Concha y Toro

Francisca Jara 10/05/2023

All about wine

5 fun facts about Pinot Grigio

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Have you tried Pinot Grigio? This white grape variety is different from all others, and here we’ll tell you why.

Thanks to its light, vibrant, and dry wines, this variety has gained tremendous popularity. However, it is capable of offering much more. Here are some interesting facts about Pinot Gris.

It’s also known as Pinot Gris

Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are two names used for the same grape variety. While the former is the name used in Italy, where it is typically used to produce dry and simple wines in the Veneto region, the latter is the name used in France. In this case, Pinot Gris wines produced in the Alsace region are usually complex and show notes of peaches, mango, ginger, and sometimes honey. However, the words “Grigio” and “Gris” mean the same thing: gray.

It is believed to be a mutation of Pinot Noir

Due to its skin being different from other white varieties, ranging from bluish-gray to rosy-brown, and its leaves being almost identical to those of Pinot Noir, this grape is considered a mutation of Pinot Noir.

Its flavor depends on the region where it is produced

When it comes to Pinot Grigio, there are two completely opposite styles of wines: either very dry or slightly sweet. When they come from cooler regions, where the grapes are harvested earlier, the wines are dry, light-bodied, and have a pronounced acidity. This is the case with most Italian wines or even Casillero del Diablo Pinot Grigio, from the Limarí Valley, which offers aromas of white pear and a sparkling acidity. On the other hand, when grown in warmer areas, the grapes ripen earlier, resulting in lower acidity, higher sweetness, and greater complexity.

The largest worlwide Pinot Grigio production is in Veneto

Being a simple and very easy-to-drink wine, it is a highly popular variety around the world. This demand has been met for years thanks to the immense quantities of Pinot Grigio produced in the Veneto region of Italy.

It is used to make Rosé wines

Due to the color of its skin, Pinot Grigio is also used to make rosé wines. This is generally the case in countries like Italy, the United States, and Austria, producing wines that offer floral notes, citrus, apple, and sometimes raspberry.