The ultimate Pinot Grigio guide

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The ultimate Pinot Grigio guide

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What does Pinot Grigio taste like?

The flavours of Pinot Grigio can vary greatly depending on the style and the region where it was produced. For example, Italian Pinot Grigio from Veneto often features green apple and pear with a mineral finish, while Alto Adige styles may have floral aromas and hints of white peach and citrus. Pinot Grigio from California tends to have more fruit flavours, featuring melon and tropical notes.

Pinot Grigio is known for its moderate to high acidity, which makes it taste crisp and refreshing. It also has an easy-drinking light to medium body.

Some types, especially those from specific regions of France and Italy, can be aged to become richer and more complex.

Common flavours you might find in your glass of Pinot Grigio include:

Green apple
Pear
Lemon
Lime
White peach
Melon
Nectarine
Citrus zest
Honeydew
Almond

Pinot Grigio’s most common aromatic notes add to its complexity and often include subtle hints of florals and minerals, such as:

Honeysuckle
Orange blossom
Jasmine
Slate
Wet stone

Is Pinot Grigio a sweet or dry wine?

Pinot Grigio is usually a dry wine, which means it has little sugar left after it’s made. This is why it tastes so crisp and refreshing.

Even though Pinot Grigio doesn’t have much sugar, it can still seem a little sweet sometimes. This is because some bottles have juicy fruit flavours like melon, white peach, or tropical fruits, which make the wine taste sweeter than it really is.

The wine’s acidity (how tart it is) can also make the fruity flavours stand out, giving the feeling of sweetness without actually being sweet.

Where the grapes are grown matters, too. Grapes from warmer places usually taste riper and fruitier, which can also make the wine seem sweeter.

Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Gris

Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are made from the same grape, but they can taste different because of how they are made and the regions they come from.

Here’s an example of how they compare:

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is mostly made in Italy, particularly in the Veneto and Alto Adige regions. It’s a light, crisp, and refreshing wine. It usually tastes of green apple, pear, and citrus, with a clean, mineral finish. Its high acidity makes it great with light foods or to drink by itself.

Explore our full selection of Pinot Grigio wines.

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is mainly made in the Alsace region of France. This wine is richer and fuller than Pinot Grigio. Pinot Gris often tastes like juicy stone fruits such as peach and apricot, with subtle hints of spice and honey. It usually feels smooth and a bit silky. Pinot Gris can be dry or slightly sweet, and it’s often more complex and deeper in flavour than Pinot Grigio.

Discover our Pinot Gris wines.

What wine regions are famous for Pinot Grigio?

Pinot Grigio is made in various regions around the world, each with its own style and defining flavours. Here are just a few to know:

Australia

Thanks to its many climates, Australia makes a lot of Pinot Grigio in different styles. Some are light and zesty, while others are more fruity and complex. Australian Pinot Grigio often combines the crisp acidity typical of the variety with more intense fruit flavours, including peach and melon.

In Victoria, especially in cooler areas such as the Yarra Valley, Pinot Grigio is known for its balance of crispness and fruit flavours, often featuring a refreshing minerality and citrus notes. However, thanks to its cool, maritime climate, you’ll find more aromatic Pinot Grigio wines with pear and apple flavours in Tasmania. In the Adelaide Hills, the high altitude and cooler temperatures contribute to wines with aromatic profiles and citrus and green apple flavours.

Italy

Italy is well-known for Pinot Grigio, especially from Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Alto Adige in the north. Italian Pinot Grigio is usually fresh, bright and zesty, with good acidity.

France (Pinot Gris)

In France, Pinot Gris is mostly made in Alsace. These wines are richer and fuller, often with complex flavours. Some can be dry, while others are a bit sweet. Alsace wines can also age well.

United States

In the U.S., Pinot Grigio is mainly made in California and Oregon.

California’s warm climate helps to create fruity wines with juicy notes of melon, peach and tropical fruits. The wines are usually smooth and rounded. Winemakers in regions like the Central Coast and the Napa Valley highlight the grape’s natural fruitiness, sometimes adding complexity through oak ageing.

In Oregon, particularly the Willamette Valley, the grape is commonly called Pinot Gris. The wines here are fuller, with flavours of pear, apple, and spice, and have a rich texture, similar to the French style.

Each region makes Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris with its own twist, so there are many different types to enjoy!

If I like Pinot Grigio, what other wines should I try?

If you enjoy the light, crisp qualities of Pinot Grigio, here are a few other white wines with similar characteristics you could explore:

Sauvignon Blanc –Known for its zingy acidity and citrus flavours, Sauvignon Blanc often features notes of green apple, lime, and grass.
Riesling – Many Rieslings are dry and refreshing, with flavours of lime, green apple, and mineral notes. Look for dry Rieslings from the Clare Valley.
Albariño – Originating from Spain, Albariño is fresh and zesty, with citrus and stone fruit flavours, and a hint of salinity. It’s a good choice to pair with seafood and light salads, much like Pinot Grigio.
Unoaked Chardonnay – When not aged in oak barrels, Chardonnay can feature the same clean, crisp notes of green apple, lemon and melon as Pinot Grigio. This style of Chardonnay has a natural fruitiness and acidity, similar to Pinot Grigio’s refreshing profile.

How many calories are in a bottle of Pinot Grigio?

A regular 750ml bottle of Pinot Grigio usually has about 600-625 calories. This is roughly 120-125 calories in a standard 150ml glass.

However, the final calorie count can vary depending on the alcohol level, sugar content, and how the wine was made.

Pinot Grigio has about the same amount of calories as other light white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc and unoaked Chardonnay.

What is the best food pairing for Pinot Grigio?

Pinot Grigio is light, crisp, and refreshing, so it goes well with many different foods. Its bright acidity and subtle fruit flavours work with lots of dishes without overwhelming them. Here are a few of our favourite pairings:

Seafood – This wine is great with grilled shrimp, oysters, or light fish like sole or halibut. Its acidity brings out the flavours.
Salads and light dishes – The wine’s citrus and green apple notes make it a great match for fresh garden salads, tomato and mozzarella salads and antipasto platters, complementing their freshness.
Poultry – Pinot Grigio’s crispness and fruit notes balance and enhance the subtle flavours of grilled or roasted chicken and turkey with herb seasonings.
Pasta with light sauces – Pinot Grigio’s light body and zesty profile work well with pasta dishes with fresh vegetables such as zucchini or lemon, garlic and olive oil, without overpowering them.
Asian cuisine – Pinot Grigio’s acidity and clean finish complement the savoury and spicy elements of dishes featuring soy, ginger or citrus, such as sushi and Thai salads.
Cheeses – Mild cheeses like feta and goat cheese pair well with Pinot Grigio as its acidity enhances their creamy textures and subtle flavours.

How to serve Pinot Grigio wine

To fully enjoy your bottle of Pinot Grigio, serve it at 7-10°C. This cooler temperature lifts the wine’s crisp flavours and highlights its refreshing acidity. Store in an ice bucket or wine cooler between refills to keep it chilled.

Getting the serving temperature correct is important – too warm and it could taste flat and overly alcoholic, while too cold means muted flavours and aromas.

Unlike some red wines and fuller white wines, Pinot Grigio doesn’t need decanting before drinking. It’s best enjoyed fresh, with its lively character intact.

A standard white wine glass will do the trick for glassware. The smaller bowl concentrates Pinot Grigio’s delicate floral and mineral aromas on the nose and helps to maintain the wine’s temperature, keeping every sip refreshing until the last.

How long does Pinot Grigio wine last?

Unopened, a bottle of Pinot Grigio can last 1-2 years when stored in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature.

Once opened, Pinot Grigio typically lasts 3-5 days if kept in the fridge. Using a wine stopper can help minimise oxidation. Always store opened wine in the fridge to preserve its freshness for as long as possible.

Due to their richer structure, full-bodied styles of Pinot Grigio may have a slightly shorter shelf life once they are opened.

5 popular Pinot Grigio wines

16 Little Black Pigs Pinot Grigio 2024

A zippy and refreshing bottle from South Australia that highlights the region’s innovative winemaking spirit. Expect a bone-dry style and strong citrus zest presence.

Vinaceous Sirenya Great Southern Pinot Grigio 2023

Made with grapes sourced from a single vineyard in Great Southern’s Mount Barker region, this complex wine has notes of baked pear and lime.

Il Papavero Pinot Grigio 2024

A deliciously refreshing Pinot Grigio from Italy, this wine perfectly balances affordability with excellent quality. Enjoy notes of pear, citrus and a coastal minerality.

Caravan Pinot Grigio 2024

This rounder, softer Pinot Grigio is instantly recognisable thanks to its intense pear and rose petal aromas. Enjoy it with white fish or light pasta.

Mercer Wines Orange Pinot Grigio 2024

Despite its ‘crunchy’ texture and heavier weight from some oak influence, this white remains deliciously refreshing. Expect notes of white flowers and creamy almonds.

Find more delicious options in our full collection of Pinot Grigio wine.