2009 Trader Joe’s Vintjs Oregon Pinot Gris

This is about the pendulum swinging back the other way. In recent years Pinot Gris producers have been making their wines in a very light style and by very light, I mean VERY light. They made it for wine drinkers that really didn’t like wine, Pinot Gris was more of a grape beverage than a wine. Just the same, they sold gallons of the stuff and Pinots Gris with a bit of body to it languished on the store shelves. Just when you were about to usher Pinot Gris over to the White Zinfandel section, it starts to make a comeback. This is a Trader Joe’s wine so there is no information about who grew the grapes or how the wine was made, but the grapes are sourced from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. You don’t usually see Oregon wines at this price point. The alcohol level is a reasonable 12.8%.

Light see-thru golden yellow in color. The nose is citrus and orange blossom along with a hint of strawberry, it would make a good aroma candle. The first sensation you get upon sipping the Vintjs is a large wallop of acidity, this is a food wine. Tangerine, lemon, pink grapefruit, softened by melon, fresh fruit flavors, nothing candied or artificial. The acidity overpowers the tangerine/melon finish, but with the lovely fruit flavors upfront you can live the loss.

This a Pinot Gris that can stand up to food, don’t worry about too spicy, the Vintjs Pinot Gris can handle it, a nice bowl New Orlean’s style Gumbo would hit the spot.

2008 Cooralook Pinot Gris – $13

This Pinot Gris is produced by Kirby Family Vineyards from the Victoria region of Australia. This is a food friendly wine, it’s just the thing to take to your favorite Asian BYOB Restaurant. The nose is floral and the taste is light citrus. Very crisp and clean, the acidity is well balanced, just right to refresh the palate.  I like the taste of this wine, not overly fruit forward, but somehow very enticing. At 14% alcohol, it is a little heavier than most white wines (no wonder I like it).  At $12.99, this is a very well priced wine, it packs a lot of punch.

2007 Voga Pinot Grigio – $9

Have you ever seen this bottle of wine before and wondered, what the HELL is that? I passed it by for the last couple Read more

Erath Pinot Gris 2006

Another solid wine from the Erath winery. The Erath winery is located in Dundee, Oregon. They have produced a lot of great wines in the last couple of years. They are most popular for the high quality Pinot Noir wines. Their best Pinots go for $30-$40 a bottle.

But here we have the 2006 Erath Pinot Gris for less than $20. I thought this was a very good wine for the price. On the nose I got tangerine, peach and vanilla. In the mouth this wine was very light and clean. It feels and tastes similar to its clear bright color. I tasted melon and pineapple in the mouth and on the finish.

Overall I liked this wine quite a bit and would be willing to buy it again. Nice bottle label too.

Price: $15
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Country: USA – Oregon
Cheap Wine Rating: 90

Buy it here: Mid Valley Wine

Martin Ray Pinot Gris 2006

This is a very nice Pinot Gris from Mendocino County, CA.  You will notice a nice floral aroma and and a taste of peach and creamy vanilla.   The wine is very Read more