5 REASONS WHY PINOT GRIGIO IS AMAZING!
Coolness and an explosion of freshness. This is exactly what you feel the moment you taste a glass of Pinot Grigio. Your palate is flooded with the purity of the fruit, followed immediately by its nervous and playful acidity, and before the first sip is even finished, you go straight for the second.
So, listen to us when we say that you should stock up on Pinot Grigio by the six-pack! Keep that in mind, and on the occasion of International Pinot Grigio Day on May 17th, let’s look at the 5 most prevalent reasons why it’s a hit and dominates both your table and bars and restaurants around the world.
1. The ultimate 'easy going-easy drinking' wine
We love wine and are constantly looking for labels that make us think and study them in depth. Let's be honest, though: sometimes you want to get your hands on a label that doesn't require much thought. You want a wine that is more direct and understandable, one you can enjoy now without many flavor analyses and without waiting years or decades for it to 'reach' its peak. It’s cool, it’s friendly to everyone, and it gives you that light elegance from the first sip. Yet, it remains consistent in character, giving you the security of always knowing what to expect!
2. It has a cool and refreshing flavor profile
In this, it is truly unbeatable. Imagine biting into a juicy and crunchy green apple, followed by aromas of citrus zest leaving you with a sense of freshness. White flowers come to complement this sensation, and the icing on the cake is its crisp acidity that 'quenches your thirst' when temperatures start to rise (meaning now) and you're looking for a way to 'freshen up.' It has a light to medium body and usually lower alcohol compared to other white wines, which immediately makes it the ultimate aperitivo.
3. Huge versatility with food
It has the profile of those varieties that, when it’s time for food, can become the ultimate passepartout. Its body and structure (from light to richer, depending on where it 'grows'), its extremely crisp acidity, and the fresh aromas of green apple, pear, lemon/lime, and white flowers allow it to stand proudly next to a huge range of foods. Cool salads, fresh seafood, poultry, sushi, and even sauces with a creamier texture suit it perfectly. However, because it has very elegant aromas, it fits with equal ease alongside Asian cuisine dishes without overshadowing or being overshadowed.
4. A wine for every 'pocket'
We’ve said it before: your wallet doesn't need to 'hurt' every time you want to drink a quality wine. Pinot Grigio is a brilliant example, and this is one of its most attractive features. From one end of the world to the other—from America, France, Slovenia, and Italy to Australia and New Zealand—it offers finesse and a cosmopolitan air at every price category. What is certain is that you can enjoy either a simpler everyday label or a more premium one, and the money you spend will be worth every last cent!
5. It’s two-faced, but we like it!
We call it Pinot Grigio, but it all started with the birth of Pinot Gris in France, which over the years traveled the world. Its most successful transfer was to Italy, where the largest production in the world now takes place, with the most impressive examples found in Veneto, Friuli, and Alto-Adige. In these regions, its character was shaped, with Pinot Grigio from Santa Margherita and Pinot Grigio Venezia DOC from Torresella representing the epitome of the style. Of course, you can't help but be excited if you've tried the more exuberant style of Alsace, such as the Pinot Gris from Trimbach, or the more tropical and exotic Neudorf Tiritiri Pinot Gris from New Zealand. If you haven't tried them, do it immediately you’ll be amazed!
The bottom line is that no matter which style you prefer, there will always be a Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris that suits you. And that, ultimately, is its greatest charm!"
Christina Tsogka
Wine Specialist του botilia.gr
