What is Pinot Grigio?
Like pinot blanc, one of the white grapes of the pinot family, and like riesling and gewürztraminer, pinot grigio loves cold climates. The most renowned pinot grigios come from the northernmost regions of Italy, especially those regions that border the Alps, as well as Alsace, where it is known as pinot gris or, confusingly, as “tokay.” In the U.S., Oregon is emerging as the top state for delicious lively pinot gris’ with light almond, lemon and vanilla flavors.
While U.S. consumers have chosen Chardonnay as the nation s house white, “nuovo” Italians might be accused of having chosen Pinot Grigio as theirs. Pinot Grigio is the Italian synonym for Pinot Gris, a rather neutral white varietal that generally only reaches rarefied heights in Alsace (though it is also being pushed as the next big thing in Oregon). Grown all over northern Italy, Pinot Grigio can be depended on for crisp, high acid, refreshing white wines. The genre s success has as much to do with marketing as quality, but in the hands of the very best producers Pinot Grigio can offer a measure of complexity with the telltale varietal aromas of smoke and orange blossom and a weighty, oily texture to the palate. Nonetheless, with all those fancy bottles and print ads to pay for, you are likely to pay rather more for a Pinot Grigio than quality might otherwise dictate. Caveat emptor!
