Every dog deserves his day and in the dog days of August we all deserve a discount.   We have got a few deals from our distributors and this Saturday we’re sharing them with you.  Come lap it up.
 
2017 Cour de Pocé Muscadet  $8
Medium intensive nose: chalk (and other minerals), pear, freshly sliced grass Taste: lemon, green apple, some steel freshness. Dry wine. Hi acidity. Light-bodied.  Flavors of creaminess, lemon peel, iodine, green apple. Was 12 now $8
 
2014 Schloss Vollrads , Volratz Qualitätswein Dry Riesling (Rheingau) $12
Whiffs of struck flint and slate lend minerality to this light-footed dry Riesling. It’s an electric wine powered by jolts of lemon-lime acidity but juicy white grapefruit and peach flavors round out the mid-palate.  Was $17 now $12
 
2018 Fabre Cotes de Provence Rosé  $12
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah
A very floral Rosé with aromas of violets, rose water, crushed graphite, sea salt, pine and peach.  12% alcohol by volume  Normally $16 today $12

2014 Yves Cheron “Les Dentelles” Cotes du Rhone  $11
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
A full rich Cotes du Rhone put together by a Northern Rhone winemaker.
Was $13  Now $11

2011 Chateau Lanessan, Les Caleches  $14
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot
A soft and easy second wine with delicious black and red fruits and supple tannins. Made by Paz Espejo who was dramatically improved the quality at this well-situated property. 
Regularly $19  but we were able to get a case with messed up labels for $14

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.

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.

As the jets roar overhead, head on down to the quiet calm of Madrona Wine Merchants this weekend. It will be Italy on Saturday starting at two.

Toffoli Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdob $15
2018 Gorgo Bianco San Michelin $15
2018 Tenuta del Priore, Campotino Rosé $10
2016 Mannucci Droandi Chianti $15
2017 Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria     $23

Sunday we are off to Spain with these two open all day from 11-5PM.

2017 Castro Valdés Albariño    $13
100% Albariño
Lemon yellow color with greenish sparkles, clean and brilliant. Intense and complex white fruit (apple, grapefruit), floral notes (jasmine) and fresh herbal hints. Well-structured, tasty, oily, with fruit volume, fresh, balanced and persistent. 13% alcohol by volume

2014 Aletta Garnacha    $11
Old-vine Garnacha grapes cultivated on chalky, sandy soil Dark cherry color with violet hues. Intense blackberry and raspberry fruit aromas with well-balanced acidity. Soft and persistent on the palate.

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.

As the jets roar overhead, head on down to the quiet calm of Madrona Wine Merchants for our Italian Saturday tasting starting at 2PM. From Prosecco to Cerasolo we’ll be digging into Italy’s multi-fruited wine scene. More insights will be provided from 2-4pm when the wineries representative will be on hand to answer questions.

Toffoli Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdob $15
100% Glera
Owner Vicenzo Toffoli has been running his Prosecco winery since 1964, when he first set it up in the Refrontolo hillside. Straw yellow with greenish reflections, fine and persistent perlage. Strong hints of floral, fresh fruit and citrus fruits. Pleasant and cheery. Full, harmonious, dry and sapid. 12.5% alcohol by volume

2018 Gorgo Bianco San Michelin $15
Cortese, Friulano, Trebbiano Toscano, Garganega
Nine grape varieties are sanctioned for use in Bianco di Custoza wines, although in practice the majority are based heavily on just three of them. The blend must contain Trebbiano Toscano (between 20% and 45% of the final blend), Garganega (20–40%) and Trebbianello (5–30%). The latter is a little-known variety which has been shown by DNA analysis to be a biotype of Tocai Friulano. Deep straw yellow color with bright hues. Vinous, slightly aromatic but persistent, scents of ripe fruits and citrus. Dry and smooth. Velvety, full-bodied and well-balanced.

2018 Tenuta del Priore, Campotino Rosé $10
100% Montepulciano
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC
Intense rosé color. fruity perfume. Fresh and balanced taste. Perfect for
informal occasions. Pair with
fish-based main, pasta or rice dishes, meat or mushroom-based pasta or rice dishes. 13% alcohol by volume

2016 Mannucci Droandi Chianti $15
90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Ancient Tuscan red grapes
3rd Generation grape growers make this chianti that is complex for the money. Warm spice, bramble, red berry and mint on the deliciously complex nose, the palate has firm tannic structure, lots of lovely dark fruit of sloe and damson, some sweet red current earth and porcini. Organic

2017 Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria     $23
50% Frappato, 50% Nero d’Avola
Bright and snappy, this delightful Cerasuolo shows blackberry and cherry notes with a hint of spice, all bolstered by a lively acidity. Organic 13.5% 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 looks to be a little bit of everything this weekend in Madrona, with cloudy and showers giving way to summer sun.  At least that is the forecast.  But for sure we have some tasty wines from France and Italy open for tasting here at the shop.

Saturday it is France.
Veuve Moisans Brut, Blanc de Blancs $12
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.
2017 Chateau Vignol, Entre deux Mers $14
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Sauvignon Gris, 15% Sémillon, 10% Muscadelle,
2015 Joseph Castan, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Plan de Dieu $15
Grenache and Syrah
2015 Château Les Hauts de Plaisance, Haut Medoc  $15
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
2014 Château Eugénie,  Cuvée Réservée de l’Aïeul, Cahors  $20
90% Malbec, 10% Tannat

Sunday it is Italy.
2018 Serre dei Roveri Roero Arneis  $14
Arneis
The Sartirano family’s Serre dei Roveri wines include Barolo, Barbera, Gavi, Barbaresco and Moscato d’Asti. Their Arneis is floral-scented, whose delicate aromas belie the wines’ relatively full bodies and generous flavors – typically of pear and apricot rounded out with a creamy hint of hazelnut. Great pairings would be spaghetti with garlic and olive oil, calamari, Waldorf salad. 12.5% alcohol by volume
2018 Uggiano Montesperso  $10
Sangiovese di Toscana
Ruby red with violet reflections. Pleasant and lingering bouquet recalling cherries and floral notes, predominantly rich violet. Dry, soft and balanced on the palate. A harmonious finale, leaving a very fine and lasting taste. Pair with savory first courses, roasted and stewed meats. 12.5% 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.

This Saturday we breath in a breath of fresh air from France.  Lively Bubbles, a crisp white, a Rhone red, a beautiful Bordeaux and a dark Malbec.  Swing by the shop for a sip.

Veuve Moisans Brut, Blanc de Blancs $12
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.
An elegant, lively Blanc de Blancs with a fruity, floral nose and complex, elegant flavors. Its lively qualities are the result of a lengthy aging process with the grape pulps. It shows a w well balanced acidity and gives a smooth long finish.
 
2017 Chateau Vignol, Entre deux Mers $14
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Sauvignon Gris, 15% Sémillon, 10% Muscadelle,
The Vignol is full of apple and pear flavors. Its crisper side offers a more lemon and tangy citrus character. These two elements are coming together in a balanced wine.
 
2015 Joseph Castan, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Plan de Dieu $15
Grenache and Syrah
The Castan Plan de Dieu is a very harmonious Côtes du Rhône with fine, dark fruit flavors and spicy notes from a lesser known (so good value) appellation. Its palate offers black berries, spices and herbal hints. Its texture is pleasantly structured and round on the palate. The tannins are soft and initiate a fruity finish.
 
2015 Château Les Hauts de Plaisance, Haut Medoc  $15
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
This second wine from Château Pontoise Cabarus has a complex aromatic nose of red fruit, berries, coffee, and spice. The palate has a delicious balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity this wine tastes of cherry and blackberry, with a hint of coffee and chocolate.
 
2014 Château Eugénie,  Cuvée Réservée de l’Aïeul, Cahors  $20
90% Malbec, 10% Tannat
The “black wine” of France, this Malbec from Cahors is aged eighteen months in barrel, giving an aromatic complexity (notes roasted, vanilla, dark chocolate, very ripe black fruit, violet), The palate has a “gentle power” of velvety tannins, concentrated, and full of fruit and freshness.  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.

It looks like we are in for a beautiful weekend here in Madrona.  Here at the wine shop we are making it even better with summery sampling of tasty wines.  Come have a taste and improve your weekend as well.

Saturday we have five pure varietals from Italy.
2017 Vallevo, Trebbiano $10
2016 Marangona, Lugana, Tre Campane $18
2015 Agostion Pavia, Barbera di Asti Moliss $20
2017 Anna Maria Abbona, Dolcetto di Dogliani Sori Dij $21
Barbolini, Grasparossa di Castolvente Lambrusco $15

Sunday we are cracking open two Rosés from “the Continent” to keep up with our warm weather.
2018 Regaleali, Le Rosé  $14
Nerello Mascalese
Le Rosé offers delicate aromas of cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and, appropriate to its name, rose petals. Rich on the palate with refreshing acidity and a long, flavorful finish, this is what Sicilians enjoy in the summertime.
2018 J P Bourgeois, Elicio Rose  $13
60% Grenache, 40% Syrah
The Elicio has aromas full of fresh red raspberry notes, the palate confirms the aromas revealed by the creamy nose. Very fruit forward, this wine can be enjoyed with your everyday meals or by itself.

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 experiencing the pure flavor of five Italian grape varietals. The wines are focused and fresh, and very distinct.  Join us as we taste our way through Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Barbera, Dolcetto and Lambrusco Grasparossa.
 
2017 Vallevo, Trebbiano  $10
From a small co-operative winery in the Abruzzo region, this Trebbiano has aromas of almond, citrus and a hint of herbs. It is bone dry and finishes with a very attractive hint of apple-skin.
 
2016 Marangona,  Lugana,  Tre Campane  $18
The Lugana appellation is around the base of Lake Garda, one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Lugana is in fact made of a kind of Verdicchio, which is known near Lake Garda as Trebbiano di Lugana or Turbiana.  Tre Campane means ‘three bells,’ signifying the three communes of Lugana where the grapes for this cuvee are grown.  The Tre Campani has the aroma and flavor of almonds, herbs, citrus and a hint of apricot.  It is long and medium-bodied, with very fresh acidity. 
 
2015 Agostion Pavia, Barbera di Asti Moliss $20
Agostino Pavia and his sons Giuseppe (‘Pino’) and Mauro make this single-vineyard Barbera from old vines and aged in large Slovenian oak ovals (‘botti’) and 500L barrels; it is the closest thing to a traditional Asti but cleaner and more concentrated. (These larger oval barrels, usually made of Eastern European oak, give the wine only a hint of oak aroma, when new, and a different texture.) This Barbera has the aroma of raspberries with a hint of herbs.  The palate has a broad, meaty quality from the aging in large barrels and good acidity, not to mention a long, persistent finish.
 
2017 Anna Maria Abbona, Dolcetto di Dogliani  Sori Dij $21
The quality of Dolcetto from the village of Dogliani has been skyrocketing in the last few years, and Anna Maria’s work is a good example of this. Her oldest vines were planted by her grandfather in the thirties, and the vineyards are steep and perfectly exposed. Sori’ is Piedmontese dialect for the sunny south face of a hill. This is classic Dogliani Dolcetto, fermented and aged in stainless steel. It shows great color, reddish purple and violet-tinged, aromas of blueberries and tealeaf, and some tea tannins to go with the abundant fruit on the palate.
 
Barbolini, Grasparossa di Castolvente Lambrusco  $15
Lambrusco is a family of grape varieties, Lambrusco Grasparossa is the particular variety of Lambrusco, and Castelvetro is where it’s from (near Modena). The grapes are estate grown and fermented into a dry red base wine, then batches of the base wine are re-fermented in special reinforced tanks to add bubbles. The wine is bottled in a champagne bottle with a champagne cork. This wine bears no resemblance to the mass-produced Lambrusco that was popular some years ago.   The wine is an attractive purplish red with vigorous purple foam when poured.  The aroma is of plums and black fruit; medium weight on the palate, dry and plummy, with a faint bitterness at the 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.