Villa Puccini Pinot Grigio

Villa Puccini Pinot Grigio is a Massachusetts-appellation white wine made from Pinot Grigio, bottled under the Esplanda label. The listing gives no vintage, ABV or tasting notes, so what follows describes how Pinot Grigio from a cool Northeastern growing region usually tastes. It isn't a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a light-bodied, dry white with crisp acidity, little or no oak, and no tannin worth mentioning. Typical flavors are green apple, pear, lemon zest and a touch of white blossom. Some bottles add a faint almond or stony note. The finish is normally short to medium and clean, with a bright snap from the acidity. The grape's pale straw color and low-key aroma suit a wine meant to refresh. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). That is roughly three hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Colder than that mutes the delicate fruit, and warmer makes the acidity feel flabby. It doesn't need decanting, since a wine this light has no tannin to soften and gains nothing from extra air. A standard white wine glass with a medium bowl and a slightly narrowed rim works best. It concentrates the citrus and pear aromas without letting them fade. Pour about a third of the glass so the wine stays cold while you drink. At the table, the high acidity and light body suit simple, lightly seasoned food. Steamed mussels, fried calamari, baked haddock or cod, and raw oysters are all natural partners, and a squeeze of lemon on the dish usually helps. It also works with salads dressed in vinaigrette, goat cheese, prosciutto with melon, and pasta in a light garlic and olive oil or lemon cream sauce. It is a good aperitif on its own with olives and salted nuts. Skip heavily spiced dishes and rich tomato-meat sauces. They tend to overwhelm a wine with this little weight. This is a drink-now bottle. Pinot Grigio is made for freshness and doesn't build complexity with cellaring, so it is best opened within a year or two of the vintage. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator. It holds its character for two to three days.