Pinot Gris
Also known as Pinot Grigio, Grauburgunder, Ruländer
Burgundy, France
A grey-pink-skinned mutation of Pinot Noir, made in a rich, spicy style in Alsace and a crisp, light one in northern Italy as Pinot Grigio.
Sensory profile
Characteristics
Flavor & aroma
At a glance
Production facts
Prevalence
Widely planted
Climate
Cool climate
Ripening
Early season
Wine styles
Still, Dessert
Where it's grown
Geography
Shaded areas are the state, province or département(s) containing each region, so they run wider than the appellations themselves.
France
Italy
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
As Pinot Grigio, crisp and dry, and the source of much of Italy's export.
Collio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
One of Collio's main whites, grown as Pinot Grigio on the marl and sandstone hills, often richer and more textured than the simple version.
United States of America
Oregon (Willamette Valley)
Grown as Pinot Gris, in a fresh, fruity, mid-weight style.
Hungary
Balaton (Badacsony)
Known as Szürkebarát, an important white on the volcanic slopes of Badacsony.
Background
Origin & History
Pinot Gris is a mutation of Pinot Noir, with skins that are greyish pink, and so a clone of it rather than a crossing. It was known in Burgundy as Pinot Beurot and later spread east; in Germany it is Grauburgunder, or, in a sweeter style, Ruländer.
In Alsace it is one of the four noble grapes, and makes rich, spicy, low-acid wines that are sometimes off-dry or sweet. In northern Italy, as Pinot Grigio, it is made light, dry and neutral, and is among the world's best-selling white wines. Oregon's Willamette Valley is its main New World home.
Lineage
Family tree
Parentage not recorded — Pinot Gris is an old variety of unknown origin.
No crossings involving Pinot Gris are documented in the collection yet.