Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for Pinot Gris wine. This wine is made from grapes that range in color from bluish gray to pinkish gray, hence its name. In fact, the bunches of grapes on the same vine can be of different colors.
Grapes have different levels of sweetness, which tends to dissipate as the grapes ripen. There are different names for the grapes, and therefore for the wine that is made from them, depending on the country in which they are grown. In Burgundy they are known as Pinot Beurot, in Germany they are called Rulander, not to be confused with Riesling.
The main production area for Pinot Grigio is the Fruili region of Italy. There are also significant vineyards in Alsace, France, and Oregon in the US. In Alsace, this grape is known as Tokay d’Alsace and the wine has a very distinctive flavor. The Italian Fruili variety has the best flavor of all, perhaps due to the attention paid to the growing and vinification processes.
The typical flavor of the wine is delicately fragrant and has a slight lemon flavor. However, the flavor depends on the winemaking process used and can range from acidic to light and can be full-bodied. You can also get flavors from this wine that taste like pears, melons, and tropical fruits, much like a Sauvignon Blanc. Oregon versions of the wine have mostly peach and apricot flavors, while those from Germany have a more earthy and austere flavor.
The color of Pinot Grigio is usually light yellow and the texture is very smooth. It works well with cheese and fruit platters and with foods that are high in acidity due to the high acid flavor of the wine itself. This is a very simple wine that can be a very refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Due to its simplicity, it is often overlooked for use at events and meals. In Alsace, it is most often combined with desserts or rich meals. As a rule, it is primarily a cocktail wine.
Some of the most popular brands of Pinot Grigio [http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Pinot%20Grigio/Gris] are:
• Graffiti. This wine comes from cellars in the San Juan region of Argentina and closely resembles Pinot Grigio from Alsace with its aroma of peach and pear.
• Villa del Borgo. This wine has a fine, silky and succulent flavor with a touch of fresh cream. It is cheap, but has the taste of a very expensive wine that can be drunk as an aperitif.
• Say Lenardo. Direct from Fruili, Italy, the home of Pinot Grigio, this wine tastes crisp and refreshing. It is the perfect choice to relax at the end of the day.
• Villa Girardi. Produced in Venetto, Italy, this brand will give you a Venetian Pinot Grigio flair. It has a medium body and aromatic flavor that lends itself to use at a wine and cheese event.
• John the Baptist Adam. These Alsace wines have a tendency to stimulate the appetite. They are the perfect choice as a pre-dinner cocktail for your guests to fully enjoy the cuisine you prepare.
• Terlan. If you want a Pinot Grigio wine to drink while having a stimulating conversation, this wine from Alto Adige, Italy, has a flavor of minerals and lemon. It is the perfect wine to accompany seafood dishes.
