The Family Pinot and Its Many VarietalsbyKevin GrantAs an amateur wine enthusiast, I often find myself overwhelmed by the staggering number of wine varietals and terms associated with each style. As I have tentatively stepped in to this new experience of wine enthusiast, I have found one family to be consistent across the many brands and price ranges. With options rated highly by wine experts that are often reasonably priced, I have found the varietals from the Pinot family to be an accessible and elegant introduction in to the world of wine. Whether you like a full-bodied red or a crisp and dry white, options can be found easily and for less than you think when one choosing from among the Pinot varietals of wine. With three main varietals, and one up-and-coming hybrid, new wine enthusiasts and seasoned pros alike can find something to please their palates or pair with a great menu or recipe. Found originally in the Alsace region of France, these wines are now being made across the globe, from California and Oregon to the dryer climates of South Africa and Israel.Being the more commonly known of the two white varietals of Pinot, I wanted to experience a more moderately priced Pinot Gris/Grigio at home, having enjoyed them out and about. I asked one of my local wine shops what was the most popular option. The winner was Da Vinci Pinot Grigio, typically priced in the $12-13 range. Its crisp and clean tropical and fresh fruit flavors are not only characteristic of the varietal, but it also made this an immensely palatable wine that was not only budget friendly but fun to drink. Clean enough to pair with food but bright enough to drink alone.I chose to read the various score cards or expert wine enthusiasts ratings shown alongside the prices at my local wine shop for my second foray in to the world of Pinots. I wanted to find a more palatable and enjoyable red wine, which I found in Pinot Noir.The winner this time was 99 Vines Pinot Noir, typically priced under $10, making it far more accessible than the typical Pinot Noir at my local wine shop with most options priced over $20. Listed as being jammy and smoky, wine terminology that piqued my interest, I gave it a try and was blown away. Though dry, it is also lightly spicy and sweet making for a fun contradiction and easily sipped red wine.Of the lesser two varietals of Pinot, I have not had a chance to try either Pinot Blanc, a white varietal more commonly referred to as Weissburgunder (White Burgundy) or Pinotage, a hybrid of the Pinot Noir grape. After some research, I found two reasonably priced options with high review scores in an accessible price range.For Pinot Blanc, a highly recommended option is the Hugel Cuvee Les Amours Pinot Blanc Alsace, found in the $13 range. It is listed as being delicate and refreshing, an excellent option for an amateur wine enthusiast to try this lesser recognized member of the Pinot family.For the Pinot Noir/Cinsaut hybrid, Pinotage, the best option is the highly reviewed Barkan Classic Pinotage, typically priced under $15. It is considered a light but spicy option with similar fruity or jammy notes much like Pinot Noir.Whether you are looking for that crisp white like the Gris/Grigio; a more creamy white like the Blanc; a lighter red like the Pinotage; or a jammy and deep red like Pinot Noir you will find it among the many varietals that bear the name Pinot.