The name “pinot gris” is actually an apt description of the grapes. “Pinot” means pinecone, which describes the pinecone shaped clusters that the grapes typically grow in. And “gris” means gray, describing the grayish-blue grape skins. You may also hear Pinot Gris referred to as Pinot Grigio – which is the Italian name for the same grape.
Pinot Gris grapes are actually a mutation of the red Pinot Noir grape, and because of the darker color of the grape skins, the wines typically have a deep golden color, darker than other white wine varietals.
Pinot Gris is an important grape in a few select wine growing regions such as Northeastern Italy, Germany, and the Alsace region of France. The wines from these regions can vary greatly due to the differing climates and wine growing techniques. You are likely to find full-bodied, spicy Pinot Gris in Alsace and a very different light-bodied, acidic Pinot Gris in Italy.
However, you are much more likely to run into Pinot Grigio from the United States, Chile, or Australia where it is typically used to produce large quantities of mass market wines. Pinot gris is a great choice for mass wine producers, as it is considered an “early to market wine”. It can be bottled and out on the market within just 12 weeks of fermentation. These wines are typically medium bodied, unoaked, with relatively neutral flavors and aromas.