Pinot Grigio is a type of white wine made from the Pinot Gris grape. It originated in the vineyards of Burgundy, France, but is now grown around the world. Pinot Grigio is known for its light body, crisp acidity, and fruity aromas. It is a popular wine for everyday drinking and food pairing.
What Does Pinot Grigio Taste Like?
Pinot Grigio is typically a light-bodied white wine. It tends to be light in color as well, often showing a very pale yellow or copper hue. The flavor profile of Pinot Grigio can range from neutral and mild to moderately aromatic and fruity.
Common tasting notes for Pinot Grigio include:
- Citrus – lemon, lime, grapefruit
- Green apple
- White peach
- Honeydew melon
- Honeysuckle
- Minerality
- Acidity
- Medium alcohol
- Dry finish
The aroma and flavor will vary depending on the climate and terroir where the grapes are grown. Cool climate Pinot Grigio tends to be more vibrant and complex, while warm climate wines are more neutral.
Pinot Grigio Styles
There are a few main styles of Pinot Grigio:
- Light and crisp – This is the most common style, with high acidity, light body, and subtle flavors of lemon, apple, and mineral. It is a refreshing, easy-drinking wine.
- Rich and aromatic – Some regions produce Pinot Grigio with more intense aromas and stone fruit flavors. These wines have more weight and complexity.
- Sparkling – Pinot Grigio is also made into bubbly, fruity sparkling wines using the traditional method.
- Dessert style – Vin Santo style Pinot Grigio is made in a passito method to concentrate sugars and flavors. It has lush dried fruit notes.
The wide range of styles makes Pinot Grigio a versatile wine for many occasions.
Where is Pinot Grigio Grown?
Some of the main regions where Pinot Grigio is produced include:
- Italy – Pinot Grigio is also known as “Pinot Grigio” in Italy where it originated. Top regions are the Veneto, Friuli, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Lombardy.
- France – In France, the grape is known as Pinot Gris and grown in Alsace.
- Germany – Rheinhessen and Pfalz produce Pinot Gris.
- USA – Oregon and California make excellent Pinot Gris.
- Australia and New Zealand – Cool climate regions like Adelaide Hills and Marlborough.
Within these regions there will be variation in the wines based on local terroir, winemaking styles, and climate conditions each year.
Major Pinot Grigio Producing Regions
Here is an overview of the top 3 Pinot Grigio producing wine regions:
| Region | Description |
|---|---|
| Veneto, Italy | The Veneto region is considered the birthplace of Pinot Grigio and produces more than any other region globally. The main area is found along the foothills of the Alps. The climate is moderately continental with cool breezes that encourage crisp acidity in the grapes. |
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia | Located in northeast Italy, Friuli has a cooler climate next to the Alps that allows for fuller ripening. The Pinot Grigio here tends to have a little more body and ripeness while maintaining fresh acidity. |
| Marlborough, New Zealand | Marlborough on the South Island first started growing Pinot Gris in the 1970s. The cool climate allows a long, slow ripening season that produces flavorful wines with zesty citrus notes. |
How is Pinot Grigio Made?
Pinot Grigio is made using the same winemaking practices as other white wines. Here are the key steps:
- Harvesting – The grapes are picked by hand or machine. For Pinot Grigio they are harvested earlier at lower sugar levels to preserve acidity and freshness.
- Crushing/Pressing – The grapes are lightly crushed then pressed to extract the juice from the skins and pulp.
- Fermentation – The juice ferments for 2-4 weeks, converting natural grape sugars to alcohol. It ferments at cool temperatures in stainless steel or neutral vessels.
- Aging – Pinot Grigio is aged for 1-6 months on fine lees to develop complexity. Most wines see very little oak aging.
- Bottling – The wines are clarified, stabilized, and sterile filtered before bottling under screwcap or cork closures.
The entire process focuses on preserving the fresh and fruity character of the Pinot Grigio grape. Minimal intervention allows the grape’s natural flavors to shine.
How to Serve Pinot Grigio
Here are some tips for serving Pinot Grigio:
- Chilled temperature – Pinot Grigio should be served chilled, around 45-50°F (8-10°C). This keeps the wine refreshing and highlights the crisp acidity.
- Younger vintages – Most Pinot Grigios are best consumed young, within 1-3 years of production. Older vintages start losing freshness.
- Proper glassware – Use a white wine glass that tapers at the top to enhance aromatics. Flutes and coupes can mute the subtle aromas.
- Pairing with food – Pinot Grigio is very food-friendly. It matches well with light seafood, poultry, salads, and pasta in white sauces.
- As an aperitif – The light qualities of Pinot Grigio make it an excellent aperitif wine before meals.
Serving Pinot Grigio chilled in the right stemware helps extend its crisp, delicate flavors.
Popular Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
Here are some of the most popular food pairing combinations with Pinot Grigio:
| Foods | Pairing Notes |
|---|---|
| Salmon, halibut, cod | Matches the lighter body and acidity of Pinot Grigio with the delicate flavor of white fish. |
| Lemon chicken, pork | The citrusy qualities complement poultry and lighter meats. |
| Salads with vinaigrette | Cuts through the vinegar and oil, a perfect summer meal. |
| Risotto, pasta primavera | Mirrors the creaminess of the dish. |
| Sushi, oysters | Clean, fruity flavors that won’t overpower the seafood. |
Pinot Grigio’s medium body, bright acidity, and fruit flavors complement a wide variety of foods.
Popular Pinot Grigio Brands
Some of the top brands and producers of Pinot Grigio include:
- Santa Margherita – Classic Italian Pinot Grigio that helped popularize the category. Known for its perfumed aromas and crisp apple flavor.
- Ecco Domani – Affordable Italian Pinot Grigio from the Gallo portfolio. Consistent light and fruity style.
- Coppola Diamond Collection – Francis Ford Coppola’s wines from California and Italy. The Pinot Grigio has bright lemon-lime notes.
- Nobilo – A renowned New Zealand producer. Their cool climate Pinot Gris has passionfruit and grapefruit aromas.
- Cavit – One of the largest Italian winemakers located in Trentino. Their Pinot Grigio is easy-drinking with apple and citrus notes.
These major brands offer widely available Pinot Grigios with consistent stylistic qualities year after year.
Key Facts About Pinot Grigio
Here are some key facts to know about Pinot Grigio wine:
- Pinot Grigio is the Italian name, Pinot Gris in French.
- Grown in northern Italy since the Middle Ages.
- A mutation of the Pinot Noir grape that produces white wine.
- Thrives in cool climates like Alsace, Oregon, and New Zealand.
- Known for citrus, green apple, mineral, and floral flavors.
- Italy, the #1 producer, makes over 1.5 million hectoliters annually.
- Prices range widely from $10 basic bottles to $50+ premium wines.
- A popular food wine pairing well with seafood, chicken, salads, and creamy pastas.
With its light body, bright acidity, and subtle flavor profile, Pinot Grigio offers an easy-drinking and very versatile white wine experience.
Common Flavor Descriptors
Some common tasting notes used to describe Pinot Grigio include:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Citrus | Lemon, lime, grapefruit flavors |
| Tree fruit | Green apple, pear, white peach |
| Tropical fruit | Guava, melon, pineapple |
| Floral | Honeysuckle, jasmine, perfume |
| Mineral | Wet stone, flint, saline |
| Herbal | Lemongrass, thyme, mint |
| Acidity | Tart, crisp, refreshing |
These terms help identify the subtle flavors and aromas characteristic of Pinot Grigio’s profile.
Popular Pinot Grigio Cocktails
Pinot Grigio’s light, crisp qualities make it a wonderful match for cocktails. Here are some popular Pinot Grigio cocktail recipes to mix up:
Aperol Spritz
The quintessential Italian aperitif cocktail!
- 3 parts Prosecco
- 2 parts Aperol
- 1 part Pinot Grigio
- Orange slice
Build in a wine glass over ice, top with sparkling wine, and garnish.
Pinot Grigio Sangria
Fruity twist on sangria.
- 2 bottles Pinot Grigio
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup brandy
- Sliced oranges and apples
Mix together in a pitcher, refrigerate, and serve over ice.
Pinot Grigio Spritzer
Super simple and refreshing.
- 4 oz Pinot Grigio
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda
- Lemon wedge
Pour Pinot Grigio and soda into a wine glass with ice. Garnish with lemon.
Health Benefits
Like other wines, Pinot Grigio offers potential health benefits when consumed moderately:
- Antioxidants – Contains antioxidant compounds like resveratrol that may prevent cell damage.
- Anti-inflammatory – Reduced inflammation levels associated with heart disease.
- Lower mortality – Studies link moderate wine intake to lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease or cancer.
- Gut health – Polyphenols in wine may improve gut microbial balance.
- Anti-aging – Activates sirtuins, proteins involved in aging processes.
Government dietary guidelines define moderate intake as 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men. Drinking in excess can negate any potential benefits.
Pairing Pinot Grigio with Food
Pinot Grigio is one of the most food-friendly wines. Here are some tips for successful pairings:
- The high acidity cuts through fat and sauces.
- Clean, citrus flavors complement seafood, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.
- Bolder Pinot Grigios can match richer pork or creamy pasta.
- Avoid pairing with spicy foods that will overpower it.
- Cheeses like goat cheese, mozzarella, and aged goudas make good matches.
- Herb-crusted fish or lemon chicken create harmony of flavors.
Consider the dish’s key flavors and textures and match light with light, rich with rich. A properly paired Pinot Grigio will enhance the flavor of the food.
Conclusion
With its racy acidity, vibrant citrus and stone fruit flavors, and food-friendly versatility, Pinot Grigio has earned its place as one of the most popular white wines today. Both novices and experts appreciate Pinot Grigio for its easy-drinking enjoyment and ability to pair seamlessly with an array of dishes. Regions like Italy, France, and New Zealand produce stellar examples that provide plenty of variety in the glass. Sipped as an aperitif or alongside a meal, Pinot Grigio provides consistent delight and refreshment. Exploring the range of styles and expressions from around the world is an exciting journey for any wine lover.