2016 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio Alto Adige 750 ml

When the Quality and Price Stars Align

Of the rare Pinot Grigios that manage to score in the mid-90s, next to none can be had for under $40. That’s why Peter Zemmer’s elegant and rich 2016 Alto Adige Pinot Grigio, coronated with 95 points by Decanter and offered at only $14.99, is a bona fide steal. We “discovered” the Zemmer Pinot Grigio a few years ago, but 95 points for the 2016 means that its days under the radar are long gone.

Zemmer’s wines are from deep and rich soils in the warm southern microclimate near the Trentino line, where Pinot Grigio fattens up and takes on a decidedly more Alsatian complexion than its northern counterparts. Dry, warm conditions leading up to the 2016 harvest brought the grapes in with perfect ripeness and acidity, providing the raw materials for a superb production. Zemmer vinifies completely in stainless steel to preserve zesty acidity and vibrancy, and the result in 2016 is a fleshy and finely textured Pinot Grigio that simply obliterates the expectations for a sub-$20 wine.