Wow! What an exciting finish to Sunday’s stage! After waiting for what seemed like an eternity for a bike change on the side of the road, Isaac Del Toro revved his engine, caught up with the peloton, and led Tadej Pogacar up the final climb of Montjuic. Check out the video below to see what happened next:

I was absolutely thrilled to see Del Toro take the stage win (a thank-you gift from Tadej) and don the white jersey in the best young rider competition. Became a huge fan of his during the 2025 Giro and have been rooting for him ever since. Love this kid!

Stage 3: Granollers to Les Angles: 196 km; 4 categorized climbs

It’s going to be a bit of a bumpy ride on Monday, as the peloton gets its first taste of the mountains – the Pyrénées Orientales, to be specific. The route includes four categorized climbs and stretches over almost 200 kilometers. A GC day, for sure, but don’t rule out the possibility of a successful breakaway group. Just six seconds separate Vingegaard and Pogacar for the overall lead, so expect tensions to remain high.

Wine Recommendation: 2023 Pla de Gates Blanc ($25; 13% abv)

Winemaker Anna Espelt grows grapes on a small parcel of her family’s 200-hectare property: Mas Marés comprises just 25 hectares of granite, sand, and clay soils within the Cap de Creus Nature Reserve of Spain. The plot is unique in that it faces the Mediterranean on three sides, where ocean winds moderate the hot climate and minimize disease pressure. All of which bolsters Espelt’s organic (CCPAE certified) vineyard practices.

A blend of Garnatxa Blanca (80%); Garnatxa Gris (20%) which were hand-harvested, fermented using natural yeasts, and then aged for six months in cement eggs.

Tasting Notes and Pairing

Pale lemon color. On the nose there are herbaceous notes of fresh dill and thyme, apple peels, green melon, and white grapefruit. It’s lively and complex, with a refreshing salty/briny component emerging after it has been open a while. The palate is similarly complex, with flavors of honeydew melon, orange peel, and grapefruit. There is also a tropical fruit element (guava, pineapple) that’s quite appealing. The finish reminds me of the fresh herbs on the nose, and lingers with a crunchy, mineral component.

Grill your favorite local fish with a few rings of fresh pineapple (don’t forget to add some herbs!) and you’re all set for dinner al fresco. The first crop of New Jersey corn appeared in our market last week, and we enjoyed a few ears slathered in butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Simple, but so delicious with the wine.

Enjoy our first foray into the Pyrénées. See you back here tomorrow for a preview of Stage 4 and another wine recommendation.