the WINE GUY

P inot Gris has become rather ubiquitous.

The wine (also known as Pinot Grigio) is everywhere — from pretty much every restaurant wine list to many a dinner party dining table. There are a few solid reasons for Pinot Gris’ success. The trend for Italian Pinot Grigio a few years back certainly helped, as legions looked to complement a glass into their wishful, poolside villa lifestyle. But the staying power of the grape is really more everyday mundane: Pinot Gris is both accessible and versatile — traits highlighted by this week’s three picks.

THE SWIRL: Chef Meets B.C. Grape Okanagan

Building on the success of the Chef Meets B.C. Grape events on the coast, Wines of British Columbia is set to launch its inaugural Chef Meets B.C. Grape Okanagan Wine & Food Experience. Taking place Aug. 24-27, the four-day festival includes an array of dinners, seminars, tastings and demonstrations by 60 participating B.C. wineries and 16 top Western Canadian chefs. For complete details and tickets to the various events, check out www. chefmeetsbcgrapeokanagan.com.

Kris 2016 Pinot Grigio, Italy ($15.99 limited time offer until Sept. 2, #151860)

In general, Italian Pinot Grigio is categorized as presenting a lighter, more direct style of the wine. Of course, the stereotype is based in truth, but it doesn’t provide universal platitude. Year in and out, Kris Pinot Grigio marries crispness and intensity with layers of flavour and texture. It’s refreshing, sure, but also balanced and elegant — making it quite the versatile white wine that is ready to pair up with a bounty of diverse meals from grilled seafood to chicken alfredo. Bottom line: B+ “Impressive all-around PG”

Santa Julia 2016 Pinot Grigio, Argentina ($13.49, #239301)

While Italian bottles sport Pinot Grigio, the rest of the wine-producing world may opt for either Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris (same grape, different accent). Argentina’s Santa Julia labels their bottle the former and in the glass it presents a veritable ripe fruit basket of aromas — from citrus and melon to tropical pineapple. It’s straightforward and crisp — the style of wine that goes over well with a crowd — either served en masse as a standalone glass or alongside backyard appetizers.

Bottom line: B “Great patio partner”

See Ya Later Ranch 2016 Pinot Gris, British Columbia ($16.99, #75739)

Pinot Gris also thrives in B.C. vineyards and there’s a bevy of local bottles to choose from. One perennially solid pick is See Ya Later Ranch’s Pinot Gris, which is easy to get into thanks to exuberant fruit flavours complemented by good acidity and a mellow, smooth finish. These qualities are no doubt enhanced by the winemaking process, whereby SYL cold soaks its Pinot Gris grapes for 24 hours before barrel fermenting 20 per cent of the grape juice in French oak. The classic local pairing here is B.C. Pinot Gris and B.C. wild salmon and there’s no need to reinvent the menu, whether cedar-planked filet or salmon burgers are on deck. Bottom line: B+ “Perennial PG pick”