---
title: Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
description: Learn all about Pinot Grigio from grape to glass.
---

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# Pinot Gris: Not Yo Mama's Pinot Grigio!

Viticulture & Viniculture

- Pinot Gris (or Pinot Grigio depending upon which one is more familiar to you) is a hardy mutation of Pinot Noir. Although traditionally classified as a white grape it actually features dark skinned grapes that vary in color from blue to pink to grey to brown. The lends a coppery cast to most finished wines.
- It ripens early, which gives it the higher acidity
- It thrives in heavy dark soils
- Occasionally it is fermented on its skins to make orange wines 
- It rarely sees [Malolactic Fermentation](https://www.wineforrookies.com/Wine-101/wine-terminology/#malolactic) or [oak aging](https://www.wineforrookies.com/Wine-101/wine-terminology/#oakaging) to preserve acidity.

Common Characteristics

Something to keep in mind is that Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are almost completely different wines, even though they are biologically the same grape. 

|   | Pinot Grigio | Pinot Gris |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Regions** | Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli, Trentino, IT; California,; | Alsace, Fr, Oregon, Washington |
| **Color** | Pale Straw | Pale Gold |
| **Aromas** | Dusty mineral, faint citrus and honeycrisp apple (think Flinstones Vitamins!) | Ripe pears, orange blossom, honeysuckle, baked macintosh apples, spice |
| **Body** | Medium light to medium |  Medium to full |
| **Acidity** |  Medium minus to medium |  Medium to medium plus |
| **Alcohol** |  Medium |  Meedium to medium minus |
| **Flavors** |  Lean, refreshing- crisp citrusy & dry subtle lemon zest & acidity |  Ripe flavors mirror the aromas, fuller body, juicy, mineral driven:  |
| Favorite Producers | Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Terlano Pinot Grigio | Cooper Mountain Pinot Gris; Trimbach Pinot Gris |

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