When you think of Pinot Grigio you imagine a fresh, simple and light wine, a safe bet for most lighter foods and able to stand up to a bit of spice and heat of cuisines from all over the world
Yet, this is not always true and this grape has in store for you some nice surprises. A successful mutation of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio originally comes from Burgundy only to expand to the rest of France and Europe, is a very versatile vine, which gives rise to wines marked by elegance, finesse and thanks to its great drinkability, it is ideal also as an aperitif.
While the terms Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are often used outside of Italy and France to signify the style of wine in the bottle, it is worth remembering that Pinot Grigio is not Pinot Gris. That’s because even if they’re the exact same grape, they differs considerably in body, flavor, color and and in residual sugar levels from lusciously sweet through to dry.
In the Old World, Pinot Gris (translated means grey), has its home in Alsace, but also in Germany, produces wines somewhat similar to white Burgundies, Austria (here the variety is called Rülander, from his discoverer Johann Seger Ruland, a name sometimes also used in Alto Adige in Italy), as well as in Romania and Switzerland.
The Alsatian style is traditionally aromatic, full-bodied, rich and silky with great balance between fruit (pear, green apple, nectarine, white flowers) and minerality and is usually gold in color.
In contrast, in Italy where it’s called Pinot Grigio, it tends to be lighter-bodied, crisper with more citrus, yellow apple and pear flavors, more Italian in style.
High quality Italian Pinot Grigio is grown on the Friulian hills, in particular in the areas of Collio, the Eastern Hills and the Grave, but also in the hilly areas of Veneto, Trentino, Alto Adige (where it is known by the name di Ruländer), in the Oltrepò Pavese and in small areas of the Aosta Valley, where is achieving excellent results.
It is usually vinified in white, therefore without the presence of skins, giving life to the classic Pinot Grigio with a straw yellow color with golden reflections. But if left to macerate in contact with the skins, it takes on that intense orange hue, tending to copper, which distinguishes it adding body and texture with notes of dry leaves, earth, in addition to the aromatic abundance of fruit, including pear, citrus, honeysuckle, zest.
In America and Australia Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, are both fairly prevalent in different areas. It’s all about the climate, when the grapes are picked and how they are fermented that determines the style and usually the name used. It’s unsurprising, therefore, that you might be a little puzzled as to how a 5$ bottle may differ from one priced at 15$.
Both styles are found throughout the grape-growing world, so it’s just a matter of finding the one that best suits your palate.
So what are the best Pinot Grigio you can buy?
Italy
Elena Walch Pinot Grigio Alto Adige Castel Ringberg
https://www.vivino.com/elena-walch-srl-pinot-grigio-alto-adige-castel-ringberg/w/92635?
If you’re looking for excellence, look no further than Elena Walch Pinot Grigio Castel Ringberg from Alto Adige, Italy. The fruit for this wine is grown exclusively in the Castel Ringberg estate on a south-facing hillside and offer up a bouquet full of vibrant lemon peel, freshly sliced peaches, flower blossoms, grapefruit and pineapple. Crisp notes of nectarine, peach, lime zest, underlying crushed herbs and minerality expand on the palate.This is the one to try if you want to experience what Alto Adige Pinot Grigio is all about.
Alto Adige Pinot Grigio Doc ‘Porer’ – Alois Lageder
https://www.vivino.com/alois-lageder-porer-pinot-grigio/w/1212101?
Alois Lageder’s ‘Porer’ is a pure Pinot Grigio from controlled organic-dynamic agriculture (Demeter certified), obtained from vineyards located in the Magrè area, in Alto Adige, above 200 meters above sea level. The wine ages for 9 months in wooden barrels before being bottled and marketed. Its ample, intense bouquet reveals spicy and fruity notes of melon and yellow peach with a slight hint of smoke and a characteristic varietal aroma.. It has got a very pleasant round texture a full body and a fresh finish with good persistence. A Pinot Grigio that represents a tribute to the territory from which it originates.
Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio
https://www.vivino.com/livio-felluga-pinot-grigio/w/15098?
The intriguing and elegant nose of Livio Felluga plays well on its fruity notes, including pear, yellow apple and white flowers while on the palate it’s zesty and refreshing with citrus fruits, lemon peel, and evident hints of grapefruit. With a mineral and quite persistent finish, it’s a true black swan, especially in terms of elegance.
Köfererhof Pinot Grigio
https://www.vivino.com/kofererhof-pinot-grigio/w/1129016?
From the first taste it’s clear that Pinot Grigio in Alto Adige can hide pleasant surprises: fresh fruit, spiciness, texture. All these little details add to the wine’s complexity, which is crisp, bright with pear fruit, citrus peel and minerality. The textured finish is long and crisp with hints of tangerine acidity on the back of the palate.
Nals Margreid Punggl Pinot Grigio
https://www.vivino.com/nals-margreid-punggl-pinot-grigio/w/1923184?
The intense bouquet of Nals Margreid Punggl Pinot Grigio explodes with scents of white flowers, juicy citrus fruits and wet stone. This extraordinarily easy-drinking wine emphasizes flavors of pears, golden apple and sage, highlighted by abundant acidity. Citrus notes provide a tangy and refreshing finish.
Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio
https://www.vivino.com/peter-zemmer-pinot-grigio/w/1636600?
Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio steals the show with a bouquet that is fresh and complex, displaying a nose of blossom and nectarine and a touch of minerality typical of Pinot Grigio. Expect notes of yellow apple, lime and honeysuckle in this charming, dry and light-bodied wine. A hint of lemon zest and minerality lingers on the crisp finish.
Marchesi Frescobaldi – Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato
https://www.vivino.com/it-attems-pinot-grigio-ramato/w/1732653?
The Marchesi Frescobaldi Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato wine is a dry rosé wine, vinified on its skins which helps to enhance the aromas and maintain them over time. The characteristic coppery color with a hue that oscillates between onion skin and copper is definitely distinguishing. With an intense fruity nose, from grapefruit to cherry, with hints of pear and lime, on the palate it is full-bodied, with a crisp acidity that binds well to the mineral and savory taste that indulges on the palate.
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato
https://www.vivino.com/sun-goddess-pinot-grigio-ramato/w/8265138?
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato is a wine that immediately fascinates for its strong and bold character, which perfectly interprets the great copper-hued Pinot Grigio Friulian tradition. Born from the joint cooperation between R&B star Mary J. Blige and Fantinel winery, at sight it reveals a beautiful soft pink color with bright and luminous coppery reflections. The nose is full of ripe green apple, melon and honeysuckle aromas. The slightly creamy mouthfeel supports luscious flavors of green apple, pear and tropical fruit.
Scarbolo Il Ramato
https://www.vivino.com/scarbolo-il-ramato/w/6153337?
The Ramato Pinot Grigio Valter Scarbolo is a delightful rosè wine which marries a rich onion skin and a light, bright coppery color. Pressed and fermented at very cool temperatures in small stainless steel tanks it features apple, wild strawberries and citrus scents on the nose, fresh but persistent profile of pears and apple fruit with a creamy richness on the palate. Perfect balance of richness and acidity with a lingering aromatic finish.
Venica Jesera Pinot Grigio Collio
https://www.vivino.com/venica-venica-jesera-pinot-grigio/w/91004?r
Bright and fresh, this wine has intensely perfumed aromas of ripe golden apples and lemons, and a bigger, richer character than most Italian Grigios. Very smoothly textured with a tangy finish that features fine persistence, surprising complexity and personality.
Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio
https://www.vivino.com/vie-di-romans-vineyards-dessimis-pinot-grigio/w/1084875?
With its 14.5 ABV and its coppery color, it is not a white, but not even a rosé. A bit atypical in flavor profile with complex aromatic of grass, bitter almond, bergamot, bitter orange, lime. The palate is full, round and elegant. Zesty acidity and a dry finish. Very smooth.
Gradis’Ciutta Pinot Grigio Collio
https://www.vivino.com/gradis-ciutta-pinot-grigio-collio/w/1508003?
Classic with white flower and honey aromas and flavors of pear, banana and melon, with herbal hints. Slightly deeper yellow color than many examples. The wine brightness and zest are evident as well as an appealing richness with a good grip on the finish.
Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Pinot Grigio Collio
https://www.vivino.com/marco-felluga-russiz-superiore-pinot-grigio-collio/w/1663378?
Bright golden yellow color with copper shades. The nose opens with evident hints of pear, honeysuckle and unripe peach, enriched with floral notes of wild broom. On the palate it is structured, with a balanced fruitiness and a savory minerality.
Alsace
Domaine Schlumberger Cuvée Laure Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives 2014
https://www.vivino.com/wineries/domaines-schlumberger
A treat! When a very best year comes, some Alsace or Alsace Grands Crus wines are produced with the mention Vendanges Tardives (Late Harvest). Obtained 100% from the Grand Cru Spiegel, this Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives is elegant and balanced between concentration and freshness, with a tangy acidity in the finish which perfectly balances the caramel nutty and honeyed notes both on nose and palate. Rich and mellow, round and full bodied, it will pair best with greasy food not with desserts.
Worth to mention the class of including a wax cap on the cork to avoid any wine faults.
Usa
Tangent Pinot Grigio
https://www.vivino.com/tangent-winery-pinot-grigio/w/7213847?
Green apple and delicate aromas of white peach, citrus and wet stones echoed in the flavors. Fresh with fruity aromas, it’s done well overall. An element of perfume and light spice round off what is a light, easy-sipping white. Simple and reasonably priced.
Laird Family Estate Pinot Grigio Cold Creek Ranch 2018
https://www.vivino.com/laird-family-estate-pinot-grigio-cold-creek-ranch/w/1424325?
Faint yellow-color, this Pinot Grigio from Los Carneros, Cali displays elegant floral elements. Light and delicate flavors of pears, lemon and honey with a smooth rounded mouth feel and some length to the finish.
Redwood Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2016
https://www.vivino.com/redwood-pinot-grigio/w/1856573?
Bold pear flavor on the attack with delicate white flowers, hints of apple, watermelon, slight citrus tings and a hint of pear. Rather intense aromas honey, melon and citrus that you may experience on the full palate. It finishes with deeply satisfying acidity and juiciness.
New Zealand
Brancott Estate Pinot Grigio 2016
https://www.vivino.com/brancott-estate-pinot-grigio/w/89204?
A dry Pinot Grigio from Marlborough, New Zealand with delicate and attractive scents of apple, pear, honeysuckle, spice and on the palate notes of green apple, melon, and lemon zest. A tangy and beautifully dry finish. Very recommendable for the price.
Slovenia
Pullus Pinot Grigio Suho
https://www.vivino.com/ptujska-klet-pinot-grigio-suho/w/1438654?
Grapefruit and scents of pear, honey, and fermenting white grapes. A distinct rich copper-hued color in this crisp, fruity Pinot Grigio that will surprise your taste buds. Pear and spice flavours are very evident in this wine on the palate. Saline notes with a lively yet well-integrated acidity and a persistent finish.
Kobal Wines Sivi Pinot (Pinot Grigio) 2019
https://www.vivino.com/kobal-wines-pinot-grigio/w/4367104?
Pinky coloured, on the nose is delicate, revealing inviting aromas of pear, grapefruit, kiwi and honey. On the palate this Slovenian Pinot Grigio displays delicate baking spices, apple, nectarine, almonds and a crisp, refreshing finish.
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