We at Bar Ferd’nand are happy to announce that starting today we are offering our own version of “Aperitivo!” every day at the bar from 3:00pm – 6:00pm, except Sundays.

What the hell does this mean to you?

Does a glass of our house wine of the day for $4/glass sound tempting?  Then get yourself to Bar Ferd’nand from 3 – 6pm!  (And, yes, there will be one red and one white to choose from depending on your mood that day)

Want to skip out of work early?  Come to Bar Ferd’nand.  Need a quick escape to get you through the remainder of the day?  Come to Bar Ferd’nand.  Want a glass of wine but don’t want to drink alone?  Come to Bar Ferd’nand.  3- 6pm.  Special $4 glass wines.  Every single day except Sunday.  You get it?  Wow. You are one quick study.  ;)

This could become a terribly, wonderful habit! Good wine, good snacks, good people, all under one roof…

Salute!

APERITIVO!

We will have Pierre pouring through a line-up of his SICK (read as KILLER, read as AMAZING)!  Cabernet Francs from Bourgeuil, as well as an Anjou Rosé, and some Vouvray both sparkling and still…

Our very own Heather Mercier had the pleasure of working vendage at the domaine while riding her bike around the various wine making regions in France…ask her about it!

(From the Kermit Lynch Website)-  ”Catherine and Pierre Breton are the real life bon vivants vignerons of lore. They are passionate about what they do, they enjoy sharing it with others, and they entertain with a generosity and charm. That they make great wine with such integrity makes our appreciation of them complete. The Bretons farm eleven hectares of vines just east of Bourgueil in the village of Restigné. They produce Chinon and Bourgueil, as well as a bit of Vouvray, creating honest wines for both early consumption and longer aging. The Bretons first introduced biodynamic practices into their viticulture in 1994, just after receiving their organic certification in 1991. Recently, they started the three-year process of seeking biodynamic certification. In fact, they have become international icons for the natural wine movement in an area where the climate and soil can make organic viticulture difficult.

The Bretons farm vineyards on varied soil types, including gravel, limestone, clay, schist, and yellow tuffeau. Their wines are made primarily from Cabernet Franc (known in the Loire, curiously, as “Breton”) with small quantities of Chenin Blanc for their Vouvray. Though Pierre is the principal cellar master, Catherine makes a series of cuvées under the label “La Dilettante,” or the Dabbler. Together, they divide their wines into three categories: Natural Wines (for easy consumption), Classic Wines (that represent the typicity of the appellations), and Wines of Terroir(vinified individually by parcel). The Wines of Terroir from Chinon and Bourgueil are destined for long life in your cellar. A 1964 made for unforgettable drinking in 2008! Each of the Breton cuvées is unique, with differences in soil, vinification, and élévageall playing a role while still demonstrating a familial resemblance. Catherine and Pierre are fighting the good fight in a competitive market, adding work to their busy days all in the name of authenticity. Their artistic labels are a bonus.”

Hello All,

Join us next Wednesday, February 8th,  for a visit from two Italian producers from the Indie Winery Portfolio. We’ll have two producers:

Eugenio Bocchino -  of the self named winery  from  Piemonte (Barolo, Langhe Nebiolo, and some blends with Barbera, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto).

Lorenzo Piccin – San Martino Winery in Basilicata ( 2 Aglianicos from Vulture).

Join us!  Tasting is free; snacks provided, 10% discount on purchases of six bottles or more; 15% on twelve bottles and above; mixed cases, no problem.

In their words:

What Makes a Winery ‘Indie’?

• One set of hands. One person who guides every step from the vineyard to the consumer. In contrast to larger producers, Indie Wineries are a one man/woman show and do not have any disconnect. The wines reflect the personality of the winemaker and have a soul and character that make them unique and beautiful.
• Small production all around 4,500 cases/year
• All are produced naturally, most certified organic, and many biodynamic
• Small estates, many that have a cult following, but that fly under the radar of the big guys getting the press and media attention. They are just making their way into the wholesale market and have an unbeatable quality/price ratio. These are the future stars of the wine world…

We have Champagne, as well as a multitude of other sparkling wine, for every budget and would love to help you pick the perfect bottle (or case!) to welcome in the New Year.

And while you’re at it, you might as well start the celebration by drinking a glass of bubbly at the bar, just to make sure you are in the proper mood while making your selection.

If you don’t have someone to share a bottle with: Celebrate!  The bottle is all yours and you do not have to share a single drop of magic.

At least one of us at bar ferd’nand, if not more, is currently obsessed with Zooey Deschanel.  As a final treat we bring you this YouTube clip of an oldie but a goodie, reinterpreted by Zooey and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Bar Ferd’ nand will be sampling 3 different wines from the Spanish producer Marquez de Valdueza.

Here’s what our neighbors in the Melrose Market will be offering…

Rain Shadow Meats:
Fremin Iberico Jamon: Join Eric Stone as he hand carves a whole bone in Iberico Jamon. Descended from wild boars, which lends to its superior taste & quality of its meat, Fermin is the first to export this delicacy to the US market.  Locally sourced & cured for 3 years, Jamon Iberico has a rich, deep flavor that literally melts in your mouth.
Prime Smoke Ham: Jeffery Bergman will be sampling our custom Double Smoked Ham. This traditional smoked ham a must for Christmas dinner.

Butter Home:
Claire is offering a 10% discount on holiday items.

Marigold & Mint:
Katherine will be paring up with Calf & Kid and sampling Ayako and Family’s jams, which includes a variety of organic plum, damson, quince and apricot jams.

Calf & Kid:
Sheri has a beautiful wheel of Keen’s Cheddar that she broke into last week. Keen’s Cheddar comes from Neal’s Yard Dairy in Somerset, England.

Homegrown Sandwiches:
Come taste HOTLIPS Boysenberry Soda made with Willamette Valley berries & local cucumber Dry Soda.

Sitka & Spruce:
Sampling the sourdough bread of Corson & Sitka & Spruce, made with flour, water & sea salt.

Taylor Shellfish:
Our friends next door will be shucking oysters!

If you haven’t, you should: and the time is now!  We love Grower Champagne!  This is sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France using a single, small estate’s vineyard or grapes locally sourced from a couple of vineyards from that same terroir.

Here are some of the many reasons why we imbibe…   We love it because it is NOT an industrial product like big négociant champagne.  We love it because it’s an AMAZING value compared to the big brands like Veuve Clicquot, Moet and Feuillate. But most of all we love it because it’s so damn DELICIOUS!  It’s that simple!

Come explore this incredible beverage with Champagne expert Noah Oldham of Cavatappi Distribuzione this Sunday December 4th from 2-4pm for a free tasting.  Noah will be pouring some amazing wines from:

• Camille Saves (all hand riddled, and ridiculously beautiful chardonnay)
• Villmart et Cie (hands down our favorite Grower Champagne and one of the best in the world.)
• Pehu Simonet (an awesome new grower that tastes unlike any other non-vintage brut you have tried, and some wacky labels to boot)
• Gaston Chiquet (luscious, beautiful wines from the Valle de la Marne).

If you need any more encouragement, think of it like this: if all the stores in Seattle were selling Drouhin Bourgogne rouge for $50.00 a bottle and we told you we were doing a tasting of Romanee Conti, but the prices are the same as the Drouhin Bourgogne rouge, would you hustle down and get in line?  Of course you would!!!  So get your ass down here!!!

XO

In honor of our first anniversary, beginning Thursday, July 14th (Bastille Day!),  join us for a complementary snack with the purchase of an aperitif or glass of wine.  Ongoing, tuesdays – saturdays, from 3:30 – 6:30. Nathan Sikov is cooking up some tasty raciones for you!

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