Pinot Grigio v. Pinot Noir: The Results!

Dear Enthusiasts! Please don't harm the messenger for posting these results a few ... ahem ... months late. If you remember, the wine club tasted

pinot grigio vs. pinot noir

one evening, and the group certainly learned a lot! Below are the results, enjoy!

A refresher on

Pinot Grigio...

 the name pinot grigio is a synonym for pinot gris. It is a widely cultivated grape, but it grows best in Italy, Oregon, and California.

A refresher on

Pinot Noir...

 a light-bodied grape. Known for its notable aromatics, silky texture and lack of tannin. It grows best in Burgundy, France; Champagne, France; California; Oregon and Rioja, Spain. 

Riff Pinot Grigio

Grapes:

 Pinot Grigio

Where its from:

Veneto, Italy.

Vintage: 

2011

Comments: 

 The group thought that this was a refreshing Pinot Grigio and most were satisfied with the taste. Overall, the group concluded that they would buy it again. Personally, I agreed but also thought the pinot grigio was representative of its price point. I am curious if spending a bit more on pinot grigio will result in a wine with a bit more flavor, because while it was refreshing - if left me wanting a bit more.

Firesteed

Grapes:

 Pinot Gris/Grigio

Where its from: 

Oregon

Vintage: 

2011

Alcohol: 

12.6%

Comments: 

The la

bel says...

expressively aromatic, the wine's floral and tropical fruit aromas precede flavors of Mandarin orange and Honeydew melon. Mouthwatering and enticing

. The group says...

 we agree. Most of the group enjoyed this wine and it was definitely my favorite of the night. I was wowed by the steely acidity. A great summer sipper.

Le Grand Pinot Noir

Grapes:

 88% Pinot Noir, 12% Grenache.

Where its from:

Limoux, France

Vintage:

2011

Pairs Well With:

 Pork, salad, cheese, tuna or salmon.

Comments: 

The label says...

 Oak aged for 6 months, this wine offers pure aromas of cherry, currant and savory spices. Velvety tannins are nicely balanced by ripe red fruit flavors layered with vanilla and spice.

The group says...

 solid wine. Nothing notable about this wine, but most really enjoyed it.

Augustinos Pinot Noir

Grapes:

 Pinot Noir

Where its from:

Chile

Vintage:

2011

Comments: 

The label says...

 ruby red color with red fruit aroma of strawberries and cherries.

The group says...

 definite bargain wine. This was a favorite within the group and the best value of the night. 

Until next time wine enthusiasts!

Cheers!

Introduction to Italy: The Results!

Dear Enthusiasts! This post has been a long time coming - the results from the wine club's Italian wine tasting! The club's gathering on Italian wines was a little less formal and more like a family meal (which was awesome!). We had antipasti, foccacia, and pasta to enjoy with our wine. Since this meeting was less formal, this results post will provide more detail on the grapes behind these wines instead of the traditional detailed review of the individual wines.

For those who hate surprises --

 we tasted the following wines:

 (1) Pinot Grigio, (2) Soave, (3) Chianti Classico, and (4) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

(1) Pinot Grigio

As previously mentioned, Pinot Grigio is an Italian white wine (the most popular white in Italy) that does not get much love from the wine experts. It's typically criticized for its subtle and sometimes nonexistent flavor. However, despite its lack of popularity with the cool kids, a quality Pinot Grigio can surprise you with its freshness. Its most commonly grown in Italy's northern regions, including: Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Guilia, and Lombardy. 

Wine Tasted:

Villa Sonia Pinot Grigio Venezia, 2012

Grapes:

100% Pinot Grigio

Taste:

Apple, pear and melon with a clean finish.

Wine Tasting:

 For the price, I would recommend this wine as a great summer sipper or something to enjoy outside with food. The scent consisted of a honeysuckle aroma. Personally, I felt the taste was a bit too mild and I was hoping for a brighter fruit flavor. 

The group says...

that the wine was refreshing and drinkable. In particular, the Pinot Grigio lovers were satisfied and would buy this wine again. 

(2) Soave

Soave is a misunderstood Italian white wine. Once a powerhouse white in the U.S. during the 70s and 80s, it saw a decline in popularity in the 1990s. The culprit for this decline? None other than the rapper named Gerardo (never heard of him?). He was made famous for his one hit wonder, "Rico Suave," and check out video

here

. Seriously! An article in the

NYTimes

discussed a correlation between the release of this song and decline in popularity of Soave wine in the U.S. 

Despite the effects of "Rico Suave," Soave remained popular in Italy. And, remember that Soave is the name of the

wine region

 and not the main grape in the wine. The primary grape in wines from the Soave region is actually called Garganega (You may see it blended with Trebbiano or Chardonnay). Garganega ripens later in the season and is known for its acidity. You may also see either

classico

 or

superiore

on the label. If you have the choice between the two, go for classico. It refers to wine grown on the hillside, which means the land is less fertile and the grapes struggle a bit more (and we want our grapes to struggle - it means greater flavors!). Superiore, on the other hand, comes from the flat lands, or valley floor, which has more fertile land and prevents the grapes from struggling.

Wine Tasted:

 Pieropan 2010 Soave Classico

Grapes:

 Garganega

Taste:

 Light and crisp taste with vibrant flavors of citrus, apple, pear and tangerine.

Wine Tasting:

 The label says this wine has a brilliant straw yellow color with intense fruit aromas and long lasting fruit forward flavor.

The group says ...

 they agreed! Personally, I have always loved Soave because it's a lot like Sauvignon Blanc (acidity!). The group loved the freshness. 

(3) Chianti

Chianti is one of the most popular wine of Tuscany (one of the most beautiful wine regions in Italy, and definitely on my must see list!). Remember the three levels: (1) Chianti, (2) Chianti Classico, and (3) Chianti Classico Riserva. Just in case the Italian classification system was not complex enough... they introduced a fourth level -

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.

This new top level must be produced solely from estate-grown grapes and sold at least 30 months after harvest. 

With that said, there is a lot (a lot!) to learn about Chianti that likely needs its own post, so let's get to the wine tasted by the group!

Wine:

 Costello D'albola Chianti Classico

Grapes:

 Approximately 80% Sangiovese

Taste:

Medium body with firm tannins and medium acidity followed by bright red fruit flavor.

Wine Tasting:

The group says...

 the wine had a spicy component and a balanced taste. Personally, I don't love Chianti. No real reason why, the taste just seems hit or miss. But the group thought this moderate flavor of this wine was worth recommending to friends.

(4) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Montepulciano is a red wine grape grown primarily in central Italy and Italy's second most produced grape, after sangiovese. Wine made from the montepulciano grape is known for soft flavors, strong colors and moderate tannins. It is recommended that these wines are consumed in their youth and with food.

Wine:

Per Linda Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Grapes:

 At least 85% Montepulciano (can be blended with sangiovese)

Taste:

Moderate acidity with deep cherry and plum flavor

Wine Tasting:

The group says ...

this was by far the groups favorite. They appreciated the complex flavor and noted that it paired well with food. Definitely try this wine!

That brings this (long time coming) post on the group's Italian wine tasting to a close. Until next time!

Cheers!

The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: Pinot Grigio vs. Pinot Noir

Dear Readers! I know it has been a while, but the wine club is finally getting back together, and this month's topic is: a comparison of pinot noir and pinot grigio!

You may be thinking - the name of these two grapes are similar, are they related? Well, Pinot noir is a noble red grape and ancient variety whose origin, while somewhat unclear, can be traced to Burgundy, France. On the other hand, pinot grigio/gris is a white grape that emerged as a mutation of pinot noir. How these genetic mutations occur would take hours, days, weeks, years ... well a long time to research and explain (at least for our purposes). Yet, for our discussion it is beneficial to know that research suggests the mutation of two essential genes in a red grape parent (thousands of years ago) is responsible for the creation of the multiple white grape vines, including pinot grigio, in existence today. Pretty cool!

So what is the story on Pinot Noir?

Photo Source: www.kenbrownwines.com

Name Origin:

 Pinot noir is a red (that looks almost black) wine grape whose name is derived from the French words for "pine" and "black."

Famous Regions:

 Pinot noir grows best in Burgundy, Champagne, California, and Oregon.

Preferred Climate:

Pinot noir grows only in cool climates. Fog, cool ocean breezes and cool nights are beneficial for the cultivation of pinot noir grapes. 

Flavor:

 Grape flavors include; raspberries, red cherry, high-acidity. Winemaking flavors include; smoky and earthy.

Generally, pinot noir is one of five high-acid grapes. The other four include: riesling, chenin blanc, barbera and sangiovese. Acidity is a very important component of wine, especially when balanced with the fruit component. Overly acidic wine will likely taste tart or sour.

The most notable (and expensive) bottles of pinot noir are produced in Burgundy and Oregon. These wines can be somewhat pricey (say at least $30 for a quality bottle) because pinot noir is tempermental and difficult grape to grow. However, if you are looking for a cheap alternative that still maintains quality - you should check out New Zealand pinot noir. Now, you may find some negative press about New Zealand pinot noir. Back in 2011, the NYTimes

crew

reviewed 20 bottles of New Zealand pinot noir. They spent most of the article hating on their 2008 and 2009 selections of New Zealand pinot noir, concluding they were "friendly ... wines you would serve at a neighborhood block party ... and boring." Firstly, I see nothing wrong with an affordable quality wine that is served at a neighborhood party. And secondly, as with most bargain wines, you will have to do some experimenting to find a good bottle for you and New Zealand pinot noir is definitely worth experimenting.

And Pinot Grigio?

Photo Source 

beausbarrelroom.blogspot.com

Name Origin:

Pinot gris is a white grape variety whose name is derived from the French words for "pine" and "grey." Pinot grigio is a synonym used in Italy. Both names reference the color grey because of the grapes typical greyish-blue color.

Famous Regions:

  Pinot gris grows best in Alsace. 

Pinot grigio grows best in Italy, California, and Oregon.

Preferred Climate:

Cooler climate.

Flavor:

 Pear, apple, lemon and mineral. 

Pinot gris from Alsace is both rich, complex, and spicy.

 Pinot grigio from Italy lacks this spicy complexity and commonly has less flavor. 

Today, pinot grigio/gris is a widely cultivated and fast expanding mid-color grape. However, it's growth in popularity has yet to catch its growth in cultivation. Generally, it is beneficial to discuss pinot grigio and pinot gris separately, however, remember that these two wines are made from the

same grape.

 It is the climate, soil, and winegrowing area (aka terroir!!) that makes these two wines so different. Let's discuss pinot gris first. Pinot gris of Alsace (and also Oregon) are crisp, fuller bodied and more aromatic. Pinot gris also offers complex flavors of tree fruits and even almonds.

Alternatively, pinot grigio is the most popular white wine produced in Italy. Pinot grigio has a nice, crisp, and dry white wine with a neutral flavor. Generally, the more expensive the pinot grigio, the more likely the wine will have fuller body and flavor. The best pinot grigios have crisp acidity, citrus flavor and a hint of minerality.

Thus concludes my introduction of pinot noir and pinot grigio - stand by for the results from the group!

Cheers!