The smaller, more local grocery chains do a pretty good job. Safeway/Albertson’s is terrible, and Fred Meyer (Kroger) isn’t far behind, though at least some of the Fred Meyers have a wine steward and they sometimes do better.
One of the grocery stores where I shop is a local, family owned and somewhat higher end chain. They have a great wine selection (at least for a grocery store). That was the source of my first Goodfellow Pinot Noir, They have a selection of other Oregon wines (Evesham Woods, Arterberry Maresh, Lingua Franca and others), Laherte Freres, Larmandier Bernier, and Vergnon in Champagne, some Burgundies, Loire, Bordeaux, things like Musar, not exceptionally deep and not the best prices but a nice selection of wines.
-Al
Eyrie Pinot Gris has been exceptional for nearly forty years that i know of
One of those is my client
They also run a brewery, and the beer is good…
IMO Pinot Grigio is not overrated at all. It is usually either bought by the masses as an unpretentious wine because it is wet and vaguely alcoholic, or despised by wine buffs who think Alsace-style is the only way the grape should be vinified. However, some lighter wines sold as Pinot Grigio are full of distinctive varietal flavour, and make an excellent drink.
I think Alsace Pinot Gris is underrated too. I know lot of people do appreciate it, but not many would say it is at least on a par with the Rieslings, which would be my opinion - one formed at a tasting of mature CG Riesling and Pinot Gris wines.
it occurs to me that Oregon Pinot Gris is the expression of a traditional Old-World variety
most faithful in resembling its European cousins
I actually had a fairly old Eyrie Vineyards recently and would definitely agree it’s special…
But if I had to go with underrated, I’d probably say Viognier! It’s starting to get more traction, particularly around Paso Robles.
Had a glass of 2012 Rangen du Thann Clos st. Urbain Pinot Gris by Zind Humbrecht and can definately state that Pinot Gris can reach to great heights. Tremendous glass of wine.
Reviving this topic for another delicious wine made from this grape variety, this time under the moniker Pinot Grigio, the 2022 Terlan Tradition Pinot Grigio. Terlan is a very serious white-centric producer in the Alto Adige. Been wanting to try their stuff from some time and this is my first time trying it. This is their entry level bottling and it really leaves me curious about their higher level stuff. Here’s a TN from CT:
About 1000 times more flavorful and concentrated than your typical watery pinot grigio. Lemon, mandarin oranges, ruby grapefruit, some pith bitterness, and a strong granitic stoniness. An impressive concentration for a <$30 wine with a smooth supple mouthfeel. I’d love to try this in another 5 years, and it really makes me want to seek out this producer’s higher level bottlings. This is their entry level!
Pinot Bianco is almost always a better choice than Pinot Grigio, in my experience. The best Alto Adige Pinot Biancos can age, too.
And Terlan would be a great place to start.
-Al
+1 on the Terlan. Look for Vie de Romans as well.
Out of curiosity, I went to Northwest-Wine .com (the NW wine specialists). The currently have eight PG and 48 Chardonnay. Two of the PG are Eyrie.
Probably 7-8 more than is necessary! ![]()
Agreed on the Vie di Romans! Lis Neris, also in Isonzo, also makes a lovely one in a similar richer style. Though for both of these I’m not sure the Sauvignon isn’t better ![]()
Well, maybe seven more than is necessary. But The Eyrie Original Vines is a damn fine wine (though not a bargain at almost $60). They probably never got any of the Goodfellow PG which has been almost universally praised.
I have had many vintages of Tramin’s Pinot Bianco Moriz. Not only a terrific value, but the wine can indeed really age and become far more complex than most Pinot Grigio’s from the Alto Adige. Great at the table with so many dishes too.
It is a challenging grape to make well, that’s for sure.
In Oregon, there are plenty of places where it was planted that probably aren’t great sites for the grape. And no shortage of winemakers that don’t put one tenth the energy into making good Pinot Gris as they will for Pinot Noir (or Chardonnay). Though financial reasons are a big part of that issue. And perhaps worst is that many winemakers simply don’t think the grape can produce excellent wines, and so it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
But there’s plenty of excellent Pinot Gris out there in the WV, we’ll be releasing a new one this fall and I am pretty happy with it.
Assyrtiko, too.
Oh…even Jim has admitted the Whistling Ridge Pinot Gris is ok ![]()