Pinot Grigio can be challenging. There is a lot of insipid Pinot Grigio out there. As the grape became very popular, it prompted many producers to make cheap and cheerful wines that really don’t deliver on the quality and caliber that this grape has to offer. This wine is not one of those. Rather, Peter Zemmer’s Pinot Grigio is a delicious iteration of this great grape, that provides beautiful aromas and flavors and is wonderful on its own or with a meal.
Winemaker Peter Zemmer is a member of the third-generation of his family to take over the estate, which his grandfather established in 1928. Since that time, the brand has become widely recognized as a quality producer in Italy’s Alto Adige region. Previously part of Austria, this Italian region is known for its alpine vineyards, which see a significant number of hours of sunshine annually, ensuring that the grapes reach full maturity, but the high elevation means that they also maintain beautifully bracing acidity.
Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio 2018, Alto Adige, Italy, $18.00
Aromas of tangerine, citrus, mineral and hint of petrol greet the nose. On the palate, the wine offers up a hint of ripeness, but is generally dry, with medium+ luscious body, rich and concentrated, slightly oily texture unctuous, citrus, mineral, long length.