Invites You to Attend Our Fourth Annual Tasting Event

MAD ABOUT MERLOT!

with David LeClaire of Wine Events & Promotions

Thursday, September 11, 2008

6:30pm at

Salty’s On Alki

1936 Harbor Avenue SW

Seattle, Washington

Mad About Merlot? If you are, this event will be a great opportunity for you to try a very diverse selection of this varietal that has its “roots” in Bordeaux. If you aren’t yet a Merlot fan and want to learn more about it, now is your chance! This food-friendly wine is often described as being smooth and drinkable, with juicy flavors such as blackberry, plum, and currant. A swirl of your glass could reveal the aromas of smoke, green or black peppercorns, and bell pepper, with floral notes of rose and violet. Once used primarily for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon or as part of a Meritage blend, this varietal is now a force to be reckoned with on its own! Pair it with grilled or roasted pork, beef, lamb and even chicken. It will complement a variety of stronger cheeses, mushrooms and truffles. Less tannic and lower in acid than Cabernet Sauvignon, and with a lush mouth-feel, some think of it as a better food wine than its Bordeaux cousin Cab! Will you agree?

We are so pleased to once again welcome David LeClaire as our guest speaker for our annual tasting event! This is the fourth year for this program, and he has guided us though Zinfandel, Syrah, Blends, and now, Merlot. David is a certified sommelier, wine educator and writer, and founder of Wine Events & Promotions, a Seattle-based company specializing in private, corporate, and charity wine tastings and educational events. He entertains and informs both large and small groups on all things wine, and his resume of clients is impressive, including Microsoft, Starbucks, Columbia Tower Club, and, of course, Women For WineSense! David’s finely-tuned palate has made him a much sought-after judge in wine competitions such as Seattle Wine Awards and his talents are also in demands on a national level. David works with wine trade groups such as Paso Robles Wine Country Grand Tasting and ZAP to take their tasting programs on the road throughout the U.S. We are looking forward to him sharing his Merlot expertise with us!

Our participating wineries:

CALIFORNIA

Sonoma Wineries

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Benziger Family Winery

De La Montanya Winery

Dreyer Sonoma

Frick

Huntington Wine Cellars

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Kunde

Lambert Bridge Winery

Leaping Lizard

Ledson

Mayo Family

MacRostie Winery

Mill Creek Vineyards

Nicholson Ranch

Pellegrini Family Vineyards

Robledo Family Winery

Rodney Strong

Sbragia Family Vineyards

Schug

Sunce

Trecini Cellars

Napa Wineries

Cuvaison Estate Wines

Frog’s Leap

Luna Vineyards

Markham Vineyards

Provenence

Raymond

Rutherford Hill

St. Supery

Stag's Leap Winery

Tamber Bey

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Paso Robles Wineries

Castoro Cellars

Chumeia Vineyards

Eagle Castle

Niner Wine Estates

The Midlife Crisis Winery

Ranchita Canyon Vineyard

Rotta Winery

OREGON

Eola Hills

WASHINGTON STATE

Arbor Crest

Balboa

Basel Cellars

Benson Vineyards

Bergevin Lane

Capstone Cellars

Cowen Vineyards

Daven Lore

Donedei Wines

E.B. Foote

Gifford Hirlinger

Latah Creek

L’ Ecole N° 41

Lost River

Lowden Hills

Mannina Cellars

Masset Winery

Northstar

Sagelands

Woodward Canyon

Salty’s on Alki has been a wonderful event partner to our Women For WineSense chapter throughout the years! They truly go above and beyond in every way, providing us with a fantastic menu that is perfect with our wines and a staff that couldn’t be more attentive and helpful. This program just wouldn’t be the same if we couldn’t hold it at Salty’s! The awards for their food, wine, and view just keep on coming, from sources such as Zagat, Wine Spectator, Seattle Magazine, AOL Cityguide,King-5 Reader’s Poll, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Seattle Weekly and many more. The Salty’s family of restaurants are also very involved in the communities where they are located, supporting charities such as March of Dimes, Hope Heart Institute, the Humane Society, and the American Red Cross, just to mention a very few. If you haven’t been to Salty’s On Alki before you are in for a great experience! If you haven’t seen their phenomenal view of Seattle you haven’t seen the best view of the city! And if you haven’t been to Salty’s for Sunday brunch, don’t wait! We thank them for everything they have done to make this annual event such a success!

Our Menu:

Bibb Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Green Onion & Tomato, with Chopped Alder Smoked Bacon Bits on the Side

Flat Iron Steak with Gorgonzola & Fresh Herb Demi-Glace

Truffle Salt Dusted Grilled Vegetables with Truffle Oil & Herbs

Chef Jane’s “Best Chocolate Cake Ever”

Vegetarian Main Course Option—Chef’s Red Wine Risotto & Seasonal Fresh Vegetables

Please advise when you RSVP if you want the vegetarian option. The cost for the evening: $55.00 for members, $65.00 for nonmembers. Please RSVP by September 8th. To RSVP and pay by credit card go to www.womenforwinesense.org then click on Event Calendar on the left. Click on our event and you will be taken to the registration section. To RSVP and pay by check email me at wino@iname.com or call at 425-882-1621 to RSVP. Your check must be received 3 days after your RSVP is made. After that time your seat will be released. Mail your check to me (made out to Seattle Area Women For WineSense) at Terese Flaherty-Vaniman, 6910 Old Redmond Rd. #G 120, Redmond, WA, 98052. Please contact me with questions or problems with the website or method of payment. Cancel by September 5th for a refund less a $5.00 processing fee. This event is nonrefundable after that date unless your seat is resold. Please note wineries may be subject to change.