By CELIA STRONG
Wine drinkers are often creatures of habit. They might like one grape variety but not another.
They might like any Chardonnay with oak aging somewhere in its production. They might swear they don’t like any wine from a certain country. Or a certain winery.
Since the goal is to learn more about wines, and have fun doing it, some habits are just going to have to
be negated. And, once the first habit is broken, how easy to do more negating!
During hot summer weather, officially this week, many wine drinkers cling to their Pinot Grigios to get through the heat and humidity. Mostly Italian and American.
But bet no one ever thinks of a German Pinot Grigio! A delicious bad habit breaker!
Villa Wolf Pinot Gris is from the Pfalz region of Germany in the southeastern part of the country. It is one of the wines from the J. L. Wolf Estate which is run by Dr. Ernst Loosen.
The Pfalz is the second largest wine region in Germany, and the Loosen name and reputation for quality wines from there is very highly regarded.
Villa Wolf winery was established in 1756. With an actual villa built on the site in 1843. Dr Loosen took control of Villa Wolf winery and wines in 1996.
Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris, is not the norm in German wine production. Habit breaker.
Often, in this country, it is called by other names – Grauburgunder or Rülander.
Grown in Germany, this variety tends to be harvested early to exploit the grapes’ acidity and minimize its overt fruitiness. Much like with many Italian producers.
Germany has only about 12,000 acres planted with Pinot Gris.
Made from 100% Pinot Gris, the Villa Wolf grapes are sustainably grown according to strict German environmental regulations.
Extensive, day-by-day attention to the estate’s vineyards makes it possible for every vintage to produce quality wines.
Vine training, pruning, shading, and hand-harvesting are all needed for healthy crops. And quality wines. These Pinot Gris grapes are fermented in a combination of stainless steel (for intense fruit aromas and flavors), large neutral oak casks (for depth and complexity) and concrete tanks.
The wines from all three fermentations are blended, lightly filtered and, then, bottled bottled. Malolactic fermentation is avoided, to maintain crispness and balanced flavors. This Pinot Gris is fuller bodied, dry and fresh. And unoaked. It is a light gold color, with aromas and flavors of citrus rinds,
peaches, apples and melons. And, some floral qualities. All zesty and fresh in your mouth.
The finished wine has 12.5 percent alcohol, higher than most German wines.
So, the Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris, habit is safe. Phew! An excellent variety to choose for the summer heat. Just negating the habitual Italian and American as the only choices.
What fun. For $11.99. Enjoy.
