Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a white grape variety that produces dry white wines. It is mostly associated with Italy where the best expressions come from the northeast region, especially from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia area. It is also known as Pinot Gris in France where its best wines come from Alsace.
Generally, Pinot Grigio is not known for its complex style, but for its simplicity, having medium to high acidity, and citrus and green fruit aromas and flavors. This wine is usually widely available in the market as a high-volume inexpensive production of simple and refreshing profile, with a light body, medium acidity, and light pear drop aromas.
Richer and more premium styles of this wine is being produced though in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, having medium to full body with flavors of peach and tropical fruits. The regions of Alto-Adige and Trentino in Italy also produce premium Pinot Grigio styles.
Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio is a pinkish greyish skinned grape variety that is a color mutation from Pinot Noir. And although they are the same grape, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris produce wines of different profiles based on the terroir, where the grapes are grown, and the winemaking techniques used. Pinot Grigio is meant for early picking and is most often used in big production stainless steel tanks producing light and unoaked wines. Pinot Gris, on the other hand, ripens for a longer period and produces fuller wines with the potential to be oaked.
Pinot Gris from Alsace is generally more complex than Pinot Grigio and can be dry or off dry, producing rich full-bodied wines that are high in alcohol with an oily texture and ripe tropical flavors, fresh and dried fruits, ginger, and honey. Countries and regions around the world that produce wines from this grape following the Alsace style call the grape/wine Pinot Gris. Famous examples are New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, and Oregon- USA. The rest of the world goes with Pinot Grigio.