Pinot Grigio is a very popular wine grape that can be found in Austria, France, and Germany. The wines that are made using this grape are usually smooth and full-bodied, making them very popular.
If you’re looking for as much information as possible on Pinot Grigio, you’ve come to the right place!
We have compiled an ultimate guide to delicious wine, giving you all the information you need to become a connoisseur on the topic. Let’s dive in!
What Is Pinot Grigio?
Pinot Grigio originates from Burgundy and it was originally a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape.
The Pinot Grigio grape, also known as the Pinot Gris or the Grauer Burgunder, has red skin when it is ripe. This is slightly confusing, as the grape is slightly red, but the wine that is made from the grape is white.
Different Pinot Grigio wines can taste very different, depending on the location of the winemaker and the way that they make their wine. In some cases, they are light and tasty, and in other cases, they are heavy and full-bodied wines.
Pinot Grigio is always crisp, fresh, and fruity. It is not a very acidic wine, and it is rich in various aromas.
The alcohol percentage of Pinot Grigio often reaches 13 percent in volume, which is fairly high for wine!
In Northern Italy, Pinot Grigio became very popular very quickly. Due to this, the quality of the wine being made was not very good. This damaged the reputation of the wine for some time.
Pinot Grigio VS Other Wine
You might be wondering what the difference is between Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay look very similar to each other. However, they are not similar in any other way.
Pinot Grigio is light and it has hints of green melon. Chardonnay is a lot heavier than Pinot Grigio, with certain fresh-cut grass hints.
Pinot Grigio is fresh, light, and delicate. It is much more fruity than Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc is highly acidic compared to the other two wines. It is slightly spicy, too.
Characteristics Of Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a white wine with strong yellow tones. It is low in acidity. This wine smells very fresh and it contains apple undertones.
Pinot Grigio compliments fresh fish dishes. It also goes well with pesto dishes. It is great for drinking during the summer.
You will also find aromas of pineapple, pear, and citrus in this wine, especially while it is being made.
Taste Profile Of Pinot Grigio
All Pinot Grigios are slightly different due to the way that they are made and the location where the grape is grown. In most cases, they are crisp and fruity.
Most Pinot Grigios are rich in aromas and low in acid. The wine contains lots of great fruit aromas such as citrus fruit, apple, and peach. They also contain hints of butter, honey, and almond.
The color of Pinot Grigio ranges from amber-yellow to honey. It is considered to be the perfect aperitif wine, and it is very versatile.
Ageability Of Pinot Grigio
Wine needs oxygen to stay fresh, which is especially true if the wine is kept in the bottle. This is known as fine oxidation.
During bottle aging, there are lots of processes that take place, and you will want to store the wine in the best way so that the oxidation is accelerated.
If you store the wine at a certain temperature, this will accelerate the oxidation process.
If Pinot Grigio is matured simply, you will want to drink the wine young. If it is matured in a wooden barrel, you can drink it up to the age of 10 years.
Notable Regions For Pinot Grigio
There are lots of different regions where Pinot Grigio is made. Most Pinot Grigio is produced in the North East of Italy. Every year, Italy exports a large amount of this wine to the UK and the US, as well as across the world.
Germany also produces lots of Pinot Grigio as there are a lot of grapes grown there. Most German Pinot Grigio is kept in the country, and they do not export much of it.
Italian Pinot Grigio
Most Pinot Grigio is grown in Northeast Italy. These regions export large amounts of wine every year. Specifically, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige are the two main areas that produce this wine.
The Pinot Grigio that is produced in Italy is usually semi-sweet or sweet. They are not used as the basis for dessert wines.
Germany
Germany produces a large amount of pinot grigio. In Germany, it is referred to as the Grauburgunder wine. The wines produced here are usually higher in acidity than the Italian versions.
These grapes are also grown in Switzerland, Slovenia, and Hungary, the neighboring countries of Germany.
These grapes are usually grown in the mountains of these countries, so the grapes are very mineral driven.
Croatia
In Croatia, Pinot Grigio is made in the hilly areas. They are grown in Medimurje and Moslavina, as well as other places. They are rich and intense in their aromas, and the wine often exudes freshness and vibrancy.
A Pinot Grigio grown in Croatia often looks like a mature version of the product from Friuli, Italy.
France
Pinot Grigio grapes are also grown in Northeastern France. The wines that are made from these grapes are usually much sweeter, as they are harvested quite late.
The wines produced in this area are full of flavor, they are full-bodied wines that are more complex than the Italian product.
Exports
Pinot Grigio has become very popular across the world. It has done very well in Australia and the United States. Most of the Pinot Grigio that are exported to other countries is from Italy.
In these countries, they are typically branded as aperitifs.
What Food Should You Enjoy Pinot Grigio With?
Pinot Grigio should be enjoyed with certain foods as it compliments certain things. Pinot Grigio has a large range of different aromas. It is suitable as an aperitif, as it is a very light drink.
This wine goes very well with Italian cuisine, as well as fresh salads. It works well with pasta, fish, and other kinds of seafood and light casseroles.
If you have a Pinot Grigio that is slightly more spicy, this can work very well with mushroom or chicken dishes.
Pinot Grigio is a great accompaniment to many different meals, and it is a great drink to be enjoyed outside during the summer.
What Temperature Should You Enjoy Pinot Grigio At?
Pinot Grigio should be enjoyed at a certain temperature. This has a huge effect on the taste of the wine. If the wine is too warm or too cold, it will be much less enjoyable.
The drinking temperatures of different wines are very different from each other, and they should not be overlooked. White wine is much better when it is enjoyed chilled.
Red wine, on the other hand, should be enjoyed at room temperature.
Pinot Grigio should be enjoyed at a temperature between 10 degrees Celsius and 14 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, you will be able to enjoy the numerous aromas of the wine.
The general rule is that the lighter the wine is, the cooler it should be. If a wine is quite heavy, it will need to be drunk at a warmer temperature.
What Glass Should I Enjoy My Pinot Grigio In?
It is important to choose a glass with a long stem for your pinot grigio. This is because you want to keep your warm hand far away from the belly of the glass. This will ensure that the wine stays cool while you are drinking.
Usually, you would drink white wine through quite a narrow glass. Again, this protects the wine from getting warm too quickly.
A narrow opening also allows you to experience the sweetness of the wine, as it brings this flavor to the tip of your tongue.
How Is Pinot Grigio Made?
The way that wine is produced has not changed much over the years, and Pinot Grigio is no exception. Follow the steps below that turn the grapes that are grown on the trees into the wine in your glass!
1. Harvest The Grapes
The first stage of producing your wine is harvesting the grapes. After the grapes have been picked, they will then need to be destemmed.
2. Crush The Grapes
Then, the grapes will be crushed. During the crushing process, the Pinot Grigio grape is placed in a large press and crushed.
This process will result in a mixture of seeds, grape juice, and pulp. In most cases, Pinot Grigio is made using only the juice, so the rest will be discarded.
3. Fermentation
The juice will then need to be fermented. During this process, tannins and phenols are released, and they will later be put into the wine. The fermentation process lasts a few days, taking a lot longer for red wines than white.
4. Press The Mash
After fermentation, you will then want to press the mash. At this stage, separate the solids from the liquid, and gently press the mash.
You don’t want to press too hard at this stage as this can result in some bitter substances getting into the juice.
The wine will still look cloudy after you have completed this stage. You will then need to remove the particles that are causing this.
5. Barrel Aging
The next stage in the process is aging the wine in a barrel. At this stage, cultured yeasts are usually added to the mash.
The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. At this stage, the wine becomes alcoholic, and the taste of the wine becomes much more distinguished.
6. Bottle Aging
After this, you will need to bottle up the wine. This wine will continue to mature while it is in the bottle and the aromas will develop over the years. The alcohol content may even increase over time.
A Brief History Of Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is thought to have originated from Burgundy, France. It is now one of the top 10 grapes grown across the world, and it is one of the most well-known wines in Europe.
Pinot Grigio vines are often found in the North of Italy, but they are also found in other places across Europe.
Pinot Grigio is the most important grape variety in Italy’s Friuli. These wines are usually well-known for having a certain minerality.
Over the last 20 years, Pinot Grigio has grown in popularity. Now, Italy exports a lot of this wine to many different places including Europe, Japan, China, and North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pinot Grigio originates from France. A lot of people think that it was first produced in Italy, but this is not true. Now, a lot of the wine that is produced is made in Italy and exported to other countries.
Pinot Grigio is quite high in acidity, and it is a medium-dry wine. It is light and crisp, and it pairs well with Italian food and fish dishes.
As Pinot Grigio is a white wine, it is best when served chilled. It should be enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! If you’ve been looking for an ultimate guide to Pinot Grigio, you’ve certainly come to the right place! We’ve compiled all of the information you could ever want about Pinot Grigio all in one place.
After reading this article, we’re sure you’ll be an expert on this wine. There won’t be a question you can’t answer!
I can offer you articles and information about wine from a seasoned sommelier, and now a winemaker too! I hope that you enjoy some of our articles, and start thinking outside of the box when it comes to wine.
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