18
Mar
Whether you call it a Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris, one thing is for sure, this wine is definitely a must try. The name of this wine is derived from the shape of the grape (pinot means ‘pine cones’). When people think of Pinot Grigio, the first thing that comes to mind is a dry, light and refreshing wine. What they don’t know is the fact that Pinot Grigio comes in 3 different styles.
Yes, this wine is not just a zippy mouth-refreshing wine as you’ve assumed. This wine is much more complex and richer than you’ve thought. Whether you prefer dry Pinot Grigio or simply enjoy a fruitier taste, this wine will definitely succeed to satisfy different wine preferences. Let’s now go over the 3 main types of Pinot Grigio wine.
Minerally & Dry Pinot Grigio
If you prefer to enrich your wine collection with fresh and dry Pinot Grigio wine, then you should definitely choose this wine style. The grapes this wine is made from, retain high acidity and stony minerality. Most commonly this wine is produced in the northern parts of Italy and in Australia as well. This Pinot Grigio style pairs perfectly well with french fries, mussels or pretty much anything you like. It is your faithful companion during the hot summer days.
Fruity & Dry Pinot Gris
Don’t be confused if you see the word Pinot Gris on this fruity and dry Pinot Grigio wine. Most winemakers prefer this name to describe and highlight the flavours of this wine. It is the climate that makes this wine super-sweet. This wine is ideal for those who enjoy fresh floral aromas and flavours of yellow apple, white peach and lemon. You can pair this fruity Pinot Gris with cheeses, spicy Asian and Latin foods, as well as seafood. Compared to the minerally and dry Pinot Grigio, this one has less acidity but more ‘oily’ texture. Wine makers use a special bacteria during the fermentation process to eat the strong acids and deliver a light and fruity finish.
Fruity & Sweet Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio can be found in a sweeter variant as well. The region that succeeded to produce this kind of wine is Alsace, France. Alsace wine makers did their best to replicate the popular sweet white wine Tokai (one of kings’ favourite drinks in Transylvania and the Ottoman empire). Today, Pinot Grigio wines produced from this region are labeled under the name ‘Tokay d’Alsace’. Long story short, this fruity-styled wine displays flavours of honeycomb, sweet lemon candy and honey crisp apples.
