Gray Monk Estate Winery, Okanagan Valley (British Columbia, Canada) Pinot Auxerrois 2020

 From its 25-acre vineyard in Lake Country above Lake Okanagan, Gray Monk is one of the few growers of Pinot Auxerrois outside of Alsace.  Auxerrois, or Pinot d’Auxerrois as it’s known in Alsace, is an early-ripening progeny of Pinot and Gouais Blanc.  Depending upon the source, it is either Alsace’s second or third most planted grape variety.  It is often blended with Pinot Blanc and is used in many Edelzwicker blends.  Gray Monk’s 2020 is similar to many Albariños but shows considerably more minerality and stone fruit.  Taken on its own, it is light straw and displays pear and green apple aromas and delivers bright citrus, lime and pear flavors.  It has a hint of residual sugar but the finish is decidedly mineraly and citric.  Best served slightly chilled.