Pinot Grigio

Though Italy is known for its great red wines, Italians grow many kinds of grapes. In fact, about 1,000 varieties of wine grapes are cultivated in Italy!

One of the most well known is Pinot Grigio. 

Pinot Grigio, also known as Pinot Gris, is the grape that can't decide what it is - the skins can be from greyish blue to brownish pink; sometimes they look black, sometimes white. The styles of wine from these grapes also varies widely - from a rounded, fuller wine, to a light wine. The common factor is the delicate aroma, commonly with a hint of honey.

Pinot Grigio grows primarily in northern Italy, Germany, Eastern Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and California. Much of the Italian Pinot Grigio is grown in the northeastern area known as the Tre Venezie, which includes the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli-Venezie Giulia. Wines made from the grapes of these regions are lighter bodied with superb light color and aroma, and a crisp finish.

Pinot Gris has its origins in the Alsace region of France. The style of Pinot Gris, while made from the same grape as Pinot Grigio, is medium to full-bodied, bursting with flavor with lower acidity than Pinot Grigio. Both are a fresh alternative to Chardonnay.