So two very unfortunate things happened this week. On Tuesday it was 107 degrees outside. This is an unreasonable temperature, especially when you live in a home without air conditioning AND the weather this summer had blessed us with the 5 weeks immediately proceeding this heat burst where the temperature rarely exceed 78. On Monday, when the temperature merely brushed up against 100 degrees, we decided we should open the Blason Pinot Grigio to help cool off.

Which brings us to the second unfortunate thing, though it happened first. The first sign that things might not be great was the bright yellow synthetic cork I pulled out of the bottle. I hate to admit it, but yes, I am biased against wines corked with synthetic materials, especially brightly colored synthetic materials. I just haven’t ever had a wine sealed that way that blew my socks off. (Please don’t confuse this with screw caps, however. I’ve had many a delicious wine sealed with a crew cap).

The wine was super pale yellow and actually smelled pretty good. It was fresh and light with a faint lemon scent. But, then I tasted it. Its not like it was God-awful, it tasted of minerals and hay or straw with a light taste. But, the finish was funky, and just tasted cheap. I did drink my initial 1/2 glass while making dinner, but when I poured the second half after the kids were in bed and took my first few sips I realized I wasn’t enjoying the wine at all. I turned to Myles and announced that I didn’t want anymore. Not from that glass or the bottle. Wine has calories and these just aren’t worth it. And while he finished the remainder in my glass, he didn’t want anymore from the bottle either. Before going to bed I unceremoniously poured the rest of the bottle down the drain.

I can’t help wonder, did K&L steer me wrong by stocking this wine? I don’t know enough to know whether or not the wine was “correct” according to typicity and place standards, so maybe it was fine, just not my thing. Who knows?! K&L describes it as being “sensational” and “extraordinarily drinkable for the price”, being really good in the price-to-quality ratio, and that its a lot better than most other pinot grigios that cost less than $10. All I do know is that we didn’t like it.

I should’ve spent a bit more $$ and gotten this one from a producer often mentioned in my wine books, or this one that received a good score. Perhaps they’re better examples of the grape in this region.

The Score: ★