NEED WEDDING WINES?

Wednesday, May 16th
WORLD WINE FOCUS: AUSTRALIA
Join us for our Wednesday World Wine Tasting which picks a weekly focus of a major winegrowing country (& often a region of that country) to taste and see what they've got to offer! Currently, we're in Australia's southern state of VICTORIA tasting Pinot Noir: Cooralook 2010 Pinot Noir. Tasting runs every Wednesday 4-6pm during Happy Hour> Stay tuned so that you can join us on our wine travels! See you there...


Friday, May 18th
BACK ROOM TASTING: PELASSA 
Meet Daniele Pelassa! Located in Montà d' Alba, in the Roero area of Piedmont, the Pelassa family owns 12 hectares of land used for vine cultivation and wine production. The Pelassa family crafts quality wines that reflect the terroir of the land focusing on the grapes best suited for the land: Arneis, Nebbiolo & Barbera.  Mario Pelassa (pictured right of Daniele) first came into the wine industry in his youth travelling around on his bicycle selling various wines to the locals.  He shortly upgraded to a motorcycle.  At 18 he entered the army where he continued to sell wine to his comrades. 
After the army, Mario bought his first 5 acres of vineyards and thus the rest is history.  His two sons, Davide & Daniele (pictured to the left of his dad) now head up the family winery bringing with them an air of modernization to their family tradition. The tasting lineup will be:
Pelassa 2010 San Vito Roero Arneis
Reg $22.99 | INSIDER $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Pelassa 2009 San Pancrazio Barbera D'Alba
Reg $25.99 | INSIDER $24.99 | Mixed Case $19.99
Pelassa 2009 Langhe Nebbiolo Bricco Enrichetta
Reg $20.99 | INSIDER $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
Pelassa 2005 Barolo
Reg $61.99 | INSIDER $57.99 | Mixed Case $46.39
RSVP for Friday, March 18 for 1 of 3 sessions: 6:30-7pm & 7-7:30 or 7:30-8pm. For our INSIDERS we'll waive the $8 entrance fee.  SIGN UP>

Saturday, May 19th
TASTING: CENTRAL ITALY
Taste two wines from Central Italy, a newer-style "SuperTuscan" & a lesser-known red blend from neighboring Umbria:
Nottola 2009 Tre Pezzi
Fongoli 2009 Montefalco Rosso
Tasting runs from 2-6pm.

Saturday, May 19th
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 • CLAMS with chorizo, sherry & butter ...pair with Bodegas Casto Pequeño 2010 Chamelin Rueda ~ $8.50 • 2nd course • FETTUCINE homemade with marsala braised local spring mushrooms & shaved grana ...pair with Pelassa 2009 Langhe Bricco Enrichetta ~ $9.50 • 3rd course • STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE with vanilla whipped cream ...pair with Vinchio-Vaglio 2010 Vigne Rare Muscato ~ $9

Sunday, May 20th
TASTING:  NORTHERN SPAIN
Join to taste a broad sweep of wines from N. Spain, starting with Albariño from Rias Baixas on the northwest Atlantic coast, then heading east to Rueda, Ribera del Duero & Navarra (on the border to Rioja. These wines will give you a great idea of what this trek might be:
Burgans 2010 Albariño
Bodegas Casto Pequeño 2010 Chamelin Rueda
Bodegas Rauda 2008 Tinta Roa Ribera del Duero Crianza
Bodegas Marques de Montecierzo 2007 Emergente
Tasting runs from 11am-4pm during the Ballard Farmers Market.