Wine with luncheon: Italian Pinot Grigio
If you like a big glass of iced tea plus a squeezed-in lemon wedge with lunch, this Italian vino may suit your style. Pinot Grigio has been the Italian choice of wine to chase down a mid-day repast seemingly forever and they know just how to create them to pair perfectly.
Granted, when compared to wines that we have grown accustomed to enjoying with dinner, Italian Pinot Grigios can seem a bit watered down, but with light lunch fare, they’re perfect. This is especially true with a hearty salad or small seafood plate. Even a tuna sandwich will side right up to one of these delightful wines.
Sometimes Italian whites can be a bit acidic, so if you taste one you like, be sure to remember the region and winery. And one of the best regions for Pinot Grigio is Veneto. Their winemakers seem to have perfected the art of complimenting their lineup with all types of food, especially those with a Med flair.
As timing would have it, there are a lot of Italian Pinot Grigio wines available right now for cooling off as summer winds down at Phoenix area wine outlets. Specifically,you can stop by a Phoenix or East Valley AJs and pick up a bottle of “Italo Cescon” for $14.99 as regularly stocked item.
Like many excellent Italian Pinot Grigio wines from the Veneto region, this one sports a delicate bouquet of pineapple (tropical fruit) and lemon (citrus) that is an excellent substitute for that iced tea with a light luncheon. Its body has a little orange peel and well balanced acid for excellent pairing. Also, at 12% alcohol, it’s sure to keep the afternoon open for whatever awaits.
To cool off, serve from the fridge after about an hour (45-50 degrees). Quaff it easy and allow it to gradually warm up and more flavors will emerge.
Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com
View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.
About the Author - Tom Peiffer
Tom has been an avid wine consumer and collector for over 20 years. This pastime has taken he and his family on many visits to wine growing regions, including Arizona. During these excursions, with the accompanying tastings and lectures, it became clear that there is no "magic bullet" wine. For each wine contains its own character, strong points, and weaknesses. Sharing these experiences to help anyone purchase locally available wines is his goal.
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