While these two wines are produced from the same grape variety, they can vary in style depending on where they are grown, when they are harvested, and how they are produced. The two most well know growing regions are in Italy and France. In Italy, the grape and wine are known as Pinot Grigio and in France, the grape is called Pinot Gris. Let’s dive deeper into Pinot Gris versus Pinot Grigio.
Key differences between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio
-
Light-bodied and crisp acidity
-
Dry with minimal sweetness
-
Lemon, apple, pear, and a hint of almond
Pinot Grigio from Italy is probably what most people are familiar with. It’s ubiquitous on restaurant menus and is an easy-drinking light white wine. It’s perfect served chilled on warm days and accompanied by fresh dishes like salads, shellfish, and mild cheese. A glass of Pinot Grigio should have aromas and flavors of lemon, green apple, pear, and sometimes a hint of almond.
Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
Pinot Gris
-
Medium-bodied and rich
-
Dry to off dry with lower acidity
-
Peach, mango, ginger, and honey
Pinot Gris from France varies a bit more. It can be dry and crisp like the Italian styles but can also be made into an off-dry (or slightly sweet) wine. Winemakers may choose to let the grapes go through noble rot, or botrytis, to concentrate the sugar and flavors in the grapes. When harvested late, the grapes produce a lower acid, sweeter white wine — perfect for pairing with desserts, spicy dishes like Thai or Indian curries, or sipping chilled on its own. So, if you were wondering if Pinot Grigio was sweeter than Pinot Gris, it’s often the opposite!
Pinot Gris Food Pairings
Can’t decide between an Italian or French Pinot Gris? Look to California!
Many other regions around the world produce excellent Pinot Grigio. If you like fruit-forward wines that still have crisp acidity, try a Pinot Grigio from California. Californian wines tend to be a little fruitier than Italian ones.
From the old world, Germany and Austria also make Pinot Gris, but it is known as Grauburgunder or Ruländer. If you want a floral, citrusy Pinot Gris, look for Grauburgunder. Ruländer is produced in a similar way to Pinot Gris from Alsace and is usually fuller-bodied and sweet.
A brief history
Now that you know the difference, and similarity, between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, let’s go back to a little history on this grape.
Pinot Gris is thought to be a mutation of another very popular grape variety, Pinot Noir. Another Pinot grape, Pinot Blanc, is another mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. Unlike the usual golden-green skin of most white wine grapes, Pinot Gris has a blueish-gray skin, which is where it gets its name “Gris”, the French word for gray.
So, which is better? That’s up to you to decide! If you want to learn even more about Pinot Grigio, check out our Pinot Grigio wine guide.
