Each week I taste quite an array of standout wines, so picking just one to showcase is no easy feat. Quality is always of utmost consideration but I'm also drawn to wines that surprise me in the very best ways. New varietals, small producers, and lesser known-regions are always intriguing. But I also appreciate beautifully crafted classics and well-made wines that offer great value. The choices for Wanda's Wine of the Week will be hard to predict but that's part of the fun. Cheers!
I know, I know - you're wondering how a Pinot Grigio could possibly be my wine of the week selection. Just the other day I published an article encouraging you to try Italian white wines that ARE NOT Pinot Grigio. I absolutely stand by my advice to explore as many Italian wines as possible but don't get it twisted -- I am NOT anti-Pinot Grigio. Yes, I'm against boring and badly made Pinot Grigio wines that exploit the immense popularity of this ubiquitous varietal but offer very little flavor and nuance. However, I AM a fan of beautifully made Pinot Grigio that expresses a sense of place and displays vibrant flavors and textures. And when I find a Pinot Grigio with personality and finesse, I get really excited and have to let you know all about it. Terlato Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC 2016 ($22.99) is such a wine.
Terlato's vineyards in Friuli Colli Orientali
image courtesy of Terlato
Produced from grapes grown in hillside vineyards in Friuli, a region in the northeast of Italy which is widely recognized as one of the finest for the cultivation of Pinot Grigio, Terlato Pinot Grigio has lively aromas and crisp & fruity flavors.
Clad in their signature plaid shirts, meet vine pruners extraordinaire Pierpaolo Sirch & Marco Simonit- the winemaking team behind Terlato Pinot Grigio.
Terlato Pinot Grigio winemakers Marco Simonit and Pierpaolo Sirch are renowned agronomists who are in demand around the world for their immense skill in nurturing healthy vines that grow expressive and quality grapes. This dynamic duo's talent and expertise are on full display in Terlato's impressive Pinot Grigio with its exuberant flavors of white peach, melon, pear, and apricot that are balanced by crisp minerality and bright acidity. Say arrivederci to boring Pinot Grigio and give this elegant beauty from Terlato a swirl!
