New York , New York – On May 16, 2024, the wine industry in New York got together at The Royalton Park Ave. We had the unique opportunity to delve into the world of Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie through a blind tasting of 8 different styles. Guided by the expertise of Nazareno Vicenzi and VinePair’s Tastings Director, Keith Beavers, we explored a spectrum of wines, from traditional crisp styles to fresh aromatic rosés. The setting, with the New York City skyline as our backdrop, added to the event’s allure. The tasting was a journey of discovery, offering new perspectives on the character and versatility of Pinot Grigio.
During the masterclass, Keith offered an educational perspective on the origins of Pinot Grigio. Keith mentioned, “This grape, depending where it grows, has depth and acidity at the end and is related to Pinot Noir, and Pinot Noir is about releasing the soils it is growing at.” Beavers was keen to make the relationship between the grapes express the uniqueness of the Pinot Grigio terroir growing in the Triveneto Area.
It was insightful to blind-taste the Triveneto area; some wines had more alluvial and marine deposits closer to the lakes or hillside of Veneto, and others revealed the rocks of the Apennines or Trentino area.
I was impressed by the bold, dramatic style, with character and still fresh, white tannins and spices. Another style that impressed me was the 2016, showing an elegant style and refreshing option with character.
One attendee shared a fascinating anecdote, recounting a 1999 Pinot Grigio that defied expectations, showing no signs of oxidation and maintaining a refreshing profile. This unexpected revelation left us all in awe of the grape’s longevity and versatility.
The Consorzio Tutela Vini delle Venezie DOC was established in 2017 by Italian wineries in the northeastern region. Its aim is to create a prominent wine organization that includes the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Autonomous Province of Trento, and the Veneto region under one big appellation of origin.
The Consortium protects and promote an Appellation representing the unique style of Italian Pinot Grigio, expressed in the Triveneto area. Each Delle Venezie DOC bottle undergoes a certification process and professional tasting commissions before receiving the Italian Government Seal. The recent foundation of the Delle Venezie DOC has reduced yields per hectare, ensuring a new level of excellence for this Italian wine.
The Delle Venezie DOC comes from the history and culture of women and men who have built the great “Triveneto vineyard” daily. Pinot Grigio’s production system today is based on a young, modern, environmentally friendly vine-growing system. Producers are prioritizing quality production, ensuring that these wines represent those expressed values to the final consumer.
The Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC production area in Triveneto provides perfect conditions for cultivating this unique grape. This region offers diverse terroirs, from the Dolomites to Lake Garda and the hills of Collio. Winemaking has long united the Triveneto Autonomous Regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and the Autonomous Province of Trento. The Triveneto shares a rich historical background dating back to the 7th and 5th century BC when grape cultivation began. The presence of the Pinot Grigio vine in the Venetian area dates back to the late 1800s.
Pinot Grigio is a light, crisp, and elegant. Is characterized by a refreshing wine with aromas and flavors such as lime, lemon, pear, white nectarine, and apple. Depending on where the grapes are grown, they can take more floral aromas like honeysuckle, and a saline-like minerality. In addition, it offers a refreshing twinkle of acidity and a weighty feeling in the middle of your tongue, with a bitter almond note.
Above all, with Pinot Grigio DOC you can create a versatile food pairing favorites of international, even local, cuisine.
Try it for instance with fried appetizers, salmon crudite, pasta courses with light sauces, soft cheeses, chicken or even pork!
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