First you do it for love,

Then you do it for a few friends,

And finally you do it for money."

I feel that way about wine!  I drink it out of love, I serve it to a few friends, and now I pour it for money.  Oh, and I also get to write about it.....lucky me.....but, lest drinking and writing make Jane a dull girl....let us proceed.

Thursday brought us the somewhat pricey version of the number one imported varietal in America, Pinot Grigio, and by any other name known as Santa Margherita, otherwise known as the grape of housewives and 'newbie girlie sorority' wine tasters everywhere.

And, in my quest to become a bonafide member of the 'newbie girlie sorority' I want all of my NGS girls to know that I REALLY like this wine.  Price point aside, it should stand beside "Old Faithful" in Yellowstone Park because vintage to vintage, (and price hike to price hike) it never disappoints and it always delivers exactly what you would expect.....OUTSTANDING TASTE!

What a concept!  Or, in my world, what we refer to as a BFO!!

Pinot Grigio is the signature grape of Italy (okay, okay and in New World perspectives,OR and CA).  The best Pinot Grigio hales from Friuli, Italy but a clever oenologist decided to pluck the best grapes from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, delete leaving the "must" on the skins, and VOILA... instant white wine where only pink existed before.

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is a dry white wine, which may surprise my NGS's who may be sipping on a sweeter version of Pinot Grigio.  The nose is subtle with pleasant golden apples at first sniff.  The palate is clean, crisp, fragrant, yet elegant and harmonious.  There is a slight sweetness (clap not my NGS's) that combines nicely with a full, tangy, long finish that has made this wine the benchmark of Pinot Grigios everywhere. 

The only inhibitor, to me, at least, with this wine, is its price tag.  At a whopping $24.99, I am somewhat hesitant to grab this wine for everyday drinking.  But, if the 'family' is coming over, I might skip the low cost, low quality wines and head straight for "old faithful".....hey, nothing but the best for my family......okay, sometimes I do go for the low quality, high cost wines...I'm just saying..... labels can impress some people......I wonder if Calvin Klein makes wine these days?

In conclusion, see you on Thursday where thirsty people congregate, en masse, at Greenfield Liquors, or State Street Exchange, or the only place in town where you can taste wine while standing in line to buy your COLD beer.

Until

The Wine Tellar

A