This #Winesday, we’re raising our glasses to a popular pour: Pinot Grigio. This dry, acidic white is one of the most popular wines out there, and for good reason. We’re here to prove the stigmas wrong. You can’t always believe what you hear through the grapevine!
If you haven’t already, you’re probably wondering the difference between Pinot Grigio and it’s similarly-named friend, Pinot Noir. Not shockingly, they’re related. Originating from France, the Pinot Grigio grape was actually thought to be a mutation of its red friend, the Pinot Noir grape. With its greyish blue tint, the Pinot Grigio grape doesn’t resemble that of traditional white wine grapes, hence its name (Pinot coming from the Pinot Noir grape, and Grigio which translates to grey, referencing the grape’s color).
The Lombardy region in Italy boasts the title of being the largest Pinot Grigio producer. The grape grew primarily in northern Italy, and soon gained popularity and took over the entire country. It didn’t take long after that for the varietal to become the most popular imported white wine in the U.S. The simplicity of Pinot Grigio is one of the many attributes that lead to its rise. Primary fruit flavors of lime, pear, white nectarine and apple are common among this varietal, as well as faint floral and honeysuckle aromas. While some winos claim it’s too simple, this bad press is more so a result of the mass production of this popular white which leads to some poorly produced bottles.
Often compared to a less-sweet Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio is a refreshing white that pairs perfectly with lighter dishes like chicken and seafood. If you’re looking to crank up the spice, Pinot Grigio’s acidity helps balance out rich sauces or spicy foods. Just don’t pair it with anything too citrusy - acid and acid won’t go down well together. So the next time you’re out to dinner or looking to bring home a bottle of wine, don’t let the bad press surrounding Pinot Grigio stop you from giving it a try. With its refreshing acidity and simple fruity flavors, it could end up being your new favorite white. Don’t knock it till you try it, right? Cheers!
