Josh Cellars Pinot Grigio

Josh Cellars Pinot Grigio is a California white at 12.5% ABV, made from the same grape the Alsace region calls Pinot Gris, in the lighter, brighter style the Italian name usually signals. Expect a pale straw color and a dry, medium-bodied profile built around stone fruit and citrus, with ripe pear, white peach and lemon-zest brightness as the most likely reference points. Wines of this type generally avoid oak entirely, so there is little vanilla or toast, and the texture stays clean and fairly light. Acidity is the backbone, with tannin effectively absent, and the finish tends to be short and crisp rather than lingering. California Pinot Grigio typically has a touch more fruit weight than its Northern Italian counterparts, which makes it a little more forgiving at the table. That extra ripeness gives it enough presence to handle richer dishes, while the acidity keeps it refreshing. Seafood is the natural match: raw preparations such as ceviche and sashimi, pan-seared salmon, grilled shrimp, or steamed mussels all suit it well. It also works with creamy pasta sauces, chicken piccata, and soft cheeses like fresh mozzarella or goat cheese, where the acidity cuts through the fat. Light salads with citrus dressings and mild Thai or Vietnamese dishes are good matches too, since the wine's modest sweetness and fruit don't compete with delicate herbs. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F, which keeps the acidity crisp and the fruit lively. Straight from the refrigerator is a bit too cold and mutes the aromatics, so give it ten minutes on the counter if it has been in there for a while. There is no need to decant. A standard white wine glass with a moderately narrow bowl is ideal, as it concentrates the citrus and pear aromas and keeps the wine cool in the glass. This is a drink-now bottle. Pinot Grigio of this style is made for freshness, and its charm fades with extended cellaring, so plan to open it within a year or two of purchase for the brightest fruit and liveliest acidity.