2019 Hess Select Pinot Gris ($12)

The Hess Select line of wines are perfect for Behind the Cork™ because they are affordable and attainable. And, they taste great!

This Hess Select Pinot Gris (Pee-noh-GREE) is from California vineyard sites that assures plentiful sunshine for a consistent and long grape growing season. This provides flavorful fruit with layers of character.

The Hess Select Pinot Gris has flavors of pear and sweet lemon, moderate acidity and a creamy mouthfeel.

The Hess winemaker, Dave Guffy, says of this wine that it is “fermented..in stainless steel, without oak influence, in order to accentuate the beautiful tropical characteristics of the wine and retain freshness. It undergoes some lees stirring to highlight the naturally crisp stone fruit flavors.”

If you’re looking for a refreshing wine you enjoy with cheese & crackers or with poultry and seafood, this Hess Select Pinot Gris will be a great pairing. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White, Donna White Communications

2017 Adorada Pinot Gris ($3.99)

Well here’s another Trader Joe’s find! As I was checking out, my checker pointed this one out as a “one time buy” that she thought was really good. At $3.99 I had to give it a try.

According to the Adorada Wines website, this is a Fetzer wine. And, it appears to sell elsewhere in the $15 range (although their website does show this 2017 bottle with a black wax dip on the neck of the bottle.

This Adorada Pinot Gris is just what you’d expect. It’s got bright tropical fruit flavors and nice acidity. I paired it with pork tenderloin and a goat cheese sauce that worked really well.

So, quick, get out to Trader Joe’s and pick this one up (or buy a case!) Cheers!