Summer’s Perfect Pairing: Pinot Gris

Some of us enjoy a little glass of something refreshing to drink that transports us to well-needed relaxation and restoration. La Crema Pinot Gris is just about the perfect choice.

Your first impression is that it’s cold and clean – it wakes up the senses. Then fresh fruit flavors swell with ripe peaches and oranges, hints of honeydew melons and pears, even suggestions of sweet figs and cinnamon-spicy apple sauce.

How good is that?

Flavor descriptors for the La Crema Pinot Gris include ripe pear, yellow plum, baking spice and exotic tropical notes.

Pinot Gris is extremely food friendly and also pairs with warm summer days, lively conversation and open-toed shoes.http://t.co/Kj4tO7rfJ5

— La Crema Winery (@LaCremaWines) May 30, 2014

What makes it all work is the acidity. Acid is the central nervous system of a good, dry wine, bringing “nervosity,” a wine geeky word that suggests the life-giving vitality that courses through every sip. You can feel that life in the tongue, in the gums, on the roof of the mouth, and in your throat and belly as it all goes down. This Pinot Gris has plenty of life. Even if you’re sleepy, it wakes you up.

Good as it is as an aperitif, this wine is tremendously versatile as a food wine. It’s not fussy. It doesn’t demand to be paired with this or that, or get insulted if you don’t get the pairing exactly right. It will pretty much get along with everything.

Pinot Gris is extremely food friendly and also pairs with warm summer days, lively conversation and open-toed shoes.

La Crema’s winemaker, Elizabeth Grant-Douglas, suggests lightly-sauced pasta, and certainly it would be great with little farfalles, tossed with fresh garden peas and chunks of grilled salmon in a cream sauce.

Other things that come to mind are chicken tacos, gently broiled or sautéed trout in a buttery, garlicky sauce, a great Rosemary, Parmesan and Sea Salt Focaccia sandwich with melted gouda and thinly sliced applewood-smoked ham, Thai Basil Green Curry with Chicken and Eggplant or fresh pan seared halibut with sweet peas and grapefruit.

Pan Seared Halibut with Sweet Peas & Grapefruit

But really, the ’12 Pinot Gris will go with almost everything, and if you or someone you love can’t handle the tannins of red wine, it will even stand up to steak or roast beef.

Experience La Crema’s Pinot Gris for yourself. It’s available at stores everywhere and on our online store.