A few wines are applauded worldwide, and Pinot Grigio is one of them. Who would have known that an Italian-styled white wine would be successful more in America than anywhere else in the world!
With a global appreciation, Pinot Grigio is strongly making a place in the white wine stores everywhere.
Only on tasting Pinot Grigio you can feel its rejuvenating, classic zing taste on your buds.
From seafood dishes to some chicken platters, this apéritif complements major foods very well. Competing with the Italian red glamour Prosecco, Pinot Grigio is the white pearl from Italy.
Read this article till the end to know the top seven facts about your favorite Pinot Grigio wine.
Fact 1 – What’s The Birthplace Of Pinot Grigio?
Cultivated in France’s Burgundy, Grigio is wine really from France, famous as an Italian variety. People in Burgundy refer to Pinot Grigio as Formenteau, whereas in Germany, they call it Grauburgunder. Until the 19th century, Grigio was born-child of Burgundy, when meager yields caused a drop in both Burgundy and Germany of its grape plants. That’s when Pinot Grigio became the asset of Italy.
In 1961, Santa Margherita Group, a wine producer in Northern Italy, vinified pink Grigio grapes in white wines. Soon this excellent wine won the hearts of Northern Italian regions like Veneto, Lombardy, Trentino, Friuli, and Alto Adige. Today, besides Italy, countries like California, Slovenia, and Australia pleasantly produce Pinot Grigio.
Fact 2 – Which Grape Blend This Vintage?
The grape name Pinot Gris blends this elegant white vintage. Pinot Gris is a white clone grape variety of Vitis vinifera species. The color of The grape Pinot Gris (French for grey) is a mutation of Pinot Noir. It appears bluish-grey with a grey name tag. Grigio can also be slightly pinkish to black and white in appearance. The word prefix ‘Pinot’ justifies the Grigio grapes growing in pine-shaped cone clusters.
Fact 3 – Aromas Of Pinot Grigio
The refreshing Pinot Grigio has delicate yet delightful aromas because of its intermediate level of ripeness. Mainly its aromas are citrusy like melon, lime, and lemon or floral like elderflower, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. Some Grigio odors revolve around pip fruit (apples, green apples, and pears collectively) while a few corner stone-fruit aromas of white peach or nectarine. The winemakers of Pinot Grigio gave herbal aromas of acacia leaf, fennel, and mint to make it healthier. Other Grigio aromas include almond, ginger, honey, and white pepper. No matter how Pinot Grigio fragrances reach you, its gentleness and subtle approach will impress you.
Fact 4 – How Does It Taste?
After learning the unique aromas of this heavenly wine, you must be wondering about its taste. Well, depending on its winemaking process, Grigio can be all from light to medium-bodied acidic glamour or full-bodied rich and opulent vintage. Pinot Grigio is dry wine rich in minerals. The crispiness in its texture and its refreshing characteristics make it a perfect apéritif. The light-bodied vintage has a fruity and floral taste that’ll rule your taste buds forever.
Fact 5 – Which Food Pairs Best With Grigio?
A versatile wine like Pinot Grigio and you doubt its food pairings? It goes well-versed with seafood salads and vegetable-based risottos. A plate of antipasti and a glass of Grigio can become your favorite meal option. Pinot Gris matches with Sushi and light sea salads like shrimp/prawn salads. Mild pasta sauces like tomato and basil are ideal combinations with Grigio. Other food pairings include duck, Camembert, turkey, chicken tagine, and quiche. Chinese, Indian, and Thai dishes accompany Grigio wine better. Tex-Mex, oysters, cheese pizza, breaded veal cutlets, pork, clams, clam chowder are more food options to try with Pinot Grigio wine.
Fact 6 – How Pinot Grigio Differs From Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is the parent grape of Pinot Grigio. Because of DNA mutation in the red grape Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio got introduced. Although Grigio is a variant of Pinot Noir primarily, both the wines differ from each other. The chief difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir is its coloration. Grigio appears light golden and categorized as white wine, while the latter is red wine. Pinot Noir matches well with mild meats and pork whereas, Pinot Grigio pairs with buttery-smooth dishes and seafood.
Fact 7 – Top Ten Pinot Grigio Brands
You can call it the list of the top ten most famous Pinot Grigio in the world by Italy. Reading the list below, you’ll know why!
1. Sanat Margherita, Italy
2. Zenato, Italy
3. Jermann Pinot Grigio, Italy
4. Specogna Pinot Grigio, Italy
5. Kris Wines, Italy
6. Livio Felluga, Italy
7. Voga Italia, Italy
8. The Pighin Estate, Italy
9. Canyon Road, California, USA
10. Sycamore Lane Pinot Grigio, California, USA
It looks like Italy has the most of many world-famous wines produced in-house! You can find the best Pinot Grigio wine varieties oaked in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.
The Final Takeaways
We think there’s everything in this facts list for an enthusiastic wine learner to know about Pinot Grigio. From its origin to aroma and appearance, from its taste up to food pairing options, we’ve tried to cover it all. Still, if you think we’re missing somewhere, drop your concerns in the comments section.
How soon are you adding Grigio to your wine collection? Don’t forget to tell us!
