Pinot Gris Wine Guide: How Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio Differ

Pinot gris is a white wine grape variety from France and the varietal wine that shares its name. A mutation of pinot noir, pinot gris originated in Burgundy in the Middle Ages and was rediscovered in 1711 in Germany, where it's known as grauburgunder and ruländer. The wine quickly spread to northern Italy (as pinot grigio), Austria, and Hungary (as szürkebarát). In its home country of France, pinot gris plantings are concentrated in the Alsace wine region, where pinot gris wine was once known as Tokay d'Alsace. Pinot gris is the most popular white wine grape in Oregon, and it's also grown in California, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ginot gris grapes range from gray-tinged pink to blue ("gris" means "gray" in French). Unlike most white grapes, such as pinot blanc and riesling, pinot gris looks more like a red wine grape. Early-ripening pinot gris thrives in cool climates such as Alsace in France, Baden in Germany, and Alto Adige and Veneto in northeastern Italy. When allowed to ripen fully, pinot gris is naturally low in acidity and high in sugar.

In theory, pinot grigio and pinot gris are the same, as both are made from the same grape. In practice, however, these terms have come to refer to two different flavor profiles: the Italian-style pinot grigio and the French-style pinot gris. Both terroir and winemaking styles influence the flavor of the final product.

Italian pinot grigio wines are light-bodied and crisp, with pear, green apple, and stone fruit flavors and floral aromas, such as honeysuckle. This style is more popular with wine drinkers in the United States. Early-harvested pinot grigio grapes have high acidity.

French pinot gris wines tend to be richer and spicier and are more likely to be cellared and aged than pinot grigios. Pinot gris from the Alsace region in particular is dry, very rich, and not very aromatic, which makes it ideal for serving with food.