Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio: Wine Review
Barefoot Bright & Breezy Pinot Grigio: a wine review.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio delivers exactly what I expect it to deliver: a light, bright and enjoyable taste experience.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio is part of a relatively new category of light wines that are low in alcohol, calories and sugar. These wines are designed to be multi-purpose for anyone who wants to enjoy a glass of wine, with less of whatever it is that works for them (alcohol, calories, carbs and so on).
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio: Overview
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio is a light version of Barefoot's very good Pinot Grigio product... or is it?
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio comes in at ABV 6% and has only 80 calories per 6.4 ounces (188 ml). At 6% alcohol, two glasses of this wine is approximately equal to one regular beer, give or take a little.
Barefoot Bright & Breezy Pinot Grigio label.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio Aroma
After a swirl and a sniff, Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio has a medium-strong inensity aroma that is bright and fruity. There are hints of floral, citrus and green apple. It certainly smells like a Pinot Grigio wine, so nothing particularly different about this wine based on aroma alone.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio on First Sip
On first sip, Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio is light bodied, on the dry end of the spectrum and greets you with a light fruity flavor. This is not an overly complex wine, but I would describe the taste experience as very pleasant.
It has a short-medium finish that is relatively neutral, which is not unexpected as the flavor profile is mild.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio Winery Tasting Notes
For the sommeliers out there, Barefoot describes this wine as:
Perfect for a mid day picnic or afternoon barbeque. Pair with freshly picked grapes, salads or grilled chicken. 42% fewer calories than our standard Barefoot Pinot Grigio. Calorie content has been reduced from 120 to 70 calories per 5oz. serving.
Barefoot Bright & Breezy Pinot Grigio natural effervescence (not sparkling/carbonated).
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio Final Thoughts
As the Bright and Breezy name implies, this is a lighter and easier drinking wine than the Barefoot Pinot Grigio.
I have seen a number negative reviews for this wine (and others like it), but in my experience those reviews miss the mark entirely, as many of them seem to be comparing this wine to its traditional wine sibling: Barefoot Pinot Grigio (which is a great wine worth trying, by the way). I think it's a mistake to approach Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio from that perspective, as it is a very different product from a traditional Pinot Grigio.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio is not a substitute for Barefoot Pinot Grigio. It is not the same wine with a lower alcohol content. Instead, this is a wine to reach for in a particular situation when you want less of something (alchohol, calories, sugar etc.). It's an excellent option to have and it is a well-balanced and refreshing product.
Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio delivers exactly what I would expect it to deliver: a light, bright and enjoyable taste experience. Yes, it does taste a little like watered-down wine, but that is to be expected. Personally, I prefer this to something that would be overly sweet or more full-bodied. This wine is not trying to trick you into thinking you are drinking a full-alcohol wine. When comparing this to Barefoot Pinot Grigio, there is a distinct difference. Again, this is to be expected and as far as I am concerned, it is a good thing.
It's all about knowing what to expect before you purchase.
If you want to add more complexity to the flavor profile of Barefoot Bright and Breezy Pinot Grigio, it is a great candidate for macerating with berries. Pour a full bottle of this wine into a decanter or jug and then add a few handfuls of fresh strawberries (sliced once), raspberries, blackberries and or blueberries and let it sit (covered) for several days. This will make for a more fruitful taste experience. Add an orange slice if you want to bump up the citrus.
I will be offering this wine as an option here at the Grand One Lounge and On The Rocks Poolside Bar this summer. Chill it well and you are in for a light, refreshing wine with a very pleasant flavor profile. However, if you are looking for something that mimics the taste and aroma of Barefoot Pinot Grigio, this may not be the product for you.
Barefoot Wines is located in Modesto, California.
Plain language wine review by Mike Belobradic
Wine, Spirits and Beer Virtuoso
Grand One Lounge