The Yealands Estate Pinot Gris is a wine that really took me by surprise….in a good way. Pinot Gris from Marlborough, New Zealand….I thought they only grew Sauvignon Blanc there. Wrong!
For fans of fuller and rounder Pinot Gris’ (think Oregon or Alsace), this super value is one you’ve got to try.
2018 Yealands Estate Pinot Gris
For fans of Oregon and/or Alsatian Pinot Gris, do yourself a favor and try this!
To order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Yealands Estate is not only New Zealand’s largest privately owned winery, they are also one of the country’s most sustainably-minded and environmentally friendly. Whether recycling grape marc for fertilization, burning prunings in place of fuel, or re-establishing wetlands to preserve native wildlife, the Yealands team believes that wines produced in harmony with nature offer the purest expressions of New Zealand’s distinctive terroir and result in a more refined finished product.
I personally have a lot of respect for larger wineries that choose to balance production and profiteering with taking care of their lands. Beyond that, Yealands pays all of their employees a living wage, a business practice I find very admirable and one I also follow. But most importantly, I love this wine. I’m a sucker for white wines that combine body and texture with freshness and acidity, and this one one does that perfectly.
Like most Pinot Gris produced anywhere in the world, this one is fermented and aged in stainless steel. If you don’t like oak and butter but you do like a white wine with full aromas and flavors, you’ll love this one. The nose grabbed me from the first smell — ripe pear, peach, apple, and ripe tropical fruits were all present. And the palate is a continuation of the bouquet in terms of flavors, but it’s the mouthfeel that really appealed to me. This is a decidedly full-bodied white wine yet it remains fresh.
I had this with shrimp and grits for Valentine’s Day, and it was a perfect match. It would also be great with salmon, tuna, crab, or lobster. Your call there, but don’t feel like you have to have it with food. Cheers to happy drinking and eating in Asheville.
To order, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville