OtBP (Off the Beaten Path) Wines, Sampler #2 - The Whites

This month, we are stepping off the well-trodden path of everyday staples to spotlight six remarkable, lesser-known grape varieties that deserve a permanent spot in your glass. While grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc often steal the spotlight, coastal microclimates, high-altitude vineyards, and ancient winemaking traditions around the globe have spent centuries quietly perfecting these expressive, high-character white wines. From the windswept hillsides of Sardinia and the volcanic-influenced terraces of Greece to the maritime vineyards of the Basque Country and the sun-drenched Languedoc coast, this sampler is just a glimpse into the range of dynamic, food-friendly, and deeply refreshing white wines from unheralded grapes from lesser known regions . Each selection brings a distinct sense of place and personality, giving you the perfect opportunity to expand your palate, discover new favorite regions, and experience just how thrilling these unsung varieties can be.

Sampler includes 1 bottle each

Vermentino - Piero Mancini 2025 Vermentino di Gallura (Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Sardinia, Italy)
Vermentino is a classic Mediterranean white grape known for its expressive citrus profile, bright acidity, and distinct herbal and saline undertones. It thrives in sunny coastal vineyards, particularly across Sardinia, Corsica, and coastal Tuscany, where sea breezes help preserve its vibrant freshness. Bright straw yellow in the glass, this wine opens with intense aromas of ripe peach, tangerine zest, and subtle Mediterranean macchia herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, offering juicy citrus and stone fruit flavors driven by crisp acidity and a clean, refreshing finish with hints of citrus peel.

 Verdejo - Galerna 2025 Organic Verdejo (VT Castilla, Spain)
Native to central Spain and most famously associated with the high plains of Rueda and Castilla, Verdejo produces highly aromatic white wines defined by crisp orchard fruit, fresh herbal notes, and a subtle pleasant bitterness on the finish. It is celebrated for its ability to combine vibrant, high-toned acidity with a surprisingly rich, structured mouthfeel. Bright golden yellow with lime reflections, it delivers lifted aromas of pear, citrus zest, and light tropical undertones. On the palate, mouth-watering acidity frames vibrant stone fruit and green apple flavors, concluding with a dry, crisp, and clean finish.

Picpoul de Pinet - Domaine de Cantagrils 2025 Picpoul de Pinet (Picpoul de Pinet AOP, Languedoc, France)
Piquepoul Blanc is an ancient variety originating from the Languedoc in Southern France, where its name translates directly to lip-stinger in reference to its high, mouth-watering natural acidity. Growing along the coastal lagoons of the Mediterranean, it produces exceptionally crisp white wines that capture the sun and sea breeze of the sun-drenched French coast. Light straw yellow in color, the wine displays vivid aromas of green apple, white flowers, and fresh lemon-lime citrus. The palate is light-bodied, linear, and intensely refreshing, featuring sharp mineral precision, vibrant citrus fruit, and a clean, saline-inflected finish.

Melon de Bourgogne - Jo Landron 2024 "Amphibolite" Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOP, Loire Valley, France)
Originally hailing from Burgundy before finding its true home near the mouth of the Loire River, Melon de Bourgogne is the sole variety permitted in Muscadet. Grown on ancient metamorphic and volcanic soils, it yields lean, bone-dry white wines prized for their intense stony minerality, razor-sharp acidity, and laser-like precision. Pale yellow with greenish highlights, this biodynamic bottling exhibits pure, focused aromas of green apple, lemon rind, crushed chalk, and wet stone. The palate is tight and electric, offering laser-focused minerality and pristine citrus flavors that build toward a bone-dry, persistent finish.

Assyrtiko - Kir-Yianni 2025 "The North" Assyrtiko (PGI Florina, Macedonia, Greece)
Native to the volcanic island of Santorini, Assyrtiko is Greece's signature white grape, famed for retaining formidable acidity and intense minerality even in warm climates. When cultivated in the high-altitude continental vineyards of northern Greece, it presents a cooler, more delicate profile that emphasizes aromatic finesse alongside its signature linear drive. Pale straw in appearance, it opens with delicate aromas of lime blossom, grapefruit rind, white peach, and subtle summer flowers. The palate is taut, structured, and vibrant, showcasing energetic acidity, pristine citrus and stone fruit layers, and a long, steely, mineral-driven finish.

Txakolina (Hondarrabi Zuri) - Txakoli Primo Zarautz 2025 Txakolina (Getariako Txakolina DO, Spain)
Hondarrabi Zuri is the primary native white grape of Spain's Basque Country, where it thrives in steep, green coastal hills facing the Bay of Biscay. The variety produces Txakolina wines that are ultra-refreshing, moderately low in alcohol (10%-12%), and famously crisp, often featuring a delicate natural spritz and a distinctly electric, salty finish. Think of it as a drier, more sophisticated Vinho Verde.  Pale lemon yellow with a subtle, lively effervescence, it brings aromas of tart green apple, key lime, white blossom, and sea spray. The palate is zippy and light, dominated by crunchy orchard fruit, bright citrus, and a refreshing, brine-tinged finish that reflects its maritime home.