Laithwaites – Decanter Independent Wine Merchant of the Year 2007 – offers a range of Italian Pinot Grigio as well as interesting varieties from less well-trodden corners of the wine world.
The grape can’t help it – Pinot
Grigio is more popular then ever
As summer approaches Pinot Grigio
looks set to establish itself as Britain’s favourite grape variety
once and for all, having overtaken long-standing favourite Chardonnay in recent
months.
Though many wine critics still
find it hard to love Pinot Grigio (some still persist in calling it utterly
tasteless and a drink for those who don’t like wine!), the majority of wine lovers
have been won over by its versatility and downright drinkability!
Part of the appeal is you don’t
have to try too hard with this wine – just chill a bottle, crack open and
enjoy. The majority of Pinot Grigio wine you find in Britain is made in the traditional
Italian style – bone dry with hints of grapefruit and melon. It can be drunk
anytime with virtually any fish or white meat.
Although northern Italy is the traditional home of Pinot Grigio,
specifically the region north of Venice, it
has also been grown in France
and Germany
for centuries where it goes by the name of Pinot Gris. However, Pinot Gris
tends to be made in a more fuller style than its Italian counterpart, often
with a touch of sweetness, that is at odds with the British taste for light, dry
white wines.
The Italians have not been slow to
capitalise on Pinot Grigio’s popularity and prices have virtually doubled since
last year. But you don’t have to pay over the odds for good Pinot Grigio. Look
out for a trustworthy wine merchant who will knock down the prices of
over-ambitious Italian winemakers to a more reasonable amount. And if you don’t
mind leaving Italy
for your Pinot Grigio fix – there are many excellent versions being made across
the globe. Australian examples are characterised by extra fruitiness courtesy
of the blazing heat, while New Zealand
and Argentina
are fast-becoming hotspots for the variety where the cooler conditions give it
an irresistibly zesty character.
Laithwaites – Decanter Independent
Wine Merchant of the Year 2007 – offers a range of Italian Pinot Grigio as well
as interesting varieties from less well-trodden corners of the wine world.
A quick browse of their website laithwaites(dot)co(dot)uk reveals a bestselling Pinot Grigio from
deepest, darkest Transylvania. Called
Campanula, meaning “Bluebell”, it is made in the Italian style without the
hefty Italian price-tag.
So if you haven’t joined the Pinot
Grigio fan club – you will shortly be finding yourself in the minority. Love it
or loathe it (and you’ll be hard-pressed to loath it!) … Pinot Grigio is
definitely here to stay.
Article Source: http://www.theukarticledirectory.co.uk/.
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