Tasting Room
Pinot Grigio/ Pinot GrisWINE OF THE WEEK
Hogue
2005 Columbia Valley - Pinot Grigio ($9)
A refreshing pinot grigio, ripe and showy. Complex, with flavors of white peach, apple, honeydew, lemon citrus, and honey.Great acidity. Medium complexity.Medium-bodied. Well balanced.
2005 Friuli, Italy - Pinot Grigio ($10)
A classic old Italian wine. Medium-bodied. A bit one-dimensional. Lots of acidity. Some off aromas.
2005 California - Pinot Grigio ($12)
Very appealing. Refreshing notes of crisp, green apple, spritzy acid, mineral,orange peel and spice. Medium-bodied.
2005 Carneros - Pinot Gris ($24)
Spicy and ripe. Notes of apple, white peach, lemon and lime pith. Bright acidity. A good food wine.
2005 California - Pinot Grigio ($10)
A simple pinot grigio. Lightly floral. Lacking in acidity. Slightly sweet. Undermined by some off flavors.
2005 Russian River Valley - Pinot Gris ($20)
Rich and showy. Flavors of pear, green apple, peach, sorrel and honey. Medium complexity. Medium-bodied.
2005 Oregon - Pinot Gris ($16)
Lovely. Elegant and showy. Floral and gewurztraminer-like. Notes of rose petal, mineral and green apple. Lively acidity.
2005 Napa Valley - Pinot Grigio ($18)
A classy pinot grigio. Flavors of white peach, kiwi, lemon, hay and honey. Medium-bodied. Varietally correct.
2005 California - Pinot Grigio ($11)
A good pinot grigio, but it could be fruitier. Notes of Gravenstein apple, apple peel, wet straw and lemon.
2005 Sonoma County - Pinot Grigio ($19.50)
Rich and ripe. Flavors of quince, honey, kiwi, lime and lemon. High-toned fruit. Lively acidity.
2005 California - Pinot Grigio ($9)
A fairly rich pinot grigio. Floral, with notes of lemon, hay and mineral. Medium-bodied. Slightly acidic. Rough finish.
2005 Dell Venezie, Italy - Pinot Grigio ($11)
Light-bodied and uncomplicated, yet fruity. Floral, with flavors of watermelon, lemongrass, mineral and spice.
TASTING PANEL: Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; Stefen Soltysiak, director of education, Rodney Strong Vineyards; Renay Santero, wine buyer for Oliver's Markets; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com