Pinot Gris

Despite its pinkish appearance, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) is a popular white grape variety renowned for producing two distinct styles of wine. This grape thrives in cool to moderate climates, and its style is not only directly influenced by this, but also by the winemaker’s preference.

This white wine has become increasingly popular over the past decade. It’s famous for producing zesty light-to-full bodied styles with a range of flavours.

The French style, Pinot Gris, is extra ripe as the grapes are picked much later in the season. This enhances flavour complexity and results in peach and mango flavours. 

By contrast, to create the Italian style, Pinot Grigio grapes are picked much earlier in the season. This means the grapes retain their acidity and results in simple flavours of pear and lemon.

Until recently, Pinot Gris has been mainly associated with Alsace and northern Italy (where it is known as Pinot Grigio).  

However, this versatile white grape is becoming more common in other wine regions around the world, particularly in Argentina, California, New Zealand and cooler parts of Australia. Pinot Gris is not suited to warm climates – the grapes ripen too quickly and lose their acidity. This is why increasing plantings of Pinot Gris in Australia are found in the cooler areas of Victoria.

Pinot Gris has emerged from the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina. At altitude, temperatures drop and allow for a more balanced ripening which enables the grapes to develop greater flavours while retaining their acidity.

In New Zealand, ‘aromatics’ are growing in popularity, and Pinot Gris grown here creates a wine rich in tropical fruit flavours and a mineral complexity.

This white grape is incredibly versatile and creates two different styles of wine which are influenced by the climate it is grown in and the winemaker’s growing and harvesting techniques.  

Pinot Gris style is a much riper style and offers more complex flavours. Primary flavours often include:

• Lemon
• Stone fruits such as peach
• Tropical fruits such as mango and banana   

Pinot Gris can see bottle ageing, where tertiary flavours of honey and ginger develop.   

Pinot Grigio is known for its high acidity and zesty flavours. Primary notes often include:

• Green apple
• Lemon
• Lime
• Pear  

Pinot Grigio is often light-bodied with simple flavours. This style rarely seeks oak and is typically best enjoyed young.

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are two names for the same grape variety. Pinot Gris is the French name and Pinot Grigio is the Italian name.

Despite being the same grape variety, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are two distinct styles of wine. These differences are determined by climate, grape-growing techniques and the winemaker’s harvesting choices.

Pinot Grigio grapes are harvested early to retain their acidity. This creates a dry, light-bodied wine with medium to high acidity and flavours of lemon, apple and pear.

Pinot Gris, however, is very different. Grapes are harvested later in the season when they are extra-ripe. As the grapes are riper, they are higher in sugar, lower in acidity and have more pronounced, complex flavours. Pinot Gris is typically a full-bodied wine with medium acidity and flavours of lemon, peach, mango and banana. In bottle, Pinot Gris can develop ginger and honey notes.

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio wines can range from dry to medium in sweetness – this depends on the winemaker’s preference.

Pinot Grigio is usually dry. Because of its high acidity, it usually tastes less sweet than Chardonnay.

Alsace Pinot Gris is slightly sweeter, particularly a ‘Vendages Tardives’. This style has been harvested even later in the season to create an even sweeter wine.

A relative of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris/Grigio grapes areis purple in appearance. However, it is classified as a white grape variety and can be blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Due to its richness, Pinot Gris pairs well with:

• Fish in a creamy sauce
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Pork
• Risotto
• Grilled courgette
• Garlic-lemon broccoli

Meanwhile, Pinot Grigio is lighter and crisper and pairs well with:

• Grilled prawns
• Mussels
• Oysters
• Vegetables
• Salads

Discover more in our beginner's guide to food and wine pairing.

To ensure acidity and flavours remain crisp, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) is best served chilled, typically around 8-9°C. Serve in a standard white wine glass with a narrow rim, allowing the wine’s delicate, subtle aromas to concentrate on your nose.