Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio 2011

Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Sicilia, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2012
Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light yellow-gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (notably peaches) with notes of spice. On the palate the wine is soft, almost creamy, with flavors of apple, perry, and citrus zest. The slightly aggressive finish has quite a bit of mineral character to it, though it tapers off nicely.

Our rating: We chose to enjoy our bottle with a meal of chicken tenders, asparagus, and farfalle tossed in a bit of olive oil, with which it paired very well. Unlike Pinot Grigios from northern Italy, which tend to be lighter and can typically be enjoyed alone or as aperitifs, this wine needs food to bring out its best qualities, and is probably best served with relatively simple, lightly seasoned poultry and/or vegetable dishes. (We don't see it pairing as well with seafood or with spicy cuisines.) A good family dinner-style wine, we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Bright aromas of peach and cream, apple and nougat with a silky dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a crisp, orange, melon, and straw accented finish. Delicious and balanced.

Winery website: None found.

This bottle of wine was received as a sample for review. No promise was given or implied that it would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio 2011

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Trentino and Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale greenish-gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (notably apples) with very soft hints of flowers, maybe even vanilla. The fruit flavors on the palate are similar to that of the nose, and with a bit more body than one might expect. The finish is relatively brief, and has a bit of apple zest to it.

Our rating: This wine comes in a cylindrical shaped bottle, the cork hidden behind a cap that is screwed off. The marketing clearly suggests the wine is modern but in some ways it quite traditional. Initially we were expecting a light, summer-type wine but we were surprised at the depth of character here. It can easily be consumed on its own, but we'd suggest pairing it with something light, sandwiches or salads, or an appetizer platter. It is very food friendly and should go well with most any dish. We rate it Above Average, maybe a tad higher.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Full and rich, with fresh ripe apple and pear aromas, and delicious juicy flavors.

Winery website: Voga Italia.

AlVerdi Pinot Grigio 2010

AlVerdi Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Terre degli Osci, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light golden yellow in color, this wine has very pleasant aromas of apples and pears coupled with notes of sweet pineapple and a hint of banana. Very smooth on the palate with soft edges, the fruit flavors tend more towards tropical in character; there is a sensation of sweetness, though it is actually rather dry. It finishes by simply allowing the flavors of the palate to slowly diminish.

Our rating: This is an elegantly crafted and quite delicious wine, and not at all like most of this varietal from Italy. There is a lot of structure here, all the components of which work well together. We had planned on serving our bottle with chicken and risotto; only a small amount actually made it to the table as we consumed most it during the meal preparations. We disagreed a bit on what the minor flaws were, but did agree that this is just shy of an Excellent wine. And an absolutely incredible value at just $7.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A fresh, floral nose with notes of acacia flowers. On the palate it is dry and well-balanced with lively fruit flavors.

Winery website: None found.

Recaş Pinot Grigio 2011

Recaş Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Romania
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A pale greenish straw in color, this wine has aromas of apples with faint notes of cider. Very crisp with a pleasant tartness, the apple cider-like flavor has a hint of smokiness to it. The merest suggestion of sweetness presents itself into the finish, but is gone in a flash. The finish itself is lengthy but lacks discernable flavor, and seems muddled overall.

Our rating: This is an interesting wine, but not one we'd probably buy again. We think it fairly versatile, and would suggest pairing it with chicken — which is what we did — or even pork. Still, the finish really bothered us, and made us forget about the strengths that preceded it. Overall, we score the wine Below Average, but those who enjoy a smoky, earthy finish to their wines may enjoy this one more than we did.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Cramele Recaş. We could not locate this wine on the company's website, though we are guessing based on the label that it is part of its "Castle Rock" brand, which is also not listed there.

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio 2011

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Friuli, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Lightly scented with aromas of tree fruit (apples, pears), this exceptionally pale, straw-colored wine is very smooth on the palate, with flavors of apple — a nice blend of golden delicious and tart green — cider and a bit of citrus zest. A moderately aggressive minerality develops into the finish, but doesn't overwhelm.

Our rating: While there isn't much depth to this wine, we appreciate it for its versatility, from being a simple sipping wine to one that could be paired with almost any cuisine. We enjoyed our bottle with a pasta dish — actually Swedish meatballs — and it worked out just fine. Available exclusively from Costco, we typically pick up several bottles to have on hand for those situations when we're being particularly indecisive about what to serve; this is a safe "go to" wine in that regard. We rate it Above Average and at just $7 a very good value.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Cielo "1908" Pinot Grigio 2011

Cielo "1908" Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light straw in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (peach, apple) with a very slight note of earthiness. Of moderate body on the palate, the flavors are similar to the characteristics of the nose with a good acidic balance. That earthy, now almost nut-like, note becomes slightly more prominent in the finish.

Our rating: We've taken to replacing our standard pasta with whole grain pasta, which has a somewhat more hearty character and flavor to it. And this wine paired very nicely with our most recent dish, which included chicken as the protein. We believe it is probably best enjoyed with a meal, and not necessarily a light one, where it can easily hold its own. We previously rated the 2008 Cielo Pinot Grigio Average, but we think this vintage markedly better, at least Above Average and maybe a little higher. (A follow up note: We always write our reviews before reading what the winemaker has to say. And we have to admit, after reading that they use the term "bread crust" to describe the bouquet, what we called "earthiness" is actually probably more of a yeasty character. We'll have to add "bread crust" to our list of potential adjectives for future use!)

Taste profile from the winemaker: Colour: Straw yellow with green reflections. Bouquet: Bread crust and green apple. Taste: Fresh and drinkable.

Winery website: Cielo e Terra.

Stella Pinot Grigio 2010

Stella Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Umbria, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A pale golden-green in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and herbs with some vegetal (bell pepper) notes. The flavor profile has a nice acidic balance, with citrus being the dominant character and maybe a touch of something tropical for a hint of sweetness. A bit of crisp minerality is introduced into the finish, which is of moderate length.

Our rating: This is a very versatile wine, from one that can be enjoyed as is to one paired with a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. We chose lighter fare to serve our bottle with, cold roasted turkey sandwiches, freshly sliced tomatoes, and home-made potato chips, and found it to be a refreshing addition to the meal. We previously rated the Stella Pinot Grigio 2007 to be about Average, but we think this effort is much better, rating it on the very high side of Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Aromas of lemon-lime citrus combine with zesty acidity and hints of mineratlity to create a light refreshing wine.

Winery website: None found. Wine information take from US distributor's website.

Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2010

Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium straw in color with tints of gold, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (peach, apple) with notes of flowers and spice. The initial tree fruit flavors are almost immediately accompanied by a strong, but not overwhelming, spicy character, a little acidic at first but quickly balanced. The moderately long finish adds in a hint of almond.

Our rating: This wine has several layers to it, but they're not entirely harmonious. Not a sipping wine, but one that does pair well with a pasta dish, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. We generally prefer our Pinot Grigios to be crisp and refreshing — think summertime wine — but this one is a little too aggressive for us. It's not a bad wine by any means, just a spin on this varietal that didn't excite us. We previously rated the 2007 vintage Average, and we rate this one similarly … though we suspect that consumers who like a bit of unexpected complexity to their wines will appreciate this one more than we did.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: Castello di Gabbiano. This wine is not mentioned on the winery website.

Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2010 3L Box

Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2010 3L Box

Origin: South Eastern Australia
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: N/A
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $15.99 (3L box)

Our review: Medium gold in color, this wine has aromas of nectarine and pineapple/mango with floral notes. The palate tends towards tropical fruit flavors, though they are a little harsh. A very slight chalky minerality creeps into the moderately long finish.

Our rating: Two years ago we reviewed the Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2008, rating it rather poorly. We almost skipped buying this cask version until we noticed that instead of California, the wine originated from Australia. OK, that was enough of a difference for us to give it a try. And overall, we're glad we did … though let's be clear, this isn't a great wine by any means. It's rather generic and lacks character. But for its probable intended purpose — an informal gathering of friends or family, a backyard barbecue, a quick glass with a quick lunch, and the like — it's more than adequate and has the bonus of being quite food friendly. If you store your boxed wines in the refrigerator, and most of us probably do even though we know it overchills it, you may find that the wine is markedly better after it warms up a bit in the glass. We rate it about Average, but at just the equivalent of $4 a bottle, it's really a good value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Refreshing and flavorful, with a pleasant touch of ripe peach and citrus.

Winery website: Fish Eye Winery.

La di Motte Pinot Grigio 2009

La di Motte Pinot Grigio 2009

Origin: Fossalta di Piave, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit, tropical fruit and very slightly of bananas, with hints of honey and spice. Smooth, almost creamy, on the palate with an initial tingling sensation on the tongue, the dominant flavor is one of spicy cider with a nice balance to the acidity. The finish is very brief and unremarkable.

Our rating: Almost everything about this wine, from the color to its slightly smoky character, suggests it was cellared in oak, but according to the website, this wine experienced no oak aging. Not expecting this, we mispaired it, serving this wine with a light meal of cold turkey sandwiches and a crisp green salad when we think it would probably best be served with something more along the lines of a fully dressed Thanksgiving dinner. Unlike most any other Italian version of this varietal that we've had recently, we're not sure if it is typical or not — it's certainly unusual based on our experience — but in the end we rather enjoyed it and that's all that probably matters. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Straw yellow colour with lively highlights. Soft on the palate with well-balanced acidity. This wine has an elegant bouquet, typical varietal aromas with hints of hay.

Winery website: La di Motte. The bottle image, taken from the winery website, shows a green bottle. Our was brown, but otherwise identical.

Placido Pinot Grigio 2010

Placido Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (1.5L bottle)

Our review: Light straw-gold in color, this wine has rich aromas of apples and tangerines with floral notes. The fruit flavors — similar to those on the nose — have a nice acidic balance, not too tart but not too sweet either. The fruitiness diminishes into the finish, which has a dry mineral character to it.

Our rating: Having been disappointing by so many of our experimental 1.5L wines of earlier this summer, we were surprised at how much we enjoyed this particular wine. To be sure, there isn't much depth to it and it tastes like the generic pinot grigio that it is, but for what we believe to be it its intended purpose — or at least how we would serve it, at an outdoor gathering of friends and family together with grilled meats and vegetables — it is more than suitable. Its relatively low alcohol content is rather attractive in this context, as well. And it has a screw cap, unlike so many others, and something we actually prefer, a thoughtful addition by the winemaker. On our standard scale, we rate it Average, but for our next party, where we need an inexpensive, versatile wine, we'll be looking for this one.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: None found.

Kirkland Pinot Grigio 2010

Kirkland Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Friuli, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw-gold in color this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples, peaches) with notes of flowers. Nicely balanced on the palate, the fruit flavors are similar in character as those on the nose, slightly tart and accompanied by a mild minerality, which remains well into the finish.

Our rating: We previously reviewed the 2009 vintage of this wine, sold exclusively at Costco, and were delighted to see it again in our local store. When we compared our notes, year over year, we found that these two vintages are broadly similar, but we think the present bottle is somewhat more refined, more interesting than last year's. We served our bottle with an appetizer platter consisting of both hot and cold finger foods, and found it paired nicely with everything. We think its versatility is a strong factor in its favor, but would suggest poultry — like chicken satays with a peanut sauce and pickled cucumbers on the side — as its best food match. We rate it on the very high side of Above Average. And maybe the best part: it's priced a dollar less than last year.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A bright and fragrant bouquet of crisp apple and pear notes, with a hint of tropical fruit and a touch of dried nuts. The acidity is crisp followed by a clean and refreshing finish. (From the bottle label.)

Winery website: None found.

flipflop Pinot Grigio 2010

flipflop Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Lemon yellow in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (pineapple, melon) with significant notes of tree and citrus fruit (green apple, orange). Smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are an interesting mix of sweet and tart, settling more towards the latter into the finish, which retains much of the fruit character, though is reminiscent ever so slightly of apple peel or citrus rind.

Our rating: This is a new label, launched earlier this year by Underdog Wine Merchants, with seven varietals all with a recommended retail price of $7 per bottle. There's nothing complex about this wine, but it is very drinkable. We served our bottle during a pot-luck style lunch, and given its versatility in pairing, that's probably a good choice. It would also do well at an informal gathering of friends and family, and work well with appetizers. We enjoyed this wine, rating it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Light-bodied, refreshing with tropical citrus, ripe pear and a zesty, clean finish.

Winery website: flipflop: to each, their own. According to information posted on the website, for every bottle of flipflop wine purchased, Soles4Souls will distribute a pair of shoes to someone in need (up to 100,000 pairs this year).

Robert Mondavi "Private Selection" Pinot Grigio 2010

Robert Mondavi "Private Selection" Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: California (primarily Monterey County)
Blend: Pinot Grigio (82%), Pinot Blanc (8%), Sauvignon Blanc (5%), Gewürztraminer (5%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: July 2011
Suggested Retail Price: $11.00 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Aromas of tree fruit (pear, apple) with notes of citrus and a hint of spice are exhibited by this pale yellow-gold wine. The palate has a similar flavor profile, which is accompanied by a brisk acidity. The wine finishes cleanly, but is relatively brief.

Our rating: This is an example of a wine that is much better when consumed with food than when enjoyed on its own. Alone, it is somewhat harsh — though that's probably too strong of a word to use — but in conjunction with a meal, it's quite nice. We served our bottle with a Spanish chicken and rice dish, and found it paired beautifully, the wine complementing the onions, bell peppers, and spices present. Probably not the most versatile of wines, but one that will definitely be enjoyed with the right meal. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Boasts an enticing aroma of fresh, ripe pears with appealing peach, vanilla, and spice scents adding complexity. A pretty wine with a round, creamy palate and crisp entry, it has the typical tonic water, pear, and floral grassy flavors that culminate into a lush, silk-textured finish — inviting pairings with food.

This wine was received as a sample for review. See our Disclosure Policy for more information about our reviews of sample products.

Winery website: Robert Mondavi Wines (Private Selection). The information on the website is a little dated; the most recent information mentioned is for 2008 vintages.

Oak Leaf Pinot Grigio NV (New Bottle)

Oak Leaf Pinot Grigio NV

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: July 2011
Purchase Price: $2.77 (750ml bottle)

We recently reviewed this wine, so won't repeat ourselves here. But while picking up a few bottles this past week — yes, we actually follow our own recommendations! — we noticed something different about the bottle: it's small! Well, not really that small, but significantly shorter than "standard" wine bottles. We snapped a picture of the Oak Leaf Pinot Grigio next to a typical white wine bottle; you can see that it is not nearly as tall. It's about the same width though, and contains the same amount (750ml) of wine, just in a smaller package.

Tiny print on the bottle indicate it's made of "Eco-Glass", something new to us. We checked out the Oak Leaf website, and here's what they have to say about it.

Oak Leaf Eco-Glass™ wines are packaged in an innovative wine bottle that is significantly lighter than standard wine bottles, but the wine inside is just as good.

Made with 25% less glass than standard wine bottles, Oak Leaf Eco-Glass weighs significantly less than a standard bottle and requires much less fuel to transport. This results in less carbon emissions and a reduced environmental impact, which ultimately leads to a better, greener, more sustainable environment.

So enjoy a glass of Oak Leaf Eco-Glass and help the planet, as doing good feels good.

We also checked out the Eco-Glass.org website, which gives more information about the bottle itself and the wineries that are using it.

We think it's a terrific idea to use lighter glass — our arms certainly notice the difference! — and hope other wineries consider it too.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A light white wine with subtle aromas of ripe honeydew and orange blossoms. The flavors are bright with lemon, peach and a mineral crispness in the finish.

Winery website: Oak Leaf Vineyards.

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2010

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (1.5L bottle)

Our review: A light yellow gold in color, this wine has aromas of peaches and flowers with slight notes of citrus. Initially very fruity on the palate, leaning somewhat towards more sweet than tart in terms of overall character, but also a bit unbalanced. Into the finish, though, the flavors quickly diminish and flatten out.

Our rating: This is another example of a potential 1.5L wine to serve this summer at outdoor gatherings. It's not a great sipping wine, one to enjoy while the burgers, chicken, shrimp and brats cook on the grill, but served with food, it's fairly versatile. We previously rated the Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2007 Average, but we're less enthusiastic about this vintage, rating it right on the border between Average and Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Color: Straw yellow. Bouquet: Pleasant, delicate and fruity. Flavor: Dry, elegant and balanced.

Winery website: Mezzacorona: Wines from the Dolomites.

Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio NV

Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio NV

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.1%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of green apple, pear and lemon. There's a brief sensation of sweetness on the palate, which is followed by nicely balanced citric flavors spiced with a bit of orange zest. The finish is brief but cleansing.

Our rating: Though the flavor profile of this wine might suggest that it be crisp, there's a bit of softness here that gives it the potential to pair well with a wide variety of foods. We served our bottle with a luncheon consisting of several dishes, with this wine nicely complementing it all. We also think it would work well as a party wine to serve with appetizers and hor d'oeuvres. We rate it Above Average and at just $6, a very good value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Beginning with hints of tangerine and pear on the nose and carrying through the palate with bright, tart apple and hints of meyer lemon.

Winery website: Don Sebastiani & Sons.

Glen Ellen Pinot Grigio 2009

Glen Ellen Pinot Grigio 2009

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $4.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium gold, almost amber in color, this wine has aromas of spiced tree fruit, such as apple cider and perry. There isn't much fruit flavor on the palate, and is reminiscent of watered down apple juice. The finish is somewhat spicy, but otherwise not memorable.

Our rating: Yes, this is an inexpensive wine, but as we've discovered over the years, price doesn't always correlate well to value … or enjoyment. Unfortunately, it does in this case. We're hard pressed to find something positive to say about it, and about the only thing we can come up with is, we almost finished the bottle. We don't think any food pairing would improve it. We ended up scoring it Below Average to Inferior.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A light-bodied wine that bursts with flavors and aromas of citrus, melon and apple. With a clean, crisp finish this versatile wine is a perfect partner with seafood and stands up to spicy Latin and Asian cuisine.

Winery website: Glen Ellen Proprietor's Reserve at Concannon Vineyard.

Frontera Pinot Grigio 2010

Frontera Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99 (1.5L bottle)

Our review: Light- to medium-gold in color, this lightly scented wine has aromas of apple and pear with just a hint of flowers. The fruit flavor on the palate is of tart, barely ripened apples, though there is some balance to the acidity. The relatively brief finish is a little too harsh in comparison to what preceded it.

Our rating: This is another of our efforts to identify inexpensive 1.5 liter wines to serve at outdoor summer gatherings. This particular wine is inexpensive, to be sure, but it seems to lack versatility. We served our bottle with hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued ribs and chicken, and it didn't seem to accompany any very well. Indeed, the Frontera Sauvignon Blanc that we reviewed earlier this year serves this purpose much better ... at the same price. Maybe we should have served both, and asked our guests what they thought! On balance, we rate this wine on the high side of Below Average, and would steer you towards this winery's Sauvignon Blanc as a more attractive alternative.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Frontera Wines. This varietal is not mentioned on the winery website.

Pacific Peak Pinot Grigio Box NV

Pacific Peak Pinot Grigio Box NV

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: N/A
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $10.99 (3L cask)

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples and pears), flowers (apple blossom), and notes of citrus (tangerine). The flavor on the palate leans more towards apple than any other fruit, with a slightly sweet sensation that quickly diminishes towards a more tart apple character. The brief finish is a bit on the acidic side, not exactly crisp, but not very memorable either.

Our rating: Box wines -- or, as this vintner prefers to refer to it, cask wines -- have the distinct advantage of retaining their freshness over a relatively long period of time, and thus are appropriate to have on hand when you just want a glass to accompany a quick lunch, but don't want to consume an entire bottle (even one with a screw cap). This isn't a bad example of an inexpensive box wine, though the flavors are a little thin and a bit muddled. We think it's best suited for that quick lunch mentioned above, or maybe to tap at an informal outdoor gathering of friends and family. On balance, we rate it on the very low side of Average (it is, after all, innocuous enough to be drinkable), but we're not sure we'd ever buy it again.

Taste profile from the winemaker: This wine has aromas of green apple, citrus and pear, a crisp and refreshing mid palate followed by a long smooth finish. (From the side panel of the box.)

Winery website: None.