Pino Grigio or Pino Gris?
Pinot Grigio is a dry white wine that originated in Burgundy, France, where it is referred to as Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris is believed to have come about through a mutation of the red grape, known as Pinot Noir, with the skin of the grape being slightly gray in color - or gris, in french. Over the course of its early history, Pinot Gris progressively made its way through Europe all the way to northern Italy, where the Italian style, Pinot Grigio, was born. Though both Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are wines of the same variety, each style has a unique taste and characteristics that distinguish one from the other.
Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are admired by most for its crisp, lemon-lime (and sometimes apple) flavor. While both Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are great food-pairing wines, there are a few slight differences between the French style and Italian style of Pinot Gris/Grigio. Most wine lovers appreciate the light and dry taste characterized by Pinot Grigio that makes it easy to drink and great when paired with seafood dishes or salads. Its counterpart, Pinot Gris, has a more bold and rich flavor that most wine drinkers would prefer to pair with cream-based meals like alfredo or schnitzel. When compared to Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio generally takes the crown as a favorite between the two because of its lighter and smoother taste.
Even though the Pinot Grigio varietal has its roots in northern Italy, some of the top brands for this variety can also be found in other regions like northern California, where many other great wines are made. The northern region of California offers a suitable climate for both Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris wines. Though both wine types are referred to by different names in America, it’s important to note that they are of the same grape and are simply made by the standard of two different regions - Italy and France. With a warmer climate than Italy, Californian Pinot Grigio often has a much more full-body tone.
Besides great taste of a Pinot Grigio, its price can easily attract any wine enthusiast. Pinot Grigio is generally one of the more affordable wines on the shelf. While the price may vary depending on where you go to get your hands on one, a bottle of Pinot Grigio can be bought between the $15-$40 price range here at Zeppoli’s. One of our popular bottles of Pinot Grigio is the Kaltern Pinot Grigio Kallerei Cantina, which sells for just under $20.
