Pinot Gris

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"Gris" redirects here. For the artist, see Juan Gris .

Pinot Gris is a white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. Thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir grape, it has a grayish-white fruit, accounting for its name ("gris" meaning gray in French). The grape grows best in cool climates. Pinot gris is known from the Middle Ages in the Burgundy region, where it was probably called Fromenteau. It spread from Burgundy, arriving early in Switzerland and in Hungary by 1300 and reaching Germany by the end of the 16th century. It is now grown in most European countries, as well as in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.S.

Most wines from the Pinot Gris variety are consumed early, while the wines are still young. One of the few aged styles is Tokay d'Alsace.

It is also sometimes used to make botrytized wines.

[edit] Wine styles

The publication Wine Enthusiast has identified several widely recognized styles:

• Alsace style: medium- to full-bodied; rich, somewhat floral; viscous, almost oily in texture; less fruity than the Oregon version; long lasting and an excellent wine with a wide variety of foods.
• German style: medium- to full-bodied; fairly sweet, but well balanced with good acidity.
• Oregon style: medium bodied; yellow to copper-pink color; crisp, full, plump, lively flavors with aromas of pear, apple, and/or melon.
• Pinot Grigio style: light-bodied, often lean; light in color; neutral, sometimes spritzy flavors, crisp and acidic.

[edit] Name variations

Pinot Gris is called by many names in different parts of the world:

• Auxerrois Gris (Alsace)
• Fauvet (France)
• Fromentau (Languedoc, France)
• Fromentot (France)
• Grauburgunder or Grauer burgunder (Austria and Germany, dry)
• Grauer Mönch (Germany)
• Grauklevner (Germany)
• Gris Cordelier (France)
• Malvoisie (Loire Valley, France and Switzerland)
• Monemrasia
• Pinot Grigio (Italy)
• Pinot Beurot (Loire Valley, France)
• Ruländer (Austria and Germany, Romania, sweet)
• Sivi Pinot (Croatia and Slovenia)
• Szürkebarát (Hungary)
• Tokay d'Alsace (Alsace) (currently being renamed due to EU regulations)