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Mission Codename: Return to the New World

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Passaggio Winery, an instant hit when we featured them earlier this year. this time, secure an ample allottment of their 2010 New Generation Pinot Grigio, just in time for our Operative’s holiday celebrations.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Passaggio Winery

Wine Subject: 2010 New Generation Pinot Grogio – California Unoaked

Winemaker: Cynthia Cosco

Backgrounder:

Pinot Grigio, sometimes called Pinot Gris, is a white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. Sometimes assumed to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir grape, Pinot Grigio usually shows grayish-blue fruit, accounting for its name, gris meaning “grey”, in French. but the grape can have a brownish pink to black – or even white appearance. The word Pinot, which comes from the word meaning “pine cone” in French, may have been given, due to the fact that the grapes grow in small pine cone-shaped clusters. The wines produced from this grape also vary in color from a deep golden yellow to copper and even a light shade of pink. The clone of Pinot Gris grown in Italy is known as Pinot Grigio. In California, just over 1600 acres are planted. Grapes of this varietal, grown in California, are usually referred to as Pinot Grigio due to the similarity in style to the grape as grown in Italy.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Pale straw-yellow, with perfect color from core to edge. Swirl the wine and fat tears take a long time to form high up on the glass – before crawling slowly downward.

Smell – Lemongrass and bright tropical notes of guava and pineapple. Under these, as the wine warms, slightly, hints of butterscotch, dried hay and subtle white spice emerge.

Feel – Very soft and light-weight at the tip of the tongue. As it crossed the mid-palate, at takes on a bit of weight. Soft tannins and a bright acidity compliment each other, giving the wine a soft dryness and good character.

Taste – Bright and tart, with citrus, green apple skin, yellow apple flesh, dried white flowers, and hints of white pepper and chalky minerals.

Finish – Long and flavorful, starting off tart, but then going softly sweeter. These flavors gradually give way chalky minerals and a lovely hint of white pepper at the very end – where citrus makes a magical reappearance.

Conclusion – Cynthia Cosco, we love you! Your wines are a real delight and, at their present pricing, they are also a tremendous value. Today’s 2010 Pessaggio Winery New Generation Pinot Grigio delivers a soft, delicious, easily approachable wine at a relatively low price – making it the perfect go-to PG for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast. This wine is bright and flavorful with just enough complexity to make it an easy food companion. This wine is delicious, easy-drinking and, at today’s price, certain to sell out!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Cynthia Cosco

WINE EDUCATION: – Police Officer Academy Prince William County, Virginia / Napa Valley College two years enology classes

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: – Chateau St Jean 2004-2007 / Crushpad, Inc 2007-2011 – currently working the harvest at Chimney Rock Winery

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: – Making the best wine possible with what mother nature deals us – crisp, clean bright white wines

WINEMAKER QUOTE: – “Follow Your Passion” and “Drink all you want I can make more”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: (DATE) – 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Cynthia. We are thrilled to be showing your 2010 New Generation Pinot Grigio today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

CYNTHIA: I used to watch my grandfather make wine in the basement – his passion for winemaking is what is instilled in me

RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

CYNTHIA: Mrgo Van Staaveren, Linda Trotta, and Iron Horse Unoaked Chardonnay

RED: Who do you make wine for?

CYNTHIA: Myself and wine consumers

RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

CYNTHIA: The 2010 Pinot Grigio is made from Lodi grapes. It is fermented and aged in stainless steel with no malolactic conversion. It is made to drink with food. This wine is a fuller bodied Pinot Grigio than most.

RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

CYNTHIA: One of my favorite foods to eat with this wine, believe it or not – is pizza.

RED: In your opinion, what makes Lodi such a special place for Pinot Grigio?

CYNTHIA: – I love the Lodi fruit. I have had consistent fruit from this particular vineyard for several years now. The vineyard is in a warm region but with cool nights, It always produces a great wine.

RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

CYNTHIA: Right now harvest has been underway… fast and furious I must say for the last 10 days. Got to get that fruit in!

RED: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

CYNTHIA: I think wine is made to be drank with great food and awesome friends… And I believe you should drink what you like. Approach wine with an open mind and open palate. Find something different that you haven’t tried and give it a go…

RED: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

CYNTHIA: I am so happy that your Operatives loved our previous Wine Spies offering. I’m sure that they’ll really love this Pinot Grigo. Its the perfect Thanksgiving wine, so please encourage those Operatives to stock up!

RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!