Pinot Gris
Same grape, two styles, with crisp pinot grigio from northern Italy and richer pinot gris from Alsace and Oregon.
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Pinot gris questions
Is pinot gris the same as pinot grigio?
Yes, it's the same grape, a color mutation of pinot noir with grayish-pink skins. The name usually signals the style. Pinot grigio is the Italian name and typically means a light, crisp, unoaked white. Pinot gris is the French name, used in Alsace and Oregon, for a fuller, richer style with more texture and sometimes a little sweetness.
Is pinot grigio sweet?
Italian pinot grigio is almost always dry, with crisp acidity and light flavors of lemon, green apple and pear. Pinot gris from Alsace can range from dry to sweet, and late harvest versions are clearly sweet. Oregon pinot gris is usually dry but rounder. If you want dry, Italian pinot grigio is the safest choice.
How is pinot gris different from chardonnay?
Pinot gris is usually lighter, with pear, apple, citrus and sometimes a spicy or smoky note, and it rarely sees new oak. Chardonnay is more neutral on its own and takes on the winemaker's style, from crisp Chablis to rich, buttery California chardonnay with oak and malolactic fermentation. Pinot gris is the easier, fresher choice for a light white.
Why is pinot grigio often cheap?
Large vineyards in the flat plains of northern Italy produce huge volumes of pinot grigio for export, which keeps prices low but often makes neutral, simple wine. Smaller producers in hillside areas like Alto Adige, Friuli and Collio make more concentrated, interesting versions with real character. They cost a bit more and are worth it.