First let me say that my wife Mary is an excellent cook, which makes tasting wine with food a pure pleasure!  She prepared a wonderful meal of Lemon-Basil Chicken served with steamed rice and steamed broccoli, along with fresh baked croissants. Since we are nearing the summer white wine season, we decided to compare two refreshing Italian Pinot Grigios from opposite ends of the price spectrum as companions to this dinner. One was in the twenty dollar range and the other less than ten. It hardly seems a fair comparison price-wise, but each has its own merit and both represent the grape variety well. Either would be a good choice for this meal, depending on your taste preferences and your budget.

First we sampled the 2006 Bellino Pinot Grigio which had an aromatic nose bursting with bouquets of spring flowers and ripe pears. This wine has a rounded flavor accented with the taste of pears and apples with spice and a hint of citrus. The finish has a slight spice to it with the expected flavors of apricot and tropical fruit. This is a good solid Pinot Grigio for its price range, and would be excellent for sipping well chilled on the veranda on a hot summer night.

Next we tried the 2006 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio which is a little more complex in its makeup. It is not as flowery as the Bellino and has hints of fresh peaches in its nose mixed with the more pronounced aromas of apricots and apples. The flavor is very much apricot, but with underling currents of honey and apple. The finish is very clean and smooth with the true Pinot Grigio characteristic of lingering apricots and tropical fruits. The finish in any good Pinot Grigio always reminds me of golden apples, apricots and a hint of citrus. This is definitely a dinner wine, which in addition to being quite good with our Lemon-Basil Chicken, would also pair well with most shellfish dishes, especially Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo.

Either of these wines are great values in their respective price ranges, and whether for dinner or for on the veranda, will be wonderful on a hot summer night.

2006 Bellino Veneto Pinot Grigio (Italy) - $8.99

2006 Maso Canali Trentino Pinot Grigio (Italy) - $18.99

World Beverage 400
6190 Highway 400
Cumming, GA  30040
(678) 513-6284 
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