- Last updated on March 2, 2022
Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris is a popular and affordable 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.
Have you ever found yourself staring at many Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris bottles wondering which one you would like best?
Our Best Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris Selection
- Best Overall: Vie di Romans - Dessimis Pinot Grigio 2019
- Best Value: Italo Cescon - Pinot Grigio
- Best under $10: Cielo e Terra - Pinot Grigio 2020
- Best Italy Minerally & Dry: Santa Margherita - Pinot Grigio Valdadige
- Best Italy Fruity & Dry: Jermann Pinot Grigio
- Best France: Trimbach - Pinot Gris Alsace Réserve Personnelle
- Best California: J Vineyards - Pinot Gris 2020
- Best Oregon: Elk Cove - Pinot Gris 2019
- Best Washington: Vino - Pinot Grigio
- Best Germany: Villa Wolf Pinot Gris 2019
- Best under $20: Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine - Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2020
- Best under $30: Hugel - Classic Pinot Gris 2018
12 Best Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 12 Best Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
Vivino’s tips: Vintage 2019 rates better than any other year for this wine
Region: Italy, Friuli Isonzo
Tasting notes: Peach, Orange, Pear, Honey, Oak.
This is not the usual Pinot Grigio and it will blow you away. “Delightful Pinot Grigio, easily the best I’ve had to date” says Chiara & Philippe from the Vivino community.
Copper-colored from the natural grape skin tint. The bouquet is full of sweet pastry aromas, scents of Williams pear skin, and notes of yellow fruit.
Expect a medium-body wine with complex oak, pear, peach, and honey notes.
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Vivino’s 2019 Wine Style Awards: Northern Italy Pinot Grigio (2016 Vintage)
Region: Italy, Veneto.
Tasting notes: Peach, Lemon, Grass.
This wine has a straw yellow color, intense, with slight notes of nutmeg, peach leaf broken citrus. Dry and cool. Net ripe and fruity scents, all the orange zest, full flavor fills the long mouth.
Ah, it cost less than $20… I’ll be quick if I were you.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 67% more.
Region: Italy, delle Venezie
Tasting notes: Citrus, Green Apple, Crisp and Light.
It has straw yellow with green reflections. It has bread crust and green apple. It has fresh and drinkable, perfect on a hot day.
You’ll find it for less than $10. That’s a pretty good value for money if you ask me!
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Best wines under $20 right now (2020 Vintage)
Region: Italy, Valdadige
Tasting notes: Citrus, Green Apple, Pear, Mineral, Refreshing.
Santa Margherita has been the first company in the world to vinify Pinot Grigio grapes as a white wine. The 2020 vintage featured in the Best wines under $20 for Vivino. If you like this style, you’ll be pleased.
This dry white wine has a straw yellow color. Its clean, intense aroma and bone-dry taste with an appealing flavor of golden delicious apples. It has a very pale yellow color, crisp and clean, perfect acidity. perfect with grilled calamari
Region: Italy, Venezia Giulia.
Tasting notes: Pear, Apple, Citrus, Cream, Wet Stone
It has an intense straw-yellow color with a light nuance of antique rose. Its aroma is intense, full, and fruity, with excellent persistence. Its taste is dry, velvety, and particularly well-orchestrated for its full body.
It pairs with fish soups, chargrilled seafood, and various dishes based on field mushrooms and porcini mushrooms.
Are you a fruity & dry Pinot Grigio lover? That’s your wine!
Vivino’s tips: Winner of Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Alsace Pinot Gris (2013 Vintage).
Region: France, Alsace
Tasting notes: Pear, Peach, Apricot, Citrus, Honey, Honeysuckle
This is a delicious 4/5 stars wine from Alsace. It’s for those of you who like the sweet and dry style.
The finish is very light and nice, with sweeter notes. Complex, medium minus acidity.
You can pair it with foie gras, grilled vegetables, reach veal, pork, meaty fish, and yes, of course with blue and hard cheese.
Vivino’s tips: Ranks #2 in Bestsellers in Pinot Gris California.
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Citrus, Melon, Pear, Jasmine, Refreshing.
It currently ranks #2 in Bestsellers in Pinot Gris California. There must be a good reason right?!
It’s light and refreshing, minerals, and well balanced. Expect citrus, melon, and pear notes. Ah, you’ll find it for roughly $15…not bad uh?!
Vivino’s tips: Among top 4% of all wines in the world.
Region: United States, Willamette Valley
Tasting notes: Apricot, Pear, Ginger, Honeydew Melon.
Fresh apricot, comice pear, and ginger generously introduce a full palate of luscious white peach, honeydew melon, and muted ginger.
Expressive and weighty in texture. The finish is heightened with crisp acidity and a slight grip while a delicate floral note adds complexity. A great Oregon-style Pinot Gris!
It is apricot, tangerine, dry summer hay, nutmeg. In the mouth, it is broad yet focused with a very pronounced terroir & mineral finish. Elegant, refreshing, and true.
Chad D, from the Vivino community, commented: “Drinks above its price point”.
Vivino’s tips: Among top 4% of all wines in the world.
Region: Germany, Pfalz
Tasting notes: Green Apple, Pear, Grapefruit.
It was in the Pfalz region, back in the 19th century, that Pinot Gris was first identified as an individual variety and vinified separately.
The modern-day Villa Wolf Pinot Gris is made in a full-bodied, dry style with fresh, unoaked fruit and a crisp texture.
It is an excellent partner for salmon, chicken, or pork. If you like the German Pinot Gris style, you can’t go wrong here!
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 54% more.
Region: Italy, delle Venezie
Tasting notes: Pear, Apple, Acacia flowers
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 46% more.
Region: France, Alsace
Tasting notes: Green Apple, Pear, Pineapple
Great 4-star wine from Alsace. Green apple, pineapple, honeysuckle, and pear on the nose. Tangerine and tropical fruit on the palate. Medium body and acidity.
This wine is not just good value for money, it’s also very very good!
Buying Guide to Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
It’s not just about which Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris you should buy.
There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more. The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview on all these topics.
Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Pinot Grigio style is most commonly planted.
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
Here you find some useful tips on how to 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
Minerally and Dry Pinot Grigio Useful Insights
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 Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Pinot Grigio style is most commonly planted.
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
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store this Pinot Grigio style.
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
Fruity and Dry Pinot Grigio 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 Overview
Here you find an overview on where this Pinot Gris style is most commonly planted.
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
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store this Pinot Gris style.
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
Fruity and Sweet Pinot Gris Styles
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.
Our Verdict
What to do next?
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris.
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.
What is 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.
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.
Are Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris sweet?
Pinot Grigio is a dry wine in both its minerally and fruity style. Pinot Gris on the other hand is more sweet and can vary from off dry to sweet.
The sweetness level of a wine is expressed in grams of sugar per liter, aka g/L, or as a percentage.
- A dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
- An off dry wine contains between 15-30 g/L.
- A sweet wine contains between 50-100 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
What does acronyms on the Italian's wines label mean?
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.
When is the International Pinot Grigio day?
The International Pinot Grigio day it’s the 17th of May.
Does Pinot Grigio age well?
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.
Is there a Pinot Grigio Rosé?
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.
