Sometimes customers come into the store and ask, "Where is your Pinot?" At that point I wonder,"do they mean Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris?" Most of the time they are asking for the Pinot Noir, but they may be missing some very good white wines, including the not so well known Pinot Gris. So just what is Pinot Gris?

It is thought to be a clone of the Pinot Noir grape. The color of the fruit is usually a grayish-blue color and in French the color gray is "gris." The word "pinot" in French means pine cone, and the grapes grow in small pine cone shaped clusters. The clone of the Pinot Gris grape grown in Italy, and now in many parts of the world, is Pinot Grigio, which appears to be a clone of a clone. Now I am confusing myself, and you wonder why I refuse to call myself, or anyone else a "wine expert!"

To make it simple, let's say that Pinot Grigio is usually a light Italian style wine, while the Pinot Gris, is most often a French Alsace style wine, regardless of where it is grown. The state of Oregon is becoming well known for its Pinot Gris and the 2006 Big Fire Pinot Gris is a great example.

The Big Fire Pinot Gris abounds with the flavors of sweet apples and pears, and a definite aroma of honeysuckle. The finish is big and crisp! I found it to be delicious, and a great accompaniment to Brie cheese and fruit. The winery recommends this wine with Pan Seared Shrimp with Chipotle Lime Glaze, or Provencal Lemon Chicken with Olives and Garlic, and both of those sound terrific to me.

I score this wine a 90 and could enjoy it with a variety of dishes or by itself. The wine is produced and bottled by R. Stuart & Company, McMinnville, Oregon.

World Beverage
6190 Highway 400
Cumming, GA  30040
(678) 513-6284
www.worldbeverage400.com