We’ll taste our wine of the week, Michel Gassier Nostre Pais Blanc 2008, tonight, Friday, October 29 from 5-7pm with fresh ricotta cheese from Rhode Island’s Narragansett Creamery as part of our weekly wine and cheese tasting.

Generally if a winery is celebrated year after year in the specialty wine press, it has a safe harbor in terms of its price.  However, even these wines aren’t immune to price pressure from the perfect storm of a vintage change and a change in representation.  This combination of circumstances doesn’t happen often, but when it does, we jump on the deal.  Recently the renowned Southern Rhone winery Michel Gassier changed importers right near the end of a vintage and we were able to scoop up 8 cases of his 2008 Nostre Pais Blanc at 25% off what this wine generally commands, a deal we’re happily passing along.

Gassier’s Nostre Pais 2008 ($15/$13.50 on 12+ bottles) combines Grenache Blanc and Roussanne with a touch of Viognier from small parcels populated with old vines. Harvested by hand, the grapes were picked well shy of the outer limit of ripeness, allowing for the mineral elements to shine through and not be overpowered by fruit.  A brief amount of time in oak produces an elegant, lithe white with hints of lemon verbena, white peach and green apple but a stylish finish of toast and blanched almond.  This is not only a great white but a great deal.

$15/bottle, $13.50 on 12 bottles or more.  To order call (718) 797-9463.