Pinot Grigio

Pinot grigio or pinot gris is a white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. Thought to be a mutant clone of the pinot noir variety, it normally has a pinkish-grey hue, accounting for its name, but the colours can vary from blue-grey to pinkish-brown. The word pinot could have been given to it because the grapes grow in small pinecone-shaped clusters. The wines produced from this grape also vary in colour from a deep golden yellow to copper and even a light shade of pink, and it is one of the more popular grapes for skin-contact wine.
Pinot gris is grown around the globe, with the “spicy” full-bodied Alsatian and lighter-bodied, more acidic Italian styles being most widely recognized. The Alsatian style, often duplicated in New World wine regions such as Marlborough, Oregon, South Africa, South Australia, Tasmania, and Washington, tend to have moderate to low acidity, higher alcohol levels, and an almost “oily” texture that contributes to the full-bodied nature of the wine. The flavours can range from ripe tropical fruit notes of melon and mango to some botrytis-influenced flavours. In Italy, pinot grigio grapes are often harvested early to retain the refreshing acidity and minimize some of the overt fruitiness of the variety, creating a more neutral flavour profile.
Italy is the world’s largest producer of Pino Grigio. Usually totally dry with brilliant acidity and a bitter almond note, Italian Pinot Grigio is normally considered the lightest and freshest. But, depending on where you look in Italy, you can find several different styles.
Alto Adige Pinot Grigio is all about ripe stone fruits, heady notes of ginger, floral nuances, and refreshing acidity, paired with weighty body and texture, some even showing some barrel aging aromas of smoke and spice. Alto Adige produces world-class, cellar-worthy Pinot Grigio and also happens to be one of the world’s most beautiful wine regions.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Known for its textured Pinot Grigio and the unique ‘Ramato’ style (skin contact wines), Friuli’s wines exhibit ripe stone fruits, floral hints, and subtle spice. These, paired with a refreshing acidity and fuller body, showcase the region’s exceptional winemaking.