I find it helpful to compare two wines, the contrasts remind you of the salient characteristics, here are two Pingos both open and in front of me as I write.
You would think this an unfair match, and it is, but the Cantina comes out better than I thought. It doesn't really taste like a Pinot Grigio and in marks out of 10 - let's say where a 4 is the dividing line between where you might consider leaving it on the pub counter and wandering off, it's probably a 3.8, but another couple of months and we will be in the BBQ season and I think it might find itself in some sort of fruit punch. The problem is 'acetone' or something that tastes so much like it it may as well be acetone - I think the 'designer' was told that Pinot Grigio has characteristics of acetone and citric acid and he had to get home early that day. You will see I opened the bottle and used a vacuvin - we've found that the acetone dissipates with time and an airing; it is really strong on opening the bottle.
The Selection Pingo is a family favourite (we are all over 21), it delivers a good, authentic Pinot Grigio but if you have done all your tasting in Britain's pubs be prepared for a surprise. The Selection result is not sharply acidic or watery thin. It is not the most complex of whites, although a distinctive flavour, it's an easy drinking wine for delicate foods or on its own. Selection have made the most of it, in my view, and it's got a medium body and a good finish and I personally don't lament the absence of acidity, but you can always tinker with the acid if you fancy a bit more sharpness. On the same scale as the Cantina I'll give it a 7.3. No Pingo I can afford is likely to exceed 7.5 and I doubt I'll ever award a 10 for any wine (there was a bottle of Chablis once, back in the 70s...), so please appreciate the conservatism of my scoring allows for nice surprises in the future, as well as wines of an entirely better class.
Conclusions? The Cantina probably isn't value for money. It just slips below the plimsoll line of acceptable - though was that my fault by adding the White Wine enhancer? On the other hand, it isn't only one's best chums that drop round and expect 'a glass of your home-made muck while I'm here', so, why disappoint?
Here are notes if you have made it this far:
Cantina Gold 5-Day Pinot Grigio (21 Litres £29.28) Bottled 16-Nov-11. OG 1.085 FG 0.998 ABV 11.8%
Made in accordance with instructions BUT 1 tin of White Wine enhancer added at commencement.
Comparison after 3 months in bottle. Bottle opened 5 hours before some removed (for cooking) and a vacuvin stopper used.
Appearance
Clear, authentic very light straw colour. No 'legs' on glass.
Nose
Fresh, predominantly 'acetone' notes (nail-polish remover/acid drops)
Taste
Light, slightly fragrant, dry but with sweetness on the front and side of tongue. Mouthfeel reasonable. Presence of acetone flavour is moderate but slightly overwhelms the other flavours, which aren't strong. Citrus (simple lemon).
Finish
A positive finish, slightly tongue-rough (tannin?), noticeable acidity but not overdone.
Selection International Pinot Grigio (23 Litres £69.95) Bottled 1-Aug-11. OG 1.083 FG 0.993 ABV 12.1%
Made in accordance with instructions.
At time of writing, 6.5 months in the bottle.
Appearance
Clear, slightly darker light straw colour. No 'legs' on glass.
Nose
Noticeably more complex and balanced, promise of authentic style, melon and deeper, sense of alcohol fumes.
Taste
Medium weight, complex but balanced. Dry, no immediate sweetness. Mouthfeel significant. Hint of white grape-skin bitterness, but very low acidity.
Finish
A long finish, slightly peppery, flavour and authentic Pinot Grigio notes develop well on and after the swallow, lingers with a touch of melon/white grape flavour a hint of steel, no real acid feel but lots going on at the back of the tongue .
You would think this an unfair match, and it is, but the Cantina comes out better than I thought. It doesn't really taste like a Pinot Grigio and in marks out of 10 - let's say where a 4 is the dividing line between where you might consider leaving it on the pub counter and wandering off, it's probably a 3.8, but another couple of months and we will be in the BBQ season and I think it might find itself in some sort of fruit punch. The problem is 'acetone' or something that tastes so much like it it may as well be acetone - I think the 'designer' was told that Pinot Grigio has characteristics of acetone and citric acid and he had to get home early that day. You will see I opened the bottle and used a vacuvin - we've found that the acetone dissipates with time and an airing; it is really strong on opening the bottle.
The Selection Pingo is a family favourite (we are all over 21), it delivers a good, authentic Pinot Grigio but if you have done all your tasting in Britain's pubs be prepared for a surprise. The Selection result is not sharply acidic or watery thin. It is not the most complex of whites, although a distinctive flavour, it's an easy drinking wine for delicate foods or on its own. Selection have made the most of it, in my view, and it's got a medium body and a good finish and I personally don't lament the absence of acidity, but you can always tinker with the acid if you fancy a bit more sharpness. On the same scale as the Cantina I'll give it a 7.3. No Pingo I can afford is likely to exceed 7.5 and I doubt I'll ever award a 10 for any wine (there was a bottle of Chablis once, back in the 70s...), so please appreciate the conservatism of my scoring allows for nice surprises in the future, as well as wines of an entirely better class.
Conclusions? The Cantina probably isn't value for money. It just slips below the plimsoll line of acceptable - though was that my fault by adding the White Wine enhancer? On the other hand, it isn't only one's best chums that drop round and expect 'a glass of your home-made muck while I'm here', so, why disappoint?
Here are notes if you have made it this far:
Cantina Gold 5-Day Pinot Grigio (21 Litres £29.28) Bottled 16-Nov-11. OG 1.085 FG 0.998 ABV 11.8%
Made in accordance with instructions BUT 1 tin of White Wine enhancer added at commencement.
Comparison after 3 months in bottle. Bottle opened 5 hours before some removed (for cooking) and a vacuvin stopper used.
Appearance
Clear, authentic very light straw colour. No 'legs' on glass.
Nose
Fresh, predominantly 'acetone' notes (nail-polish remover/acid drops)
Taste
Light, slightly fragrant, dry but with sweetness on the front and side of tongue. Mouthfeel reasonable. Presence of acetone flavour is moderate but slightly overwhelms the other flavours, which aren't strong. Citrus (simple lemon).
Finish
A positive finish, slightly tongue-rough (tannin?), noticeable acidity but not overdone.
Selection International Pinot Grigio (23 Litres £69.95) Bottled 1-Aug-11. OG 1.083 FG 0.993 ABV 12.1%
Made in accordance with instructions.
At time of writing, 6.5 months in the bottle.
Appearance
Clear, slightly darker light straw colour. No 'legs' on glass.
Nose
Noticeably more complex and balanced, promise of authentic style, melon and deeper, sense of alcohol fumes.
Taste
Medium weight, complex but balanced. Dry, no immediate sweetness. Mouthfeel significant. Hint of white grape-skin bitterness, but very low acidity.
Finish
A long finish, slightly peppery, flavour and authentic Pinot Grigio notes develop well on and after the swallow, lingers with a touch of melon/white grape flavour a hint of steel, no real acid feel but lots going on at the back of the tongue .
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