INSIDER'S PICK: NV LA STAFFA 'MAI SENTITO!' MARCHE BIANCO FRIZZANTE $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. 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.

Another fun wine to enjoy during what we hope are the last dog days of Summer, and it's a fresh batch of a store favorite for you Pet-Nat fans. The name means 'Unheard Of' and there is a lot taking place with this wine that is definitely unique, in all the right ways and for all the right reasons. La Staffa and its young owner/winemaker has earned a lot of recognition for already making standout traditional Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi, working entirely organically and with minimal sulfites in some very old and distinctive vineyards. His youth has also enabled him to play around and have some fun with his winemaking, creating one of the few examples of a naturally fermented Pet-Nat wines using Verdicchio on the market (perhaps only example, we certainly haven't found any others yet). What we like so much about this wine is it never loses the character and flavor of the varietal as it delves into the exploration of Pet-Nat and the more 'natural' sides of the process. A still Verdicchio has a lovely green apple and citrus aroma to it, as well as some herbal or almond skin notes, right from the first pour these notes are in full exposure even with the initial yeasty/dusty notes from the low level carbonation. The palate is equally full of citrusy flavors given extra brightness by the bubbles and the higher altitude natural acidity, and the leesy texture also adds a touch of oyster shell type brininess. A great wine to chill down with an equally chilly plate of fresh oysters as well as any other lighter seafood dishes, especially ones with lots of citrus and herbs.

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