Review: Ruffino, Lumina Pinot Grigio

A couple weeks ago I posted a review of the Corte Giara Pinot Grigio, highlighting the delle Venezie DOC designation on the wine. The wine I’m reviewing today, the Lumina Pinot Grigio from Ruffino, is another wine with the delle Venezie designation. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend reading the background about delle Venezie I included in that last review.

As a reminder, delle Venezie is a fairly new DOC having just been established in 2017. The Lumina brand, however, has been around for several years. Prior to the delle Venezie DOC designation, this wine was released under a Venezia Giulia IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) designation. Wines from this region can still be released under an IGT designation, however the delle Venezie DOC requires higher standards, specifically by reducing yields in the vineyards. In principle, lower yields results in higher quality fruit which then results in higher quality wine.

The name, Lumina, is a reference to the illumination of the moon. Nighttime is an important time for wine grapes as the cool evenings help promote acidity and aromas. The cool night air in the delle Venezie DOC region is one of the characteristics that makes this region ideal for Pinot Grigio.

Although every della Venezie Pinot Grigio comes from the same general region and is held to the same standards, there are differences in the aromas and flavors from one wine to the next. This Pinot Grigio is really herbal on the nose, with a sage-like and hay fragrances. There are also some lemon aromas. The palate is restrained, and has flavors like pear and apple with lemon drizzled over it. The acidity is sufficient and the mouthfeel is nice. It finishes with lingering tart apple flavors. Overall, it’s a good wine. The $8.00 average price is outstanding.

Wine: Ruffino, Lumina Pinot Grigio
Varieties: 100% Pinot Grigio
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12%
Rating: 84
Average price: $8.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.

Get more info about this wine on Wine Searcher.