and the wine from it

Pinot Gris / Grigio (or “Grigio”, as incorrectly written in Russian sources) is a formal variety of white grapes with pink skins. Originally from Burgundy. Currently it is widely distributed in different wine regions of the world.

When Pinot Gris produces a light wine pale in color – in the style made popular in Italy by the end of the 20th century – then this is the wine and the variety is called by his Italian name – Pinot Grigio (see below).

Synonyms varieties: Pinot Gris (Pinot gris), Pinot Grigio (Pinot grigio), Malvoisie (Malvoisie) not to be confused with the variety Malvasia Malvasia; Fromento Gris (Fromenteau gris), Rulander (Rulander), Grauburgunder (Grauburgunder), Grauer Burgunder, Grauer Riesling, Grauklevner, Pinot Beurot, Auvernat Gris, Auxerrois Gris, Tokay d’alsace Tokay d’alsace (until 2007), Szurkebarat, Sivi Pinot.

Pinot Gris is one of the most famous representatives of the family of Pinot, mutation of another famous varieties – Pinot Noir, from which it apparently differs only in the bright color of skin is berries. Two varieties are indistinguishable from each other until the beginning of ripening, when the Pinot Gris takes on its characteristic palette of shades: from orange-pink to a matte purple.

The French prefix “Gris” (FR.gris) literally means “gray” and due to the dusty-gray tint, which often acquire the berries of Pinot Gris. And although the name “gray” may not seem quite appropriate to the real color, it is widely popular in the name of the variety into other European languages: in Italy, grigio, in Germany, grauer, Slovenia sivi, Czech Republic sede.

Grauburgunder – Pinot Gris in German

Sometimes Pinot Gris used in the composition of blends, but most often it is made monosortovye wine.
The taste and aroma of Pinot Gris Grigio) may very much differ from region to region and from style to style (features vinification). But the most characteristic of this wine tones of pear, Apple, sweet spices, and sometimes smoky shades and a subtle hint of wet wool.

Most winemakers avoid the explicit presence of the barrel in the taste of their Pinot Gris, and if you use barrels, the old – which are much less active give the wine the oak flavor.

When you create more complete and complex wines from Pinot Gris often used lees aging and partial malolactic fermentation.

Common and sweet version of Pinot Grigio late harvest.

The berries of Pinot Gris have a low natural acidity and high sugar content, so the best examples of this wine out in the coldest wine-growing regions. But in a warmer climate wine from Pinot Gris grapes often lack acidity and structure, and the alcohol content often exceeds the optimal.

The European range of wines from Pinot Gris, represented by the German samples from both banks of the Rhine, from Baden and the Palatinate, and mostly from Alsace – if to speak about France. In these regions make wine from Pinot Gris in all levels of sweetness: from completely dry to lusciously sweet.

Alsatian Pinot Gris Selection de Grains Nobles is one of the most luscious and rich wine on the planet.
In Alsace Pinot Gris has been known for centuries as Tokay or Tokay d’alsace. However, in 2007 the European Union banned the French use this name to avoid confusion with the prestigious Hungarian Tokai from varieties Furmint.

In the New world, this variety has taken hold pretty well in the US (especially in the States of Oregon, Washington and California) and in New Zealand.
Manufacturers share the New world style of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, putting one or the other name on the label, depending on the style of wine: lighter, dry, pale wine – Pinot Grigio (Pinot Grigio), and more full-bodied or sweeter – Pinot Gris (Pinot Gris)

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is not just Pinot Gris Italian style. Despite the fact that they are different names for the same grape variety, the style of the wines by these names significantly different. The wine Pinot Grigio and the wine “Pinot Gris” are so obvious and well-established differences that almost became an independent category of wines.

Italian Pinot Grigio for the British market

A refreshing style of Pinot Grigio has gained great popularity in different countries, including recently in the USA (where he even got the nickname Greg Greej) and Australia. The most common description of this wine is dry, light and fresh, with aromas of green apples, fruit color and lemon.

Style “Grigio” is created by a relatively early harvest, which aims to keep the berries as much fresh acidity that this variety is generally low.

In order not to deprive the wine “liveliness” fermentation and storage are usually carried out in steel tanks. The use of barrels would increase the weight of the body of the wine and gives a bouquet of sweet vanilla tones, depriving it simple, direct, “pure” nature.

Pinot Grigio is meant to be drunk young – within a year or two after harvest. Long storage, usually do not go in his favor.

Northern Italy (Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige) remains the epicenter of the world production of Pinot Grigio.
In some parts of Italy from Pinot Grigio, sparkling wines produced. Although Italian sparkling pride – Franciacorta (Franciacorta) – this variety is almost never used.

Source: wine-searcher.com