Pinot gris

• pinot gris is a white wine grape variety.
• pinot - French for "pine cone", perhaps because of the shape of the grape clusters.
• gris - French for "grey".
• known as pinot grigio in Italy.
• usually pinot grigio in California, pinot gris in Oregon.
• the grape can have a brownish pink to black and even white appearance.
• grows best in cool climates, and matures relatively early with high sugar levels.
• the wine colour varies from a deep golden yellow to copper and even a light shade of pink.
• can be bottled and sold within 4–12 weeks of fermentation.
• probably originates from the Burgundy region of France.
• unreliable yields caused it to fall from favour in the 18/19th centuries.
• first grown in North America in 1966 in Oregon.
• its DNA is very similar to pinot noir.

Professional Friends of Wine describe the wines made from this grape:

Pinot gris /pinot grigio is usually delicately fragrant and mildly floral with lightly lemon-citrus flavors. Depending upon ripeness at harvest and vinification technique, pinot gris can be tangy and light, or quite rich, round and full bodied.

WineIntro.com says that

Pinot grigio pairs well with light dishes that are still on the "thick" side, like chicken in a rich white sauce, or eggplant with heavy spices.

PinotGris.net says of the wine:

Often described as having a floral, smoky, honey-tinged flavor with a minor citrus kick, pinot gris wine is a dry, crisp white wine often high in acidity and low in tannins. Pinot gris should be consumed within two years of its vintage, and pairs well with seafood, pork and chicken, if served sans acidic embellishments.

In 2007, the New York Times said:

Oregon pinot gris can be a wine of character and interest. The good ones have aromas and flavors of flowers, almonds and minerals. They have grace and texture, and are lively enough to go well with food. Best of all, they almost always cost less than $20.

Here is a video about pinot gris that tastes four different wines - don't be put off by the whacky intro - it gets better.

Sipping suggestions for your wedding reception

by guest writer Diana Valentine

A major component of  a wedding reception feast is certainly wine. However, wine is not the only beverage that would be required to please your guests and let them have a good time. Your reception all depends on how you treat your guests with food and drinks in tandem with your overall theme.

If you're wondering which champagnes and wines are best to serve during wedding receptions, you're not alone. Most couples want to find universally delicious wines to pour for their guests, and something to please them as well. You should consider both those wine savvy friends and your oaky-Chardonnay sipping mothers. And of course champagne will need to be poured; you practically can't celebrate without these days!

Here are a few basics that you'll need to know to get the perfect variety for wedding receptions. At most parties, approximately half of the guests will drink white wine, Chardonnay is the most popular, and slightly more will drink red wine. So you'll want to consider your guests. Are there more women? They are more often white wine drinkers, and more male guests mean more red wine. And for those same men, you might even consider having beer to serve as well. You'll also want to consider what food you are serving. If you're serving seafood, think beyond Chardonnay and look into a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Both also pair nicely with cheese platters, spicy tapas, creamy pasta and chicken entrees. You might even look into a lovely dry Rosé to pour for guests. Not only is it a pretty shade of pink in your glass, but your wine expert friends will be impressed in your taste in wines. For red wines, Merlot and Cabernet are the most popular options for wedding receptions and both work perfectly with hearty red meats or pastas with robust red sauces. If you'd prefer something a bit lighter, look into an earthy Pinot Noir and you might even catch your new mother-in-law branching out and trying a glass.

Wine is great for wedding receptions as it brings an element of class to your celebration as it has been served to celebrate couples since marriage was invented! Many couples today even choose to have their wedding receptions at wineries. Picture an intimate ceremony in a sun-kissed vineyard with an elegant dinner served in a wine cave in Napa. Regardless of your location, don't overlook the importance of choosing wine for your wedding. And you should plan to have a bottle of red and a bottle of white on each table and about two glasses of Champagne per guest. Since wines can get a bit pricey, you might consider going to the winery to taste the wines first. They will often give you a case discount which can be gentler on your bank account. The more wine you pour, the more toasts you will receive to "a life of wedded bliss," cheers!

For more information on serving food and wine during your reception and to know more about wedding receptions, visit WeddingLocation.com

Help needed March 2011

• Where can I purchase Vineyard Collection bridesmaid dresses at a discount?
• Anyone any experience of weddings at Vinoklet Winery, Cincinnati, Ohio? 
• Has anyone ever been to a wedding at Laurita Winery in New Egypt, NJ?  
• What is the average wedding budget?
• Ideas for incorporating a vineyard/winery feel to your guestbook?
• The best place in Australia for a winery wedding? Yarra Valley maybe? 
• What do I wear to a 5pm wedding at a winery in upstate NY in May?
• Has anyone been to a wedding at Magnanini Winery in Wallkill, NY?

Winery and Wedding Buzz, March 2011

• Winery Wedding Theme - create the ambiance yourself
• The team at Edna Valley Vineyard are a well-oiled machine that will make your wedding day flawless!
• There are 90 wineries in Iowa and most offer entertainment and facilities for weddings.
• Cape Cod Winery's homemade fruity wine is the perfect pair to your berry-filled spring wedding cake.
• Festive Designs report on Edna Vally Vineyard weddings.

Could weddings at wineries become a thing of the past?:

• New Jersey vineyard weddings in jeopardy. 
• Neighbors complain about amplified music from wineries. 
• Temecula Valley land-use plan could stop special events at vineyards less than 20 acres. 

Preparations for an outdoor winery wedding in the Malibu hills:

Winery wedding venues in Woodinville, Washington

In January this year, a number of winery wedding venues put on a tour to give couples a view of each fully decorated venue to better envision their special wedding day. Vendors were on hand to show off table settings, floral designs, catering, music and everything else that goes to make a wedding special.

This video taken during the event gives you a flavour of what to expect at The Woodhouse Wine Estates, Novelty Hill • Januik Winery, DeLille Cellars, Willows Lodge, Columbia Winery and JM Cellars.


Weddings in Woodinville from Bogle Productions on Vimeo.