Wine Down Thursday: Terres Blanches with Hallie
October 15 from 6 to 7:30pm
Sampler: $20/person

We’re delighted to welcome industry veteran Hallie Hammons of Terres Blanches for a tasting that brings southern France into focus. A family-owned importer, Terres Blanches champions independent French growers whose thoughtful farming and authentic wines express the character of their vineyards. Its portfolio emphasizes organic wines, connecting us with producers who place the health of their vineyards at the heart of their work.

We’ll explore the wines from Domaine Lampyres and Olivier Pithon, each a distinct expression of Roussillon from producers united by a commitment to organic farming and a strong sense of place. Having just returned from a visit with FX Dauré of Lampyres, Hallie will bring firsthand insights to the tasting. It’s a treat to have her lead us through these wines, sharing her experience and perspective as we discover the people, landscapes, and choices behind each bottle.

Featured Wines:
2023 Olivier Pithon Mon P’tit Pithon Blanc
The 2023 vintage captures Roussillon’s sunshine through luminous fruit rather than sheer weight. Honeydew melon and lemon curd bring a generous, rounded core, while lively acidity lends definition and keeps that ripeness moving across the palate. Floral notes of gardenia and chamomile add aromatic nuance, with mineral tension and a dry, savory finish providing contrast. Its charm lies in this interplay: fruit that feels sun warmed, acidity that feels refreshing, and neither overwhelming the other’s distinct contribution to the whole.

2023 Lampyres Janseniste
This wine offers elegance through contrast, pairing fresh citrus and orchard fruit with more generous notes of peach, apricot, and pastry. Mineral inflections lend definition to the fruit, while lemon and apple provide a vibrant counterpoint to the softer stone fruit, and hints of butter biscuit and caramel deepen the expression. Rather than equating elegance with delicacy, this white suggests something more compelling: breadth shaped by precision. It is both immediately inviting and worthy of attentive consideration.

2024 Lampyres Mal de Cap
The 2024 vintage pairs Pineau d’Aunis and Cinsault in equal parts, an intriguing combination for Roussillon that places Pineau d’Aunis in an unexpected southern context. Fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit, floral lift, and a peppery finish give the wine an inviting personality. At 12.5% alcohol, its appeal lies in energy rather than weight: juicy fruit and bright acidity deliver refreshment without sacrificing character. This is the pleasure of Mal de Cap, a red that rewards attention without demanding it.

2023 Olivier Pithon Mon P’tit Pithon Rouge
The beauty of the 2023 Mon P’tit Pithon Rouge lies in its fruit: juicy plum and black cherry, generous yet clearly defined, with brightness keeping every sip lively. A subtle citrus lift and savory herbal notes give that generosity shape, never allowing it to feel heavy or clumsy. There is real pleasure here without excess, a southern French red whose warmth feels welcoming rather than weighty. For these autumn days, it strikes a lovely balance between refreshing energy and comforting depth.