INSIDER'S PICK: 2019 RONCHI DI CIALLA RIBOLLA GIALLA FRIULI COLLI ORIENTALI (Vinous 92points) $22.99

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.

Pinot Grigio is ubiquitous in the Veneto and across the Northeastern section of Italy, to the point that many people may think that it's the only white wine produced. Ribolla Gialla is special, a more noble and prized variety of Friuli, and is gaining in recognition as wines of Slovenia and Croatia become more popular. The bright natural acidity makes vibrant wines very easily, and rewards more quality driven efforts with intensity and dynamic flavors, so you can really have it almost any way you want it and besuccessful. It is even starting to find a more frequent foothold with American winemakers as well as the producers of 'orange wines'. Ronchi di Cialla is one of the most acclaimed producers in Friuli, and their Ribolla Gialla is one of the benchmarks for the region. Although it doesn't tread into the 'orange wine' neighborhood, this does see a healthy amount of aging on the skins, as well as the use of native yeasts and lengthy resting on the lees, so this lands on the fleshier side of what the varietal can do. Intense mix of white fruits and minerality on the nose, almost a sense of raw honey like you find in a Vouvray or other good Chenin Blancs, but with lots of energy and no sense of sweetness. The palate has a lot of bright apples and white fruit flesh flavors, but the vibrant acidity really makes the whole mouthfeel tingle and jump. Great with a flavorful shellfish dish, vegetables, and even lighter pork preparations.

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