Pinot Gris vs. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same white grape, Pinot Grigio originating from Italy and Pinot Gris from France. The Pinot Gris grape is in essence a white mutation of the pinot noir grape. This was originally found to have happened in the Burgundy. Both styles like cooler climates. The grape is grown in many regions all over the world, although, arguably, most successfully in Alsace (France), Italy, Germany, and Oregon. Pinot Gris produces wines that are generally fruity in aroma, with flavours of honey, apple, pears.

French Pinot Gris wines usually from the Alsace region typically display more fruity and flowery characteristics than their Italian counterparts and can be somewhat round in mouth feel, though they still have that mineral aroma and softish acids. Flavours can range from peach to grapefruit to melon.

The Italian version; Pinot Grigio mainly planted in the North Eastern parts of Italy around Friulli is typically bone dry and light, with vanilla, oak, citrusy flavours with racy acidity.

The best analogy we can muster is that; French Pinot Gris is like the solid round bubble of a blue 1970 Renault, really round and heavy on the road. The Italian version is the brand new red Ferrari Testarossa, sleek in design with a racy finish!

Try the difference for yourself today.