All at once there’s wine news aplenty in Madrona. Along with Bottlehouse opening and tonight’swine pairing dinner at June, Dulces Latin Bistro has officially opened their wine outlet shop.

Looking to diversify his offerings in a weak economy, Dulces owner Carlos Kainz decided to apply for a retail license and has been selling bottles and cases of hand-picked wines for six months, though the official opening of the reorganized shop section was yesterday.

“I taste every single wine,” Kainz says. “I have to like the wine for me to put it on my shelves.”

The wines generally retail for about $8-15 each, with 10% discounts on cases. Accompanying the bottles for purchase are weekly free wine tastings every Wednesday from 4-7pm featuring different wine producers and distributors. Yesterday, Detour Import and Distribution was pouring some nice samples from Argentina and Italy.

It’s nice to see the post-work bar scene heating up in Madrona, and we’re especially fortunate to have a free wine tasting in the neighborhood.