Seattle-area tastings at Fine Wine and Cigars

[Melanie R.]

For anyone in the area who is interested, Fine Wine and Cigars in Redmond is holding two tastings in the near future that I thought might be of interest:

Wines of Portugal - Saturday, June 5
2-5 p.m.

Wine 101 - Madeira - Wednesday, June 16
6 p.m. (Requires a reservation)

Their website to contact them for more info:
http://www.finewinesltd.com/home/index.html

[Roy Hersh]

And you thought your luck was fickle. We have a friend coming to Seattle to go with us to Cirque and then for the Madeira gig, my daughter is heading to CO at that time, so I won't be able to be there either. Darn!

Would love a report on these, especially the Madeira tasting there.

[Melanie R.]

I'll be sure to take notes. I have never had Madeira, so I'm sure my notes will be inscrutable. But I'm sure it will be fun nonetheless.

I have never been to Cirque--have you? Would like to to know what you think of it.

[Roy Hersh]

Yes, a couple of times. Looking forward to it, but more so for my daughter, who has never been to see it.

I am very interested to hear your opinion about Madeira, Melanie. Go in with an open mind. It is a far cry from Port and has next to no similarities in taste, ok well maybe a scoach, but very little beyond they're both Portuguese fortified wines.

Please let us know what the lineup is and your basic impressions. I would imagine you will like Bual and Malmsey (Malvasia) the best, just my guess.

[Melanie R.]

Unfortunately I had to miss the Wines of Portugal tasting, so I'll be sure to do my best to be at the Madeira one.

Here's what they were pouring, in case anyone is interested. (Prices indicated are prices for club members versus those for nonmembers).

2008 Grinalda, Vinho Verde, Colheita Selccionada
$13.99/$11.89
2008 Lagoalva, Branco, Espirito SAVE $1 $11.99/$10.19
2008 J Portugal, Vinho Branco, Ramos Loios SAVE $2 $9.99/$8.49
2008 J Portugal, Vinho Tinto, Ramos Loios SAVE $2 $9.99/$8.49
2007 Garrida, Vinho Tinto, DAO SAVE $2 $12.99/$11.04
2007 J Portugal, Trincadeira, Vila Santa, Alentjo $22.99/$19.54
Fonseca, 10 yr Tawny, PO SAVE $ 2 $30.99/$26.34

[Roy Hersh]

Far from the most exciting Portuguese wine lineup, however, I hope they have a good selection for the Madeira gig, but given what Madeira is currently on their shelves, it is doubtful.

[Melanie R.]

Unfortunately the Madeira tasting was canceled, to be rescheduled for sometime next month. So I hope to be able to report on it then.

[Andy Velebil]

Unfortunately the Madeira tasting was canceled, to be rescheduled for sometime next month. So I hope to be able to report on it then.

That's always a bummer, but at least now there is something to look forward too