Ninety Plus Cellars Pinot Grigio

Ninety Plus Cellars Pinot Grigio is a 100% Pinot Grigio white wine from Italy's Delle Venezie region, available in a standard 750ml bottle. Rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, this sustainably certified bottling delivers serious quality at its value-tier price point, drawing fruit from hand-harvested hillside vineyards at the base of the Dolomite mountains.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Pinot Grigio  |  Origin: Delle Venezie, Italy  |  Style: Crisp, mineral-driven white  |  Producer: Ninety Plus Cellars

Production & Heritage

Ninety Plus Cellars sources this Pinot Grigio from sustainable vineyards in Trentino and the central Venezie region, where cool nights at altitude lengthen the ripening season and preserve natural acidity in the grapes. After hand harvesting, the fruit is gently crushed and fermented at cool, controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks to lock in fresh aromatics. The wine then rests on its lees for approximately one month — a step that adds textural roundness — before spending four to six months in tank prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright lemon zest and green apple before shifting into ripe pear and delicate wildflower. Subtle honeysuckle and a faint mineral edge emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: On entry, crisp citrus and green apple lead the way, giving the palate an immediate sense of freshness. The mid-palate broadens with ripe pear and apricot notes, balanced by a pronounced mineral backbone and lively acidity. The body sits in a comfortable medium range — fuller than many lean Pinot Grigios but still brisk and refreshing.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately persistent, with lingering citrus pith and a subtle saline quality. A gentle minerality carries through, keeping the palate dry and inviting another sip.

How to Drink Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio

Serve well chilled, around 45–50°F, to highlight its crisp acidity and aromatic lift. This is a wine that rewards straightforward, uncomplicated enjoyment — pour it on its own or alongside food. For a Pinot Grigio Spritz, combine with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist for a lower-ABV warm-weather sipper. It also works beautifully in a Hugo Spritz, where its floral and pear notes complement elderflower liqueur and fresh mint. In a classic White Wine Sangria, its fruit-forward profile and balancing acidity stand up to sliced stone fruit, citrus, and a touch of brandy.

Best For

• Everyday weeknight dinners with lighter fare like salads, pasta, or grilled vegetables
• Warm-weather entertaining on the patio or at a casual outdoor gathering
• Introducing new wine drinkers to Italian Pinot Grigio without a steep investment
• Bringing a reliable crowd-pleasing bottle to a dinner party or potluck

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio taste like? It delivers bright green apple and pear flavors anchored by crisp acidity and a distinctive mineral streak from its Dolomite-adjacent vineyards. Subtle floral and honeysuckle notes add aromatic complexity beyond what most value-tier Pinot Grigios achieve.

How does Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio compare to Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio? Both are sourced from northeastern Italy's prime Pinot Grigio territory, but Ninety Plus positions itself at a significantly lower price point while still earning strong critical scores. Santa Margherita tends toward a lighter, more restrained style, while this bottling leans into riper pear and apricot notes with a rounder mid-palate from its month-long lees contact.

Is Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio good for beginners? Its approachable fruit-forward profile, balanced acidity, and clean finish make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Italian white wines. The lack of oak influence keeps flavors transparent and easy to enjoy.

Where is Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio made? The grapes are grown in the Delle Venezie IGT zone of northeastern Italy, specifically from hillside vineyards in Trentino and the central Venezie area at the foot of the Dolomite mountains. Vinification takes place in stainless steel under controlled conditions.

What foods pair well with Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio? Grilled shrimp or light seafood benefits from the wine's citrus acidity. Caprese salad or fresh mozzarella echoes its clean, bright character. Chicken piccata pairs well thanks to matching lemon notes. Risotto primavera complements the wine's medium body, and lighter Thai dishes like green papaya salad find balance with its fruit and mineral freshness.

What sizes does Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio worth the price? Ninety Plus Cellars positions this as a value-tier Italian white, and its 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating and San Francisco International Wine Competition medal suggest it punches well above its weight class. For drinkers seeking everyday-quality Pinot Grigio without paying a premium brand markup, it represents strong value.

Why Ninety Plus Pinot Grigio?

The central appeal here is provenance at a price — hand-harvested fruit from high-altitude, sustainably farmed vineyards in one of Italy's most respected Pinot Grigio zones, vinified with real care in stainless steel and given meaningful lees contact. A 91-point score from Wine Enthusiast and recognition at the San Francisco International Wine Competition validate the quality. The lees aging step sets it apart from the flood of thin, industrial Pinot Grigios at similar price points, giving the wine a textural dimension that rewards attention. For anyone who dismissed Pinot Grigio as one-note, this bottle from the Dolomite foothills is a compelling reason to reconsider.