Field Recordings 'Domo Arigato Mr. Ramato' Pinot Grigio Central Coast 2023

Experimentation is the calling card of winemaker Andrew Jones, who’s Field Recordings label has become somewhat famous for its stylistic variety, use of atypical Californian grape varieties and avant-garde approach to winemaking. Exhibit A: This Central Coast pinot grigio. A blend of fruit from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara Highlands and the Edna Valley, it’s made via a historical style of producing pinot grigio in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region of Italy, called ramato (from the word ‘rame’ which means ‘copper’ in Italian), in which the grape’s juice is left in contact with its pink-ish-grey-colored skins for an extended period of time to produce a beautiful ruby-russet, fittingly copper color. Here, the skin maceration lasts a whopping 60 days, after which the wine spends six months aging in French oak and acacia barrels. This results in a delicious, somewhat juicy-fruity, somewhat peppery wine, bursting with flavors of dried strawberry, just-picked stone fruit and fresh thyme. Sustainably grown, vegan.