Grab a glass and stay a while!

"A glass of wine is great refreshment after a hard day’s work." —Ludwig van Beethoven
Isn't that the truth? So here's a collection of non-expert wine opinions and tidbits skewed toward wine bargains. Believe them at your own risk, and please feel free to chuckle from time to time.

February 15, 2009

Santa Margherita corners market on top-notch pinot grigio

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (2007)
Origin: Italy (Trentino Alto-Adige)
Price: $23


It's no secret that wine connoisseurs tend to overlook pinot grigio, claiming that it's watery and boring. At the entry-level price point, I would tend to agree, but pay a little more and you'll have something to talk about. While the price tag on this wine is at least double what most people would normally spend on a pinot grigio, there is a noticeable difference. In fact, according to Food & Wine Magazine, Santa Margherita is the most popular pinot grigio sold in the United States.

What makes it so good? This wine is light as a feather, so be sure to drink it with foods that won't overpower it. Pretend you're a bird quickly fluttering through the apple orchard, the lemon grove and the herb garden. You breathe in little gusts of those crisp fruits and herbs along the way, but nothing overly intense. On the finish, it's a relief that Santa Margherita has no sign of the aftertaste that can accompany cheap bottles of the varietal. If you don't mind forking over the cash, it's quite a pleasant journey.

1 comments:

Katie the winegeek said...

Love your blog. If you like Pinot Grigio, I'd recommend another one from Italy called Maso Canali. It's a little cheaper than Santa Margherita (~$18), and I think the flavors are a bit more complex. Still crisp and refreshing though! It's my favorite, and a good wine to keep in mind when the wallet is thin.