Hot Summer — Cool, Refreshing White Wine!
The forecast for the West Coast is hotter than usual. By now, that is no surprise for many who live here. The thermometer has been over 100 degrees in Sacramento several days this summer, and it is only July. Hot daytime temperatures make us all a little thirsty. A great, refreshing white to “pound on down on the patio” is Pinot Grigio, as the Italians call it. It is also known as Pinot Gris in other parts of the world. In fact, this little grape is produced all around the world and has many different titles depending on whether you are in France, Germany, Austria, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or Australia. This is a lovely white wine that hails from around the world.
The Pinot Grigio I’d like to tell you about today is grown in Napa. It’s lightly honeyed, with a hint of spice and minerality. It’s darn good and refreshing! It is the perfect apéritif to start the evening and set up the palate for dinner or simply to enjoy in the afternoon with no food at all. I unfortunately have drunk all that we bought and must go back for more.
The winery that produced this lovely white is Gargiulo. Located on the Oakville Cross Road in Oakville, CA, it is a winery that had flown under my radar. This is an appointment-only property and again well worth the time to visit. While I am sharing about the Pinot Grigio, they produce big reds that are delicious. Their barrel offering for the Napa Valley Auction was one of the top ten wines in terms of the total bids that were placed for it. It is no doubt that red wine is the staple of the winery; and, as you can tell by the name, Italian in influence.
The winery setting is rustic and surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Garett was our host on the day we visited and was a real pleasure. He was born and raised in Napa and was well informed about wine and the exploration of what is in the glass. He readily shared information about the family who owns the winery and their process. The tasting was relaxed and quite pleasurable in a lovely setting. I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit and the wine.
Enjoy!
