Riff Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, 2006

When I see "riff" on the label, I think jazz. But in this case, "riff" is the German word for "reef," and indicates that the vineyards are
1) in the Dolomites, closer to Germany and Austria than Rome and
2) on a site that was once under the ocean and now offers limestone soil excellent for producing wines with a distinctive mineral quality.

In their first year or so, Pinot Grigios from the Dolomites (including MezzaCorona) tend to have a racy, herbal quality that is very pleasant for spring and summer drinking on the deck. With a few years of aging, this Riff Pinot Grigio has developed a nice body and texture for dinner drinking, more like Pinot Gris than Grigio. There are still pleasant fruit and herb highlights but the mineral background is taking over and adding complexity. This is a wine that would go well not only with fish or pork but with dishes with a buttery sauce.