The Jellybean Vineyards Pinot Grigio is a non-vintage wine sourced from vineyards in the Puglia region of southern Italy if you can remember your 7th-grade geography glass, Puglia is the heel of the boot. This Pinot Grigio is classified an IGT wine. Italian wine is governed differently from the US wine industry. Most US rules have to do with geographical boundaries, Sonoma, Paso Robles, etc. and deal mainly with wine labeling. The vineyards and the wineries have great leeway on what to grow and how to produce wine. In Italy, they have rules on what grapes can be grown, where they are planted, how they are farmed, how the wine is made and how long it is aged and sometimes there are limits on how many bottles can be produced. The top designation is DOCG wine, the G translates to guaranteed, these are the strictest rules and the areas it covers are said to be the élite growing districts. The next is DOC, this covers a larger area and has slightly fewer rules and regulation. IGT is the next level and the rules ensure that the grapes are representative of the region, but have far fewer regulations. The last designation is table wine (in the US all American wine is table wine, from a $500 Napa Cab to 2 Buck Chuck) and these are wines from grapes grown outside the regulated areas and/or somehow did not conform to the rules. The alcohol content is a reserved 12%.
The color is a clear, shiny, sunshine yellow. The nose is lightly floral, with melon, lemon, peach, and green apple. This is a dry wine, with very balanced acidity, and clean, crisp flavors. It starts with ripe peach and a slap of tart grapefruit, lime, dried pineapple, and melon. The mid-palate adds pear and a touch of spice. The acidity is much softer than most Italian Pinot Grigio, especially those from Alto Adige in the north. The finish is nicely rounded and lengthy.
The Jellybean Vineyards Pinot Grigio is an excellent example of a Patio Pounder and that is in no way criticism because some of the best conversations occur on the porch or patio enhanced by a glass or two of wine. This will pair well with light summer food, salads, cold shrimp or cheese plates. I happen to prefer Pinot Grigio with the acidity dialed back, some of the leading Italian brands are so loaded with acidity that they remind me of those super hoppy craft beers that are so bitter it is a test of will to finish the glass. The Jellybean Pinot Grigio is a fruit-forward, easy to drink, under $10 wine, it is exactly what it was meant to be.
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