Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
A Wine for Tonight: 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris
By Kori ~ November 19th, 2009.
Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris from Washington State’s Columbia Valley.
Our selection criteria include:
- A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
- A price tag of <=$15
- Must be widely available
Last month, we featured Washington State Pinot Gris in our wine tasting dinner. The wines paired wonderfully with Mom’s dinner of tomato basil soup, mixed green salad, chicken tapenade, orzo pasta with parmesan and basil, roasted Italian vegetables, and tiramisu for dessert. This 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris was one of the top three wines in the tasting that clearly stood above the rest.
I’m one who focuses on the wine first and the food second, but this pairing was outstanding and truly grabbed my attention. However, as well as the 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris paired with the food in the tasting dinner, I think that it would be an excellent, economical choice to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey and dressing next week. So why not go and pick up a couple of bottles, one for tonight and one to take to your Thanksgiving feast next week.
“Falling somewhere between the lighter Italian Pinot Grigio style and the richer, rounder Pinot Gris style from Alsace, our Columbia Valley Pinot Gris offers fresh aromas and flavors of pear, fig, and a hint of spice. A touch of Viognier contributes texture and an attractive floral character….†–Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker, Chateau Ste. Michelle
2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, straw yellow. Tinny and metallic on the nose; citrus and floral notes come through on the palate. Light-bodied and crisp with a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, WA), $9; Widely available elsewhere, $9 to $15
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
Couldn’t agree more! Very good choice! For what it’s worth, I concur.
Thanks, Josh. Always nice to hear when others feel the same way about a wine. Cheers!