
Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio Wine
Learn about Pinot Gris (also known as Pinot Grigio or Grauburgunder)— taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Showing a unique rosy, purplish hue upon full ripeness, this “white” variety is actually born out of a mutation of Pinot Noir. The grape boasts two versions of its name, as well as two generally distinct styles. In Italy, Pinot Grigio achieves most success in the mountainous regions of Trentino and Alto Adige as well as in the neighboring Friuli—all in Italy’s northeast. France's Alsace and Oregon's Willamette Valley produce some of the world's most well-regarded Pinot Gris wine. California produces both styles with success.
Where Does Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio Come From?
Pinot Gris is originally from France, and it is technically not a variety but a clone of Pinot Noir. In Italy it’s called Pinot Grigio (Italian for gray), and it is widely planted in northern and NE Italy. Pinot Gris is also grown around the globe, most notably in Oregon, California, and New Zealand. No matter where it’s made or what it’s called, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio produces many exciting styles.
Tasting Notes for Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a dry, white wine naturally low in acidity. Pinot Grigio wines showcase signature flavors and aromas of stone fruit, citrus, honeysuckle, pear and almond. Alsatian styles are refreshing, expressive, aromatic (think rose and honey), smooth, full-bodied and richly textured and sometimes relatively higher in alcohol compared to their Italian counterpart. As Pinot Grigio in Italy, the style is often light and charming. The focus here is usually to produce a crisp, refreshing, lighter style of wine. While there are regional differences of Pinot Grigio, the typical profile includes lemon, lime and subtle minerality.
Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
The viscosity of a typical Alsatian Pinot Gris allows it to fit in harmoniously with the region's rich foods like pork, charcuterie and foie gras. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, with its citrusy freshness, works well as an aperitif wine or with seafood and subtle chicken dishes.
Sommelier Secrets
Given the pinkish color of its berries and aromatic potential if cared for to fully ripen, the Pinot Grigio variety is actually one that is commonly used to make "orange wines." An orange wine is a white wine made in the red wine method, i.e. with fermentation on its skins. This process leads to a wine with more ephemeral aromas, complexity on the palate and a pleasant, light orange hue.
- Chardonnay700
- Sauvignon Blanc165
- Riesling108
- Other White Blends90
- Pinot Gris/Grigio83
- Gewurztraminer40
- Viognier30
- Bordeaux White Blends26
- Pinot Blanc23
- Rhône White Blends18
- Chenin Blanc17
- Muscat11
- Garganega9
- Marsanne7
- Semillon7
- Other White Wine5
- Albarino3
- Cortese3
- Malvasia3
- Muller Thurgau3
- Aligote2
- Arneis2
- Friulano2
- Vermentino2
- Vernaccia2
- Fiano2
- Assyrtiko1
- Falanghina1
- Grechetto1
- Gruner Veltliner1
- Roussanne1
- Torrontes1
- Verdicchio1
- Viura1
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Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Sokol Blosser Estate Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Byron Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from California
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Columbia Winery Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Seghesio Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Sonoma County, California
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Griffin Creek Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Rogue Valley, Oregon
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Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Eyrie Estate Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Trimbach Reserve Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Alsace, France
- WS
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Trimbach Reserve Personnelle Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Alsace, France
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Castello di Albola Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Tuscany, Italy
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Cavit Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (3 Liter Bottle) 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Stella Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Sicily, Italy
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Edmunds St. John Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Sierra Foothills, California
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Lungarotti Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Italy
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Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (375ML half-bottle) 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Placido Pinot Grigio (1.5L) 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Tuscany, Italy
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Montinore Estate Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Tamas Estates Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Central Coast, California
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Forest Glen Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from California
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Sartori Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Firesteed Pinot Gris 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Oregon
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Bollini Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
- WS
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Tolloy Pinot Grigio 1999Pinot Gris/Grigio from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy