| Pinot Gris (or Tokay Pinot Gris) is a white wine | | | | perfect ripeness. |
| grape of species Vitis Vinifera related to Pinot Noir | | | | Pinot Gris grapes grown in Italy (Pinot Grigio) |
| which goes by a lot of other names: | | | | usually produce a somewhat wanting, light-colored |
| Pinot Grigio (Italy) | | | | wine with crisp acidity. German Pinot Gris tends to |
| Pinot Beurot (Loire Valley, France) | | | | be medium-bodied, with good balance between |
| Ruländer (Austria and Germany, Romania, | | | | sugar and acidity. Grapes grown in Oregon tend |
| sweet) | | | | to produce a wine that is medium-bodied, |
| Grauburgunder or Grauer burgunder (Austria and | | | | exhibiting strong fruit flavors and aromas and |
| Germany, dry) | | | | superb crispness. Pinot Gris produced from grapes |
| Grauklevner (Germany) | | | | grown in the Alsace region of France has proven |
| Malvoisie (Loire Valley, France and Switzerland) | | | | to show full-bodied, floral flavors, and a deep |
| Tokay d'Alsace (Alsace) (currently being renamed | | | | viscosity with a long-lasting finish. |
| due to EU regulations) | | | | Pinot Gris made from grapes grown in other |
| Auxerrois Gris (Alsace) | | | | regions can also be delicious, but generally don't |
| Fromentau (Langudoc, France) | | | | deliver the same excellent qualities that people |
| Fromentot (France) | | | | have come to expect from wines made in the |
| Fauvet (France) | | | | regions listed above. California is one area where |
| Gris Cordelier (France) | | | | Pinot Gris is grown, but the wines made there |
| Grauer Mönch (Germany) | | | | tend to be flabby, losing their complexity due to |
| Monemrasia | | | | the warmer weather. In fact, Pinot Gris produced |
| Crvena Klevanjka (Croatia) | | | | in California is often called Pinot Grigio because of |
| Sivi Pinot (Slovenia) | | | | the similarity in style to the wines from Italy. |
| Szürkebarát (Hungary) | | | | Pinot Gris can be found in many places, from |
| "Pinot" means "pinecone" in French, and "gris" | | | | restaurants to tasting rooms to supermarkets. |
| means gray. The grapes grow in small clusters | | | | Listed below are some of the places you can |
| (hence the pinecone shape), and upon ripening, | | | | purchase Pinot Gris, and what it might cost you. |
| often display a pinkish-gray hue, although the | | | | Restaurants - Easily the most expensive place to |
| colors can vary from blue-gray to pinkish-brown. | | | | buy wine, the restaurant offers a cozy |
| Pinot Gris is called Pinot Grigio in Italy, and the | | | | atmosphere, sometimes knowledgeable waiters, |
| grape is grown in many regions, although, | | | | and comprehensive wine list. For a decent bottle |
| arguably, most successfully in Alsace (France), | | | | of Pinot Gris, be prepared to pay 30 to 40 dollars |
| Italy, Germany, and Oregon. In the United States, | | | | or more, depending on how fancy the |
| Pinot Gris has recently supplanted Sauvignon Blanc | | | | establishment is. One idea for frugal restaurant |
| as the most popular white wine grape next to | | | | dining is to call beforehand and ask if you can |
| Chardonnay. In fact, Pinot Gris is often referred | | | | bring in your own delicious bottle of Pinot Gris. The |
| to as "the other white wine". | | | | restaurant will charge you a nominal "pouring fee", |
| Pinot Gris produces wines that are generally fruity | | | | but you won't have to shell out the big bucks. |
| in aroma, with flavors of honey, apple, pear, | | | | Supermarkets - Probably the least expensive |
| vanilla, oak, and citrus. The flavors can vary from | | | | place to purchase wine, your neighborhood |
| region to region, but a good Pinot Gris will display | | | | Safeway or Albertsons offers a variety of Pinot |
| crisp acidity, balanced with silky sweetness, | | | | Gris at prices ranging from $7 to $20. Just don't |
| resulting in a complex array of flavors on the | | | | expect too much help from the stockboy when |
| pallet. Pinot gris goes well with foods typically | | | | deciding which Pinot Gris would go best with osso |
| associated with white wines, including fish, | | | | buco. |
| seafood, chicken, pork, and Asian cuisine. | | | | Tasting Rooms - Many wineries have their own |
| Pinot Gris is thought to have originated in the | | | | tasting rooms with dramatic views and enchanting |
| Burgundy region of France, and was planted in | | | | music geared to put the consumer into a wine |
| Northern Europe for many years before making | | | | buying-trance. If you buy Pinot Gris from the |
| its way to Oregon in the 1960's. The grape is | | | | tasting room, however, you are usually buying |
| presently grown in many different areas, but | | | | directly from the winery, and won't get the big |
| prefers the relatively cool climate of places like | | | | discounts that the stores receive. Expect to pay |
| France, Germany, Italy and Oregon, where the | | | | somewhere between 15 to 30 dollars for a good |
| long (but not too hot) summer days mingled with | | | | bottle of Pinot Gris. |
| cool autumn weather bring the grapes into | | | | |