14 Jul Summer sipper: Four Graces 2015 Pinot Blanc
When you think/drink chilled white wine, do you consistently defer to either pinot gris and/or chardonnay? There are worse ruts to be in, I suppose. But if you’re looking for variety, here’s a suggestion: try pinot blanc.
Grapes don’t have feelings.
But if they did, pinot blanc would have an inferiority complex.
It’s the Rodney Dangerfield of wine grapes:
it doesn’t get much respect.
Which is a shame. I think pinot blanc is severely underrated.
It might not have as much body as chardonnay or be as fruity as pinot gris.
But a properly-chilled pinot blanc is crisp, refreshing
and IMO, absolutely perfect for warm-weather sipping.
Four Graces, the Dundee (Oregon) winery well known for their pinot noir, has consistently done a nice job with their pinot blanc. Their 2015 version is right in the groove. There’s a little bit of pineapple and a little bit of pear combining for what Wine Advocate called a “pleasant pucker”.
It isn’t widely available. Even if your store has it, you’ll have to do some searching. It’s somewhat random where pinot blanc winds up on the shelf. It could be near the rieslings or the sauvignon blancs or the pinot gris. You might find it in the “miscellaneous white” section. It could take some effort.
But if it’s time for you to break out of that chardonay/pinot gris rut,
it will be worth your while to seek out the Four Graces
and give pinot blanc some much deserved respect!
As of July 14, we found Four Graces 2015 pinot blanc at:
EASTSIDE
Costco near PDX $13.99 Safeway SE 38th & Hawthorne $17.49
Fred Meyer Hawthorne $19.49 Fred Meyer Hollywood $19.49
WESTSIDE
Costco Beaverton $13.99 Safeway NW Lovejoy $17.49
Safeway NW Cornell $17.49 Bale’s Thriftway NW Cornell $17.99
Fred Meyer Walker Road $19.49 Fred Meyer Beaverton $19.49
Fred Meyer Raleigh Hills $19.49
SOUTH
Safeway SW Barbur $17.49 Safeway Lake Oswego $17.49
Fred Meyer SW Barbur $19.49 Fred Meyer Tualatin $19.49