Growing up, Scrabble has always been one of my favorite games. I always thought I was pretty good at it until one afternoon, my husband majorly beat me and my sister – again and again, game after game. It was frustrating to say the least. Fortunately, there was A to Z Pinot Gris 2015 from Oregon to soften the blow.

A to Z Wineworks was started in 2002 by four friends, Oregon wine industry veterans, Deb Hatcher (Eyrie), Bill Hatcher (Domaine Drouhin Oregon), Sam Tannahill (Archery Summit), and Cheryl Francis (Chehalem). The two couples worked in the Hatcher’s kitchen to build the original blend honored by Food & Wine magazine as the Best American Pinot Noir under $20. In 2006, the group welcomed another Oregon wine veteran, Michael Davies, as winemaker, and partnered with Gregg Popovich (Coach of the San Antonio Spurs) to buy REX HILL Vineyards and Winery (established in 1982).  A to Z has more collective Oregon wine making experience than any other winery.

Courtesy A to Z Wineworks

A to Z has worked with more than 100 vineyards across the state encouraging sustainability certification and offering assistance to that end.  A to Z has viticulturists on staff and uses biodynamic principles to farm all owned and many long-leased vineyards and to work with their grower partners. Diverse sourcing across the state offers complexity and depth to the one wine of each variety that is blended in any vintage. Their mission is to offer Aristocratic Wines at Democratic Prices® (cute) blending one cuvee each vintage of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris that deliver the Essence of Oregon®.

I’ve never had a Pinot Gris, so I was curious to try this one. It was very light yellow in color, almost clear, with a tinge of green. I got a whiff of white fruit and flowers on the nose and herbs, melon, honey, pear, and apple on the palate. It was a very complex white wine with lots of flavor. Great balance in acidity and sweetness. It’s fresh and easy to drink. You can find it at Total Wine for $12.99, so definitely affordable and a great value. I didn’t pair it with any food, but a lively game of Scrabble. 4/5. Cheers!