Pinot Grigio - June 30th, 2010 - Ms. Marilyn

Pinot Grigio - June 30th, 2010 - Ms. Marilyn (and Buddy)

Wikipedia: Pinot Grigio is a white wine varietal (also called Pinot Gris).
Pairings: Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio pairs well with light crisp foods - examples, shrimp scampi, oysters or bacon wrapped scallops. Also Creamy Sauces, Turkey, Shrimp, Veal. Avoid tomato or spicy foods.
Notes: The grape grows best in cool climates, and matures relatively early with high sugar levels. This can lead to either a sweeter wine, or, if fermented to dryness, a wine high in alcohol. Clusters of Pinot gris may have a variety of colors in the vine. These clusters can range from bluish grey to light pinkish brown. The grapes grow in small clusters (hence the pinecone shape), and upon ripening, often display a pinkish-gray hue, although the colors can vary from blue-gray to pinkish-brown. Grown in France, Northern Italy, Australia, and on the West coast - US.

Marilyn was a lovely hostess providing us with a veritable feast of pairings including: a shell-shaped mold of crab dip (complete with cream cheese and cocktail sauce), artichoke/parm/Rotelle dip, pesto/cream cheese/sundried tomato dip, baked brie with almonds and honey, chicken/pesto/polenta lasagna (invidual portions) garnished with pinon, olive platter, fresh veggie platter, fresh fruit platter, homemade whipped cream, several cracker/pita chip options for dipping, and I'm sure I probably forgot something on this list, but anyway it was all DELICIOUS!

Tasting Notes:
1) 2009 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio - $17.99 at Total Wine
(depending where you buy this one, it may run you upwards of $30/bottle or as low as $13.99 at Costco)
Light and refreshing taste, pale straw color, crisp but not too tart, dry finish, no scent or nose that we muster, as it warmed the flavor mellowed, also tastes of green pear and banana

2) 2009 Conte Fini Valdadige Pinot Grigio - $11.99 or $12.99 at Total Wine
light and tangy, not as dry, little to no scent, faint scent of apple perhaps? Lingers longer at the back of the mouth, green apple, fresh green grape taste, goes down too easy. very drinkable.

3) 2007 Francis Ford Coppola Bianco Pinot Grigio - $7.35 Kroger closeout
straw yellow color, golden peach flavor with sharp tang at the end.
others said light gentle flavor, does not linger, but is buttery on the frontal tongue, goes VERY well with the Cocktail sauce, memorable! balanced flavor.

4) 2009 Conte Priola Pinot Grigio - $6.99 Total Wine
dryer, mellow flavor, green apple, tart, herbacious, tastes slightly of lemon, reminds me of Sauvignon Blanc, aroma is also lemon, apple, tangerine perhaps, crisp, long refreshing finish.