Here’s How to Pick a Better Pinot Grigio

Summer is officially here, and with endless parties, cookouts, and gatherings to attend, it is imperative to show up with a great bottle of wine to share. 

While Sauvignon Blanc and rosé typically get a lot of play during the summer months, Pinot Grigio is a standout option for folks looking for a refreshing white wine with zippy minerality and full-on citrus flavor. Also known as Pinot Gris, it’s a delicate grape that yields food-friendly and approachable wines in a variety of styles, and pairs well with quintessential summertime fare such as seafood, grilled vegetables, and salads. 

“Pinot Grigio is often overlooked or gets the eye roll, but there are great examples that are really delicious — there’s a reason it has gained mass popularity in the United States,” says Carlin Karr, wine and beverage director of the Frasca Hospitality Group, who is hosting a panel discussion on White Wines of Friuli at this year’s Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. “Specifically, there are great examples from Friuli that are really delicious. Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris has a deep-copper hue, so any high-quality example should have some color to it, a hint of copper or salmon.” 

To find the tastiest Pinot Grigios out there, consider winegrowing areas that have a reputable history with the variety, as well as the best climate for the grape to thrive. It’s not all created equal, so read on to discover the regional character of Pinot Grigio through three distinct expressions, with bottle recommendations of what to pop and pour now. 

Delle Venezie, Italy 

In Italy, Pinot Grigio is known for its crisp, light, dry and acidic flavor profile that’s endlessly drinkable and superiorly refreshing. Nowhere in Italy achieves this vibrant perfection quite like the northeastern wine region of Delle Venezie, a territory that covers 70,000 acres and includes the regions of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino. 

When looking for a Pinot Grigio representative of the area, a Denominazione di Origine Controllata, or DOC designation, is a stamp of approval from the Consorzio Vini Delle Venezie, the local winegrowing consortium dedicated to protecting and promoting the region’s Pinot Grigio denomination of origin. Securing a wine with this seal ensures a lively PG pour that won’t disappoint. 

But beyond the classic light-and-bright bottles of Delle Venezie, there are additional regional styles worth checking out to up your Pinot Grigio game. Friuli Pinot Grigio, in particular, has a unique character, with a mineral undertone and salty, stony briskness on the finish.

“Friuli is known for its limestone-rich ponca soils which give Pinot Grigio great length, structure, and complexity,” says Karr. “In Friuli, the deeply colored examples are called ramato. These are not filtered [and spend some time on the grape skins] and have more flavor than the often high-yield, highly processed versions grown elsewhere.”

Scarpetta Pinot Grigio, Le Monde Pinot Grigio, and Venica & Venica Pinot Grigio Jesera are three selections from the greater Delle Venezie region that Kerr would suggest Pinot Grigio lovers explore. 

Alsace, France

Located in northeastern France, Alsace is often regarded as a premiere location for outstanding Riesling, but its aromatic, complex, and balanced Pinot Gris should be equally adored.

Anne Trimbach, who is the 13th generation of Maison Trimbach, believes that the region’s incredible mosaic of soils and perfect climatic conditions make Pinot Gris from Alsace so special, exhibiting balance between lusciousness and freshness. 

“We are lucky that we do not get much rain in Alsace, which is ideal for Pinot Gris because its skin is very thin and fragile, like its parent grape, Pinot Noir,” she says. 

At Maison Trimbach, a rising demand for Riesling and Pinot Noir has been observed, but not so much Pinot Gris, which was extremely popular back in the 1990s. 

“It may not be as trendy now, but when people try Alsace Pinot Gris, they are often impressed, especially when it comes to its versatility and potential for food pairings,” says Trimbach. “Our Pinot Gris has a hint of smokiness, which is characteristic of Pinot Gris from the region.”

Trimbach encourages consumers not to hesitate when they see an older bottle of Alsace Pinot Gris, as vintages like 2017 or 2018 of well-made, quality bottlings are still drinking beautifully. 

“Pinot Grigio and Alsace Pinot Gris are two worlds apart — the grape name may be the same, but Alsace Pinot Gris typically has more body and texture.”

In addition to Maison Trimbach’s range of Pinot Gris bottlings, including the Reserve and Réserve Personnelle, curious consumers should seek out selections from Domaine Weinbach, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and Domaines Schlumberger.

California, United States 

Chardonnay may be queen in The Golden State, but Pinot Grigio is quickly rising in popularity. According to data gathered by Bread & Butter Wines in Napa, California, within their portfolio, Pinot Grigio is a top three white wine and has seen the largest growth and percent changes compared to last year, so much so that they have increased production in order to keep up with growth. 

Linda Trotta, the VP of global winemaking at Bread & Butter Wines, shares that Pinot Grigio from California has always been high-quality and more fruit-forward than many Italian Pinot Grigios available in the United States. 

“It’s exciting that a grape that was previously used as a blender is now being celebrated as a single varietal,” says Trotta, who aims to preserve and enhance the natural fresh and elegant fruit expressions in the wine. “Our fruit is picked at night and during early morning hours when temperatures are low and there is a lack of sunlight to protect the berries from degrading once picked. A long and slow fermentation is carried out in stainless-steel vessels at cold temperatures, also promoting varietal development and flavor retention.” 

Trotta says that she and her team have noticed consumers interested in refreshing, aromatic wines, leading them to the naturally lower alcohol and refreshing, fruity taste of Pinot Grigio. 

“We believe consumers are finding specific occasions within their overall drinking to choose Pinot Grigio,” says Trotta. “This could be welcoming guests with a glass of Pinot Grigio, pairing appetizers with Pinot Grigio or serving Pinot Grigio at a summer party.”

Other California Pinot Grigio selections to consider include J Vineyards Pinot Gris, Ferrari Carano Pinot Grigio, and Tangent Pinot Gris.