This week at the SAQ #7

Piedmont is always surprising for the number of indigenous grape varieties found there. From Freisa to Pelaverga, discovery is always possible. This time, we’re talking about another rare gem: the Nascetta grape.

Naturally delicate and unstable, this variety was heavily uprooted throughout the 20th century to make way for the more profitable Nebbiolo, which is the parent of Barolo. It wasn't until the 90s that old bottles and its qualitative potential were rediscovered, almost by chance.

Today, this wine—which some call the "white Barolo"—is still just as rare, with only 21 hectares planted in the commune of Novello. You can discover it by opening a bottle from Mirafiore. Visually, the intense yellow will remind you of your grandparents' cooking, but the nose of stone fruit and verbena will bring you back to the 21st century. The palate is fresh, as it should be, slightly exotic, but alluring due to its tension.

At this price, you will thank us for the discovery and the vinous journey.

• Pairing: Invite the family over and dare to serve Thai noodles with shrimp and coconut,

• Fun fact: It was only in 2002 that the use of the variety was authorized in the Langhe AOC, and in 2010, conscious of the variety's potential, a sub-zone was even created: Nascetta del Comune di Novello,

• To better understand the birth of the appellation: Our next workshop Piedmont

• For comparison: Two bottles left of the only other Nascetta on the market, from Arnoldo Rivera. If you have friends on Nuns' Island… At the SAQ (14027079)

Much like those cereals that need no introduction, the Madiran appellation also has its "quirky" side with its whites, which are classified as Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC.

Recently, some of the 200 winemakers in the appellation have been refocusing their efforts on producing whites that are as surprising as they are complex. With less than 20% of the surface area dedicated to whites, they are working with Gros and Petit Manseng, as well as Arrufiac and Petit Courbu. Previously produced almost exclusively in the passerillé (late-harvest) style, these dry whites are still under the radar for our market. In fact, if the word "sec" (dry) does not follow Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh on the label, you will be dealing with a sweet wine.

The offering from the two brothers, Simon and Robert Ribert, is in the spirit of this revival of fresh, dry whites, based on organic practices and polyculture as a way of life and production. The wine is floral and fruity like the grape variety, but with a straight and profound palate. You might be tempted to decant it a little bit to enhance the aromas.

Only 4,500 bottles were produced, and we suspect that is less than a hundred cases for our beautiful province. So, don’t delay, or you’ll have to settle for the health aisle…

• Pairing: We highly recommend serving it as a starter with scallops or as a finale with a sheep's milk cheese.

• Fun fact: The 3,000 hectares of Gros Manseng are practically all found in the South-West, except for one hectare in Uruguay…

• To better understand the appellation: We are thinking of offering a workshop on the South-West next year. If you think that's a good idea, please leave a comment below.

• For comparison: Something to drink once in your life: an aged Pacherenc Blanc from Montus. Same appellation, but when the Petit Courbu flirts seriously with the oak, the result is memorable. Available at the SAQ (11017625)

When a family has been producing wine for 150 years on just a dozen hectares, you can generally expect a mastery of the vinous craft. The Bardi d’Alquier vineyard, located in Faugères, produces those bottles that are too often overlooked due to a lack of label marketing or fame.

"La Maison Jaune" is one of the estate's cuvées that is worth waiting several years for. Here, you'll find Grenache Noir planted back when de Gaulle was president, along with Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, all planted on hillside grey schist, which is ideal for the wine's balance.

On the nose, it's cherry and garrigue; on the palate, if you are patient, you'll find red fruit again, but with the long, supple tannins that 15 months of barrel aging implies. Persistence and length that, as we recall, will be conducive to cellaring and enjoyment for several years to come.

A wine that will surprise you in the best possible way.

• Pairing: A nice medallion of veal with a slightly creamy pan sauce.

• Fun fact: "Maison Jaune" (Yellow House) takes its name from the color of the family home in Faugères.

• To better understand the appellation: We are thinking of offering a workshop on Languedoc one day. If you want to be invited, leave a comment below.

• To complete: Once you've started with Faugères, why not discover the whites of the appellation with a 2021 Vallongue from Château des Estanilles, made from Roussanne and Marsanne. Available at the SAQ (15247479)