Casalini Pinot Grigio

Casalini Pinot Grigio is a Veneto white at 12.5% ABV, a moderate strength that keeps the wine light and easy to drink. Pinot Grigio from this region is typically made in a crisp, unoaked style, and that is what to expect here. Look for a pale straw color, citrus and green-apple fruit, and perhaps a hint of pear or white blossom. The body should be light to medium, with bright acidity and a clean, fairly short finish. Tannin is not a factor in a white wine like this, and oak is unlikely to play any role. That profile makes it a useful wine to pour with food that would be overwhelmed by something heavier. Expect it to work well with shellfish, grilled or pan-seared white fish, and lemon-dressed salads. It also suits light pasta dishes such as spaghetti with clams or a simple primavera, and soft cheeses like fresh mozzarella or ricotta. The acidity cuts through fried appetizers, calamari for instance, and handles prosciutto with melon without clashing. Heavily spiced or rich, cream-based dishes are better matched with a wine that has more weight. Serve it well chilled, around 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F), which keeps the acidity fresh and the fruit lively. Pulling it from the refrigerator about ten minutes before pouring takes the edge off the cold without losing that crispness. No decanting is needed; simply open and pour. A standard white wine glass with a medium bowl and a slightly narrowed rim will concentrate the delicate citrus and floral aromas better than a wide, open glass. This is a drink-now bottle. Light, unoaked Pinot Grigio is built around freshness, and that freshness fades with time rather than developing in the cellar. Keep it in a cool, dark place and plan to open it within a year or two of purchase, or sooner if the bottle carries a recent vintage.