We offer free tastings weekly on Fridays 5:00 to 8:00 and Saturdays 4:00 to 7:00, with a 10% discount on purchases of that day's tasting selections.
We are excited about the wines and spirits we carry, and want to introduce them to you. We are constantly working with our wine makers and vendors to arrange for new tastings. Look out for our announcements either here on the site, in the store, or by signing up for our e-mail list.
November 21
Domaine de Canton Friday 5-8 PM
Domaine de Canton is made in Jarnac, France in the tradition of colonial indochine in which ginger infused elixirs were blended with fine Cognac. Fresh baby ginger is cut by hand, twice infused with Grand Champagne VSOP Cognac, and then blended with vanilla and orange blossom honey from Provence. Its taste is fresh, intense, with interesting notes of orange and cognac and rich, yet clean finishing sweetness.
Features free tastings of:
Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur
The nose is beautifully complex with hints of honey, and fresh, spicy ginger. Perfectly balances viscosity and sweetness with tart and spicy notes.
November 21 and 22
Wonderful Ethnic Imports Tasting Friday 5-8 PM, Saturday 4-7 PM
Wonderful Ethnic Imports have built relationship with some of the best wineries in Greece and Brazil, and bring some of the excellent boutique wines to America.
Features free tastings of:
Miolo Family Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir
Hand picked grapes from Vale dos Vinehedos, in Rio Grande del Sul, Brazil's 'Tuscany'. A classic Pinot Noir, with an earthy, Burgundian nose.
Megapanos Savatiano 2007
"A dry wine, produced from selected grapes from the grape variety of Mesoghia, Savatiano. The wine has a soft refreshing taste on the palate and a fine aroma.
November 22
Sheldrake Riesling Icewine 2007 Saturday 4-7 PM
Treat yourself to a gold medal wine of elegant structure and refined complexity.
Features free tastings of:
Sheldrake Icewine
Sensuous aromas of mango and marmalade weave effortlessly through flavors of peach, lemon and orange peel into a pure and generous finish.
November 22
Bolla Amarone Saturday 4-7 PM
Bolla is the first Italian producer to market Amarone in Italy and, in 1957, introduced the 1950 vintage Amarone to the United States. The grapes are specially selected from the upper parts of the grape cluster because they receive the most direct sunshine and therefore are the ripest.
Features free tastings of:
Bolla Amarone 2005
After aging in the finest oak barrels the Bolla Amarone della Valpolicella that emerges is a wine of ruby-red color with a dry, rich, complex flavor.
November 22
Zodiac Saturday 4-7 PM
Zodiac Vodka is a luxury potato vodka distilled in Idaho. Zodiac starts with genuine Idaho potatoes, a water source that originates in the Teton Mountains, and an expert master distiller who puts all this together. Hand crafted in small batches, Zodiac uses a continuous distillation process where the alcohol passes through a series of 91 stainless steel plates that extract impurities and create "an American spirit of unparalleled precision and purity." The alcohol is then blended with pure, Rocky Mountain spring water drawn from a deep well in the plains of the Snake River and filtered through hand-cut Canadian Birch charcoal and over rock crystals.
Features free tastings of:
Zodiac Vodka
Zodiac is a additive-free, 100-percent neutral potato spirit that strives to deliver a clean taste and unparalleled smoothness.
November 26
Rosenblum Wines Wednesday 5-8 PM
Come in Thanksgiving Eve to try some choices you can bring to dinner from Rosenblum Wines.
In 1978, veterinarian Dr. Kent Rosenblum and his wife Kathy founded Rosenblum Cellars. Over the years Rosenblum has been hailed as one of the top American wineries and called a “mecca for zin-fanatics.” Embodying nearly three decades of winemaking tradition, Rosenblum has evolved from a passionate home-winemaking operation into a world-class winery. Today, Rosenblum Cellars is recognized as one of North America’s most acclaimed producers of zinfandel and Rhône varietal wines.
Features free tastings of:
Rosenblum 2006 Syrah Rominger Vineyard Yolo County
Aromas of plum and dark berry fruit mingle with floral notes, vanilla and cracked white pepper. Full-bodied, soft textures and distinct flavors abound on the palate.
Rosenblum 2006 Zinfandel Contra Costa County
Aromas of jammy, plum and stone fruit with a leathery quality. Rich, soft plum and ripe cherry flavors, with earthy spice and dark chocolate.
Rosenblum Viognier Kathy's Cuvée 2006
Aromas of apricots and peaches. A palate loaded with honeydew melon, apricots, rich vanillas, subtle hints of tropical fruit and just a touch of toastiness complete this elegant wine.
November 26
360 Vodka Wednesday 5-8 PM
Crafted from a philosophy of eco-awareness. 4x distilled and 5x filtered for unrivaled character, it's the finest vodka Earth has to offer.
Features free tastings of:
360 Vodka
Soft, silky entry leads to a round, delicate, dryish light-to-medium body with whipped cream and mineral flavors.
November 29
Rangpur Saturday 4-7 PM
Try a taste of Tanqueray's rangpur lime gin.
Features free tastings of:
Tanqueray Rangpur Gin
Tanqueray Rangpur Gin has a strong lime flavor, the result of rangpur limes, ginger, and bay leaves being added during the final distillation process.
December 5 and 6
Domaine Select Italian Tasting Friday 5-8 PM, Saturday 4-7 PM
We love Domaine Select for their interesting, high quality wines. Try a couple light wines, a Gavi and a Dolcetto, as well as a rich Italian/Slovenian Toh Cai.
Features free tastings of:
Quattro Mani Toh Cai 2007
Floral and fresh with rich melony fruit flavors and a brisk, elegant finish.
Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi
This classic Gavi has a floral nose and hints of peach fragrances, peach, pear and lemony citrus flavors with hints of wet stone and a long finish.
Villa Sparina Maioli Dolcetto 2004
It has an earthy aroma with dark red fruit fragrances, and flavors of blackberry and black cherry with a gentle freshness.
December 6
Le Tourment Vert Saturday 4-7 PM
Try the notorious classic. We are pleased to offer a taste of "The Green Torment", real French absinthe with wormwood, bottled at 100 proof.
Features free tastings of:
Le Tourment Vert Absinthe
Fine balance of anis (licorice) flavor with a blend of herbs including fennel, sage and coriander.
December 12 and 13
Lauber Imports Tasting Friday 5-8 PM, Saturday 4-7 PM
We have Lauber Imports in to taste some great French values, a red and white Burgundy along with a Champagne.
Features free tastings of:
Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay 2007
The wine is very aromatic, full of life and fruit. It has fresh and crispy notes, with crushed grapes and almond flavors.
Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir 2006
An elegant effort, the red-fruited 2006 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir Bourgogne is a solid wine with fine balance.
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut
A pale gold moire color, a slightly fruity nose with a subtle predominance of white fruits: pear and apple. A balanced and elegant wine: the control of Nicolas Feuillatte blending.
December 13
Zodiac Saturday 4-7 PM
Zodiac Vodka is a luxury potato vodka distilled in Idaho. Zodiac starts with genuine Idaho potatoes, a water source that originates in the Teton Mountains, and an expert master distiller who puts all this together. Hand crafted in small batches, Zodiac uses a continuous distillation process where the alcohol passes through a series of 91 stainless steel plates that extract impurities and create "an American spirit of unparalleled precision and purity." The alcohol is then blended with pure, Rocky Mountain spring water drawn from a deep well in the plains of the Snake River and filtered through hand-cut Canadian Birch charcoal and over rock crystals.
Features free tastings of:
Zodiac Vodka
Zodiac is a additive-free, 100-percent neutral potato spirit that strives to deliver a clean taste and unparalleled smoothness.
December 19
Atlantic Wines Friday 5-8 PM
Atlantic Wines is bringing a set of festive wines in - a sparkling rose, and two big reds - to taste for the holidays.
Features free tastings of:
Moet Rosé
Traditional but exciting style of dry rosé, designed for dinner. Has a copper color, toasty aromas, firm texture and subtle fruit and spice flavors that linger on the finish.
Terrazas Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
A serious effort, the Terrazas Cabernet doesn't stop at simply being varietal, it transcends the usual business as usual; ripe and generous on the palate, this wine delivers.
BV Tapestry 2004
Ripe, brambly, coffee and black cherry aromas. Cherry-plum and herb Merlot adding nuance in the finish. Chewy tannins, fine minerality, with vanilla oak-spice adding an elegant touch of sweetness.
December 20
Polaner Selections Tasting Saturday 4-7 PM
Polaner has three excellent wines for the holiday season. Come in and take a load off with our tasting.
Features free tastings of:
Ex-Libris Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
The palate is full, with broad concentrated fruit, and a
Bordelaise structure that is often found in the Northwest's best
Cabernets.
Fleur 2006 Pinot Noir
From Carneros, this pinot noir is nice and balanced, featuring cherry and a bit of spice.
Clos Roche Blanche Touraine 2007
A model of purity and zesty Sauvignon Blanc character with quince, citrus and mineral aromatics that lead to a snappy, piquant mouthfeel and endless length.
December 20
Domaine de Canton Saturday 4-7 PM
Domaine de Canton is made in Jarnac, France in the tradition of colonial indochine in which ginger infused elixirs were blended with fine Cognac. Fresh baby ginger is cut by hand, twice infused with Grand Champagne VSOP Cognac, and then blended with vanilla and orange blossom honey from Provence. Its taste is fresh, intense, with interesting notes of orange and cognac and rich, yet clean finishing sweetness.
Features free tastings of:
Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur
The nose is beautifully complex with hints of honey, and fresh, spicy ginger. Perfectly balances viscosity and sweetness with tart and spicy notes.
December 23
Tricana Imports Tasting Tuesday 5-8 PM
With Christmas just days away, we have Tricana in to tast three value wines from Italy.
Features free tastings of:
Fonterosso Chianti Riserva
A great Chianti made from a Sangiovese/ Cabernet blend and aged one year in oak. It has hints of dried fruits, yet is rich and bold!
Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C.
A distinct, pleasant fragrance; the flavor is dry and savory with soft tannins. Without a doubt; a delicious red wine and a great value.
Kyos Grillo 2007
From the sunny land of Sicily comes this Mediterranean delight. The grape, Grillo, is soft with exotic fruits such as white melon and pineapple.
