Pinot Grigio

pee-noh-gree-joe

When a parched palate hankers for a refreshingly fruity white at the height of an Indian summer, only a certain Italian white will do. Pinot Grigio is far and away the world’s most popular summer white wine and also Italy’s most high profile although interestingly it’s native to Burgundy in France.

A mutation of Pinot Noir and originally known as Pinot Gris, the grape was planted in Switzerland in the 13th century and eventually found favour with vintners in Italy’s north east, chiefly Veneto and Friuli.

The crafty local winemakers saw the potential to transform a hitherto moderately fruity wine into something zesty and acidic, promptly rechristening the grape as Pinot Grigio and turning it into Italy’s most prolific white wine of choice.

around the world

With a white wine as popular as Pinot Grigio, surely the wine world wouldn’t let Italy monopolise this refreshing ferment all to itself. The Australians have a substantial Pinot Grigio footprint that covers South Australia and New South Wales where the fruit is quite vigorous though the acidity doesn’t match that of Veneto. Ditto with the Californians who call it the Greej and bottle a fruit forward albeit distinctly warm climate Pinot Grigio.

Tastes Like

Pinot Grigio is the classic afternoon aperitif with an alluring, fragrant nose teeming with notes of flowers, lime, and honeysuckle and flavours of green apple, citrus, peach and hints of minerality, lifted by piping acidity.

On the palate

Pinot Grigio unfailingly pleases with dollops of peach and citrus, crisp acidity and a clean finish.

Pairing Recommendations

As earlier stated, Pinot Grigio is a great aperitif wine and is usually served as the welcoming wine to a soiree or party so it pairs nicely with a range of hors de oeuvres like fish, crustaceans, and grilled veggies. A seafood platter would also do nicely as would summer salads and even light curries.

key styles

The foremost styles of Pinot Grigio are owned by Veneto, Friuli and Alto Adige that make the hallmark cool climate, zingy white wine from fruit grown in vineyards under the Alps. The fruit has a moderate growing season, evolving vigorous fruit and retaining plenty of acidity to create Italy’s most adored ‘drink now’ white.