Pinot Grigio is one of those wine varieties that’s easy to love, although there can be a wide quality divide between those sold at the supermarket and those found in the Crisp, Refreshing Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio Collection from Vinesse.
When I think about high-quality Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris — a different variety but one that displays similar characteristics to Pinot Grigio — I like to think not only about drinking it, but where to drink it.
Pinot Grigio is among the more food-friendly of white wines — I love it with pretty much any fish-based entrée. My favorite: a halibut steak, broiled so it retains its juiciness, then topped with a squeeze of lemon. Part of what makes the pairing work so sublimely is that Pinot Grigio — especially those from its homeland of Italy — has lemon as part of its flavor spectrum.
So, for me, the perfect place to drink Pinot Grigio is in my backyard, with the fish fresh out of the oven and the wine fresh out of the ice bucket.
When the weather is hot, Pinot Grigio serves another function: as a tasty thirst-quencher. That’s why Italy is its natural homeland, with its fertile soil and idyllic climate. The Belli Mondi Pinot Grigio that’s included in the sampler proudly shows off that aforementioned lemony quality, joined by additional engaging notes of lime and white melon.
I like to call it “gulpable,” and that makes it perfect for a summertime picnic.
The two other wines in the sampler are Pinot Gris, one from Germany and the other from New Zealand. These wines pair nicely with everything from lightly spiced Thai green curry chicken to goat cheese tarts — which, for me, means sharing them with friends over a casual dinner.
Frankly, anytime is a good time for Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris, and this is the perfect time of the year to enjoy these refreshing wines — in the backyard, at a park with a picnic basket, or out on a boat.
Wherever you like to relax, the wines in the Crisp, Refreshing Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio Collection are awaiting your good company.
