Wine Grape Cheat Sheets – Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris—the Soundbyte: Pinot Gris, known to most of the world as the delightful Italian Wine called Pinot Grigio, is renowned for its crisp, fruity, and vaguely floral wines from Northern Italy.  The variety known as Pinot Grigio is the “same grape-different name” as the grape variety Pinot Gris and goes by many other aliases as well.  Pinot Gris (aka Grigio) is successfully grown in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Oregon, and California. Its popularity is every-expanding and new plantings seem to know no bounds. The grape acquired the name Pinot Gris (Grey Pinot) in France due to its grayish-white fruit. It is believed to be a natural mutation of Pinot Noir.

Typical Attributes of a Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio-Based Wine:

• Light to medium bodied
• Almost always fruity—lemon-lime-citrus aromas are common in those from Italy, while Alsace, California, Oregon (and several other spots) tend to produce wines with slightly richer, tropical fruit-tree fruit aromas (such as apricot and pear).
• Very often stainless steel cold fermented.
• Generally crisp, acidic, and refreshing.
• Italian Pinot Grigio is often described as Sauvignon Blanc without the grassy overtones.
• Pinot Gris from Alsace and Oregon tends to have a bit more body and be a tad smoother than those produced in the Italian style. Such wines are often compared to unoaked Chardonnay. (The Bubbly Professor agrees with this comparison, but thinks that Pinot Gris has a “waxier, creamier and smoother” style than some Chardonnay.)
• A late harvest (potentially sweet) wine called “Vendage Tardive” is made from Pinot Gris in the French Region of Alsace. Sweet Pinot Gris-based wines are also produced in Oregon and California; these might be labeled as late harvest and or vin de glacerie.

Typical Aromas of a Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio-Based Wine:

• Fruity: Citrus (Lemon, Lime, Tangerine), Peach, Dried Peach, Apricot, Fresh-cut Pears, Green Apple, Melon, Tropical Fruit, Kiwi, Mango
• Floral: Wildflowers, Blossoms, Honey
• Herbal: Thyme, Oregano, Lemongrass
• Mineral: Wet Stones, Wet Sand
• Nutty

Where The Best Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio is Grown:

• Italy, especially in the Northern Regions of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino-Alto Adige
• Alsace
• The cooler wine growing regions of Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• California, especially Napa and Santa Barbara
• Oregon, where it shines!

Food Affinities – Base Ingredients:

• Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Hors d’oeurves
• Cream Sauces, Sour Cream
• Citrus, Subtle Vinaigrettes, Capers, Green Olives
• Basil, Tarragon, and just about all Herbs
• Bell Peppers, Roasted Fennel, Garlic, Onions, Shallots
• Toasted Pine Nuts
• Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese

Note: when it comes to food pairings, by all means, drink what you like!

The Bubbly Professor is “Miss Jane” Nickles of Austin, Texas