Pinot Grigio (Italy)

Lemon

Apple

Pear

Flint

The Italians prefer their Pinot Grigio fresh and light. Therefore, they harvest the grape earlier than is common in Alsace (France).

Two distinctive style differences occur: fresh and light Italian Pinot Grigio, and rich and powerfull French Pinot Gris.

To retain the fruity and citrusy aromas, Pinot Grigio is fermented in Steel Tanks (not in oak).

Crispy Lemon, Apple, and Pear flavors are typical for Pinot Grigio, with hints of Minerals.

The Italian Pinot Grigio is suitable for fish and light chicken dishes.

Pinot Grigio is typically dry with a light to medium body. The wine is often crisp and refreshing with high acidity.

Common characteristics include notes of green apple, pear, citrus (lemon, lime) and sometimes a hint of almond. The flavors are usually straightforward and uncomplicated.

Pinot Grigio is often produced in an easy-drinking style. While it can be high quality, it is usually designed for immediate consumption rather than aging. The best examples can exhibit more complexity and balance, but the majority are enjoyed for their freshness and lightness.

Pinot Gris (France)

Apple

Peach

Flowers

Spices

Pinot Gris generally produces a round and full-bodied wine, with moderate acidity, and a pleasant after-taste. Sweet flowers, peaches, and some spice in the character are common in editions where the grapes have become properly ripe.

Pinot Gris can vary significantly in sweetness and body, depending on where and how it is produced. It ranges from dry to off-dry (slightly sweet) and generally has a fuller body compared to Pinot Grigio, with a richer, more rounded mouthfeel.

Pinot Gris often shows more pronounced and complex aromas and flavors than Pinot Grigio. Typical notes include ripe tropical fruits (such as pineapple and mango), stone fruits (like peach and apricot), and a honeyed character. You might also find spicier, earthy, or floral nuances.

Pinot Gris is known for its potential to produce high-quality wines with depth and complexity. It can age well, developing additional layers of flavor over time. The best examples come from Alsace in France, where it can achieve remarkable richness and intensity.

In Alsace, Pinot Gris often replaces red wine and is used (especially if developed) for white meat dishes such as chicken and pig, and also for goose liver.

Pinot Gris in France

Pinot Gris originated in Bourgogne, but has shown its best potential in Alsace.

In Alsace, Pinot Gris is considered a noble grape, where is was first known as Tokaj d'Alsace.

Alsatian Pinot Gris is quite different in taste than those from other regions.

The Alsatian version is typically a little off-dry.

Alsace, located in northeastern France, is characterized by several key natural factors that significantly influence the style of Pinot Gris wines produced in the region.

These natural factors work together to create Pinot Gris wines that are rich, aromatic, and full-bodied, with a potential for aging that sets them apart from their lighter counterparts like Pinot Grigio.

Key Natural Factors

• Climate
  Alsace has a continental climate with cold winters and warm, dry summers. The region benefits from a long growing season, allowing grapes to ripen fully and develop rich flavors.

• Topography
  The vineyards are situated along the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains. This topography provides excellent sun exposure and drainage, which are crucial for grape quality.

• Soil
  The soils in Alsace are diverse, including granite, limestone, clay, and volcanic soils. These varied soil types contribute to the complexity and depth of flavors in the wines.

• Rainfall
  Alsace receives relatively low rainfall, which helps concentrate the flavors in the grapes. The region is also in the rain shadow of the Vosges Mountains, further reducing the risk of excessive moisture.

Contribution to Pinot Gris Style

• Ripeness and Flavor Development
  The long, warm growing season allows Pinot Gris grapes to achieve full ripeness, resulting in wines with rich, concentrated flavors. You will often find notes of ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot, along with hints of honey and spice.

• Aromatic Complexity
  The diverse soils and excellent sun exposure contribute to the aromatic complexity of Pinot Gris wines. Expect a bouquet of floral, fruity, and sometimes smoky or earthy notes.

• Structure and Balance
  The well-drained soils and dry climate help produce grapes with balanced acidity and moderate alcohol levels, giving the wines a fresh and lively character.

• Age-Worthiness
  The combination of ripe fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and complex aromas makes Alsace Pinot Gris wines suitable for aging, allowing them to develop additional layers of flavor over time.

Large Oak Barrels

Large, old oak barrels used in Alsace have little influence on the wines' aromas because of two factors:

• Size
  Larger barrels have a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio compared to smaller barrels. This means less wine comes into contact with the wood, which reduces the transfer of oak flavors and aromas into the wine.

• Age
  Old barrels have already been used multiple times, which means most of the easily extractable flavors and tannins from the wood have already been leached out in previous uses. As a result, old barrels contribute very little in terms of new oak characteristics.

Winemaking Intent

Winemaking Intent result in wines that showcase the distinctive fruit and terroir-driven qualities of Alsace, with minimal influence from the oak:

• Preservation of Fruit Character
  Winemakers in Alsace often aim to preserve the pure, primary fruit characteristics and the unique expression of their terroir. By using old, large barrels, they can ensure that the oak influence remains subtle, allowing the natural fruit flavors and aromas of the grapes to shine through.

• Gentle Oxygenation
  Old, large barrels still allow for a controlled, gentle oxygenation process, which can help to round out the wine and add complexity without imparting strong oak flavors. This method helps to enhance the texture and integrate the wine's components without overshadowing the inherent varietal and regional characteristics.

Pinot Gris in USA

Pinot Gris on the label, indicates a wine made in an off-dry Alsation style.

The first American Pinot Gris vines was planted in in Oregon in 1965.

In 1991, King Estate Winery started to produce quality Oregon Pinot Gris, and managed to developed a US market for the wine.

Today, King Estate Winery is the world's leading producer of premium Pinot Gris from the world's largest organic vineyard of Pinot Gris grapes.

Pinot Gris is also planted in California, where the wine is often called Pinot Grigio because of the similarity in style with Italian Pinot Grigio.

Pinot Grigio in USA

Pinot Grigio on the label, indicates a lighter and more Italian style.

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Pinot Gris in Chile

Pinot Gris from Chile is where the Alsatian style meets the Italian style.

Pinot Grigio in Italy

Pinot Grigio is a light and dry Italian white wine, refreshing as a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.

It is one of Italy's most popular white wines.

Pinot Grigio is cultivated many places in Italy, but the most prominent regions are in the northeast:

• Veneto
• Trentino
• Alto Adige
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Italian Pinot Grigio and French Pinot Gris use the same grapes, but the Italian wine is dry and crisp while the french is sweeter and more aromatic. The Italian grapes are harvested before they mature to reduce sugar in favor of acid.

Grauburgunder in Austria

High Quality areas / regions:

Burgenland
Steiermark

Grauburgunder (Pinot Grigio) was brought from Burgundy to Austria in the 13th or 14th century by Cistercian monks.

The grape has a high level of sugar and is therefore often vinified in Spätlese or Auslese styles.

The planting of Grauburgunder has been decreasing continuously since 1999.

Grauburgunder in Germany

Grauburgunder is the German name for Pinot Gris.

Grauburgunder is more often associated with dry examles of Pinot Gris, like Italian Pinot Grigio.

Ruländer is found in the Baden and Pfalz regions of Germany, where it is known as a sweet style of wine.

The names Grauburgunder and Ruländer are also used in Austria.

Ruländer in Germany

Ruländer is a German Off-Dry Pinot Gris.

Grauburgunder is more often associated with dry examles of Pinot Gris, like Italian Pinot Grigio.

Ruländer is found in the Baden and Pfalz regions of Germany, where it is known as a sweet style of wine.

The names Grauburgunder and Ruländer are also used in Austria.

Pinot Gris in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Pinot Gris is grown in the North and the South Island.

High Quality areas / regions:

Marlborough
Hawke's Bay

Map credit: New Zealand Winegrowers

In New Zealand, Pinot Gris are more like the Alsatian style.

Pinot Gris is the third most planted white grape after Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay.

Marlborough in the cooler South Island, produces wines with a great structure, with focus on pure aromatics and flavours of white peach, red apple and cinnamon.

Hawke’s Bay in the warmer climates of the North Island, produces ripe, rich, powerful and concentrated wines in a diversity of styles.

Pinot Gris in Australia

Pinot Gris was first planted in Australia in 1832 from a collection of grapes brought to the island by James Busby (the British Resident in New Zealand).

Australian Pinot Gris can be labeled Pinot Gris (French Type) or Pinot Grigio (Italian Type), depending on the sweetness / dryness of the wine.

Pinot Gris indicates a richer French style.

Pinot Grigio in Australia

Pinot Grigio indicates a lighter and more Italian style.