Sweet Oaks 2020 Pinot Grigio – Tasting Notes and Pairings

Pinot Grigio is classically a zesty grape that makes crisp wines with refreshing acidity. Originating from the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Grigio is now grown in many parts of the world where it is referred to as Pinot Gris. Even though its beginnings were in Europe, it has found a permanent home here in the United States of America. So much so that this floral and citrus-led white wine continues to stay in the top ten of the most popular white wines. This very welcoming wine is simple to make delicious Pinot Grigio Pairings with this light-bodied wine. It is really hard to go wrong with something so simple and delicious.

Tasting Notes for Sweet Oaks 2020 Pinot Grigio

The Sweet Oaks 2020 Pinot Grigio, grown by Heather and Jason Altepeter, is an aromatic and light-bodied wine that is extremely refreshing to drink. While it is a fruit-forward in aroma, you may pick up elements of a more vegetal or herbal nature too, such as light hints of pepper and even arugula. When you drink the wine, you will notice delicate layers of flavor with the main characters being ripe stone fruits, dried peach and apricot with a dry finish. A high acidity characteristic of this varietal balances the wine and gives a incredibly refreshing hit to the liquid. This wine is ready to drink now, but find some tips on our blog for storing the wine in your home to keep it in peak condition when you pull that cork.

The delicate nature of this wine’s aromas means that making successful Pinot Grigio pairings requires a little thought and planning so as not to overwhelm any element of the wine, but the rewards are well worth this minimal level of effort!

What To Eat Next – Suggestions for Pinot Grigio Pairings

Taking advantage of that high acidity and the fresh fruit flavor is the main goal of successful Pinot Grigio pairings. Just as a liberal squeezing of fresh lemon juices enhances many fish dishes, a “seasoning” of this crisply acidic wine will bring out the flavor in almost all fruits of the sea. We love pairing this wine with the full flavor and rich fattiness of wild salmon or a creamy Caesar salad, with its hint of anchovy saltiness. In both cases, the wine will really cut through the fat element of the dishes and bring a wonderful balance.

It might surprise you to discover that fried foods can complement Pinot Grigio very well. Think about that refreshing squeeze of lemon again when planning a pairing and use the wine in the same way. Taking inspiration from the sea will pair very well. Fried whitebait and calamari will both be excellent choices, as well as fish and chips, where the wine will really cut through the stodginess of the batter and grease from the chips. If you’d like something that is vegetarian or vegan friendly, then omit the seafood and add in delicious tempura vegetables instead, in a feather-light, crispy batter. They will work well against the fruity backdrop of the wine.

The wine’s natural affinity with very creamy dishes is one reason that Pinot Grigio pairings with scallop potatoes work so well. We love this interpretation of the dish, an unctuous concoction of bubbly goodness in a rich homemade cream sauce. If you aren’t really in the mood to cook, be assured that this wine drinks perfectly well on its own–just take it out of the refrigerator about half an hour before you want to serve it so those flavors all have time to open up as the wine returns to a fractionally more ambient temperature.

You can also pair Sweet Oaks 2020 Pinot Grigio with a wide variety of pizza and pasta dishes. After all, Pinot Grigio was first cultivated in Italy, so it makes sense that it would make a pleasant accompaniment to Italian foods. It prefers a cream-based pasta sauce, but the high acidity will also work well with tomato-based dishes. Think fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti alla puttanesca, or a delightful spaghetti alle vongole–all these classic pasta dishes will make a great match, where the food and the wine will complement and enhance each other. When it comes to pizza, anything goes! The body and acidity of this wine will work well with the tomato base of pretty much any pizza, so long as you don’t go too overboard with toppings and keep it relatively simple.

Check out the available wines from the Sweet Oaks range by visiting our website.