Pinot Gris And Pinot Grigio Wine Guide

From its earliest known origins in Europe in the MiddleThe color of the grape itself can also vary depending
Ages the Pinot gris grape has become a popularon the region in which it is grown. It can be found to
choice for wines all over the world. It is a white wineshow a greyish color, or else a pinkish brown.
grape that is thought to be a clone of the Pinot noirThe flavor of the wine it produces can also depend
grape. Its name, "pinot gris" is the French for greyon where Pinot gris is grown, and of course from the
pinecone and this accurately reflects the color andwine making style. In Alsace, they are generally
the shape of the bunch as it grows on the vine.medium-bodied wines, often with lightly citrus flavors.
However, the color of the fruit can vary dramatically,The German varieties are more full-bodied, while in
as can the color of the wine produced from it, whichItaly, where it is known as Pinot grigio, it produces a
can range from a deep yellow to a copperish color.crisp, light-bodied taste. The newly popular Oregon
 Pinot gris wines are medium bodied with fruity
There are clones of this popular grape grown all overflavors.
the world and the wines produced from Pinot grisRegions
can vary dramatically, depending where the grape isAlsace
grown.The Alsace region is considered the home of the
Two areas in particular stand out for the quality ofPinot gris grape and is different here from anywhere
wine made from the grape. Alsace in France is theelse it is grown. The cool climate and soil of the
traditional home of the grape, while Oregon in theregion makes for a very high quality grape.
United States has more recently produced Pinot grisAustralia
wines of particularly high quality.Since its grape's introduction to the country in 1832,
In Alsace, it is popular as a full-bodied wine, while inthe southern state of Victoria has been producing
Italy there are some distinguished producers whowines going under the names of Pinot gris and Pinot
produce some excellent wines. However, the bulk ofgrigio depending on the sweetness of the wine.
Italy's Pinot grigio producers harvest early to produceAgain, the temperate climate there and long autumns
less satisfying results.suit the grape and Australian Pinot gris wines remain
Pinot gris is often blended with Pinot noir wines topopular.
improve their flavor. It goes well with chicken, porkItaly
and seafood and remains a very popular choice, withPinot gris is a long established and popular grape in
only Chardonnay being more popular.Italy, where it is known as Pinot grigio. It is found
Historygrowing in the north of the country in Lombardy and
It has been recently discovered that the Pinot grisAlto Adige.
has an almost identical DNA profile to Pinot noir andNew Zealand
that the difference in color is caused by a geneticNew Zealand's cool climate also lends itself to the
mutation that is thought to have happened hundredsgrowing of Pinot gris. On the North Island it is to be
of years ago.found in Martinborough and Hawkes Bay, while in the
Earliest records of the cultivation of Pinot gris goSouth Island it is grown in Central Otago, Nelson,
back to the Middle Ages in Burgandy, France whereMarlborough and Waipara.
the grape is thought to have been known asOregon and California
Fromenteau. Pinot noir was grown here around theAfter Alsace, Oregon is probably the most successful
same time and the popularity of both spreadPinot Gris growing region where the wine became
eastwards over time.quite a hit locally as an accompaniment to the
It was popular in Switzerland and Hungary, and wasgenerous amounts of fresh salmon caught in the
discovered being grown in Germany in the 1700s byregion.
the name of Rulander. A number of bad harvestsIt was introduced to the region as recently as 1966
threatened the use of the grape in many parts ofand within 30 years all of the main wineries in the
Europe but certain strains of the vine proved moreregion were growing the grape. There are more than
resilient and its cultivation continued.1,797 acres of Pinot gris being grown in Oregon
Pinot gris is now grown in almost all of the majortoday.
wine producing regions of the world, including France,There are also healthy amounts (1,620 acres) of the
Australia, Germany, Australia, Canada, South Africa,grape grown in southern and central coastal regions
Switzerland, Romania, Moldova, Belgium, the Unitedof California. The wine is similar to the Italian Pinot
States, and New Zealand.grigio in taste, and often goes by the same name.
As the list of regions above would suggest, the PinotHowever, the California variety has struggled to
gris vine favors cool climates and is known to maturematch the quality and the popularity of its Oregon
early. This can result in a sweet flavor or high alcoholcounterpart.
content, depending how long it is fermented.