2005 La Crema Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Rose Sleek and elegant, it offers vivid cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors, impeccable balance and a spicy-fresh finish.

Wine with …Coq au Vin Blanc Tasting of apples and pears, with a crisp finish, this is a rich but vivacious white wine. It matched the coq au vin step by step in terms of texture, body, and flavor.

Holiday Wine Pick With all the holidays, parties, family gatherings and variety of foods, December might be the best month for adventurous wine drinking. It also presents challenges deciding what to drink and what you can afford. Not to worry; I'm here to help with a shopping list of good, affordable wines from my recent tastings. Pinot Gris is a fine alternative, offering fresh citrus and melon with similar weight. Here are two: ...and 2016 La Crema Monterey...

The best holiday wines under $20: 2017/2018 edition These are 13 of the most affordable, crowd-pleasing bottles of vino you can bring to a festive feast. With nectarine, citrus blossom, and honeysuckle aromas on the nose, and pear, apple, and Meyer lemon on the palate, the lively acidity in this pinot gris pairs perfectly with light salads (especially those with tangy, vinaigrette dressings) and seafood pastas. But don't be afraid to try this bright and refreshing bottle with something like a gooey camembert cheese or salty prosciutto before sitting down for dinner.

Ten Best American White Wines Under $20 For Labor Day Most La Crema wines are not to my appeal, too big, too jammy. But the Monterey Pinot Gris is a whole new direction. As they point out: “Bright, fresh, light and filled with all the flavors of spring and summer, La Crema’s new Monterey Pinot Gris is an exciting addition to our family of cool-climate wines.” Good for them.

This is my one out-of-town choice, a just-released white from cool-climate vineyards in Monterey. This wine is juicy and refreshing, especially if you're trying to cool off during a toasty summer afternoon spent by the pool. It's full of grassy notes and flavors of peaches, apricots and lemons. Pinot gris expresses itself best when handled gently, so we pressed the grapes without de-stemming and fermented the wine slowly in 100 percent stainless steel to preserve with vibrant fruit flavors, says winemaker Elizabeth Grant-Douglas. This wine drinks really well on its own; a spread of fresh fruits, nuts and semi-soft cheeses, though, won't hurt.

...with its vibrant crispness, comes as a refreshing, and delightful, surprise.

Lemon zest and melon flavors are straightforward and juicy, with a dried chamomile note on the finish.

Chipped chalk, wet stone, lime spritz, nectarine flesh and grapefruit pith show on the fairly light nose of this easy-drinking wine. The palate shows an intriguing texture, with apple and pear skins that evolve toward fleshier peach tropicality as the sip lingers.

Sonoma-based winemaker Elizabeth Grant Douglas brings out creamy lemon and pear notes in this white cousin to Pinot Noir.

The cool coastal climate of Monterey seems a natural place to grow Pinot Gris. Persistent ocean winds are funneled down a 90-mile long valley between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan Mountains. Fog penetrates the northern part of the valley, where Pinot Gris is planted. This crisp and refreshing Pinot Gris shows aromas of lemon zest and Asian pear with notes of mineral and stone fruits. The palate adds flavors of melon and kumquat on a long and generous finish.

2013 La Crema Pinot Gris, Monterey: light and crisp and lively, with creamy body and aromas and flavors of citrus, peaches and minerals.

A tropical pinot gris with aromas of pineapple, apricot and lemon zest. Bright acidity. Nice length. A refreshing summer pick.

Pinot gris is just another name for pinot grigio, but producers in the United States like to use the name to define a style of wine. We love the aromas of honeysuckle and pear. The palate has melon and apricot flavors — serve it with fruit!

Time to enjoy warm weather wines. Pinot gris is just another name for pinot grigio, but producers in the United States like to use the name to define a style of wine. We love the aromas of honeysuckle and pear. The palate has melon and apricot flavors -- serve it with fruit!

This full-bodied white wine is notable for its creamy texture, but behind the silky feel is plenty of backbone. It displays a broad spectrum of flavors — not unlike its pinot gris cousins in Alsace. There's lemon, melon, orange, vanilla, almonds and a melange of spices. This is quite a complete wine suitable for a special dinner.

The aroma displays lovely blossomy-y and spice notes not unlike Riesling and the mid-palate is light and loaded with fruit. A nice understated white wine for patio sipping and pairing with delicate cheeses.

La Crema, owned by Santa Rosa’s Jackson Family Wines, produced a floral pinot gris with delicate notes of pear, white peach and mineral. It’s elegant, lush and layered, with a nice length.

A layered pinot gris with notes of lemon, ripe pear and white peach. What makes it a standout is its great minerality. Lovely.

A quiet rendition, subdued in aroma, with delicate but sufficient acidity, juicy-smooth and flavorful; neither Italian nor Alsatian in style.

Ripe and round, clean and crisp. Aromas and flavors of apple, melon, pear, kiwi and grapefruit. A bit chardonnay-like. Medium complexity. Good mouth-feel.

Big, juicy and oaky. Obvious but good.

Sharp at first, then airing into a well-mannered pinot, tight and cleanly fruited with raspberry flavors and the caramel tones of oak. Simple for now, though this should evolve more flavor complexity with time.