INSIDER'S PICK: 2018 CHATEAU PESQUIE VENTOUX BLANC 'TERRASSES' $17.99

At a time like this, it's pretty much impossible to be 'normal'. But it is important to try and keep what you can as close to normal as you can while you can. Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount on Thursday and Friday. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.

For most of winemaking history in the southern part of France, Ventoux has been the lesser achieving neighbor to the Rhone, sitting in the shadow of Chateauneuf and Gigondas as much as they do of Mt. Ventoux itself. In recent decades that reputation has started to change, especially at the lower to middle price ranges. The costs of investing in and developing a vineyard or winery is less here than the Rhone, perfect for new, ambitious winemakers or people that may not have the historical connections to family vineyards. Though the actual Chateau dates back to the mid 1700s and there are records of vineyards on these lands since Roman times, the winery itself started only in 1989, and was discovered shortly after by importer Eric Solomon/European Cellars. Since then they have been instrumental in elevating the reputation of Ventoux and the potential of the lands around them, constantly getting very positive press and reviews. This white is from their most value oriented 'Terrasses' line of wines, built primarily from Viognier but also containing healthy amounts of Roussanne and Clairette. The Viognier definitely shines through on the nose with the flowery perfume and aromatic white fruits, but the other varieties keep it from being overwhelming and introduce some nice cooling citrus notes. The palate also has the fullness from Viognier but maintains a vibrant mineral  feel that freshens the flavors and brings a needed zesty tingle to the finish. A great wine for flavorful lighter dishes, things that may have a small touch of unusual spice to them.

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