This value-priced Pinot comes from Australia’s Victoria region, and I’ve found it consistently pleasing for its price. It’s lighter in color than most California Pinots, but it’s not lacking in flavor. Light to medium bodied, it offers bright red fruit flavors of strawberries and cranberries weaved with herbs and spices. It’s balanced enough to drink on its own, but this is best at the table with herbed roast pork, mushroom-smothered steak, or grilled fish like ahi or salmon. Available at Costco in SLO, it’s only $13.99.
This article appears in Oct 18-25, 2012.