Domaine de Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé 2022

Pinot Gris, or “Gray” Pinot feels like a misnomer once you lay eyes on ripened bunches of this variety. “Pink” or “Peachy” Pinot could have been a more apt description for the glowy, violet-hued orbs this “white” variety sprouts. At Domaine de Reuilly, Pinot Gris is planted on soil rich in sand and gravelly deposits resulting from the erosion of the Massif Central, giving a vivid and edgy expression of an otherwise supple and fragrant variety. After harvest, vigneron Joseph de Maistre lets berries linger a bit in the press to extract some pigment from the skins, which lend an autumnal blush of color. While it could pass for a blanc on the palate, this wine lives in its own category between white and rosé, perfectly exemplifying the French expression vin gris that describes this style of brief skin-contact vinification.
   

 With fresh and floral notes of bergamot, white peach, and lychee, it pairs to perfection with a range of options. Ceviche, goat cheese tarts, pad thai, or green salads topped with roasted squash, tart dried cherries, and toasty pumpkin seeds are just a few flavorful ideas for such an invigorating wine. It can be challenging to find artisanal bottles anywhere (ones that are made organically and biodynamically no less!) for under twenty dollars, but with this sharp discount now is a great time to stow away a few Reuilly gris for the season. 

—Jane Augustine