Random curiosity buy - what should I expect?

Hey Folks,

Was just down at the store, and out of curiosity, and because it was on clearance for $3, I got a bottle of Principato Pinot Grigio Blush. Though it might be interesting to try a PG with some skin contact. But, it is labeled a "blush," though the 11.5% abv suggests it can't have too much RS. I wasn't aware until I Googled it that Principato was for many years a private label for the Olive Garden. Anyway, what can I expect from this?

Thanks,
Ryan

I found this.....


Principato, meaning “Princely Realm” or principality, refers to northeast Italy’s Tre Venezie, a region embracing the majesty of the snow-capped Dolomite Alps and the picturesque beauty of Italy’s romantic Lake District. For wine lovers the Tre Venezie is also a source of Principato, one of Italy’s most popular and affordable wines. Introduced in 1978, it has become a welcome and familiar feature of daily American family dining.

Production Area
Selected hillside vineyards throughout the provinces of Trentino, the Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, the three districts that together form northeast Italy’s Tre Venezie region.

Grape Varieties
100% Pinot Grigio

Vinification
Grapes are harvested by hand. During vinification the Pinot Grigio grape skins are left in contact with the juice, resulting in a natural delicate rosé hue.

Color
Pale pink

Bouquet
Delicate floral aromas

Taste
Crisp and light, with soft fruit flavors

Alcohol
12%

Serving Suggestions
Enjoy on its own or with light appetizers, fresh seafood and Asian-inspired cuisine.

Ryan, Hi.....

Anticipate an off-dry little wine, innocuous enough, clean and fresh and at about the same quality and interest level you might hope for when buying Two Buck Chuck.

Best
Rogov

Thanks Tom and Rogov. Well, probably will be a refreshing little wine, my wife will most likely enjoy it, and for $3, I really can't complain. And I should think that PG has the requisite acidity to keep things in balance at least, unlike Zin.

Thanks Tom and Rogov. Well, probably will be a refreshing little wine, my wife will most likely enjoy it, and for $3, I really can't complain. And I should think that PG has the requisite acidity to keep things in balance at least, unlike Zin.

Ryan,
There are skin contact PGs with much more serious profiles. One that is widely available is Livio Felluga's Colli Orientali di Friuli, which sees a bit more skin contact (usually a bit copper colored). For the whole hog, you gotta try the orange wine crowd: Radikon, Gravner or Zidarich. They all come from Friuli/Slovenia and cost more than most would care to pay for a PG.

Mark Lipton

Just another decent table wine from Cavit. On the east coast, not on sale the wine could go for $6.99.

Salute

Well, I must say, this one turned out better than I might have expected. I actually enjoyed it, and may very well get a few more, since they're at the outlet store for only $3.

Principato Vigneti, Pinot Grigio Blush, Delle Venezie IGT 2006
Peach toward orange in color. Personality of lemon, strawberry, and very fresh peach (think straight off the tree and fuzzy fresh). Off-dry. Quite enjoyable picnic-style wine; nice match to Chinese. I like it. Good (83 - 85)

Hi Ryan,

In the past we drank a lot of Principato because we could get the 1.5 L bottles from a friendly distributor for about $4. I found the Pinto Gris, Pinot Noir and Cabernet (I think that was their robust red) to be decent, food friendly sippers. We enjoyed the Pinot Noir with a wide range of light meat dishes and some seafoods.

Sam