A Pinot Grigio That Sticks to Its Guns

A Pinot Grigio That Sticks to Its Guns

There are some wines that stick with you, either because of their unique taste and characteristics or their classic varietal signposts and stability. In short, there are bottles that you remember, like a badge of quality, and every time you see them on store shelves, you can't help but salivate. You know that inside the bottle isn't a wild card, but a genuine, tried-and-True wine.

That's exactly the case with the wine I'm about to tell you about. Let's get to know it:

--- The white dry wine Sommelier's Collection Pinot Grigio.

A bottle of white Pinot Grigio.WHERE TO BUY IT AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS.

Sommelier's Collection is a well-known wine brand, and you can easily find this wine at any duty-free shop. Whether you're in Turkey, Malaysia, or Russia, it's always available.

You don't need to cross any borders to get your hands on this wine. Just head to your local stores or supermarkets that sell liquor, and you'll find it.

I personally spotted this wine at a popular grocery store like 'Pyaterochka.' They've been selling Sommelier's Collection wines in various varieties for a while.

I caught sight of a yellow discount sticker with a 50% discount, bringing the total to 600 rubles.

While 1200 rubles would be a bit steep for me, 600 rubles for a high-quality Italian white wine is a reasonable price.

I wondered why there was a discount, but sometimes you just can't understand the marketing strategy. Maybe it's an old batch from the 2024 harvest, and they're trying to clear out the remaining stock. Or maybe it's the last bottle, and they need to make room for new ones.

Either way, it's not worth overthinking it. Let's just focus on enjoying the wine.

On the shelves at 'Pyaterochka.'HOW THE BOTTLE OF WHITE VARIETAL WINE LOOKS.

The bottle is a standard design, but not the most basic one. It has a more elegant shape, with smoother lines and a more refined transition from the body to the neck.

It's a fairly common design, used by half the world's wine producers.

The glass is, of course, green and opaque, to protect the wine from sunlight and spoilage.

The neck under the black plastic wrap.The neck and the cap are covered with a standard black, matte thermal shrink wrap, following European traditions. It's designed to be easy to remove without leaving any residue or scraps.

The label of a yellow varietal wine.The label is the company's own. It perfectly matches the concept of wines from the Sommelier's Collection.

The paper is simple, not expensive, matte. The upper part is black typographic ink and the mark of the brand. That's the Sommelier's Collection.

At the bottom, there's a black-and-white drawing of a sunny Italian valley, where our grape should grow. Of course, there are explanations that this is all Italian production, not some unknown stuff.

The color scheme for the Pino Grigio varietal is radically yellow. The color is lemony or chicken-like. Unlike, for example, Riesling, which has a pale blue color, or Sauvignon Blanc, which is also yellow, but pale.

There are many inscriptions on the yellow background. In my opinion, there are too many, you could remove half or even two-thirds for the sake of laconicism.

However, the harvest year is indicated, the geography in the form of Trentino. This is an area in the Alps. This is confirmed by the geographical indication DOC with the explanation of the concept. And, of course, there's information about the grape variety. That's the Pino Grigio, which is a pure Italian, like Toto Cutugno, but has spread all over the world. Like the words from a famous song about Italiano vero...

What's written on the right is hard to translate. There are many words, all in English, somehow, and something is explained about the traditions of northern Italian winemaking, about the land and traditions, in general, a lot of bla-bla-bla... I said that all this should be removed from the label to not confuse buyers.

The Russianized counter-label over the original.Want to read all this in Russian? No problem. Just turn the bottle over, to the wine shelves, and read the counter-label stuck directly on the original. The only thing left from the True Italian version is the product code, which confirms its Italian origin, and the rest we read in Cyrillic.

In principle, we won't catch anything new. Except for the full addresses of the manufacturer and importer. But that's not usually in the theme.

We already know everything else. Trentino and Pino Grigio. We could have not repeated ourselves.

So, we're done reading, let's go for the corkscrew, knife, and glasses. We'll cut off the top crust, remove the marked natural cork. And pour... it's time for the tasting.

The natural cork, marked.VARIETAL COLOR.

The color is in perfect harmony. In the sense that it corresponds to my and the commonly accepted concept of the color of the wine from the Pino Grigio grape.

By shade, it's pale yellow. Transparent. Crystal clear and sparkling, and in general, exactly like the Italian white wine from the varietal Pino Grigio.

There's nothing else to say. This is already a great presentation.

White wine color.Pineapple aroma.

It's exactly what I'd expect. This is Pino Gri, the same variety I first tried in Rome, and it's exactly the same aroma that hits me now.

As for the nuances... Tropics and a hint of grass. Cold and a hint of pineapple. A cultivated, tended garden. No weeds.

--- No unnecessary extras.

This is what I mean by a wine with no unnecessary extras in its aroma.

Color in the light.A taste of the southern garden.

At first, it's about dryness and balance between acidity and sweetness.

I think there's a consensus here - it's a perfect balance with itself and the overall state. In the first few seconds, when the drink hits your tongue and you start to feel the sensations and energy, it seems like everything is sweet.

But that's not the case. The picture changes quickly, almost instantly, and acidity jumps in like a bullet to the temple, followed by a momentary shift, and then bitterness takes the stage. It's a swift change, almost imperceptible, and then the balance is restored. The acidity from micro-oxygenation is actually non-existent, it's just an effect, a trick of the mind.

An Italian midday. Almost like Bryulov's... A fruity note of green apple. Sweet and sour. Mid-range.

Add a hint of lemon or a sweeter citrus, like pomelo, to complete the experience.

Bitterness is sustained by grapefruit.

The grassy note is subtle. It's there, but barely noticeable. You suspect it, but can't quite put your finger on it.

In general, the taste of this wine reminds me of a southern garden - apple trees and orange trees. An Italian garden.

I have doubts about the oiliness. This option seemed plausible, but I'm still unsure. There's something there, but in much smaller quantities than in Chardonnay. I'll have to investigate further to find out for sure.

Tax for the state. Overall, I'd say this wine is quite stable. It meets the varietal expectations perfectly. It's delicious and spot-on. A simple yet confident Pino Gri. Delicate and with a noticeable varietal flavor.

For a white wine, it's practically ideal. The Sommelier's Collection brand, as always, delivers.

What to pair it with? We stick to the instructions and sommelier's recommendations. After all, a good white wine pairs perfectly with delicate poached fish, like a piece of salmon.

Now, let's get creative with the potato puree - I add a dollop of butter, some steamed broccoli, and a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions.

--- Enjoy!

A classic snack. THE VERDICT:

So, I've cracked open another bottle of Sommelier's Collection Pinot Grigio white dry wine. And let me tell you, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'd even say I'm loving it. This tasting experience has once again shown me that Sommelier's Collection Italian wines are reliable and of high quality. The flavor profile of Pinot Grigio is spot on, matching our expectations and desires perfectly.

If you get the chance to try this wine, don't hesitate - I highly recommend it.

And, of course, I'm giving it a top-notch rating. For a non-elite wine, Sommelier's Collection Pinot Grigio has some excellent features.

Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Sommelier's Collection Pinot Grigio. It's a wine that sticks to its guns, delivering a classic varietal experience that's both delicious and reliable. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of wine, this is a great choice. So, go ahead and give it a try - I'm confident you won't be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Price: 600 rubles (with a 50% discount)

Availability: Widely available at duty-free shops and local liquor stores

Recommendation: Pair with delicate poached fish, like salmon, or try it with a classic snack, like potato puree with butter and steamed broccoli