Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio Review (2023)

Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio Featured

What Kind of Wine Is Ruffino Pinot Grigio?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is a dry white wine from Veneto, Italy. It is a traditional Pinot Grigio that opens with a distinct nose full of floral fragrances and green fruit aromas. The palate is smooth and sweet like honey, while the brisk acidity invigorates. Furthermore, the finish is lingering and lengthy with citrus flavors. Ruffino Pinot Grigio is easy-drinking and palatable.

Although originating in Burgundy, France (where it is called Pinot Gris), Pinot Grigio is commonly associated with Italy. There it is cultivated and grown in the northern regions of Umbria, Trentino, Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli. Pinot Grigio can be light, medium, or rich in body and flavors, although this depends on the vintage and terroir. Pinot Grigio wine is creamy with good acidity and may show tastes of apple, pear, and citrus, or more juicy tropical notes.


Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio Review

  • Winery — Ruffino Wines
  • Country/Region — Italy, Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Atesino Delle Venezie
  • Type — Northern Italy Pinot Grigio
  • Aroma — Jasmine, Apple, Pear, Grapefruit, Lemon, Wet Grass, Charred Wood
  • Grapes — Pinot Grigio
  • Taste — Pineapple, Papaya, Lemon Peel, Strawberry, Butter, Honey, Flint, Sage, Mint
  • Alcohol Content — 12%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Cured Meats, Milky Cheeses, Creamy Sauces, Fresh Salads, Seafood, Asian

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is lively and elegant. With a fragrant nose filled with floral, green fruit, and lemon notes, and a palate of pineapple and cream, Ruffino Pinot Grigio is easy to recommend. What I also love about this one is the subtle oak hints and the herbaceous nature. It is so nice to taste a Pinot Grigio that exhibits different complexity layers. Go ahead and try it! You are in for a one-of-a-kind rollercoaster ride.

Overall Rating: 4.0

Positives
  • Aromatic Nose
  • Delicious Palate
  • Lingering Finish
  • Pinot Grigio Varietal Character Is Present
Negatives
  • Little Complexity

Tasting Notes

Ruffino Pinot Grigio wine has a fulfilling tasting profile. Just as the bottle is uncorked, notes of flowers and green fruits emerge, shaping the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine displays tropical and citrus fruit flavors and touches of honey and herbs. A slight oakiness is discerned, too, providing extra structure. On top of that, the acidity refreshes while the finish sees mineral elements, typical of a Pinot Grigio.

Appearance

Ruffino Pinot Grigio has a pale-yellow color, which is nice to look at. However, as the clean core opens, a medium lemon-green hue develops on the sides. The tears of the wine are leg and watery. And they are attractive, captivating wine enthusiasts. Therefore, Ruffino Pinot Grigio has a welcoming appearance.

Aroma

On the nose, Ruffino Pinot Grigio is very aromatic. Floral scents of jasmine blend with green fruit aromas of apple and pear. Hints of lemon and wet grass follow. And a smell of charred wood adds weight to the light bouquet. With such a vibrant aromatic profile, Ruffino Pinot Grigio has to be experienced on the patio. Preferably on a hot summer day.

Taste

Ruffino Pinot Grigio has a savory palate. As the wine flows into the mouth, pineapple and papaya flavors emerge, showing ripeness and juiciness. Then, delightful notes of lemon peel and strawberry also unearth, while butter and honey overtones provide creaminess. Furthermore, elements of sage and peppermint complete the compact mouthfeel marvelously.

Finish

Ruffino Pinot Grigio concludes the tasting profile with a lengthy and lingering finish. A hint of grated lemon zest and an uplifting minerality is present on the tip of the tongue, defining the aftertaste. Therefore, touches of flint and pebbles contribute greatly to the finish. In this way, Ruffino Pinot Grigio achieves a bold ending that is pleasant, inviting consumers for another sip.

Rating

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is bright and clean, but it also offers a certain level of creaminess. This combination of freshness and lusciousness drives taste receptors crazy, satisfying wine enthusiasts. The acidity is high and refreshes, while the medium-long finish is enthusiastically pleasing. Everything is almost perfect when it comes to Ruffino Pinot Grigio. Consume without guilt.

Ruffino Pinot Grigio Food Pairing

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is versatile and pairs with many appetizers and different cuisines. First, cured meats like prosciutto served together with a cheese plateau of Camembert, Brie, and Explorateur cheeses celebrate the wine’s mellowness and elegance. Also, do try and combine Ruffino Pinot Grigio with fresh salads. For instance, arugula salad with cannellini beans or a Caprese salad with lots of pesto taste superbly with this bolting.

Moreover, you can partner the wine with spaghetti carbonara. Cream sauces accompany incredibly plush Pinot Grigios. So, keep that in mind. Finally, seafood, like calamari and shrimp, fried fish, like cod, or Asian dishes, such as Takoyaki or Lo Mein (Chinese noodles), make excellent pairing choices too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Makes Ruffino Pinot Grigio?

Ruffino Wines, located in Florence, Tuscany. Founded in 1877, Ruffino Wines was purchased by the Folonari family in 1913. In 1999 the company was split, with brothers Paolo and Marco retaining the Ruffino name for their operation.

The Folonari is one of the oldest winemaking families on the planet. They have an active history in wine-crafting since the end of the 1700s. In 1882 Italo and Francesco Folonari transferred the headquarters of their wine business, which, at that time, was called Fratelli Folonari, to Brescia. In 1911 they purchased Ruffino, a long-standing Tuscan wine company known for distributing Chianti Classico bottled in straw-wrapped bottles known as fiaschi.

From the start of Folonari Wines, the founders aimed to create outstanding wines that are great to drink on a day-to-day basis. Almost two centuries, Folonari is enjoyable around the world. Their wines are celebrated for having an easy-drinking and fruit-forward character. In 2004, Constellation Brands purchased a forty percent interest in Ruffino for an estimated eighty million. Constellation Brands is one of the largest American producers and marketers of beer, wine, and spirits.

How Is Ruffino Pinot Grigio Made?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio displays primary fruit flavors. As such, careful handling in the winery is vital to avoid oxidation and acidification. Therefore, the grapes are harvested by hand to ensure they remain whole, retaining their elegant aromas and flavors. Afterward, they are destemmed and crushed. Crushing breaks the skins of the grapes and liberates a quantity of juice. But damaging the seeds should be avoided. Otherwise, they release bitter oils and tannin, and the final wine becomes astringent and bitter.

After crushing, pressing follows. Pressing separates the liquid and the solid constituents of grapes. Seeds should remain undamaged once again. Then, the grape juice is fermented in temperature-controlled tanks. Several additional weeks of aging also are required to develop the Pinot Grigio distinctive flavor. When fermentation is over, the wine is filtered from yeasts and bottled.

Where Is Ruffino Pinot Grigio Made?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is sourced from delle Venezie, an appellation comprised of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige. These are considered the top regions in Italy for the cultivation of Pinot Grigio. All of them are regions in North Itay, where grapes are ordinarily grown using the Trentina pergola system to protect themselves from intense sunshine and winds.

In general, Veneto has a moderate climate with sweet summers and occasional rainfalls. The Alps form a barrier and shelter the vineyards from rain, as it might cause the appearance of rot. Local rivers and glacial lakes, such as Lake Garda, provide a moderating influence on Veneto and other inland areas. And to protect the grapes from sunburn, as well as allowing air to circulate, minimizing the risk of rot, a complex trellising system called Pergola is used. In this system, the vine canopy is trained high, with the grapes hanging down below a horizontal leaves canopy.

Italy showcases a large number of indigenous grape varieties and creates a vast range of wine styles. It is a winemaking region that makes wine for over a thousand years. And it is also a champion of the notion that the vineyard location (appellation) is more important than science and the winemaker’s role in the production of wines.

How to Serve Ruffino Pinot Grigio?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is delicate, like most Pinot Grigios. Hence, serve it in medium-sized white wine glasses or tulip glasses. The large surface of the glass gives the wine essential aeration. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the aromatic and flavor intensity of the wine rises. On top of that, Pinot Grigios require chilling at fifty to fifty-four degrees Fahrenheit (ten to thirteen degrees Celsius). In this way, their crispiness intensifies, giving additional pleasure.

Furthermore, Ruffino Pinot Grigio has to stay cool during service. To do that, use an ice bucket or wine cooler. The bucket should be filled three-quarters full with equal quantities of ice and water so that iced water surrounds the bottle. The water is then able to transfer the heat from the bottle to melt the ice. Air acts as an insulator, and the bottle chills. Be careful, though, as over-chilling masks flavors in wines.

How Much Does Ruffino Pinot Grigio Cost?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio has an average retail price. More specifically, Ruffino Pinot Grigio price ranges from $9 to $14 per 750ml bottle, depending on the vintage and vendor. Consequently, this bottling is not expensive. It is approachable, and most consumers can obtain it without significant cost considerations. If you need a refreshing yet complex Italian white, Ruffino Pinot Grigio is a fantastic choice as it is both savory and affordable.

How Long Does Ruffino Pinot Grigio Last?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio cannot benefit from bottle aging. It needs to be consumed young. The longer it remains uncorked, the decline of its fruitiness worsens. As an elegant white, Ruffino Pinot Grigio cannot withstand long-term maturation. It does not have grippy tannins or a high alcohol and sugar concentration. For this reason, wine fans must consume the wine within six months to a year from the date of bottling. In other words, it is not a wine destined to stay in a cupboard.

How Many Calories Does Ruffino Pinot Grigio Have?

Ruffino Pinot Grigio makes a suitable dietary choice because it has a low-calorie density. There are about 24 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to a total of 122 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fat, 4 grams of sodium, 0 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and 0 grams of total sugars. The wine, consequently, is friendly to consumers on a diet. Ruffino Pinot Grigio calories are low and will not concern wine enthusiasts. Ruffino Pinot Grigio alcohol content sits at 12% per 750ml bottle, a regular alcohol concentration for this kind of wine.

Conclusion

Ruffino Pinot Grigio is lively and elegant. With a fragrant nose filled with floral, green fruit, and lemon notes, and a palate of pineapple and cream, Ruffino Pinot Grigio is easy to recommend. What I also love about this one is the subtle oak hints and the herbaceous nature. It is so nice to taste a Pinot Grigio that exhibits different complexity layers. Go ahead and try it! You are in for a one-of-a-kind rollercoaster ride.

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