Pinot Grigio can sometimes be synonymous with light and insipid. The type of wine that you chill down in the freezer, or with a few ice cubes. Often they're from swathes of vineyards in the Veneto and labelled as Pinot Grigio delle Venezie.
Pinot Grigio from Colli Orientali del Friuli is different. It's rich, mineral-driven, and textured, from soils that are millions of years old and rich in marine fossils. Mike introduced me to this bottling from La Tunella after he and David split a case. (Spoiler: they have good taste.) The estate's history stretches over three generations and, today, its led by two brothers, Massimo and Marco Zorzettig, who continue to farm terraced vineyards in the rolling hillsides of Eastern Friuli.
-GM
Tasting Note
This manages to be restrained yet generous; at first, chalky and mineral-driven, before revealing perfumed orange blossoms and layers of fruit, from pear to fleshy peach. It stands out for its purity, as if walking through an orchard at harvest, with exceptional depth and concentration. This is why Pinot Grigio shouldn't be overlooked.
Food Pairing
Creamy white bean soup with kale or orzo with spinach and feta