Grape varieties: Pinot Grigio
This grape is a pink grape which is related to the Pinot Noir grape. It has become popular in its Italian form in recent years and pairs well with seafood and fruity desserts. It can be made in a variety of styles and is considered to be a non-aromatic variety. It, therefore, has scope for taking of flavours of the winemaking process.
About the Pinot Grigio Grape
This is an early budding and early ripening variety. The variety is early budding and early ripening. Wines made from this variety can be everything from golden to light pink in colour. The grape is naturally high in sugar, but tends not to be that acidic. It can therefore be made into dry or sweet wines. The grape tends to be very adaptable to the terrior in which is is grown.
A grape by any other name
Pinot Grigo is also known as Pinot Gris. This distinction tends to note a difference in style between the Italian Pinot Grigio and the French Pinot Gris. In Veneto, Italy, the grape tends to be made into a bone dry, light and refreshing wine. It has the typical characteristics of a summer patio wine. The taste profile is of green and citrus fruits, sometimes peach and almond.
In Alsace, France, the flavour profile is of ripe pear, honey, spices, sometimes with an oily texture and stone fruit notes. This has a more luxurious feel, which has led some to think Pinot Gris is a better style. In this region, the wines are also made into Late Harvest sweet wines. These wines have honied notes, ginger and papaya.
The grape is also know as Grauburgunder in Germany and Szürkebarát in Hungary.
Profile
The profile of Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris varies based on the style it is made into, but typically it can be said to have:
- Medium to high acidity
- Low to Medium sweetness
- Low to Medium Alcohol
- Light to Medium Body
- No Tannin.
Flavours of the Italian style: Green fruit, citrus fruits, peach and minerality.
Flavours of the French style: Pear, apple, peach, blossom, dried fruits and honied notes.
Flavours of the late harvest style: Papaya, peach, ginger, beeswax, and vanilla.
Quality variations
Pinot Grigio from Italy can vary significantly in quality. Mass produced versions can be refreshing, diluted in flavour and simple in style. For some people the lack of acidity may be noticeable in these wines, and they may feel thin. Higher quality productions can be complex, have depth of flavour and better balance. These are usually made with smaller berries which tend to concentrate flavours.
Production
Italy accounts for getting on for 40% of production. However, this grape is planted prolifically across the world. Germany, France, and Hungary amongst other in Europe have plantings. This grape is widely planted in the new world as well. Large plantings can be found in New Zealand and the Oregon in the United States.
So next time you need a patio wine that is sure not to offend, you do do worse than a Pinot Grigio. Or why not go for one of the higher quality Italian versions or something in the fuller Pinot Gris style? If you do, why not try to pick out the characteristics above – can you taste any of the flavours mentioned? Or do you taste something else? Whatever you taste, why not let me know? In the meantime, keep exploring this beautiful planet we live on, one glass at a time!