Villa Brici Pinot Grigio 21

I've been featuring quite a few Slovenian wines lately, and there's a good reason for that -- the wines are delicious and a tremendous bang for the buck! Slovenia is still largely off the radar for many wine lovers, and it's just beginning to be discovered by the wine press and savvy soms. Now is a great time to take advantage of these terrific wines at super-reasonable prices before they become more widely known.

Villa Brici is an export label produced by the Klet Brda Winery Cooperative, the largest producer and exporter of Slovenian wine (and the producer of Krasno and Giocato.) Over 400 families have grown grapes and made wine together at Klet Brda for the past sixty years. The families manage more than 3,000 hectares of vineyards, most of which are organically farmed.

A well-made, reasonably-priced Pinot Grigio is my idea of a "comfort wine." Like comfort food, a comfort wine is inexpensive, gloriously simple, and easy-going; however, it's oh-so-tasty and soul-satisfying! The Villa Brici Pinot Grigio is just that.

In your glass, after a quick swirl or two, you're treated to aromas of citrus, pear, and melon leading into a crisp, clean palate of citrus and minerals. A whisper of tropical fruit joins notes of citrus, green melon, and minerals through the fresh finish. This zippy white will pair nicely with light pasta, fish, shellfish, and light chicken dishes.