Ask any white wine lover, and they’ll all recommend the Pinot Grigio for all the right reasons.
Originally grown in Italy and France, Pinot Grigio belongs to a grape variety that produces a light and refreshing white wine.
Next to Chardonnay, it’s also the 2nd most sought-after white wine in the States.
Want to know more about the drink – What does pinot grigio taste like, how to drink it?
This article will serve as a guide to help you understand this famous white wine a little better.
You’ll also learn about the foods that pair best with the Pinot grigio. So, keep reading to find out!
What is Pinot Grigio?
Also known as Pinot Gris (French name), Pinot Grigio is a white wine grape that belongs to the family of Pinot grape.
When ripe, its skin becomes grayish-blue in color (grey in Italian is grigio).
This grayish-blue grape produces a dry, light, and crisp white wine. Pinot grigio was initially grown in France (Burgundy, to be precise).
Now, it’s produced predominantly in the Alsace region and northern Italy. Oregon, California, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, and Germany also offer great pinot grigio wines.
Both Pinot Gris and pinot grigio are the same. It’s just that the grape grown in France is called Pinot Gris, while Pinot Grigio is the one produced in Italy.
What Does Pinot Grigio Taste Like? Does Pinot Grigio Taste Good?
When it comes to the taste profile of Pinot Grigio, it boasts a mild, acidic taste. It usually exhibits flavors of citrus, minerals, and green apple.
Some pinot grigios taste slightly salty with faint notes of honey and honeysuckle-like aromas based on where it’s grown.
For instance, Italian Pinot grigio is usually fully dry with excellent acidity and notes of bitter almond.
On the contrary, French Pinot Gris is unctuous and fleshy and has faint notes of honey.
Some common flavors in Pinot grigio wines include apple, white nectarine, pear, lime, lemon, almond, honey, honeysuckle, spices, and citrus.
Also, if you’re wondering whether pinot grigio is sweet or dry, the short answer is – it depends.
Generally, it’s dry and not sweet due to the high acidity. This variety is commonly available in Northern Italy.
There are two instances where the pinot grigio will be sweet. First is when you purchase a cheap product as the wine may contain some residual sugar. The second example is the Alsace Pinot Gris, which are quite sweet.
Pinot Gris wines from Alsace have spice notes of clove, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and Meyer lemon.
You’ll also notice a tingly aftertaste. This is because the grapes are harvested very late, which reduces the acidity and ultimately creates a strong flavor profile.
Below are the nutrition facts of Pinot grigio per 50z servings:
Alcohol – 13.4%
Carbohydrates – 2.5g
Calories – 109
Sugar – 0.09g
Do note that the nutrition value will differ from one brand of pinot grigio to another.
Therefore, the figures mentioned above are just an estimation of what you can expect from this drink.
How to Drink Pinot Grigio Properly?
Now, let’s have a look at how you can drink Pinot Grigio properly.
Pinot Gris/Grigio, with its refreshing and zesty flavor, pairs incredibly well with raw fish, fresh vegetables, and lighter meals.
It’d also be best if you serve the crisper and lighter Pinot grigio chilled and consumed younger.
As for the classic Pinot Gris, you can drink it in its youth; however, it ages beautifully if stored carefully.
Pinot grigio, with its crisp, unoaked style and medium weight, makes a great food wine.
That’s because the relatively subtle flavors and aromas allow the meal to shine.
The perfect pairing partners for Pinot Gris are shellfish and fish recipes. We also recommend trying it with creamy pasta, salads, or white fish.
If you enjoy Asian-inspired dishes, you may want to try New Zealand Pinot Grigio/Gris or Alsace Pinot Gris.
The hints of sweetness in these wines go really well with oriental food.
Remember that Pinot Grigio is a relatively acidic wine, which means you pick foods that would complement this.
As such, you must avoid pairing it with acidic dishes like the ones made with tomatoes.
Instead, you can go for a lighter sauce made from something lighter like cream or garlic.
Conclusion
Overall, Pinot grigio, which is also called the Pinot Gris, is an excellent white wine that is favored by many around the world.
It’s well-known for its dry, light, crisp, and moderately acidic body with hints of tropical fruit, citrus, and tree.
Plus, the wine pairs perfectly with shellfish and fish.
What Does Pinot Grigio Taste Like? Does Pinot Grigio Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Pinot Grigio
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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