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Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio grapes on the vine
Photo: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

Grape variety · White

Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio

A pink-grey mutation of Pinot Noir that makes two styles: light, crisp Italian Pinot Grigio and rich, spicy Alsace Pinot Gris.

  • White
  • Home: Burgundy, France
  • Italy, France, Germany, USA

At a glance

Also known as
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Grauburgunder
  • Ruländer
  • Malvoisie (Valais)
Colour
White
Origin
Burgundy, France — a colour mutation of Pinot Noir
Main regions
North-east Italy (Veneto, Friuli, Alto Adige), Alsace, Germany (Baden, Pfalz), Oregon, New Zealand
Varietal or blend
Mostly single variety.
Body & sweetness
Light (Grigio) to full (Alsace); dry to sweet.

Taste & style

Flavour
Pear, apple and lemon in light styles; ripe peach, honey, smoke and ginger in richer ones.
Style
Italian versions are neutral and easy; Alsace and German versions are oily and powerful. Skin contact can give a copper "ramato" colour.

In the vineyard & winery

Growing
Ripens early with high sugar; its greyish-pink berries vary in colour on the same bunch.
Winemaking
Usually steel-fermented and bottled young for Grigio; Alsace often uses old casks and may leave sweetness.

Food matches

Notes