SeaGlass Pinot Grigio 2015 Wine Review.

The SeaGlass label lured me in. Visions of sipping something cool, crisp and refreshing while taking in the ocean breezes coerced me like wavelets nipping at my toes on a secluded Caribbean beach can draw me deeper into the turquoise water.  

A creature of habit, I tend to gravitate toward the Pinot Gris of the Pacific Northwest, but at $12.99 (the “Calgon” moment at Bevmo was worth at least half that) I figured, “Why not?”

The label also found me googling sea glass. Sea glass is actually bits of broken glass from bottles, shipwrecks or other litter that get tossed and tumbled by the oceans waves until the edges are smooth and they take on a frosty appearance. Note to self – next time you’re at the beach – look for sea glass, the actual glass (and the wine for that matter), give the shells a rest.

Interestingly enough, my general impression to date of CA Pinot Grigio has been that it tends to be a little rough around the edges. This one showed me that there are exceptions.  A brand of the Trinchero Family Estates (Sutter Home) with a motto of quality wine at a fair price in this case exceeded my expectations.

This wine, 97% Pinot Grigio from Santa Barbara County and 3% Riesling from their Monterey county vineyards is fermented in stainless steel tanks at cold temperatures preserving the grapes natural flavors and aromas.

On the nose - pear, tropical fruit, mandarin orange and honeysuckle.  On the palate, well balanced citrus with a crisp mouth watering lingering finish.

We enjoyed this poolside with crudités, cheese and crackers. Next time, I’d pair with Grilled Shrimp with Wasabi Remoulade or Lobster Risotto. Click the links below to print or save the recipe pairing suggestions.

Grilled Shrimp with Wasabi Remoulade

Lobster Risotto

Michel Gassier Viognier (2014) Wine Review

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”. I loved this quote from the company’s website of this week’s Wine Wednesday feature the 2014 Michel Gassier Viognier. Committed to organic farming, they strive to allow the terroir to speak through their wines. The terroir in this case is that of the Languedoc-Roussillon sub region in the southernmost coastal region of mainland France, bordering Spain and the Mediterranean Sea.

On the nose; stone fruit, fresh herbs and vanilla.  On the palate; a slightly rounder mouthfeel than expected - evidence of malolactic fermentation. For this wine the winemaker blends wine that has not undergone malolactic fermentation with wine that has undergone malolactic fermentation to create the desired balance. Each year the blend can vary depending on what the terroir bestows.

I often think of Viognier as a “winter white” since it tends to be a fuller bodied white wine. This is that, but yet it has a citrus note, perhaps due to the blending that makes it great for midsummer pairing.

Enjoy with Grilled Spice Rubbed Chicken Thighs and Creamy Onion Potato Bake or a 7 Layer Mezze.  To print or save the recipes, click the links below.

Grilled Spice Rubbed Chicken Thighs

 Creamy Onion Potato Bake

7 Layer Mezze