INSIDER'S PICK: 2020 LES HAUTES TERRES 'AUTRES TERRES' VIN DE FRANCE $19.99

The battle between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc fans is almost as old as wine itself. Well, maybe not THAT old, but it is probably the most frequent source of conflict when customers are gathering wines for get-togethers. It's hard to find the common ground between the roundness and richness of Chardonnay and the grassy, cirtusy side of Sauvignon Blanc, even when you try and blend them together in one wine. So sometimes you need to get creative. Hautes Terres comes from the Limoux region in the Languedoc/Roussillon region of France, most famous for being the origin of making sparkling wine in what be came most known as the 'Champagne method'. Chardonnay is the primary grape used here, as well as a native one called Mauzac, instrumental in making their sparkling wines so distinctive with its musky apple skin notes. Producers are starting to grow more and more fond of working in some still wines like this one as well to the portfolio, especially ones that have more of a 'natural' slant to them. Clean, unoaked fruit on the nose, mostly warm apple with a touch of green citrus skin and refreshing citrus as it opens up. The palate is where it really 'splits the difference' for drinkers, as the weighty mouthfeel of the Chardonnay gets a kick of a grassier note and a hint of the Mauzac musk, just enough to build the extra interest and make it lively. This isn't going to change the minds of a die-hard oak and butter Chardonnay fan or full throated NZ Sauv Blanc drinker, but darn it if there isn't a lot here to make most everyone else happy.

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