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.

When the warm weather rolls into Madrona we go just a bit nuts with thinking of crisp whites, fresh rosé and lighter styled reds.  Well it is after Memorial Day and the temperatures are perfect, so we are pulling the corks on Saturday of some of the aforementioned wines.  Stroll on by and see what we’ve opened.
 
2014 Spice Route Chenin Blanc  $15
From unirrigated bush vines from their dry farmed Swartland vineyards, the Spice Route has a complex tropical nose with spiced apple flavors. The palate is full bodied with a creamy rich mouth-feel, with a lingering fresh pineapple finish.
 
2014  Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé  $15
35% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 12.5% Roussanne, 8% Carignane, 16% Grenache Blanc, 8% Cinsaut and a touch of Marsanne and Couniose.
A Rhône inspired kitchen sink assemblage from the ever eclectic Randall Grahm — “The wine does not overwhelm one with fruitybombasticity; its charms are seductively subtle. Discreet nose of alpine strawberry, evolving into a refreshing mintiness with additional air and warming. On the palate, a beautiful natural crispness and a great sleek and savory texture, in virtue of the extended lees contact/bâtonnage the wine received”
 
2014 Monte del Fra Bardolino Chiaretto Rosato  $17
65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese
The heart of Monte del Frà is located in the village of Custoza on the morainic hills of Lake Garda, in Veneto.  This rosé has delicate scents of berry fruits (raspberries, redcurrants) and wild flowers, accompanied by light and refreshing hints of chlorophyll and green apples and by subtle spicy tones (cinnamon, cloves, vanilla)  On the palate the Chiaretto reveals its juicy sensations of red berry fruits to the full, along with an appealing and refreshing youthful acidity 
 
2012 Marchione, Grignolino di Asti  $13 
Grignolino d’Asti is essentially unique to Piedmont, and is believed to have originated from the Monferrato hills. A light Piedmont grape this Grignolino delivers a combination of fresh fruit, light body, and surprising but delicate tannin.  The Marchione is an amazingly versatile wine. 
 
2009 Caprazo, Brunello di Montalcino  $40
But all summer wines don’t need to be light and breezy.  There is plenty of room on a warm sunny evening to contemplate a good glass of Brunello.  After maturing for 36 months in Slavonia and French oak barrels the Caprazo Brunello is further refined in the bottle for one year to express its most elegant characteristics.  The 2009 is a pretty, impeccably balanced wine to drink over the next decade or so.  Red berry, spice and floral notes of rose and blue flower lead the nose on this wine. The palate delivers ripe red cherry and raspberry accented with thyme, sage and mint with hints of espresso and toast that goes into an attractive, layered 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.

Can you say, “Just down the street” – actually it’s a couple of neighborhoods over, but this Sunday we’ll be tasting some recent releases from Bartholomew Winery located in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

2014 Bartholomew Pinot Gris    ($15)
A full bodied but still crisp Washington Pinot Gris with good balance between the fruit and acidity.

2014 Bartholomew L’Oraqnge    ($15)
Pinot Gris
A distinct Rosé made from the blush Pinot Gris grapes left to extract it’s natural color. Lots of citrus, blood orange, tropical fruit notes.

2014 Bartholomew Rosé of Carmemere    ($15)
One of the first of the new vintage of Washington Rosés. The Bartholomew is crisp with fresh fruit notes of flowers and citrus.

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.

Far away in the deep upper reaches of Ballard, Matt Gubitosa toils away in small carefully organized cellar, slowly crafting his wines.  His preference for aging in neutral oak barrels accents each varietal’s unique characteristics.  It is in a belief that less is more – less new oak means more of the grape show through and speaks for itself.  ANIMALE is a very small winery with an annual production of just around 200 cases.  We have long been fans of the wines and look forward to each new vintage.  Come join us this Saturday when we’ll be trying the new wines from 2012. 
 
2012 ANIMALE, Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton (Oregon)  $28
After several consecutive trying vintages, the 2012 vintage in the Willamette Valley was just about perfect. Delicate and classic, with notes of cola and rose petals, and a not insubstantial finish, suitable for aging or pairing with flavorful cuisine (13.5% alc, 30 cases made, bottled 5/11/14).

2012 ANIMALE, Dolcetto, Columbia Valley.$25
The last ANIMALE Dolcetto vintage from the Gilbert family’s “24K” vineyard before the vines were ripped out. A full-bodied, food-friendly wine with flavors of fresh cherry and vibrant acidity (14.4% alc., 24 cases made, bottled 6/1/14).

2012 ANIMALE, Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley $25
86% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Carmenère, 1% Petit Verdot).
From the cool-climate McIntire vineyard near Sunnyside, this elegant wine exhibits aromas of herbs and spices and flavors of dried bing cherries (13.2% alc., 23 cases made, bottled 9/19/14).

2012 ANIMALE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley $25
91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot
ANIMALE returns to Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time since 2008.  This wine is also from the old-vine, cool-climate Crawford vineyard near Prosser – and exhibits complex notes of spices and pimento, firm invigorating acidity, and a lingering tannic finish, suitable for considerable aging or accompanying flavorful food now (13.6% alc., 23 cases made, bottled 8/2/14).

2012 ANIMALE, Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley. $26
Petit Verdot returns for the first time since the 2009 vintage; from the Gilbert “Doc Stewart” vineyard south of Mattawa.  This is the biggest and boldest of the ANIMALE 21012s. Full bodied with notes of exotic fruits and spices, deep dark color, and a long tannic finish (14.1% alc., 22 cases made, bottled 7/1/14).

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.

This Sunday we’ll have two new vermouths open for tasting – both from Ransom Winery in Oregon. These vermouths are fortified with brandy alambically distilled in-house from a blend of wines from Pacific Northwest grapes and barrel-aged in mixed French oak. Stop in for a taste. They are unique and delicious!

Ransom Dry Vermouth  $20  500 ml
Base Wine: A blend of organically and conventionally farmed aromatic white varietals and Pinot Noir. Infusion: Wormwood*, Rosehip*, Scullcap*, Chamomile*, Orange Peel*, Verbena*, Spearmint*, Star Anise*, Cinnamon Bark*, Coriander*, Arch Angel Root*, Burdock Root*, Fennel*, Cardamom*, Lemon Peel*, and Vanilla Bean. 18.4% alcohol by volume

Ransom Sweet Vermouth  $20  500ml
Base Wine: A blend of organically and conventionally farmed aromatic white varietals, including Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. Infusion: Wormwood*, Sarsaparilla*, Sassafras, Wild Cherry Bark*, Red Cinchona Bark, Dandelion Root*, Hibiscus Flower*, Orris Root, Cardamom Pods*, Blessed Thistle*, Chamomile*, Orange Peel*, Verbena*, Spearmint Leaf*, Cinnamon Bark*, Arch Angel Root*, Lemon Peel*, Vanilla Beans, Cacao Nibs, Coffee Beans, Walnuts, Black Mission Figs, Medjool Dates, Dried Cherries. Sweeteners: Turbinado Sugar*, Muscat Grape Juice, Maple Syrup. 17.8% alcohol by volume

(*denotes Organic ingredient)

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 Mayfair Weekend here in Madrona, started off by the morning parade and followed by lots of activity up at the park.  There is a little something for everybody.  After you enjoy the fun, don’t forget to stop by the wine shop and get refreshed with a little wine tasting.

Saturday, we’re trying a fine line up of Organic and Biodynamic Wine from Small Producers in Slovenia, France, and Italy.  We’ll be pouring a tasty white, a couple rosés, and two tasty reds.  There is a little something for everybody.  That starts at 2 and runs until the bottles run out but we can usually stretch them until 4pm.

Sunday, we’re featuring two Vermouths from Ransom Winery in Oregon.  These artisan concoctions are great for cocktails and delicious by themselves.

Ransom Dry Vermouth  $20  500 ml
Base Wine: A blend of organically and conventionally farmed aromatic white varietals and Pinot Noir. Infusion: Wormwood*, Rosehip*, Scullcap*, Chamomile*, Orange Peel*, Verbena*, Spearmint*, Star Anise*, Cinnamon Bark*, Coriander*, Arch Angel Root*, Burdock Root*, Fennel*, Cardamom*, Lemon Peel*, and Vanilla Bean.

Ransom Sweet Vermouth  $20  500ml
Base Wine: A blend of organically and conventionally farmed aromatic white varietals, including Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. Infusion: Wormwood*, Sarsaparilla*, Sassafras, Wild Cherry Bark*, Red Cinchona Bark, Dandelion Root*, Hibiscus Flower*, Orris Root, Cardamom Pods*, Blessed Thistle*, Chamomile*, Orange Peel*, Verbena*, Spearmint Leaf*, Cinnamon Bark*, Arch Angel Root*, Lemon Peel*, Vanilla Beans, Cacao Nibs, Coffee Beans, Walnuts, Black Mission Figs, Medjool Dates, Dried Cherries. Sweeteners: Turbinado Sugar*, Muscat Grape Juice, Maple Syrup.

*indicates organic ingredients

That’s all day from 11 to 5.  So there is no reason not to stop in.

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.

We like small producers; they pay attention to details, and make original handmade wines that reflect their place, their history, and themselves.  And when we find an importer that thinks the same we like to show them off.  This Saturday we’ll be tasting some wines from Indie Wines, a small importer that focuses on small family owned producers that farm organically- most certified organic and biodynamic.  Does it make a difference?  Come taste for yourself.

2014 Le Cantine di Indie, Sivi Pinot Populus” $15
Pinot Grigio
Sivi Pinot Populus means “Pinot for The People!” and this wine made especially for Indie wines from a small producer in Slovenia is quite popular. It has aromas of sun ripened apricot, kumquat and citrus zest, a luscious mouthfeel with briny seashell minerality and an almond tarte finish.
 
2013 Domaine Grand Corbière, Sable de Camargue, Vin Gris   $12
Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir, Syrah
In 1975 Barbier bought this Domaine, and quickly realized that the previous owner hadn’t taken good care of his estate, and the vineyards were in very poor condition. The old Carignan, Grenache and Aramon vines couldn’t be saved and the woodstock had to be ripped out.   They then started producing asparagus for almost two decades, until the mid 9O’s he decided replant the vines. Of the Domaine’s 39 hectares, 28 are now grapes.  It was a great choice.  Their Vin Gris is lovely, fresh rosé that has a nose of fresh-picked strawberries and cherries with hints of maritime air.
 
2013 Le Cantine di Indie, Polpo Rosso, Terre Sicillane $15
Nerello Mascalese
An everyday wines coming out of Sicily, this lighter Sicilian red, is fresh and lively and made more in the style of a Rosé than in a traditional red wine.  It has delicate floral aromas with hints of red fruit, bright acidity, layered cherry and strawberry flavors and lingering finish. Serve it slightly chilled on a hot day and it is fantastic.
 
2014 Fattoria San Lorenzo, Marche Rosso, Il Casolare  $14
50% Montepulciano, 50% Sangiovese
Natalino Crognaletti inherited Fattoria San Lorenzo from his father Gino, whom in his turn had inherited it from his father Enrico who was also a master cooper.   Il Casolare is Natalino’s ‘red wine for the people.’  The wine is fresh, clean, balanced, easy to drink, certified organic, and in Natalino’s words, ‘TOO good!’ 
 
2011 Chateau la Baronne, Pièce de Roche $34
100% Carignan from vines planted in 1892
This family run winery has a long tradition of winemaking.  Their Pièce de Roche is complex, voluminous with beautiful fruit density, velvety tannins, and a great length of black fruits and spices with a final licorice 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.