Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio, is a variety of white wine grape and is thought to be a mutant clone of Pinot Noir. It is one on the four grape varieties in the Pinot family.

Originating in France, the name Pinot is derived from the French word ‘Pine’, referring to the grape variety having tightly clustered, pine cone-shaped bunches of fruit, and Gris/Grigio (Grey in French and Italian respectively), relating to its grayish-blue fruit. The other relatives being Pinot Noir (Black), Pinot Blanc (White) and Pinot Meunier (Miller).

Whilst Blanc, Noir and Gris are obvious to assign meaning in the translation, Meunier is a little more left field, with the translation meaning ‘Miller’ in French. Apparently the name is  derived from the appearance of the bottom of the leaf, which is white and looks like it’s been dipped in flour. I did say it was left field!

The varietals Gris and Grigio are essentially the same, with the first originating in France and the second being cultivated across the border in Italy. Whilst Grigo is French in origin, these Italian wines are typically lighter-bodied, crisp and fresh, in contrast to the more full-bodied, richer, spicier French Gris style.

Pinot Gris was first introduced into Australia in 1832 in the collection of grapes brought by James Busby and the cooler climates produce the best examples of this grape.

Listed below are the wineries that produce Pinot Grigio/Gris.

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