Have you ever been looking for a bottle of white wine in the bottle shop and found both Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio on display? How about at a restaurant when you are just trying to pick a glass of wine you’ll like and finding both listed? It can get super confusing, and no one wants to seem like they don’t know what they are talking about. As a result, you might be put off asking what the difference is between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. Are they that different? Are they the same? Who created these confusing wine variety names? And how do you even know what the difference is so you know what you like?
The lines between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are very blurred, and what seems like a simple question is actually a lot more complex the deeper you go. But fear not, this article should help you realise the difference between the two so you can pick a wine with confidence!
Are Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris different varieties?
Despite having different names, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are exactly the same grape variety. The grape itself is a white grape with greyish pink skin. This is how it has got its name – Grey is Gris in French, Grigio in Italian.
The grape originated in France from the Burgandy Pinot family and so in France, it is known as Pinot Gris. However across the border in Italy, the exact same grape variety is known as Pinot Grigio. It’s quite similar to the situation with Shiraz vs Syrah, something that is equally confusing. Pinot Gris often comes from the Alsace region in France. Whilst the wine is French in origin, the Italians were the ones to really bring it to the global stage and make the variety famous. As a result, you’ll usually find a lot more Pinot Grigio available, however, this isn’t actually a reflection of what wines are better.
It would be much easier if France and Italy stuck to making the only Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris in the world. But the variety is so popular that it has spread to other wine regions, particularly Australia. In Australia, our winemakers can label their wines Gris or Grigio as they wish. They don’t have to worry about borders and regions, so can choose based on either clever marketing or by using the style of wine.
How do you know which one you’ll like?
So now that you know the difference and how to remember it, how do you know which one you’ll like? Well, even though these wines are from the same variety, there are some distinct differences in style that set them apart. Knowing these differences will help you determine whether Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris is the wine of your dreams:
- Pinot Grigio: typically lighter-bodied, crisp, fresh and vibrant. These wines have a good hit of acidity, vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with a touch of spice. Pinot Grigio is light and also usually has less alcohol.
- Pinot Gris: more full-bodied, rich, spicy and textured with higher alcohol level. They sometimes have a hint of sweetness, but more importantly, have ageing potential.
Understanding these differences in the type of wine should help you with your decision between the two. Keep in mind however that sometimes it is all about marketing – so make sure you read the tasting notes if you are after something specific. Wines that are good for drinking now can be labelled Pinot Grigio, but those that are for ageing (and that carry a higher price tag) are labelled Pinot Gris. Just to make it even more confusing for us!
Pairing with food
Because of the different flavour profiles, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris work differently with food. Knowing what they pair well with also helps with deciding on the wine.
Pinot Grigio is a lighter style wine, and so is best served with light meals or as an aperitivo. Enjoy it before your meal, or with light dishes such as fish, salads, prawns and light appetisers. It would also work well with Asian food such as Vietnamese.
For Pinot Gris, you have a few more options because of the heaviness and richness of the wine. This wine will suit heartier meals such as chicken casseroles, roast pork and hard cheeses.
An easy way to remember the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris
I learnt a good rule of thumb a while ago that helps distinguish the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. And simultaneously offend the Italians, but I’m dating one so I guess that makes it ok!
The key difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris tends to be the style of wine unless it is a regional thing like France vs Italy. Pinot Grigio is usually picked early, giving it a lighter body and acidity, whilst Pinot Gris is picked later, making it more full-bodied and riper. This is just a general rule of thumb and generalisation, but it certainly helped me!
So based on this, how will you remember which is which? Well, Pinot Grigio is picked early because Italians are impatient and just want their wine. However, Pinot Gris is picked later because the French are patient with their wines and willing to wait. So just think about that next time you are trying to differentiate the two!
So now you know the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris
Even though it seems confusing, once you know the difference between these two wines it is easy to pick out what you love. Just remember the golden rule to work out which wine you’re after. Want a light wine? Better go a Pinot Grigio. Something rich? Pinot Gris. Remember though, if the wines come from somewhere outside of Italy or France, they may be labelled that way as part of clever marketing. So make sure you have your wits about you and look out for the tasting notes.
The best thing you can do to decide what your preference is between these wines is to get tasting. You’ll realise whether you prefer the fresher, lighter Pinot Grigio, or something heavier and richer like a Pinot Gris. That way the next time you see both on a menu you will be able to choose with confidence!
