I’m always down to celebrate—holidays, milestones, promotions—so I was excited to spend this past weekend celebrating my cousin-in-law’s birthday at Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe in St. Petersburg. During the lively festivities, I sampled a variety of wine including a French little number—Domaine Trotereau Quincy 2015.

It is said that Pierre Ragon of Domaine Trotereau, who has overseen his family’s 200-plus-year-old domaine since 1973, is as much an icon of the small appellation of Quincy in the Loire Valley as the appellation itself is a historical icon for the whole of France. Quincy was the second recognized appellation in France in 1936, second only to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The sandy, silex topsoils over pink limestone are ideal for Sauvignon Blanc, which was introduced to Quincy by Cistercian monks back in the 12th century (thanks, monks!).

The taste of the wine is truly unique, unlike any other Sauvignon Blanc appellation in the world. There, Sauvignon can ripen more fully while retaining a very interesting aromatic profile, and the wines are capable of aging quite gracefully.

I usually drink Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (and now South Africa), so this wine was very different from that Sauvignon Blanc flavor profile that I’m used to. In the glass, it’s medium yellow in color and was very fragrant, almost musty. It initially has a slight medicinal taste before you hit notes of white fruit, herbs, minerals, and grapefruit. It was not my favorite, but it was definitely interesting to try, and worthy enough to toast to the birthday girl with. I paired it with Hawthrone’s dip spread trio. You can find it online for less than $20. 3/5.