If you’re a die-hard cycling fan, you know this stage is special. A summit finish atop Mont Ventoux evokes potent memories of victories past: Chris Froome running (sans biciclette) up the narrow road, desperately waiting for a bike change.

And what about last year, when Victor Campenaerts rode the last few kilometers, tears streaming down his cheeks? After claiming victory, he reminisced about a boyhood camping trip with his dad on Mont Ventoux, one of the best memories of his life.

But there’s a hard truth about this lunar landscape: the Mont Ventoux giveth, and the Mont Ventoux taketh away. The yellow jersey can be won or lost on a single attack or shift in the wind. It’s 2,000 meters to the top, in conditions that will test your mettle. No stage brings more drama than one that concludes atop the Giant of Provence.

A Recap of Sunday’s Stage

Tour de France by the Glass Recommendation: Wines from the Côtes du Rhône

Stage 16’s sprint points will be awarded in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, home to some of France’s finest red and white wines. I adore them! But they can be a bit pricey so, for today’s sip-along-suggestion I’m looking at two more affordable options from the regions of Côtes du Rhône, and one labeled as Vin de France. Scattered across the Southern Rhône, the vineyards that comprise the Côtes differ in size, philosophy, and grape varieties grown. They’re almost always great value, delivering a lot of deliciousness for the price. Here are three you should try:

2023 Domaine Jaume Côtes du Rhône Blanc ($19)

Equal parts Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier which were grown on loamy clay and grey marl soils of Le Côteau and Les Collines. The grapes are crushed and directly pressed, then fermented in thermoregulated stainless steel tanks and matured for six months before bottling.

Aromas of yellow apple and pear interspersed with minty, floral notes (hello, Viognier!) On the palate this wine hits the sweet spot: ripe apricot and peach complemented by a fresh, mineral edge. On the finish a lovely floral note lingers, making me want another sip!

I poured this wine with a NYT recipe for Succotash with Sausage and Shrimp a perfect summer pairing if ever there was one!

2024 Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône Rosé ($20)

A blend of Cinsault (40%), Syrah (30%), Grenache Noire (20%), and Rolle (10%), this wine was made via direct pressing of old-vine grapes grown on the clay and limestone hillsides of the Vaucluse and northern Gard regions. It’s a beautiful, pale coral, offering aromas of strawberry, peach, and peony flowers with one swirl of the glass. A sip brings flavors of red fruit (ripe but still fresh) and a hint of hillside garrigue. It is juicy and fun but will go the distance with a wide range of dishes. I was in heaven sipping this alongside a fresh vegetable salad topped with leftover rotisserie chicken. A delightful summer wine!

2024 Mas de Libian Vin de France Vin de Pétanque ($20)

Start with Grenache (75%), add some Syrah and Mourvèdre along with a splash of old-vines Counoise, Vaccarèse, and Couston (a genetic crossing of Grenache and Aubun Noir), and you get this delightfully fresh, fruity summer wine. It’s easy like Sunday morning . . .

Lovely aromas of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, plum) mingle with floral/herbal notes of violet, thyme, and lavender (like walking through a Provençal meadow!) The palate is fresh and light, with tangy red fruit and a few earthy undertones of dark chocolate and pepper. A perfect vin de soif, French for “pour me another glass of this, STAT!”

We enjoyed our Vin de Pétanque with grilled lamb kebobs and – you guessed it – watermelon salad. Got along like the proverbial house on fire. Note to self: we have six more weeks of summer, order more of this wine before it’s gone.

Buckle up for the ascent to Mont Ventoux, crack open your favorite Côtes du Rhône, and enjoy Stage 16. See you tomorrow for details on Stage 17!