Pinot grigio is a fairly simple varietal. It's generally dry, and it's generally leaner and lighter than many other white wines. Pinot grigio is good with light pasta dishes or grilled fish. Rieslings, on the other hand, go with a wider array of food.
Drier rieslings are quite versatile and go well with pork, veal, scallops, and milder cheeses. And a sweeter riesling can be a good dessert wine.
When Consumer Reports' tests were done, there were plenty of very good, inexpensive wines to choose from. The 2010 Hogue Late Harvest topped the riesling ratings. It costs $10 a bottle. And for a pinot grigio, try the 2010 Black Swan Vineyards. It rated very good, and it costs a "light" $8 a bottle.
Another pinot grigio Consumer Reports rated very good is even less expensive. It's the Wine Cube from Target. It comes in a box, and the cost is just $18 for the equivalent of four bottles. It's not available at every Target, so check before you go shopping.
