Stage 19 will challenge the peloton’s physical strength, courage, and determination. With five categorized climbs in succession, there will be no time to rest, reset, or reflect: I think it’s the most difficult stage thus far:

Here are the highlights from Stage 18, which was pretty tame compared to what’s on the agenda for Friday:

Commentators have wondered whether Isaac Del Toro will have the experience (or team support) to keep the Maglia Rosa until we get to Rome. It would be a tough enough task for a veteran with previous grand tour experience: But the UAE Team Emirates phenom is just 21 and is riding in his first grand tour. My fingers will be crossed for him!

Spectator Sip: 2023 Proprietà Sperino Rosa del Rosa Piemonte Rosato ($28 retail; 12.5% abv)

This wine comes from Lessona, one of the small alpine towns near the Sesia River that make up the Alto Piemonte region. Once the center of Nebbiolo wine production in Italy, its vineyards were decimated by phylloxera. World War II followed, which gave way to the industrialization of Northern Italy and, unfortunately, a decline in vineyard plantings.

Fortunately, for us wine lovers, that is no longer the case.  As we’ve seen in other parts of Italy, there is a groundswell of support for those who want to replant ancient vineyards and rescue indigenous varieties from the verge of extinction. 

(Read more about how Paolo De Marchi did just that!)

Tasting Notes

Color: Bright, dense coral, with flashes of gold and copper at the rim.

Nose: The aromas of just about every red fruit you can imagine (rhubarb, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, watermelon) dance from the glass. Then there is a minty, floral note, followed by ripe white peach. Glorious!

Palate: High acidity, ripe fruit as on the nose but with a tangy citrus streak that is wonderfully fresh. There’s just enough tannic bite to remind us it’s Nebbiolo, but it is in balance with the other structural elements. A food-pairing wine, par excellence! Match this wine with whatever you’re grilling (eggplant, steak, swordfish) or serve it with a salami and cheese platter. A wine whose arrival I eagerly await each spring.

My Recent Pairing: Chili-glazed salmon filets pan seared until just done; sweet potato mash; fresh garden salad. Perfection!

Enjoy Friday’s race; I’ll see you tomorrow with a Stage 19 recap and another wine rec for Saturday.