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Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio... Which is it?
07/15/2016
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Pinot Gris is one of those varietals that can often confuse people. Some may think it’s related to Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio somehow, based on its name. Or some may recognize the French word for gray (gris) and think that the grape has something to do with the color. Others may believe the grape originated in France, while others contend it to be an Italianborn varietal. And, lastly some people may think that Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape, while others will argue that they are different varietals. The reality is that all of these points have some truth. To begin with, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are indeed the same grape, the former being the French name and the latter the Italian. While this is true, a differentiation beyond country boundaries can be established between the two. The reality is that these are two different and distinct winemaking styles for the same grape. But, for the moment, let’s stick with the original country of origin for the varietal - France.Pinot Gris is in fact related to Pinot Noir; it is a mutant clone - think of it like a cousin to Pinot Noir. It’s believed that Pinot Gris originated in the Burgundy region of France sometime during the middle ages. At this time the grape’s popularity began to stretch across Europe, landing in vineyards in Switzerland, Italy, and Hungary. These days, it’s grown around the globe, but notably in Alsace, Germany, California, Oregon, and Australia. The name itself (gris or grigio) does have to do with the color gray, as when on the vine the grapes often have a grayish tint. The word pinot, as with Pinot Noir, is attributable to the grapes growing in small clusters resembling pine cones.  However, unlike its fickle and often challenging cousin Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris is not considered to be an especially difficult varietal to grow or make into wine. And although the grape originated in France, the Italians and their style of the wine really put the grape on the world map in your local wine store. The Pinot Gris style of the wine is the one you are most likely less familiar with, as it’s simply not produced these days as prolifically as the Pinot Grigio style. The Pinot Gris style is currently produced in the California, Oregon, Australia, and the Alsace region of France, (although in Alsace, Pinot Gris is also used for the production of sparkling wines). The Pinot Gris style is an aromatic wine with low acidity, higher alcohol content, and a full-body. As these wines are rarer and arguably more difficult to produce than their counterparts, you can expect them to have a higher price tag. On the other hand, it is probably safe to say that most people recognize both the name Pinot Grigio and the style of wine to expect from it, as regardless of where they are grown, these wines share notable resemblances. This is in no way meant to downgrade Pinot Grigio wines, as certainly one can expect some to be better than others, but there are specific characteristics to Pinot Grigio wines which will remain unchanged.  Lower alcohol content, high acidity, light-bodied, tangy, and refreshing - all of these are typical Pinot Grigio characteristics. These wines are typically not complicated, and they’re not meant to be. Pinot Grigio is a wine that many start with when they initially venture into wine. But that “refreshing” comment sticks out here. No matter how sophisticated your wine palate may be…on a hot afternoon it’s hard to beat a more refreshing glass of wine than a Pinot Grigio. Regardless of the style of the wine between the two, you can expect to encounter aromas and flavors of pears, apple, lemon, melon, ripe tropical fruit, and minerals. And while these wines, regardless of style, are just fine on their own, pairing with food can be a delicious combination. For the Pinot Grigio style, stick with lighter seafood dishes, but don’t be afraid to pair with quiche or salad. On the other hand, with a Pinot Gris style you can feel comfortable stepping it up a notch and pairing with more hearty seafood and chicken dishes. Interestingly, this warm weather friendly wine is actually considered to be best suited to cool climate growing conditions….which explains why it does so well here in some of Monterey’s AVAs. Due to the wine’s popularity, the grape is grown throughout the world in multiple growing climates, but we like to take pride in being on the upper end of the Pinot Gris/Grigio spectrum. And both styles are made by our County’s winemakers. Puma’s Pinot Gris and La Merika’s Pinot Grigio are both fine examples of each style and both are available here at A Taste of Monterey. |
Post By:
Bryce