The grape variety Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is a versatile white grape variety known for producing wines ranging from light and crisp to rich and opulent. Aromatically, Pinot Gris offers delicate notes of pear, apple, citrus, and honeysuckle, often accompanied by subtle hints of spice and almonds. On the palate, wines made from Pinot Gris typically display medium acidity and a rounded mouthfeel, with flavours that echo its aromatic profile—stone fruits, melon, and sometimes gentle minerality.

The grape finds its greatest expression in Alsace, France, where it produces structured and often off-dry wines. It is also extensively cultivated in Italy (as Pinot Grigio), Germany (as Grauburgunder), and growing regions in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, particularly Oregon.

Pinot Gris can be crafted into diverse styles, from refreshing, unoaked wines with crisp acidity to fuller-bodied, barrel-aged examples with complex texture. In Alsace, late-harvest and botrytised versions showcase opulence and sweetness.

Pair Pinot Gris with poultry, creamy pasta dishes, seafood, mild cheeses, or Asian cuisine. Its acidity and subtle sweetness make it an excellent match for spiced dishes, while richer styles accompany foie gras or mushroom-based recipes exceptionally well.