Belle Ambiance Pinot Grigio 2013

The 2013 Belle Ambiance Pinot Grigio is sourced from more than one California grape growing AVA. Belle Ambiance translates to “beautiful place” and is one of Delicato Family Vineyards wines, their other labels include Gnarly Head, Brazin and HandCraft, they specialize in well priced California wines aimed at the American palate. DFV is family owned and has been in business since 1924 (growing grapes) and making wine since 1935. The Belle Ambiance Pinot Grigio is a young wine, fermented and aged (it’s a 2013 so it could not have been aged long) in stainless steel vats. The alcohol content is a ripe 13%. The list price is $9.99.

The color is a pale lemon yellow. The nose is pretty, citrus, peaches and pears and a walk thru a spring garden in bloom. This Pinot Grigio is medium bodied, with a solid and balanced dose of acidity. It tastes of lemon, tart grapefruit and green apple. The mid palate adds peach, a splash of lime and a faint touch of minerality. It has the body and acidity to do well as a food wine. The finish is a little peach and a little grapefruit and it lingers on and on and on.

The 2013 Belle Ambiance Pinot Grigio is a very solid, extremely drinkable and versatile wine. Sip it on the balcony or patio or head off to your favorite BYOB, it will get the job done in style. When you are dealing with young, “drink it now” wines, there is very little reason to pay a great deal for a bottle of wine. If you simply must have a certain winemaker or grapes from a particular vineyard, then the cost of a bottle can be pricey. But, a very solid, well-made, highly enjoyable young or “drink it now” wine can and should be a value priced wine. The Belle Ambiance Pinot Grigio is a terrific example of a delicious young, “drink it now” ten buck wine.