#WineWednesday: The Naked Grape Pinot Grigio

Two words that probably make sense to any non-wine drinker are the words “Pinot” and “Grigio.” Pinot Grigio.

It’s a classic Italian varietal popular among mainstream big box wine makers. A light-bodied, crisp white wine, Pinot Gris is a white wine grape variety grown in Alsace, France; Australia; Ukraine; Oregon; California and in Italy, where it is known as Pinot Grigio.

The Naked Grape makes numerous wines, including a Pinot Grigio made in California, bearing a striking similarity to wines of the Italian variety.

Why should you drink this wine? The question should really be….why not? Its an easy, drinkable wine that you could certainly pair with food but can also drink to enjoy alone. For $8.99 at Whole Foods, you can easily pick up a bottle – or two – of this whenever you’re looking for a smooth, crisp and low-cost vino.

When should you drink this wine? Bring this to work with you in the morning. No, not like that. Bring it to work when you know that after work, you have to head out to a BYOB dinner straight from the office. If you work in a creative or laid-back environment, stash it in the fridge during the day and if you have to stash it in a desk, keep it in a cool, dry place and ask the restaurant to put it on ice as soon as you get there. Perfect for white wine strawberry sangria, too!

How should you drink this wine? Chill this over ice or in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving. White wines are typically served best cold – a little chill brings out the flavor notes and aromas.

How long should I age this wine? Don’t bother. Drink it asap!

Food Pairings: Crisp white wines pair really well with veggie-based pasta dishes like Baby Penne with Summer Vegetables and Baked Rigatoni with Kale. Light white wines are also perfect with spicy foods, like your next Chipotle Black Bean Pizza.