W3 Wine School

Pinot Grigio (Italy)

Pinot Grigio is a light and dry Italian white wine.

Refreshing as a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.

Pinot Grigio Flavors

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

Lemon
Lemon
Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Mineral
Flint

Pinot Grigio Profile

Pinot Grigio is light, dry, and crispy:

SUGAR:Dry 3g/l
BODY:Light
FRUIT:Low
ACIDITY:High
ALCOHOL:11-12% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
8-10°C (46-50°F)

Pinot Grigio Food Pairing

Pinot Grigio pairs best with Seafood, Fried Fish, and Fried Chicken.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Salad
Salad
Crab
Seafood
Fish
Fish
Pasta
Pasta
Chicken
Chicken
Chips
Chips
Soft Cheese
Soft Cheese

Excellent Pairings

Green Salad with Lemon Acid Vinaigrette.
Seafood Antipasti.
Mussels. Garlic Prawns.
Light Salads with Crab, Shrimps, or Prawns.
Grilled or Fried White Fish. Sea Bass.
Fried Chicken. French Fries.
Simple Pasta (with Cheese). Risotto.

Italian Specialities

Insalata di Bresaola.

The Ideal Glass for Pinot Grigio

A Riesling Glass has a tall and narrow bowl to emphasize the aromas of the wine.

The shape also helps balance the high acidity often found in Rieslings.

The glass is also perfect for any other bone dry wines with high acidity like Chablis, Chenin Blanc, Picpoul and Vinho Verde.

Pinot Grigio Cheese Pairing

Pinot Grigio is known for its light, crisp, and sometimes slightly fruity profile. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses.

Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity.

You can also add fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the wine's lightness.

Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Pinot Grigio.

Soft Cheeses

Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Pinot Grigio.

Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.

Semi-Hard Cheeses

Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang to the wine.

Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.

Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

Robiola: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Pinot Grigio

You Will Also Like:

Arinto (Portugal)
Bourgogne Blanc (France)
Burgundy White (France)
Chablis (France)
Chardonnay (Unoaked)
Muscadet (France)
Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Picapoll (Spain)
Piquepoul (France)
Txakoli (Spain)
Vinho Verde (Portugal)

About Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is one of Italy's most popular white wines.

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.

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

Veneto, Trentino, Alto Adige and Venezie (Friuli-Venezia Giulia).

About Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) originates from Burgundy.

Today it is cultivated primarily in Italy and France (Alsace).

There are primarily three different types of Pinot Gris:

Light, Dry and Crispy (Italian Pinot Grigio and Australian Pinot Grigio).

Off-Dry and Aromatic (French Pinot Gris and Australian Pinot Gris).

Dry and Fruity (Something in between Italian Pinot Grigio and French Pinot Gris).

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