How Does Pinot Grigio Taste? (Flavor Profile, Food Pairings)
There’s a stunning variety of white wine out there - from light and crisp to lush and sweet.
So, where does Pinot Grigio fall on this massive flavor scale?
Well, depending on the region, Pinot Grigio can be a light wine with fresh fruit tasting notes, or it can be the perfect dessert wine!
Confused?
No worries, we’ll explain the Pinot Grigio taste profile, what foods to pair with it, and how it differs from Pinot Gris and New World Pinot Grigio.
Further reading
- Check out our detailed guide to Italian Wine and all its beauty!
- Why not have a look at the Best White Wine Brands across the world for your wine portfolio?
What Does Pinot Grigio Taste Like?
Pinot Grigio is a light white wine generally known for its fruit flavors of limes, lemons, peaches, green apples, and honeysuckle. It can be highly acidic, making it less sweet than the popular Chardonnay wine.
However, its tasting notes depend highly on the winemaking technique applied and the wine region.
For instance, Alsatian Pinot Gris tastes very different compared to an Italian Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige or Friuli Venezia Giulia (we’ll cover this in detail later.)
Pinot Grigio vs. Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio is the grape that creates the namesake white wine. It belongs to the Pinot Noir grape family and has a grayish hue - unlike other white wine grapes.
The grape originated in France as the Pinot Gris grape before traveling to Northern Italy, where it’s known as the Pinot Grigio grape variety.
Both “Grigio” and “Gris” translate to “gray” in their respective languages!
The main difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris wine comes from their winemaking techniques.
Italian Pinot Grigio is typically aged in stainless steel to retain its fresh, fruity notes.
On the other hand, Pinot Gris, especially from Alsace, is aged in oak barrels, giving the French white wine a heavier body and an oak flavor. This wine has better aging potential, leading to a higher price tag compared to Pinot Grigio.
Let’s explore the different types of Pinot Grigio and their tasting notes.
The 3 Main Types of Pinot Grigio
While Pinot Grigio generally produces dry white wine, it’s a complex and versatile grape variety that differs from region to region.
And so, you can get Pinot Grigio wine with vastly different flavor profiles.
We’ll explore three of the most common ones below.
1. Italian Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio from Northern Italy is a light, dry wine with a refreshing minerality.
It also has a comparatively lower alcohol level, high acidity, and bright citrus fruit flavors with a bitter almond note.
2. French Pinot Gris
French Pinot Gris sets itself apart from its Italian counterpart with an intoxicating aroma of tropical fruits, honeysuckle, and a fuller body.
If you’re sipping on Alsatian Pinot Gris, you can also expect tasting notes of vanilla and pear, leading to a subtle sweet taste.
For a bottle of late-harvest dessert wine, look for “vendanges tardives” on the label.
3. New World Pinot Grigio
American Pinot Grigio from California tends to have an oiler mouthfeel compared to Old World Pinot. This goes for Pinot Gris wine from New Zealand as well.
It also features complex aromatics, stone fruit and honey flavors, and softer acidity due to the use of advanced winemaking techniques.
So, what exactly can you pair with this multifaceted wine?
Ideal Food Pairings with Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio pairs well with many dishes as it’s a light Italian white wine with refreshing acidity.
However, we’d recommend steering clear from meaty, rich dishes.
Instead, you can use the following wine pairing options:
- Cheese, especially Brie, Feta, Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Gruyère
- Grilled or lightly roasted vegetables like asparagus
- Fresh seafood, oysters, and shellfish
- Pasta in mild cream sauce
- Creme brulee or fresh stone fruit
When In Doubt, Add A Pinot Grigio Wine To Your Collection!
Pinot Grigio is typically an everyday wine that is generally very affordable.
Some of the best ones you should try now are:
- 2001 Gravner Anfora Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT ($147)
- 2010 Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio Friuli Isonzo ($80)
- 2014 Vignai da Duline Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli ($50)
- 2007 Lis Neris 'Gris' Pinot Grigio Venezia-Giulia IGT ($42)
- 2009 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Alto Adige ($30)
You can get a similar taste profile as that of a Grigio from the following wines as well:
Now, if you’re looking to invest in wine for the long-term, some bottles from the Alsace region are potentially profitable investment wines.
Are you looking to invest in any of the above or an Alsace Pinot Gris?
Then, head on to Vinovest, a world-class online wine investment company that will help you buy, store and sell fine wine, easily!
