We will be visiting five different growing regions this week. If you haven't tried a GRUNER VELTLINER yet then you need to give the GV by WALDSCHUTZ a try. This is an Austrian wine and comes in a 1 Liter bottle. $11.99

Next we will have a BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU by JOSEPH DROUHIN. This is a Red Burgundy made from the Gamay grape. $15.99

Then lets move to American terroir in the McMinnville Oregon area. JIGSAW Pinot Noir. $14.99

And to get a little closer to home & the find of the week - MARYHILL PROPRIETORS RESERVE SYRAH - the winery is ready to move to the next vintage so we get the benefit - regular price $28.99 now $11.99.

Back to France and the Cotes du Roussillon Villages area with DOMAINE de la SERRE - HYPOGEE. This is a blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache - $20.99.

We found two more varietals to try that can be added to the Century Club list. PASSERINA - the name means tiny bird, probably because of the minute size of the berries. (This is our white selection)

For the red - CESANESE - an indigenous grape whose origins are intermingled with mystery and charisma.

If you need to get a copy of The Wine Century Club checklist go to their website at www.winecentury.com

The Wine Century Club is for people who have tried 100 different wine grape varieties, and others interested in the concept. There is no membership fee just the fun of searching out new varietals to experience.

We just got in the 2007 vintage of CLIO from Spain. $47.99

The 2007 Clio is in and it is every bit as compelling as prior vintages. [95 pts Robet Parker on the 2006 vintage, 96 pts Robert Parker on the 2005 vintage, 97 pts Robert Parker on the 04 vintatge, 93 pts Robert Parker on the 2003 vintage] The consulting winemaker at Bodegas El Nido is Chris Ringland of Barossa Valley fame. Clio is 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Monastrell (from 63-year-old vines). This Spanish masterpiece is glass-coating opaque purple, it exhibits a sensational nose of earth, mushroom, leather, blueberry, and blackberry jam. On the palate the wine is supple-textured, complex, with vibrant flavors of spicy blue and black fruits and a big-time WOW factor. This is a totally hedonistic effort with exceptional length and balance. It is remarkably light on its feet for such a powerful wine. (notes from Englewood Wine Merchants web site)

Helping to understand French wines this week.

COTES DU ROUSSILLON region; From the hills of Corbières to the Pyrénées mountains, Roussillon is the sunniest region in France. The climate, the history and the traditions of Roussillon make it more similar to Spain than to Languedoc. This is maybe the reason why Roussillon wines are still fighting to find an identity. ------- Carignan is the most important grape variety in Roussillon. A local grape called Lladoner Pelut is also used along with Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Red wines are generally spicy and medium body. Rosé are fruity. White wines are made with Macabeu and local Malvoisie. They are the perfect match with local sea food products. ---------Côtes du Roussillon Villages label is granted to 25 villages along the Agly river, just south of Corbières. Côtes de Roussillon Villages produces only red wine. They are stronger than the Roussillon and express the most of their sunny terroir.

Beaujolais is a French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wine generally made of the Gamay grape which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. Like most AOC wines they are not labeled varietally. Whites from the region, which make up only 1% of its production, are made mostly with Chardonnay grapes though Aligoté is also permitted. Beaujolais tends to be a very light-bodied red wine, with relatively high amounts of acidity. In some vintages, Beaujolais produces more wine than the Burgundy wine regions of Chablis, Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais put together. J. Robinson "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 72-74 Oxford

You’re in a small inn somewhere in the Cascades; the pass is snowed in both ways; and the guy next door might be a killer. ------ That’s the premise of Breeders Theater’s new production, SNOWBOUND, running Jan. 15-31 at E.B. Foote Winery in Burien. This will be the company’s 17th production at the winery. ----- Snowbound, written by T.M. Sell, includes references to all 63 Alfred Hitchcock film titles in the script.

Ticket sales are really picking up, don't miss out! Price is still only $20.00!!!!! What a deal for an evening out.

The POVERTY BAY WINE FESTIVAL is also not that far off. Check your calendar and be sure you can attend either March 6 or 7. Here are a few of the wineries that will be attending this year ------- Fort Walla Walla, Sodo Vino, Pondera, Five Star and Page Cellars.

Tickets are $20.00 again this year and include a tasting glass and 10 tokens to use towards tastings.

Get tickets for both of these great events from us! and no ticket FEE!