The search for a classy “California-style” Pinot Gris wine starts and ends with the letter “J”.
With its unveiling of the 2012 vintage, J Vineyards & Winery continues its streak to the top of the category, producing the #1 best-selling California Pinot Gris in America (above $14), this according to AC Nielsen.
If you are enjoying a cool, crisp Pinot Gris tonight, you are most certainly riding America’s hottest white wine trend — the move away from oaky, buttery Chardonnays. J Pinot Gris is so hot, it continued to outpace overall category growth by 50% during the last 13 weeks of 2012 (AC Nielsen).
Because of its more delicate fruit flavors and ability to pair with a wide variety of foods, consumer interest in Pinot Gris (and the Italian version of the same grape, Pinot Grigio) has grown nearly 10% in the past year to become the #5 most-enjoyed wine in the country behind Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and White Zinfandel.
And while France, Italy, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest all had a head start in making delightful variations of Pinot Gris, California has recently begun to flex its market power, taking this unique grape variety to a more stylish level.
“The rising popularity of Pinot Gris can be attributed to the wine’s food pairing appeal,” says Melissa Stackhouse, J VP of Winemaking. “This multi-dimensional wine, in a screw-cap, is a delicious social sipper, and also a great accompaniment to a variety of Asian dishes accented with edgy spices and flavors.”
“The introduction of J’s California Pinot Gris in 2009 was a classic example of the right wine at exactly the right time,” adds Stackhouse. “Consumers were demanding great quality and value during the downturn in the economy and, today, our Pinot Gris continues to deliver on that promise.”
Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.
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