Pinot Grigio

Asian-inspired dishes often feature a harmonious balance of umami, sweet, sour, and sometimes spicy elements that benefit from beverages with bright acidity and subtle sweetness. The aromatic qualities of Riesling and Gewürztraminer complement the complex spices, while the crisp effervescence and citrus notes of Witbier and Saison cut through rich sauces while enhancing delicate flavors.

Asparagus risotto combines the earthy, slightly bitter notes of asparagus with the rich, creamy texture of risotto. The recommended pairings balance the dish's creaminess while complementing the vegetal character of asparagus, which can be challenging to pair due to its sulphurous compounds.

Classic bruschetta features fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil atop toasted bread, creating a vibrant appetizer with bright acidity and herbal notes. The recommended pairings complement bruschetta's freshness without overwhelming its delicate flavors, while providing enough structure to stand up to the garlic and acidity of the tomatoes.

Caprese salad's combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic creates a bright, herbaceous profile with a balance of acidity and creaminess. Light, crisp wines with good acidity complement the tomato's tanginess while enhancing the creamy mozzarella, while effervescent, lighter beers refresh the palate between bites.

Creamy pasta dishes typically feature rich, buttery sauces that coat the palate and require beverages with enough acidity to cut through the richness while complementing the subtle flavors. Wines with moderate acidity and rounded mouthfeel create harmony with the creamy texture, while beers with effervescence and light, wheat-forward profiles help cleanse the palate between bites.

Fish tacos feature delicate white fish with bright citrus, herbs, and often creamy or spicy elements that call for crisp, refreshing beverages with good acidity. The recommended wines offer citrus and mineral notes that complement the fish while cutting through any richness, while the suggested beers provide refreshing carbonation and subtle fruit or spice notes that enhance rather than overwhelm the tacos.

Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, chèvre, and fromage blanc are characterized by their mild, creamy, and sometimes slightly tangy profiles that pair beautifully with crisp, bright wines and light, wheat-forward beers. The high acidity and citrus notes in wines like Sauvignon Blanc cut through the creamy texture, while effervescent options like sparkling wine or wheat beers with their carbonation cleanse the palate between bites.

Fresh goat cheese offers a bright, tangy profile with creamy texture that pairs beautifully with crisp, high-acid white wines that complement rather than compete with its distinctive flavor. The effervescence and subtle tartness in the recommended beer styles create a refreshing counterpoint to the cheese's richness while enhancing its earthy qualities.

Fresh lake fish typically offers delicate, clean flavors that call for beverages that won't overpower the subtle qualities of the fish. Crisp, high-acid wines and lighter beers with good carbonation help cleanse the palate while enhancing rather than competing with the fish's natural characteristics.

Fresh mozzarella's delicate milky sweetness and subtle creaminess calls for light, crisp beverages that won't overwhelm its gentle flavor profile. The high acidity in these wine selections cuts through the cheese's richness while enhancing its freshness, while the recommended beer styles offer effervescence and subtle complexity that complement rather than compete.

The rich, creamy texture of this pasta dish calls for wines with enough body to stand up to the sauce, yet with sufficient acidity to cut through the richness. Similarly, the recommended beer styles offer light, effervescent qualities that refresh the palate between bites while their subtle flavor profiles complement rather than compete with the delicate cream sauce.

Fresh salads typically feature crisp vegetables with bright acidity from dressings, calling for wines and beers that complement rather than overwhelm these delicate flavors. The recommended beverages bring their own refreshing qualities while having enough acidity to stand up to vinaigrette dressings and enough subtle complexity to enhance the vegetables' natural flavors.

This isn't your average, run-of-the-mill Pinot Grigio – Alois Lageder is here to remind us all what this grape can do when grown in its spiritual homeland of the Italian Alps. The Terra Alpina line celebrates the unique Alpine terroir of Alto Adige, where cool mountain air and warm sunshine create the perfect conditions for aromatic white wines with brilliant acidity and mineral character. The Lageder family has been making wine since 1823 and now farms biodynamically, treating their vineyards as living ecosystems. This commitment to sustainability comes through in the glass – there's a purity and vitality to this Pinot Grigio that sets it apart from the ocean of bland examples flooding the market. It's like the difference between supermarket tomatoes and ones you grow in your garden – technically the same thing, but worlds apart in terms of flavor. Perfect for people who think they don't like Pinot Grigio (they just haven't had the good stuff).

Virginia might not be the first place that comes to mind for Pinot Grigio, but Barboursville makes a compelling case for why it should be on your radar. This historic estate, founded on land once owned by Governor James Barbour (a friend of Thomas Jefferson), continues to prove that Virginia can produce wines of genuine character and quality across a range of varieties. This Pinot Grigio stands apart from the ocean of bland examples flooding the market – it has actual personality and presence in the glass. Winemaker Luca Paschina brings his Italian heritage to bear, creating a wine that honors the grape's origins while expressing the unique terroir of Virginia. There's a richness and texture here that elevates it above simple porch-pounder status, though it certainly excels in that role too. Perfect for those looking to support American wine regions beyond the West Coast or for anyone who's grown tired of one-dimensional Pinot Grigio and wants to rediscover the variety's potential.

Foeminae Pinot Grigio is a crisp, refreshing white wine from the Delle Venezie IGT in northeastern Italy. This elegant expression showcases bright acidity with delicate fruit flavors characteristic of high-quality Pinot Grigio from this renowned region.

Frecciarossa's Pinot Grigio from Oltrepò Pavese is an elegant white wine from a historic estate in Lombardy. This refined expression showcases the mineral-rich soils of the region, offering more complexity and structure than typical examples of this varietal.

Giuliano Rosati Pinot Grigio from Friuli is a classic expression of northeastern Italian white wine. This refreshing and crisp wine showcases the characteristic mineral notes and vibrant acidity that Friuli is known for, with the region's unique terroir providing ideal growing conditions for Pinot Grigio.

Riff Pinot Grigio comes from high-altitude vineyards in northeastern Italy's Delle Venezie region, where the cool alpine climate produces wines with more character and structure than your average bland Pinot Grigio. The name 'Riff' actually refers to the ancient coral reef formations in the Dolomite mountains that contribute to the region's distinctive limestone soils – giving this wine its characteristic mineral backbone. This isn't your aunt's insipid Pinot Grigio that she drinks with three ice cubes – it's a proper expression of what this grape can be when grown in the right place and made with care. Crisp and refreshing, yes, but also showing genuine character and sense of place. It's the perfect bottle to reach for when you want something versatile and crowd-pleasing that won't bore you to tears or require a dissertation to appreciate. Sometimes simple pleasures are the best – especially when they're executed this well.

Scarpetta's Pinot Grigio comes from Friuli – the northeastern Italian region where Pinot Grigio reaches its highest expression and bears little resemblance to the bland, watery versions that give the grape a bad name. This wine shows what Pinot Grigio can be when grown in the right place and made with care – aromatic, flavorful, and distinctly mineral. The name 'Scarpetta' refers to the Italian tradition of using bread to soak up the last bit of sauce on your plate – a fitting name for wines designed to complement food rather than compete with it. Created by Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, the Scarpetta wines are crafted specifically to enhance the dining experience. This Pinot Grigio is the perfect bottle for those looking to rediscover a grape they may have dismissed, proving that sometimes the most pleasant surprises come from giving second chances.

Jump down the rabbit hole – or should we say toad hole – with this adventurous orange wine from the playful folks at Toad Hollow. For the uninitiated, orange wine isn't made from oranges but from white grapes fermented with their skins (like red wine), creating that distinctive amber color and fascinating complexity. The Orange Toad delivers all the intrigue of this ancient winemaking style but with Toad Hollow's signature approachability. It's funky without being too weird, complex without being intimidating – the perfect gateway orange wine for the curious drinker. Think of it as the cool indie band of the wine world that you'll want to tell your friends about before everyone else discovers them.