TONIGHT our Friday Night Flight @ NE ALBERTA will feature some really lovely reds made from perhaps our favorite Spanish varietal, Mencia.  This grape mostly grows in the Northwest regions of Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra.  Eric Asimov of the New York Times wrote this article about the Ribeira Sacra region a few weeks back and I have been hunting for new wines from the area since.  We’re excited to show off 3 wines that are brand new to Portland and a couple others that have made a return appearance after a short hiatus.  Come check out these soft and elegant wines that many refer to as the Pinot Noir of Spain in reference to their Burgundian quality to really showcase the terroir from where they are grown.  Tasting starts at 5pm and runs until the bottles are dry.  $10 tasting fee.

FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE has just announced their 2009 American Wine Awards.  I enjoyed being a judge for this competition for the second year in a row, and I am excited to see names like Tablas Creek, Copain and Arnot Roberts among the wines featured.  Kudos to Sineann, but let’s hope more Oregon wineries make the list next year!  At least the Winemaker of the Year is from the Northwest – Charles Smith of K Vintners gets that honor.  To celebrate with him, we’ll be doing a fun KVintners tasting next week, including wines ranging from the Kung Fu Girl Riesling and Velvet Devil Merlot on up to the tiny production Guido and The Boy, plus a few single-vineyard Syrah.  Put next Friday, September 25th on your calendar and join us at the NW Lovejoy location starting at 5pm.

The dry, rich, velvet afternoons of early Autumn turn our attention towards hearth and home. A worn wood table. The comfort of venison and squab. A freshly picked chanterelle. The taste of the countryside lingering in our chests. A brisk and powerful red, graceful and elegant, in the glass. Complex and easy to fall into. Familiar in the mouth and warm to the tongue.

Ristorante Fratelli, together with cork, welcome you for a night of signature tastes, a return to the local traditions of Eastern Oregon and Northern Italy. Tony Apostolakis from Masi Agricola will pour wines from the Veneto, including the lovely 2005 Campofiorin Valpolicella and the stunning 2001 Vaio Armaron Amarone.

Join us at Ristorante Fratelli on September 30th as we celebrate the coming of Fall with a menu inspired by its sentiments and flavors.

MENU

Potato gnocchi with braised rabbit and dried cherries
paired with 2007 Masianco (Pinot Grigio/Verduzzo blend)

Pan seared squab with an acorn squash bisque
served with 2005 Campofiorin (a super-Venetian)

Seared wild boar loin with sweet and sour chanterelle mushrooms
accompanied by 2004 Brolo di Campofiorin (a super-Venetian)

Braised venison shoulder with a huckleberry mousse
enjoyed with 2001 Vaio Armaron Amarone

cork will host a table for customers and friends, so please mention you would like to be at the cork table when you call 503.241.8800 to make a reservation. We will have special pricing on the wines featured this evening for you to take home after the dinner.

Fratelli is located at 1230 NW Hoyt Street in the Pearl District. Seating starts at 6:00pm with dinner service promptly at 6:30pm. Reservations required.

2008 LA VALENTINA Cerasuolo Rosé (Back in Stock – a cork exclusive!)

2008 MORDORÉE Cotes du Rhone Rouge and Rosé (Very limited)

2007 GAROFOLI Farnio Rosso Piceno

2008 RATTI Dolcetto d’Alba Colombé

2007 BETHEL HEIGHTS Eola-Amity Cuvee Pinot Noir

2006 ST. INNOCENT Seven Springs Vyd Pinot Noir

2003 ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ Dehesa La Granja

and many other new bottles now lining the walls.  Come down and browse.