25 Aug Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Paso Verde 2020 White Wine, Paso Robles

Looking for something SUPER refreshing to beat the summer heat? Crisp, clean, tart, refreshing, and a bit spritzy, the Paso Verde 2020 White Wine from Paso Robles is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

Paso Verde is a perfect wine for the summer. Sourced from Paso Robles, it is blend of 41% Grenache Blanc, 25% Verdelho, 21% Vermentino, and 13% Picpoul Blanc. The grapes are picked early in the season at 16-19 brix, compared to most white grapes which are picked between 17-24 brix. The grapes are picked separately and fermented in stainless steel.

Picking the grapes so early means the acidity in the grapes is very high. And that is evident in the final product. Notes of green apple, lime, grapefruit, and nectarine are on the nose. Tart lime and sour green apple carry through on the palate and the wine finishes with a chalky minerality and a little spritz.

Because the grapes are picked early, at lower sugar levels, and fermented dry, resulting in a 10% alc wine, a 5 oz. glass comes to only 80 calories. The Paso Verde 2020 is not typical for Paso Robles but the brightness and freshness is perfect for a hot summer day or paired with freshly shucked oysters and retails for $25.