The Best Pinot Grigio
White wines made from Pinot Grigio can range from simple, fresh and light to serious, complex and age-worthy. As such, it's a great variety for both those new to wine and the serious connoisseur to explore.
Pinot Grigio is actually the Italian name for the grape. In France where it originated (in Burgundy) it is called Pinot Gris.
Both are the exact same grape despite the different names, and are a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. In fact Pinot Grigio/Gris is indistinguishable from Pinot Noir in the vineyard until veraison, usually late July to August (i.e. they look like red grapes).
(Pinot Blanc is another mutation of Pinot Noir but is noticeably different throughout it's growing cycle.)
And while the grapes are the same, the different names are helpful in that they are generally indicative of style these days.
Let's learn a bit more about this grape and then jump into our list of The Best Pinot Grigio!
Italian Pinot Grigio tends to be more fresh and light-bodied, it is picked earlier with higher acidity. This was our gatekeeper variety - as it was very light and easy to drink. It is hard not to like. It is grown widely in north-eastern Italy, especially the Veneto area.
French Pinot Gris tends to be more serious. The grapes are picked much riper and often left in contact with the skins for extended periods during the winemaking process which introduces more layers and complexity. The region of Alsace in France is a great example of this.
Going by the name alone is not a hard and fast rule, however, as places like Alto Adige in Italy produce very serious Pinot Grigio wines made as we described French Pinot Gris.
That said, generally places that call the grape Pinot Gris follow the French route (Willamette Valley for example) while places that call it Pinot Grigio produce more in the Italian style (California). It is also called Grauburgunder in Germany, which tends to produce in the Italian Veneto style.
No matter which style you prefer, there is plenty to explore in this grape and we're here to get you started with some of our favorite Pinot Grigio picks!
