A Taste of Wine
Window
Gris vs Gringo
Pinot Gris versus Pinot Grigio! Is there a
difference? Is one better than the other?
Services by Luis
Grape Info – Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio
are, in fact, the exact same grape variety.
Nancy Biggs
While most believe Pinot Grigio originated
in Italy, it was actually born, like many of the most popular
grapes of the world, in France. Thought to be a mutation of
the red grape, Pino Noir, Pinot Gris’ skins are not green like
other white grapes, but instead have a greyish blue hue, which
is what gives them their name (i.e., gris or grey in French). The
wine was born in Burgandy but found its way to Switzerland in
the 1300s, where it was considered a favorite of the Emperor.
From there the grape made its way to northern Italy, and the real
story of Pinot Grigio was born. The wine found wide success
in the regions of Northeastern Italy: Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli,
Trentino and Alto Adige. From its footing in northern Italy,
the wine grew to become the most popular white wine in all
of Italy, and then the most popular imported white wine in the
United States.
In the vast majority of the world’s languages, the word for “mother”
begins with the letter M.
Wine Snob Drama - Pinot Grigio has its haters among wine
snobs, who claim the wine is too “simple” and “uninteresting,”
but this mostly stems from the fact that because Pinot Grigio is
so popular, its popularity has resulted in some very bad mass
produced bottles which have given the wine a bad name. One
of the best ways to ensure you drink delicious and interesting
Pinot Grigio is to simply avoid the budget bottles.
Same Yet Different – While they are the same grape, the two
names have come to represent two different styles of wine. The
Italian style Pinot Grigio wines are typically lighter-bodied,
crisper, fresher, with vibrant fruit and floral aromas, and just
a touch of spice. It reminds me of biting into a fresh green
apple. In contrast, Pinot Gris wines are more full-bodied, richer,
spicier, and more viscous in texture. They also tend to have
greater cellaring and aging potential.
Which is Better? - Just like any other wine, finding your
personal style is going to be key when purchasing. I personally
enjoy Pinot ɥ