INSIDER'S PICK: 2019 OX-EYE VINEYARDS RIESLING SHENANDOAH VALLEY $18.99

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. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We will be returning to doing just the one wine on Thursdays and Fridays until further notice. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.

July has us planted firmly in the armpit of Summer here in central Virginia, with all the swelter and stink of the season. To combat it, a wine that does well with a chill isn't just recommended, it may well be downright necessary. This local favorite really does the trick, and if you're predisposed to think that all Riesling is sweet, you are missing out. The keys to this wine are the limestone soils under the vineyard near Staunton that boost the minerality in both the aromas and palate, and leaving just a skosh of residual sugar (drier than many Chardonnay out there to be sure) to pop the white fruit flavors while remaining out of a sweet wine orbit. Right out of the fridge, this sings with pears and white fruits pricked with lime and citrus zest, coolness personified without much of anything lost to fridge temps. The palate has lots of refreshing tingle and action, makes the white fruit really come alive through the finish without getting anywhere close to cloying, and a cooler serving temperature only adds to the zippy side. As refreshing as a cold wash cloth or a quick dip in the pool.

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