INSIDER'S PICK: 2021 DOMAINE MIGOT VIN GRIS COTES DE TOUL $24.99

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.

This has definitely been the 'Summer of Rose' around here, as evidenced by the near-solid wall of pink wines at the front of the store. A bit weather related for sure, but there's also an immense amount of great quality being offered these days, and from more unique sources than ever before. These aren't just rehashes of the same recipe, but distinct interpretations with regional character, like this one from e headwaters of the Mosel/Moselle River in the Lorraine region. Most producers in this tiny (<300 acres total) appellation tend to make more 'basic' wines, tasty but simple and unassuming, meant primarily for local consumption. Some are starting to explore taking a more intensive role in their winemaking, being more vigorous in the vineyards and modernizing in the winery, to make a more 'worldly' wine that can stand up to the scrutiny. Domaine Migot is definitely at the front of that movement, which first started bottling estate wines in 2013 by a young Camille Migot, but using vineyards his family had farmed for 13 generations. This style of Vin Gris/Rose is the signature wine of the region, made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, and Migot elevates the style to its very best form. Super pale color in the glass belies the bright intensity on the aromas, lots of zesty and tangy citrus and fresh herbs lightly sprinkled in. The palate is silky and fairly full with loads of energy from the cool climate and strong limestone soils really drive the tartness into the fruit tones. At less than 12%abv you would think it would be a lot milder, which a lot of wines from this region are, but the work at all phases really makes this wine shine. Fans of Sancerre Rose should definitely take a look at this as it hits many similar notes.

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