INSIDER'S PICK: 2020 CHATEAU PESQUIE VENTOUX BLANC 'TERRASSES' $17.99

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 on Thursday and Friday. 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.

We might be trying to will in some Spring weather with this wine, hoping Puxsutawney Phil's hit rate of only 40% the last decade continues for this year. Ventoux is the less famous next door neighbor to the heart of the Southern Rhone, with all the known addresses like Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Rasteau, et al. While the region has equal longevity in its production to the other parts of the Rhone, dating back to the Roman era, there has never been higher achieving producers that brought the world's attention to the name and driven the success -and prices- forward. Pesquie as a farm and vineyard dates back to the1750s and became an independent wine producer in the late 1980s, achieving great success knowing its ALWAYS cool to be the best deal in town. Their 'Terrasses' series always hits well above the price point, and the white is a particular unicorn as the region trends towards having fewer white varieties planted. Predominantly Viognier with healthy portions of Roussanne, Clairette, and Grenache Blanc, the flowery aromas of the Viognier rule over the nose, with the other varieties turning down the volume a little bit and adding some tropical citrus notes. Those varieties come through more on the palate, adding some acidity and zest, bringing out more citrus tones and providing a mouthwatering freshness to the finish. A great Spring-ish salad or light seafood wine, good to have as a staple around the house.

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