LCBO Sale Wine of the Week: February 9

Montalto 2015 Pinot Grigio (Sicily, Italy)

Sale $7.95, Regular $9.45
Discount (until Feb. 26): $1.50
LCBO #73148 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Pear, apple and a hint of honey—delicate but flavourful with a nice finish.
Pairs with: Pasta with cream sauce, lighter pork and white fish dishes, white pizza and, of course, roast chicken.
Good for: Patio season—it’s coming!
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink: Now.

Why we're drinking this
There are many good reasons to drink this wine, if you can get past any inherent biases against Pinot Grigio. Sadly, too much of the Grigio out there today is insipid and limp. The variety—properly called Pinot Gris—is made into wine all over to the globe, in such places as Germany, California, Canada and New Zealand. Italy cemented a reputation for churning out bucket loads of commercial-style “Grigio,” of which you’ll find weak (read: cheap) versions on the lists at many chain restaurants or any place that doesn’t really care about its wine list (or its customers for that matter!) But the grape can do great things, ranging far and wide in style, taste and sweetness. This Montalto hails from Sicily in the south — and it’s pretty darned good. It’s not epic, but it is solid and enjoyable.

Tasting note
Medium aromas of pear, apple and white flowers, with a little lick of honey. The wine has nice body and texture. It’s rather soft on the palate, which is lovely, but it’s not in any way flabby. There’s nice balance and acidity here, and delicate flavours of apple, citrus and pear. Medium, fruity finish. A very nice patio wine (come patio season). Good sipping, but would also be nice with creamy pasta, white pizza, and most fish or pork dishes (lightly sauced).

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