Riff Pinot Grigio 2019

The Riff Pinot Grigio 2019 is an organic inexpensive (around ten bucks) Pinot Grigio sourced from vineyards in the Delle Venezie DOC of northern Italy. The vineyards are situated in the Dolomites which are part of the Southern Alps Mountain Range.

The Delle Venezie is a White wine grape growing region and they grow as many German grape varietals and Italian varietals. Alto Adige is included in this region and it is considered the prime Pinot Grigio region.

Riff Pinot Grigio is a brand from Aldis Lageder and this is a certified organic wine everywhere except the United States. It is a wine made from organically grown grapes but their certification paperwork in the US has not been completed.

This Pinot Grigio is also vegan and vegetarian friendly. If you wonder why would something made from grapes not be vegetarian? Wineries traditionally “fined” the wine with egg products. To “fine” the wine is to remove the solids in the finished wine. Vegetarian-friendly wine uses minerals to fine the wine.

The Riff Pinot Grigio 2019 is a “young” wine, meaning a wine with just a little aging and meant to be consumed shortly after purchase. The website says if properly stored it will last two to three years, but I think it is best not to wait.

As a young wine is was fermented in stainless steel vats and then aged for about four months (on lees). On lees is an important White wine term, it means the dead yeast and grape residue is left in the tank while aging. The “lees” are stirred to give the wine a creamy texture. Stirred a little, not so much, stirred a lot, very creamy. On lees also adds a nutty, salty flavor. The alcohol content is 12.5%.

Riff Pinot Grigio 2019 Tasting Notes

The color is a very pale wheat yellow. The nose is fresh and delicate, there is lemon, melon, green apple, peach, Anjou pear, light spice, and dried pineapple bits. This is a light, but tasty Pinot Grigio with mouth-watering acidity.

It tastes of a mix of peach, grapefruit, lemon, and apple, the flavors make a nice stew. The mid-palate shows some of that nutty, salty thing from the on lees, a hint of spice, and juicy pear. The acidity does not bite, I have had value Pinot Grigio where the acidity can burn, but it well controlled here.

The Summary

• The Riff Pinot Grigio 2019 is a fine everyday Pinot Grigio. Maybe not as intricate as the more expensive Alto Adige Pinot Grigio, but not too far off, either.
• It has that acidity I like that gets you reaching for the next sip sooner than you think.
• This Pinot Grigio has a very “clean” flavor profile.