Once upon a time, specifically the Middle Ages, Pinot Gris was born and raised (with the original name Fromenteau) in the vineyards of Burgundy, France, among the plantings of Pinot Noir. Pinot Gris is unmistakenly a mutant clone of Pinot Noir, as even the leaves on the vine are almost identical. The white wine from Pinot Gris was even used in Burgundy to blend with the red Pinot Noir to add softness and acidity.
(This article was written for GrapeBunch, our weekly wine periodical. Click here to read the original!
Pinot Gris made its way to Champagne (France), Switzerland (which we've traced to around 1300 AD), Alsace (formerly of Germany, now of France), Hungary (1375 AD) and Piedmont (Italy). It was through Piedmont, in the Italian northwest, where it spread to the Italian northeast and became a staple grape in Veneto. The Italians named it Pinot Grigio, Grigio meaning Grey in Italian, because Gris is Grey in French.
Why is it called "Grey"? Well, if you saw the grapes without knowing what it was, you may very well think that it makes red wine, as they tend to be a purplish-grey color. It's because of this that you can make Rosé (Rosato in Italian) from Pinot Gris / Grigio, and it's very delicious to boot.
But wait! It's not just a name! Yes, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape but it's also a style. The French Pinot Gris style is fuller bodied and complex, while the Italian Pinot Grigio is light and crisp and refreshing. And in general when a winery outside of France or Italy uses Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio on their label, it's in the style they chose to label it as. For example, you'll see a lot of Pinot Girgio from California, and a lot of Pinot Gris from Oregon.
Pinot Gris doesn't have many plantings in Burgundy anymore, where it's now known as Pinot Beurot (different names for different grapes in different places can get confusing), but it's still there and can still be blended with Pinot Noir. However, it's still all over Italy... and everywhere else.
This grape has earned its right to be an international variety, grown pretty much everywhere that makes wine. California Pinot Grigio is very popular, Oregon Pinot Gris is one of my favorite white wines, and I've heard great things about Germany's Grauburgunder (you guessed it, that's what the Germans call it). Other places where it's popular and you can easily find PG from are Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. But we could go on and on with Canada, Crimea, Mexico, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey... this wine calls the world home.
.png "Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio")
Sonoma County is cooler than its neighbor Napa to the east in climate, and some say in attitude with a more laid-back farmer-like approch in lifestyle. The soil here is greatly varied, and so are its wines. Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio shows white peaches, lime zest, and honeysuckle. Pairing: Oysters and pan-seared scallops.
Joey Casco
Beverage Marketer
Certified Specialist of Wine
Certified Specialist of Spirits
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