelli Povero Roero Arneis    ($14)
A classic Peidmontese white with an intense and fresh bouquet, and dry flavors of fresh hay, pippin apple, almond and pineapple.

2010 Talamonti ModA’ ($10)
100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
A full, dark and chewy Montelpuciano. Lots of fruit and a little brooding herbaciousness.

Sunday is also the Artist Reception for Anne Dlouhy’s show of Collage and Ink sourced from vintage record albums.  Come meet the artist from 3 to 5. 

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’re pouring a lineup of wines from France that bring a smile to our faces. We’ll be pouring two Loire Rosés, a White and a Red from Bordeaux, and a “Black Wine” from Cahor.  They are all wonderfully flavorful and fundamental to many fun occasions. Stop in for a taste.
 
Moncontour Crémant de Loire Rosé  $18
90% Cabernet franc and 10% Chenin.
This Crémant de Loire from Moncontour is hand harvested and ages for 12 months in bottle before disgorgement. Crisp and full, its bright distinctive aromas lead to a structured palate. It tastes like biting into a peach with a wonderful sweet note and slightly spicy finish.
 
2014 Le Grand Bouqueteau, Chinon Rosé  $17
Cabernet Franc
From the Loire valley, this is a direct press rosé.  At harvest, the grapes go directly in the press and that is enough to get the clear pale, dry and crisp rosé with aromas of ripe fruit, strawberry, pear and rosés. 
 
2013 Chateau Garrineau Bordeaux Blanc  $14
Sauvignon Blanc
This sustainably farmed white Bordeaux is crisp, with aromas of grapefruit, apricots, lemon and lime. Zesty, fruity and complex on the palate, with lots of minerality this wine is a great match for seafood and shellfish. It’s also wonderful on its own, on the deck in summer! 
 
2011 Château Le Bourdieu Medoc  $22
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
Le Bourdieu is a great value Bordeaux.  The wine is packed with red berries, currant and citrus peel notes the body is very structured and firm, it has dense tannins and dark chewy fruit that will improve with a bit of air. The 2011 is just starting to come into its prime.

2011 Château Noziéres,  Cahors Traditions.  $15
85%Malbec, 15% Merlot from 20-30 year old vines.
Château Nozières is a family run, 50 hectares vineyard located in the heart of the Cahors, and cultivated using traditional methods which respect the environment.  While the wine does have some firm tannins, it also bears rich black fruits that envelop and cushion the dry core. They give the wine weight, ripe fruitiness and jammy red berry flavors.

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 Sunday we’ll have two new French ciders from Normandy and Brittany. Stop in for a taste. They are unique and delicious!

Le Brun Cidre de Bretagne Brut $8
Le Brun Cidres have been produced in Brittany France since 1955. The ciders are made using the traditional method of natural fermentation of pure pressed juice from handpicked apples. The Brut is dry, crisp with lots of waxy skin nuances.
5.5% alcohol by volume

Manoir de Grandouet Cidre Fermier Brut $11
Mandoir de Grandouet is a 3^rd generation family farm located in the heart of the Pay d’Auge, Normandy. 28 hectares of cidre apple orchards with 80 dairy cows grazing under the trees later to have their milk used for AOC Camembert cheese production. The Brut is bone dry with a wide mix of appealing apple notes. 5.0% 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.

It has been Summertime the last few days in Madrona and when warm weather hits Madrona we go just a bit nuts with thinking of crisp whites, fresh rosés and lighter styled reds.  This weekend we’ll be sampling a selection of things to suit the season.

Saturday, we’re pouring a mix of summery wines for the spontaneous and the scheduled gatherings.  That starts at 2.  You don’t want to miss the Bardolino Chiaretto Rosato.

Sunday, we’ll have two new French Ciders from Normandy and Brittany open.  Stop in for a taste. They are unique and delicious!

Le Brun Cidre de Bretagne Brut $8
Le Brun Cidres have been produced in Brittany France since 1955. The ciders are made using the traditional method of natural fermentation of pure pressed juice from handpicked apples. The Brut is dry, crisp with lots of waxy skin nuances. 5.5% alcohol by volume

Manoir de Grandouet Cidre Fermier Brut  $11
Mandoir de Grandouet is a 3^rd generation family farm located in the heart of the Pay d’Auge, Normandy. 28 hectares of cidre apple orchards with 80 dairy cows grazing under the trees later to have their milk used for AOC Camembert cheese production. The Brut is bone dry with a wide mix of appealing apple notes. 5.0% 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.