- Last updated on May 31, 2021
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris is a popular white wine. Pinot Grigio it’s known for its dryness, high acidity, light-body, lemon, and apple notes. Pinot Gris (Alsace) on the other hand has more body, lower acidity, more complexity, and is sweeter. Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris gives its best in a cooler climate.
Have you ever found yourself staring at many Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris bottles wondering which one you would like best? Keep reading and you’ll find the answer and much more!
I’ve organized the content below in small sections to make it easy to read. I must confess I’m quite happy with the research and work done. As always wine tasting was my favorite part!😋
Use the table of content below to jump straight to the section. In this article you’ll learn more about:
Keep reading to enjoy your favorite Pinot Grigio at its best!
Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio
Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio Overview
Grape
Pinot Grigio
ABV
10% - 12.5%
Main Regions
Italy: Lombardia, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto
Other Regions
Austria
Canada : Okagan, Ontario
Chile
Germany: (Baden, Rheinhessen and Rheinpfalz)
Hungary
Romania
Slovenia
Grape
Pinot Grigio
ABV
10% - 12.5%
Main Regions
Italy: Lombardia, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto
Other Regions
Austria
Canada : Okagan, Ontario
Chile
Germany: (Baden, Rheinhessen and Rheinpfalz)
Hungary
Romania
Slovenia
Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio.
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Apple
Lemon Zest
Mineral
Palate
Saline & Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Apple
Lemon Zest
Mineral
Palate
Saline & Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio.
Appetitizer
Salad
French Fries
Salty Olives
Meat
White Meat
Fish
Shellfish
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Appetitizer
Salad
French Fries
Salty Olives
Meat
White Meat
Fish
Shellfish
Cheese
Soft (Philadelphia),
Cream (Brie)
Serve and Store Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
2-3 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
2-3 years
Useful insight
The minerally and dry Pinot Grigio is generally produced in stainless steel tanks. There is no oak aging or malolactic fermentation.
Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio
Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio Overview
Grape
Pinot Grigio
ABV
10% - 14%
Main Regions
Italy: Abruzzo, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Toscana, Trentino Alto Adige, Sicilia
USA: California, Oregon, Washington
New Zealand
Other Regions
Argentina
Australia
Chile
South Africa
Grape
Pinot Grigio
ABV
10% - 14%
Main Regions
Italy: Abruzzo, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Toscana, Trentino Alto Adige, Sicilia
-
USA: California, Oregon, Washington
-
New Zealand
Other Regions
Argentina
Australia
Chile
South Africa
Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio.
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Apple
Lemon
White Peach
Pear
Palate
Dry
Ripe Green Fruit
Creamy
Medium Acidity
Medium-Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Nose
Apple
Lemon
White Peach
Pear
Palate
Dry
Ripe Green Fruit
Medium Acidity
Medium-Light Body
Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio.
Appetitizer
Salad
French Fries
Salty Olives
Meat
White Meat
Fish
Shellfish
Grilled Fish
Cheese
Semi-Soft (Fontina),
Firm (Beaufort)
Appetitizer
Salad
French Fries
Salty Olives
Meat
White Meat
Fish
Shellfish
Grilled Fish
Cheese
Semi-Soft (Fontina),
Firm (Beaufort)
Serve and Store Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
2-3 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Chardonnay
Viognier
Serve at
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Store for
2-3 years
Useful insight
The fruity and dry Pinot Grigio is generally produced in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is used to reduce acidity and give a smoother taste.
Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris
Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris Overview
Grape
Pinot Grigio
ABV
12% - 14%
Main Regions
France: Alsace
Other Regions
-
Grape
Pinot Grigio
ABV
12% - 14%
Main Regions
France: Alsace
Other Regions
-
Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris.
Color
Pale Lemon
Medium Gold
Nose
Sweet Lemon Candy
Honey
Ginger
Spice
Palate
Off-Dry to Sweet
Ripe Pear
Lemon Zest
Medium-Low Acidity
Medium to Full Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Medium Gold
Nose
Sweet Lemon Candy
Honey
Ginger
Spice
Palate
Off-Dry to Sweet
Ripe Pear
Lemon Zest
Medium-Low Acidity
Medium to Full Body
Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris.
Appetitizer
Foie Gras
Cream Sauces
Grilled Vegetables
Meat
White Meat
Reach Veal
Pork
Fish
Meaty Fish
Cheese
Blue Mold (Gorgonzola),
Hard (Pecorino)
Appetitizer
Foie Gras
Cream Sauces
Grilled Vegetables
Meat
White Meat
Reach Veal
Pork
Fish
Meaty Fish
Cheese
Blue Mold (Gorgonzola),
Hard (Pecorino)
Serve and Store Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris
Decant
Nope
Glass
Fortified (Sweet wine)
Chardonnay /
Viognier (all others)
Serve at
Off-Dry
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Sweet
43 - 46 °F
6 - 8 °C
Store for
3-5 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Fortified (Sweet wine)
Chardonnay /
Viognier (all others)
Serve at
Off-Dry
45 - 50 °F
7 - 10 °C
Sweet
43 - 46 °F
6 - 8 °C
Store for
3-5 years
Useful insight
The fruity and sweet Pinot Gris comes in two sweetness style:
- Pinot Gris and Grand Cru are generally dry.
- Vendage Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles are sweet to very sweet.
A little bit of Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris history
Pinot Gris is from the Burgundy region in France. Known since the Middle Ages, it spread in other regions like Switzerland and Germany over time. Pinot Gris is the result of a genetic mutation of the Pinot Noir grape that occurred centuries ago.
In 1961, Santa Margherita [1] wine group, located in Veneto – Italy, has been the first company in the world to vinify Pinot Grigio grapes as a white wine.
What does Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris mean?
“Pinot” is a French word that derives from “pin”, i.e. pine tree, given the resemblance between the bunch of grapes and the pine cone.
“Gris” is a French word that means “grey” in English and “grigio” in Italian, and comes from the greyish/brownish pink skin of the grape.
Where does Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris grow best?
Cool climates help Pinot Grigio grow at its best and mature relatively early causing high sugar levels. Depending on the vinification style, this can lead to either a wine high in alcohol if fermented to dryness, or a sweeter wine.
When is the perfect time to drink Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris?
Like Sauvignon Blanc and Unoaked Chardonnay, a hot summer day is perfect to enjoy Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris: it’s refreshing, very light, and easy to drink.
Useful insight from the label
For Italian wine production, you might find the below acronyms on the label. Here is what you should know in a nutshell:
- Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) [2]: The grapes are mostly from the area. This is the entry-level and generally the cheapest price.
- Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) [3]: All the grapes are from the area. Generally a smoother and slightly better finish than IGT and a bit more expensive.
- Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) [4]: It follows rigorous protocols for harvesting, cultivation, and production. This is the highest quality of the three. This wine has usually more pronounced and better flavors and thus it comes with a higher price.
Some curiosities about Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- There is an International Pinot Grigio day and it’s the 17th of May.
- Pinot Grigio is an “early to market” wine. Within 4 to 12 weeks after fermentation, it hits the market and you can have it on your table. You should drink whilst it’s young.
- There’s a Pinot Grigio Rosé version called Ramato that you should try. Let’s find more about it here.
What’s Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris's typical price range?
The price generally ranges from $10 – $30. Where $10 is usually the IGT Italian style and $30 the Alsatian style.
What to do next?
Be sure to serve your Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris at the right temperature. Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro! Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay?
