Tag Archives: pinot grigio

A Trio of Light, White, Summer Sippers from La Fiera

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These three refreshing [and budget friendly] wines pair great with summer activities and foods, and are very adept at hanging out on the porch or patio.

Estate: The Botter family has been producing wines under environmentally friendly practices since 1928. Today, the company is managed by the family’s third generation and specializes in wines of the Veneto region of northern Italy. With its association with fairs, the carousel has been the symbol of the Botter family for centuries. The name La Fiera, translates to “The Fair” and refers to the medieval riding fairs in northern Italy. Fairs took place in royal courts and featured lavishly decorated horses and highly skilled riders performing synchronized formations. The carousal with its wooden horses on a rotating platform was developed to replicate the riders at these fairs.

La Fiera Moscato Terre Siciliane IGT 2016
Tasting Notes: Pale gold in colour with friendly aromas of honeysuckle, pineapple, grapefruit and a hint of fresh cut grass. Subtle lemon and a savory streak highlight lush tropical fruits and honeysuckle flavours abounding in each fizzy sip. Sweet, but not cloying thanks to the underlying fresh acidity. Bright and fun, fantastic on its own or with light snacks.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Enjoy simply as a sipper or paired with light cuisine and desserts.

100% Moscato
10.5% Alcohol
$8 [average price]

La Fiera Soave DOC 2015
Tasting Notes: Light gold in colour with sunny aromas of wildflowers and pineapple. Light apple, melon and pear flavours harmonize with floral elements, citrus fruit and minerals comprise the smooth, clean finish. Very easy drinking, great on its own, especially as a first glass [or aperitif] and with light, summery dishes.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Salads, roasted vegetables, seafood.

80% Garganega, 10% Trebbiano, 10% Chardonnay
12% Alcohol
$8 [average price]

La Fiera Pinot Grigio Veneto IGT 2016
Tasting Notes: Pale gold in colour with aromas of pear and lemon, along with a floral trace. Yellow apple and pear are backed by food friendly acidity, a light zip of grapefruit and minerals energizes the dry, crisp finish. A friendly, versatile wine for the table.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Salads, grilled chicken, seafood, mushroom based dishes, soft cheese, pastas in cream or olive oil.

100% Pinot Grigio
12% Alcohol
$8 [average price]

 

Samples submitted for review purpose.

Ptujska Klet Pullus Pinot Grigio 2015

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Winery: One of the largest and oldest cellars in Slovenia, Ptujska Klet is located in the steep, winegrowing hills surrounding the city of Ptu. The oldest town in Slovenia, winemaking dates back to at least 69 AD when it was the Roman town of Poetovio.

Philosophy: “We believe in our wines. We believe in Pullus. We know why :)”

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from vineyards with layered gravel, clay and marl soil. An orange wine, with the white grapes being produced as if they were red, with maceration of crushed skins and seeds. Macerated for 72 hours with the skins, partial lees and aging with 10% neutral oak aging.

Tasting Notes: Pale copper in colour, highly aromatic with peach, melon, minerals and a touch of citrus. Lush peach, apricot and melon flavours in the nearly medium body culminate in a smooth dry finish, pink grapefruit and white pepper linger between each sip. Not your typical Pinot Grigio, this is lovely on its own or able to stand up to a wide variety of dishes.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Perfect for pasta, white meat and young cheeses.

100% Pinot Grigio
Štajerska
Slovenia
Produced and Bottled by Ptujska Klet
13% Alcohol
$14
Enjoy now

Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2014

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Estate: Tenutae Lageder [or Alois Lageder Wineries] was founded by Johann Lageder in 1823 in Alto Adige, northern Italy. Today, five generations later, Alois Lageder is at the helm of the family estate. Since the early 1990’s he has been a pioneering force at the estate; he expanded the vineyard holdings and transformed all of the viticulture practices to organic and biodynamic principles, and constructed a high tech, sustainable, solar powered winery. He is renowned for his commitment to ecological awareness, sustainable practices, as well as cultural projects involving art and music, believing that these are important sources of inspiration that “enhance the experience of wine”.

Philosophy: Simply stated: “to pay attention to the natural properties of our vineyards and to make the best possible use of them”. A more comprehensive explanation is: “to understand the ways in which the following relate to one another: the rhythms and forces of nature, the human being and cultural traditions, technology, the cosmos, the past and the future, tradition and life in the modern world”. To further explore their impressive ideology and biodynamic principles, please click here.

Winemaking: Committed to sustainable, holistic methods, they strive to carry organic and biodynamic principles from the vineyard into the winery with the use of “non-invasive procedures” along with the “most advanced technology” in the cellar. Grapes were sourced from vines 3-60 years old located in the southern part of Alto Adige with an elevation of 750-1380 feet. The soil is a blend of rocks and sand, with a distinguishing limestone content. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, aged for “approximately four months on the lees”.

Tasting Notes: Brilliant gold in colour with radiant aromas of apple blossom, chalk minerals and spice. Sunny and cheerful with a clean mineral streak running thru fresh apple and pear notes, the steely lemon finish adds to the irresistibility of this crisp, clean Pinot Grigio.

Suggested Food Parings from the Winery: Starters, fish and shellfish, poultry, white meat and mushrooms.

100% Pinot Grigio
Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
Italy
Bottled by Alois Lageder
12.5% Alcohol
$13
Enjoy now thru 2018

Tramin Pinot Grigio Südtirol Alto Adige 2013

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Winery: Founded in 1899 by Christian Schrott, a member of the Austrian Parliament, Cantina Tramin is one of the oldest cooperatives in Alto Adige, northern Italy. The cooperative consists of 250 hectares cultivated by 300 growers; 75% of their production stays within Italy so when you find one of their wines make sure to get it!

Philosophy: To craft an “authentic expressions of a unique terroir, each bottle contains a compendium of philosophy of life and work: rigor, dedication, confidence and creativity”.

Winemaking: Grapes are cultivated by “growers who spend their time and passion between the vines, which in many cases were planted by their ancestors”. All vineyards are cultivated using sustainable practices; currently 15 hectares are cultivated with organic and biodynamic methods, with the goal of expanding these practices in the future. Vinified “in stainless steel tanks to preserve its minerality”.

Tasting Notes: Light gold in colour with aromas of lemon, honeysuckle and slate minerals. Vibrant lemon and apple flavours ran atop a nutty undercurrent, spicy white peppercorn and a bright acidity gave way to clean minerals in the crisp, dry finish.

Winery pairing suggestion: Salmon, sushi and pasta dishes. [I enjoyed it with kale/mushroom black rice and faux orange chicken.]

100% Pinot Grigio
Südtirol / Alto Adige
Italy
Bottled by Cantina Tramin
13% Alcohol
$13
Enjoy now thru 2016

Astoria Alìsia Pinot Grigio 2013

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A refreshing acidity, well balanced tropical fruit flavours, and light body make this a friendly Pinot Grigio to enjoy on its own or with light dishes.

Estate: The Astoria winery was founded in 1987 by brothers Paolo and Giorgio Polegato, the youngest generation of a historic winemaking family in Treviso. Their Val De Brun Estate is located in Refrontolo, the heart of the DOCG zone of Conegliano – Valdobbiadene, 50 km from Venice and equidistance from the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. With steep hillside vineyards and a unique microclimate, the estate has become renowned for their high quality, approachable Prosecco. The brothers have achieved success with their adeptness at combining approaches of “traditional / typical / territory” with “modernity / style / trend”.

Philosophy: “To look at tradition and innovation with the same awareness and dignity”.

Winemaking: Grapes were hand harvested from vines 8-14 years in age located 600 feet above sea level. Fermented in stainless steel along with 10 days of sur lie aging prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes: Pale straw in colour with aromas of apple, grapefruit and honey. Subtle flavours of apple, peach and honeysuckle harmonized with mineral and floral traces, whilst citrus zest and pineapple hints lingered between each sip.

100% Pinot Grigio
delle Venezie IGT
Italy
Bottled by A.C. S.R.L.
12.5% Alcohol
$8
Enjoy now