MCF Rare Wine
Pinot Grigio? In The Newsletter??
In one of the dozens of iconic moments in 'Animal House', Niedermeyer castigates Flounder for having a pledge pin on his uniform, screeching the words -
"A PLEDGE PIN?! ON YOUR UNIFORM??!!'
That's kinda how I heard the above title in my head when I typed it...
I don't know if that means anything or if it's just a moment of pop culture clanging around in my brain, but I suppose there would probably be some people who'd have as...indignant a reaction to this most maligned of varietals being presented so prominently by a person like me, who fancies himself a promoter of the more underappreciated wines of the world...
...but that's the interesting part.
If a grape that enjoyed so much popularity that it became so ubiquitous and, unfortunately, so lazily produced to the point that 99% of it was insipid, boring commodity juice, shouldn't a shopkeeper who seeks to remind people of the cornucopia of variety and quality from 'overlooked' sources then be promoting an example of Pinot Grigio that is damned delicious and interesting?
The answer is yes.
The producer here is Frecciarossa, a historic estate in the Oltrepó-Pavese zone of Lombardy.
Yes, the hook here is might be textured, aromatic, earthy, outrageously-complex-for-the-$ Pinot Grigio...
...but the singular star, however, is their Sillery Pinot Nero Bianco - a still white wine made of Pinot Noir.
Inspired by the use of Pinot Noir in the great non-red wines of Champagne, Valeria Odero's grandfather set out to make a still wine from the Pinot Nero favorable climats of the Oltrepó Pavese. This is one of Northern Italy's singular white wines, especially, again, for the price. It perfectly captures the aromatic, mineral and structural elements so signature to Pinot, but projects them through this lovely, pristine lens of a white wine.
Its texture is subtle, but substantial, it's well defined and just so...aristocratically balanced. The whispers of berry fruit on the finish play so beautifully off the mineral/herbaceous core.
Picture a fine restaurant in Milano or Torino, specializing in Northern Italian fare. Then picture what you think the perfect white wine for such a setting would be...something delicious, chic, pedigreed, complex and serious, but that's also quiet and versatile enough to harmonize with the food.
I'd be willing to bet that what you pictured tastes just like this...
...regardless of whether or not you heard Niedermeyer's voice in your head...
FRECCIAROSSA
Pinot Grigio Oltrepó Pavese 2023
Pinot Nero Sillery 2023
You may also order by replying to this message or calling 212.255.8870.
Matt Franco
MCF Rare Wine, Ltd
249 West 13th Street NYC 10011
Looking for a wine you loved from a past newsletter or a favorite you can't find anywhere? Email Raphael at raphael@mcf-rarewine.com, and we'll do our best to find it for you!
