Grape Thinking » Pinot Grigio http://grapethinking.com Fusing Mind with Vine Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:16:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Making Elixir in Alto Adige http://grapethinking.com/making-elixir-in-alto-adige http://grapethinking.com/making-elixir-in-alto-adige#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:16:54 +0000 Mu http://www.grapethinking.com/?p=2205

See more of the winemaking process at the Castelfeder winery…

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/making-elixir-in-alto-adige/feed 0 Pinot Grigio to Pinot Gris: Italy, France and Oregon http://grapethinking.com/pinot-grigio-to-pinot-gris-italy-france-and-oregon http://grapethinking.com/pinot-grigio-to-pinot-gris-italy-france-and-oregon#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:29:03 +0000 Tayloe http://grapethinking.com/?p=573 more...]]> Pinot Gris grapesThe summer months have come upon us and hopefully you, like I, have ventured into the realm of light white wines, namely Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris (same grape, French style). In Italian Pinot Grigio is light and crisp notably different from the creamier minerality and fruitier nature of Pinot Gris in France and Oregon. Alsatian Pinot Gris has a heavier viscosity like that of a Riesling, as Alsace borders Germany and at one point was part of the German Republic. Last week I had the opportunity to drink Villa Dugo Pinot Grigio, O’Reilley Pinot Gris (a Oregon Pinot Gris done in the French style) and Cleebourg’s Alsatian Pinot Gris, all great yet different examples of this light white varietal.

Villa Dugo is Fiegl’s second label, their Pinot Grigio is indicative of this Italian varietal with a nose and palate that are light with hints of fruit yet crisp, leaving a refreshing finish on the back end. The farming company Fiegl, active primarily in the field of wine products, is located in Oslavia, a village on the gentle slopes north of Gorizia. This light and crisp Pinot Grigio would go well with fresh shellfish and lighter fare.

O’Reilly Pinot Gris is a classic Oregon Gris done in the French Style – plenty of limey aromas with rich guava-like flavors, heavier in fruit than the former Pinot Grigio. Hallmark acidity will preserve this white in your cellar for up to five years. The grapes were harvested from a few diverse sites in the Willamette Valley. This ripe and flavorful Pinot Gris is delicious with fresh shellfish and a variety of light fare.

Cleebourg Alsatian Pinot Gris resembles a more German style of wine making. Alsace is located in France on the Rhine River. The name “Alsace” derives from the Germanic Ell-sass, meaning “Seated on the Ill,” the Ill is a river in Alsace. First appearing in the area in the 1700s and probably the most complex of all the Alsatian wine varietals, this grape is particularly well adapted to the soils of the Cléebourg area. It has a golden hue with a higher viscosity than either of the previous Pinots, due to higher sugar content. This Pinot Gris grape produces a heady, full-bodied wine with a rich bouquet. It goes well with dark meats, foie gras and wild game.

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]]> http://grapethinking.com/pinot-grigio-to-pinot-gris-italy-france-and-oregon/feed 0 2005 Estancia Pinot Grigio http://grapethinking.com/2005-estancia-pinot-grigio-2 http://grapethinking.com/2005-estancia-pinot-grigio-2#comments Thu, 15 Feb 2007 07:26:44 +0000 Jake http://grapethinking.com/blog/2007/02/15/2005-estancia-pinot-grigio-2/ more...]]> I first tried this wine several years ago at a restaurant, Catch 22 on Hilton Head Islandestancia.jpg, SC. It came recommended by the wait staff, along with a fabulous meal, and I quickly discovered this was a wine I greatly enjoyed. I cannot count the number of times I have revisited the Estancia Pinot Grigio, and have never been disappointed by any of the vintages.

This Pinot Grigio is produced in the “Monterey/Pinnacles” Vineyard, located inland of Monterey Bay, CA. I have found this wine to be light/medium-bodied, intense with fruit (apple and pear), but not too sweet. I enjoyed it tonight with a fabulous dinner (thanks to Greg and Mark)… fresh shrimp, topped with a creamy “no-holds-barred” garlic butter sauce, served over Parmesan risotto, with French Baguette. The wine has a little spice to it, which also complemented this meal very well (especially with the garlic!).

I am often asked to recommend wines to friends for their special occasions, dinners, etc… and this one is always the first I mention, and to no surprise, it is also my first review. If your new to wine, its a great one to start with. It is inexpensive – retailing at around $10-$12 per bottle, it is versatile – complementing most any meal, and it isn’t too strong – with 12.5% alcohol.

A trip to the winery’s website Estancia Estates shows that Estancia’s production is diverse, as they experiment with 8 different varietals coming from 3 strategically placed vineyards in Southern California. It wasn’t until browsing the site that I discovered Estancia had a broad of a selection of varietals, which I will soon be trying… especially since I can buy online.

Go try a bottle, and tell me what you think!

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