Monfort Pinot Grigio 2023

Region: Trentino, Italy

Grape Variety: Pinot Grigio

We generally do not make a fuss about Pinot Grigio, with most examples being relatively benign, but there are some versions that show the royal quality of this variety. At issue is most examples bottled “della Venezia” come from high yield vineyards in the rolling hills between Venice and Verona. The high crop yields and machinery harvesting produce wines that are thin and often a little bitter. Where Pinot Grigio shows true character is in high elevation sites where yields are far lower and the harvest must be done by hand. This bottling from the Trentino region, south of the border of Austria, is a great example of why Pinot Gris is a noble variety in other parts of the world.

At the core of this wine is the efforts of the Simoni family, who began producing wine after WWII. The parcels in this part of Italy are tiny, so like most producers in this area they rely on a group of farmers to abide by their strict quality criteria during farming. The result is a wine with fantastic intensity and texture, which is a revelation compared with most examples. You will taste the quality when you pour a glass and experience the exotic notes of dried lemon peel, fresh cut pineapple, baked Gala apples and lemongrass. The feel on the palate is slightly rich with a fine grain of minerality that runs through the whole wine. Drink 2025-2026 with grilled fish, shrimp scampi or even pork schnitzel.