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Beginner's guide to Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is Italy’s signature white wine. It’s a light, zesty wine that’s as refreshing as a gentle breeze on a summer day. Light in body with a zingy acidity, Pinot Grigio pairs well with light dishes, especially seafood, salads and pasta. No wonder it’s so popular all over the world, including in Australia.

So, let’s raise a glass of Pinot Grigio – and learn more about this grape.

What is Pinot Grigio?

Pinot Grigio (pronounced pee·noh gri·jee·oh) is one of the world’s favourite white wines. Famous for its zesty acidity and fresh vibe, Pinot Grigio is a light, dry, easy-drinking wine that’s a perfect partner to a range of foods.

But surprisingly, this top-notch white wine was born from a red grape. Pinot Grigio is actually a mutation of Pinot Noir.

The pinkish-grey skinned Pinot Grigio grapes trace their roots back to the vineyards of France, where they are known as Pinot Gris. In France, the grape is primarily grown in the Alsace region, where premium Pinot Gris wines are produced. However, it was drinkability and everyday charm of Italian Pinot Grigio that became hugely successful worldwide.

What does Pinot Grigio taste like?

Pinot Grigio is loved for its bright, fresh character – imagine a burst of green apple, pear and zesty citrus in every sip. And depending on where it’s made, you might even catch a whisper of honey, almond or floral hints. It has an easy-drinking light to medium body, though some styles are aged to become richer and more complex.

Just as its name changes across regions, the taste varies depending on where it’s made. Italian-style Pinot Grigio wine tends to be light and dry with a sharp acidity. Expect fruit flavours, including lemon, lime, ripe pear, green apple and peach. You may detect faint honeyed notes, floral aromas like honeysuckle and a saline-like minerality.

A French Pinot Gris typically flaunts a richer, fuller body with ripe fruit flavours, such as tropical and stone fruit and citrus.

Is Pinot Grigio a sweet or dry wine?

Pinot Grigio is typically made in a dry style, especially those from Italy. This means that all the grape sugar is converted to alcohol during fermentation, giving the wine a crisp, refreshing character with no hint of sweetness. It’s like taking a bite into a fresh green apple with a crisp acidity and playful hints of citrus and sometimes a suggestion of almond.

However, some styles of Pinot Grigio can take on a spectrum of sweetness. French and American Pinot Gris, and certain late-harvest wines, may have higher levels of residual sugar, lending them a touch of sweetness. Some premium wines from Alsace use Pinot Gris grapes affected by botrytis (noble rot) to create full-bodied, intensely sweet white wines.

What are the best Pinot Grigio regions?

Pinot Grigio’s charm lies in its adaptability and the range of flavours it displays based on where and how it is made. It can be found in vineyards across the globe, from France to Italy to Australia, and here are some of our favourites:

Australia

Thanks to its many climates, Australia makes a lot of Pinot Grigio in different styles. Some are light and zesty, while others are more fruity and complex. Australian Pinot Grigio often combines the crisp acidity typical of the variety with more intense fruit flavours, including peach and melon.
In Victoria, especially in cooler areas such as the Yarra Valley, Pinot Grigio is known for its balance of crispness and fruit flavours, often featuring a refreshing minerality and citrus notes.
You’ll find more aromatic Pinot Grigio wines with pear and apple flavours in Tasmania thanks to its cool, maritime climate.
In the Adelaide Hills, the high altitude and cooler temperatures contribute to wines with aromatic profiles and citrus and green apple flavours.

Italy

In Italy, Pinot Grigio is typically light, crisp and refreshing, with a taste of citrus fruits, green apples and sometimes white flowers. One of Italy’s largest wine-producing regions, the Veneto is known for producing large volumes of Pinot Grigio. These easy-drinking wines are typically light-bodied, with crisp acidity and flavours of green apple, pear and hints of white flowers.
Alto Adige, the mountainous northernmost part of Italy, delivers Pinot Grigio wines with a bit more body and structure. The cooler climate allows the grapes to maintain their acidity. The result? Well-balanced wines with ripe orchard fruit flavours and often a notable mineral streak.
In Friuli, Pinot Grigio wines are typically more full-bodied with ripe stone fruits, honey and almond flavours.

France (Pinot Gris)

In France, Pinot Gris is mostly made in Alsace. These wines are richer and fuller, often with complex flavours. Some can be dry, while others are a bit sweet and these are often wines that can age well.

United States

Growing in popularity in the United States, Pinot Grigio is mainly made in California and Oregon.
California’s warm climate helps to create fruity wines with juicy notes of melon, peach and tropical fruits. The wines are usually smooth and rounded. Winemakers in regions like the Central Coast and the Napa Valley highlight the grape’s natural fruitiness, sometimes adding complexity through oak ageing.
In Oregon, particularly the Willamette Valley, the grape is commonly called Pinot Gris. The wines here are fuller, with flavours of pear, apple, and spice, and have a rich texture, similar to the French style.

Serving and Storing Pinot Grigio

Like most white wines, Pinot Grigio should be served chilled but not too cold. If the wine is too warm, the alcohol tastes hot and muddles the flavours. Too cold, and the aromas and flavours will be muted. To fully enjoy your bottle of Pinot Grigio, serve it at 7-10°C. This cooler temperature lifts the wine’s crisp flavours and highlights it’s refreshing acidity. Store in an ice bucket or wine cooler between refills to keep it chilled.

Unlike some red wines and fuller white wines, Pinot Grigio doesn’t need decanting before drinking. It’s best enjoyed fresh, with its lively character intact.

A standard white wine glass will do the trick for glassware. The smaller bowl concentrates Pinot Grigio’s delicate floral and mineral aromas on the nose and helps to maintain the wine’s temperature, keeping every sip refreshing until the last.

Unopened, a bottle of Pinot Grigio can last 1-2 years when stored in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature.

Once opened, Pinot Grigio typically lasts 3-5 days if kept in the fridge. Using a wine stopper can help minimise oxidation. Always store opened wine in the fridge to preserve its freshness for as long as possible.

What is the best food pairing for Pinot Grigio?

Pinot Grigio is light, crisp, and refreshing, so it goes well with many different foods. Its bright acidity and subtle fruit flavours work with lots of dishes without overwhelming them. Here are a few of our favourite pairings:

Seafood – This wine is great with grilled shrimp, oysters, or light fish like sole or halibut. Its acidity and bright character work well with the freshness of the food.
Salads and antipasto – The wine’s citrus and green apple notes make it a great match for fresh garden salads, tomato and mozzarella salads and antipasto platters, complementing their freshness.
Poultry – Pinot Grigio’s crispness and fruit notes balance and enhance the subtle flavours of grilled or roasted chicken and turkey with herb seasonings.
Pasta with light sauces – Pinot Grigio’s light body and zesty profile work well with pasta dishes with fresh vegetables such as zucchini or lemon, garlic and olive oil, without overpowering them.
Asian cuisine – Pinot Grigio’s acidity and clean finish complement the savoury and spicy elements of dishes featuring soy, ginger or citrus, such as sushi and Thai salads.
Cheeses – Mild cheeses like feta and goat cheese pair well with Pinot Grigio as its acidity enhances their creamy textures and subtle flavours.

Shop Best Selling Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Gris: What’s the difference?

Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are the same grape, but typically differ in style, with Pinot Grigio being lighter and crisper, and Pinot Gris richer and fuller-bodied. They taste different depending on how and where they are produced.

Pinot Grigio (Italy)

Light, crisp and refreshing
Flavours of green apple, pear and citrus
Clean, mineral finish
High acidity
Ideal for light meals or easy sipping

Browse our full range of Pinot Grigio wines.

Pinot Gris (France and beyond)

Richer, fuller-bodied style
Flavours of peach, apricot and subtle spice
Often a smooth, slightly silky texture
Can range from dry to lightly sweet
Typically more complex and layered

Discover our Pinot Gris wines.

How many calories are in a bottle of Pinot Grigio?

A standard 750ml bottle of Pinot Grigio contains approximately 600 to 625 calories, equating to around 120 to 125 calories per 150ml glass.

Calorie levels can vary depending on:

Alcohol content
Residual sugar levels
Winemaking style

Pinot Grigio has a similar calorie count to other light white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and unoaked Chardonnay.

What wines are similar to Pinot Grigio?

If you enjoy Pinot Grigio’s fresh, crisp style, these wines offer a similar balance of bright acidity and refreshing fruit:

Sauvignon Blanc
Known for its lively acidity, Sauvignon Blanc delivers zesty citrus, green apple and subtle grassy notes, making it just as refreshing and easy to drink.
Riesling
Many Rieslings are dry, vibrant and packed with lime, green apple and mineral characters. Australian styles, such as those from Clare Valley, are especially crisp and refreshing. Explore Riesling wines.
Albariño
This Spanish white is bright and aromatic, with citrus and stone fruit flavours and a gentle saline edge. It’s a natural choice for seafood and light dishes.
Shop Albariño wines.
Unoaked Chardonnay
Without oak influence, Chardonnay takes on a clean, fruit-driven style with notes of apple, lemon and melon, offering a similarly fresh and approachable profile.