Saturday, February 4th
TASTING: AUSTRIA
Taste two grape varietals from Austria, Gruener Veltliner & Blaufraenkisch. Gruener Veltliner is a food friendly white that is great to drink all seasons of the year.  Blaufraenkish is a graceful, yet intense red, rich in tannin with a slightly spicy character, often referred to as the "Pinot of the East". Come in to try these beautiful wines: 
Fritsch 2010 Gruener Veltliner
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Preisinger 2008 Blaufraenkisch
$22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
Tasting runs 2-6pm.
 
Saturday, February 4th
SATURDAY DINNER AT PORTALIS
Join us for our 3-course prix fixe ($30) this Saturday from 5-9pm. Wine pairing suggestions are in addition to the dinner price. This week's menu: 1st Course • SOUP sweet potato, curry, & toasted peanuts with cilantro & lime crème fraiche ...paired with Domaine Moltès 2009 Riesling Réserve ~ $8.50 • 2nd Course • TART spinach, bacon, caramelized onions & cave aged gruyère ...paired with Owen Roe 2009 Sharecropper's Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $8.50 • 3rd Course • STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING with brandy whip ...paired with Broadbent 5 Year Madeira Reserve ~ $10

Sunday, February 5th
TASTING: ARGENTINA
Join Jens to taste a great line-up of wines from Argentina:
Brumale 2010 Torrontes
$10.99 | Mixed Case $8.79
Cuesta del Madero 2010 Malbec
$13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19
Umbral De los Tiempos 2008 Malbec
$18.99 | Mixed Case $15.19
Bodega La Azul 2005 Reserva
$19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
Tasting runs from 11am-4pm during the Ballard Farmers Market.

Wednesday, February 8th:
SPECIAL TASTING: OLD WORLD "INDIE" WINERIES
Join winemakers Martin Arndorfer, Frederico Marconi & Paolo Brunello.  Winemaker Martin Arndorfer comes from a long line of wine makers, growing up in the vineyards & cellar of his parents’ estate. His mother, Anna Steininger is the daughter of one of the top and most respected wine makers in Austria, Karl Steininger.  Martin was born with a natural (& it seems in the Kamptal region an almost genetic) understanding & love of the Riesling & Gruner Veltliner grapes. Taste:
Arndorfer 2007 Die Leidenschaft Gruner Veltliner
Arndorfer 2010 'Vorgeschmack' White
Arndorfer 2010 'Vorgeschmack' Red

Federico Marconi represents 2 Tuscan wineries Godiolo & Ramoni.  Godiolo is owned by the Fiorini family, who purchased the Montepulciano estate in a state of neglect.  They immediately began to reconstructing both the buildings & the agricultural part of the property. The estate is some 47 acres, of which 12.5 have been replanted to back vineyards, while about twenty acres are olive groves. The property, located on the southern side of Montepulciano, has great exposure to sunlight & is in a natural amphitheater of hills protecting it from winds.  The grapes cultivated are Prugnolo Gentile, a Sangiovese clone, & Canaiolo Nero. Taste: Godiolo 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Ramoni Gianni Fabbri is a small wine estate founded in 1970 by Bruno Fabbri.  The bond with the land & the century old wine making traditions of Montalcino are the heart of this small wine estate.  Since 1998 Bruno's son, Gianni, has been in charge of the family winery, taking the helm with a professional approach & a renewed dedication.  Organically grown with low yield, for the never-ending pursuit of excellence in quality. Taste: Ramoni Gianni Fabbri 2005 Brunello di Montalcino

Paolo Brunello of Vignale di Cecilia in Veneto, Italy.  Established in 1998, Vignale di Cecilia is a small agricultural wine farm in the Veneto region, located on the Colli Euganei.  This hill near Venice, Padua, Vicenza & Verona, is like a slice of the Mediterranean in the mainland.  The climate is moderate due to its close location to the sea & the limestone ground is volcanic. Taste:
Vignale di Cecilia 2009 Benavides Bianco
Vignale di Cecilia 2007 Covolo Colli Euganei DOC

RSVP for 1 session: 6:30-7:30pm.  Entrance of $10 includes a 1-oz pour of each wine. We will waive the entrance fee for INSIDERS. (Anyone can become one!) SIGN UP>

Saturday, February 11th:
TASTING: LA FARRA PROSECCO (IT)
La Farra NV Prosecco Extra Dry
$14.99 |  INSIDER  $13.99 | mixed case $11.19
La Farra NV Prosecco Brut
$14.99 |  INSIDER $13.99 | mixed case $11.19
La Farra NV Prosecco DOCG Superior
$17.99 |  INSIDER $16.99 | mixed case $13.59

Sunday, February 12th:
TASTING: RHÔNE VALLEY
Domaine De La Vieille de L'Eoune 2009 Côtes du Rhône
$14.99 |  INSIDER $13.99| mixed case $11.19
Domaine Clavel 2007 Saint Gervais Rhône Villages
$19.99 |  INSIDER $18.99 | mixed case $15.19
Le Gravillas 2009 Sablet
$18.99 |  INSIDER $16.99 | mixed case $13.79
Chateau Des Roques 2007 Vaqueyras
$22.99 |  INSIDER $20.99| mixed case $16.79

Tuesday, February 14th:
VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER
Bring your sweetie & join us for our 3-course prix fixe ($40) this Valentine's Day. The prix fixe dinner will be available from 6-9pm. Wine pairing suggestions are in addition to the dinner price. Regular bar menu is available & reservations are recommended: 
1st Course • HALIBUT CHEEK pan-seared with a cioppino broth & garlic crostini ...paired with Cave des Grands Cru Blancs 2009 Pouilly-Loché ~ $9 • 2nd Course • LAMB RACK CHOP with whole grain mustard glacé & roasted root vegetables paired with Lobo Hills 2009 Red Blend ~ $9 • 3rd Course • CHOCOLATE PAVÉ & raspberries with a port wine reduction ...paired with Vinchio-Vaglio Serra 2010 Brachetto Nivasco  ~ $9.50.  It will be a lovely evening.  Hope you can join!  SIGN UP>


Friday, February 17th:
SPECIAL TASTING: WINES OF TUSCANY & PIEDMONT (IT)
Join us as we host Italian winemakers Massimo Gonzi & Emiliano Morando.  They will be tasting their line up of wines from their respective wineries, Nottola & Vinchio-Vaglio Serra.

Saturday, February 18th:
TASTING: NAVARRA (SP)
Bodgeas Marques de Montecierzo 2007 Emergente
$12.99 |  INSIDER  $11.99 | mixed case $9.59
Bodegas Marques de Montecierzo 2006 Emergente Crianza
$14.99 |  INSIDER  $13.99| mixed case $11.19

Sunday, February 19th:
TASTING: AUSTRALIA
Cooralook 2009 Pinot Noir
$16.99 | mixed case $13.79
Innocent Bystander 2007 Shiraz/Viognier
$22.99 | mixed case $18.39
Tait 2009 The Ballbuster
$2199 | mixed case $17.59
Mollydooker 2010 The Boxer
$28.99 | mixed case $23.19

Saturday, February 25th:
TASTING: GERMAN REDS
Dr. Loosen 2009 Villa Wolf Dornfelder
$13.99 | mixed case $11.19
Julis Wasem 2007 Spaetburgunder
$22.99 | mixed case $18.39

Sunday, February 26th:
TASTING: SOUTH AFRICA
Southern Right 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
$16.99 | mixed case $13.79
Neil Ellis 2009 Pinotage
$21.99 | mixed case $17.59
Southern Right Pinotage
$24.99 | mixed case $19.99
Spice Route 2009 Chakalaka
$22.99 | mixed case $18.39