This was yet another impulse buy from Trader Joe's. I quite like Pinot Grigio, and on a warm, sunny spring day like the day we bought it, Pinto Grigio is a perfect wine, a wine meant to be enjoyed in the "now." This is an import from Italy's Veneto region, a region that contains Venice, among other cities. It was imported, as far as I can tell, exclusively for Trader Joe's by D'Aquino. And yes, I freely admit that this was a wine I looked at initially because of the label design, and typography. Gaetano D'Aquino Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2009 has a 12% ABV, though it's eminently quaffable and would be a great deal of fun to serve to friends for a spring brunch on the deck.

In the glass, it's an extremely pale straw yellow. It has a pleasant fruity aroma, with hints of pineapple and citrus on the nose. In taste, it has the Pinot Grigio acidity with notes of citrus, slightly sweet lemon, with a hint of grapefruit and a pleasantly mineral finish. This is a thoroughly pleasant spring wine, meant to be consumed now, either on its own or accompanied by a goat cheese and pear salad, or avocado stuffed with crab salad. We picked this bottle up casually; at $3.99 a bottle it wouldn't break our hearts or our budget, and trying a new wine is fun. But we're definitely going to go back for more; this is a perfect spring and early summer casual white wine.