Maso Canali's Pinot Grigio Complements Grilled Summer Seafood

TRENTINO, ITALY--(Marketwire - June 16, 2009) - Grilling season has officially begun and chefs, both expert and novice, are looking for the perfect sip to complement their seafood treats. Light colored fish in particular exude a natural saltiness when grilled, which calls for a crisp white wine partner like Maso Canali's Pinot Grigio.

"Maso Canali employs the labor-intensive Passito Method, infusing our wines with complexity, depth and a ripe tropical fruit taste. This profile enhances the delicate flavor characteristic of lighter seafood varieties, like shrimp, scallops and lobster," says Maso Canali winemaker Fabrizio Gatto.

Choosing a white wine for a shellfish dish seems simple, but can be tricky. A frequent mistake is to select an oak-aged wine; oaked wines contain tannins, which can clash with iodine-rich shellfish. However, Pinot Grigios, like those produced by Maso Canali, see no oak, making them an ideal partner to shellfish, including clams, mussels, prawns and crab.

Tasting Notes

The Maso Canali 2008 Pinot Grigio has a brilliant pale golden color. The nose delivers nectarine and light citrus, and the wine is characterized by enticing flavors of lemon and fresh apple, with floral notes. It is well-balanced with depth on the palate, fresh acidity and a long clean finish. Suggested retail price: $23. Available at retailers nationwide and at www.thebarrelroom.com.

About Maso Canali

Maso Canali originated on a 17-acre, family-owned vineyard in Trentino, Italy. The Canali family has lived on the estate for more than 500 years and has been planting Pinot Grigio grapes there since 1893. The fruit for the 2008 vintage was drawn from this estate and other carefully chosen sources in the premier growing region of Trentino. Because the Maso Canali vineyard is 500 meters above sea level, the soil has a special mineral concentration, which adds character to the wine. For more information on Maso Canali, visit www.masocanali.com.