THE 18 NOBLE GRAPES: PINOT GRIS AKA PINOT GRIGIO

Venica & Venica 2018 Jesera Pinot Grigio
Copper- golden color with balanced acidity and alcohol. One the nose, lovely. On the juicy, savory palate, nutmeg and mineral notes back up ripe apple, mature pear and apricot that lead to a fresh

Talk about a grape that gets a bad wrap…poor Pinot Gris!

First things first, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape. The name differs regionally. For the purposes of this conversation, we’ll call it Pinot Grigio. Undoubtedly, you’ve had Pinot Grigio. It’s a staple at catering halls, networking receptions, airports, the supermarket, and has been the catalyst for many of the debaucherous nights had by the Real Housewives of NYC (Turtle time!). If you have a friend (or YOU are that friend) that wants to be the “classy one” at a dive bar and order wine, it’s highly likely Pinot Grigio is the house white. Contrary to popular opinion, Pinot Grigio is more than the bulk produced trash that lines the aisle of local supermarkets and wine and spirit warehouses. It’s a wonderful grape grown all over the world that produces both light, thirst quenching wines and rounder, richer styles that offer depth and body. Pinot Grigio is a great wine to begin your foray into wine because it is approachable, generally inexpensive and widely available.

Pinot Gris is a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. Unlike most other white grapes, it has blueish- gray skin. The word gris translates to “grey” in both French and Italian. The flavor profile of Italian Pinot Grigio is pretty straight forward. Bright citrus notes of lime, lemon, and lemon peel with notes of white peach, melon, pear, white nectarine and apple shining through in riper styles. Depending on where it is grown, it can also show saline-like minerality that I personally LOVE. Northern Italy produces amazing expressions. Friuli, Trentino and Alto Adige produce dry and mineral-rich wines that are the perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day. In northeastern France, Pinot Gris shines. The climate is dry and sunny which make these wines more floral and fruit forward on the nose with subtle smokey and honeyed notes. Pinot Gris from Alsace is quite unique. In an attempt to make their own version of Hungarian Tokaji, they produce a sweet wine with notes of candied citrus, honey and crisp red apple with a velvety texture that is DELICIOUS. Alsatian Pinot Gris is great for folks that prefer sweeter wines. Right in here in the USA, there are great expression from the Willamette Valley. Although Pinot Grigio to most people is thought of as a light-bodied wine, it can have a waxy, weighty mouth feel. So now that I have piqued your interest in this grape, it’s time for you to go and and grab a bottle for yourself! Here are a few things to ask the next time you are in a wine shop or restaurant if you want to explore more:

What: “I’m look a Pinot Grigio that is NOT bulk produced? What would you recommend? I am looking to spend between no more than $25”

Why: “I am looking to expand my palate for white wines but am not sure what to try. I enjoy lighter styles of white wine that aren’t too fussy. I am ok with some that has a little sweetness to it.

Pairing: I am looking for something that will pair nicely with light dishes like chicken or fish”

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