Pinot Grigio is a white wine loved for its fresh and fruity flavors. If you prefer sweet wines over dry, or vice versa, you’ll need to know how Pinot Grigio tastes.
So, is Pinot Grigio sweet or dry?
In most cases, Pinot Grigio is dry, but this varies depending on a few factors (see also “Discover The Driest White Wines“). The area where the grapes are sourced from and the winemaker’s techniques can all affect the wine’s sweetness level.
Despite this, most Pinot Grigio bottles are dry with low residual sugar and higher acidity levels, so they aren’t sweet.
We’ll cover more about Pinot Grigio’s sweetness levels in this post, including its flavor profile, factors that affect its sweetness, and food pairings that taste great with Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Grigio is a type of white wine made from Pinot Gris grapes. These come from the Burgundy wine region located in central eastern France.
Pinot Gris grapes have a blue-gray skin, which is where its name comes from, as ‘gris’ is the French word for gray.
Pino Grigio is often drunk in summer, thanks to its mild and refreshing flavors. The wine is usually dry with gentle fruity undertones.
It ranges from light husk to a deep golden hue, based on the winemaking techniques used to make the drink.
Pinot Grigio has grown in popularity as it’s easy to drink and pairs well with various dishes. Salads, pasta, and seafood all taste great with a glass of Pinot Grigio on the side.
It’s also a nice option for anyone who dislikes heavy wines, as well as those who are less accustomed to wine.
Pinot Grigio is often an affordable option, which is why it’s known as an ‘everyday’ beverage. It’s one of the most popular low-cost wines you can purchase from the store, while also being a more quality product.
Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay, a different kind of white wine, are often likened to each other. Chardonnay tastes slightly heavier and has more oak notes compared to Pinot Grigio.
Pinot Grigio also tends to contain less alcohol, which is ideal for those that like lighter beverages.
Pinot Grigio: Dry Or Sweet?
As mentioned above, most Pinot Grigio wines are dry. However, these range in sweetness based on the winemaker’s production method.
Pinot Grigio generally has less residual sugar after fermentation, so it tastes dry instead of sweet.
Despite this, a few wineries may add sugar to their blend to improve their product’s flavor. Sugar can neutralize the wine’s acidity so it has a balanced flavor profile.
The added sweetness will differ between wineries, but if you want to find out, contact the brand’s manufacturer or your local wine shop for details.
In most cases, Pinot Grigio is a refreshing, light wine with mild fruity tones. It isn’t overly sweet but has a nice flavor that’s good for everyday enjoyment.
Notes And Flavors In Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio has a blend of fruit, mineral, and citrus notes.
Particular tasting notes may differ based on grape region and winemaking method, but here are common elements that you might notice when drinking Pinot Grigio:
Florals
A few Pinot Grigio wines have light floral fragrances, like white flowers, honey, or jasmine. These blossom notes make the wine seem elegant and complex.
Mineral
Several Pinot Grigio wines have a light mineral element, which makes them taste rocky or earthy. You may notice a chalk-like taste which gives the wine more layers.
Citrus
Pinot Grigio regularly has distinct citrus notes, like lime, grapefruit, or lemon. These flavors may be mild and subtle or vibrant and zesty.
Fruit
Fruity flavors, like melon, green apple, pear, or peach, may be noticeable in Pinot Grigio. These fruity notes can give the wine a little sweetness that complements its acidity.
It’s easy to mix up fruity notes for sweetness, but remember that sweet Pinot Grigio wines don’t have to have fruity flavors.
Factors That Affect Pinot Grigio’s Sweetness Level
Though Pinot Grigio is usually dry, its sweetness level may differ based on the grapes used to make the wine, the climate the grapes were grown, and the winemaker’s techniques.
The level of sugar within the wine’s grapes is one of the main things that affect its sweetness.
Early harvested grapes gathered earlier in the growing season are lower in sugar, so they will create drier wines.
Conversely, grapes that remain on the vine for a long time become higher in sugar, so they create a sweeter wine.
The climate that the grapes were grown in also matters. If the climate is cooler, the grapes usually ripen at a slower rate. Their sugar levels remain low, so they produce a drier beverage.
Warmer conditions allow the grapes to ripen faster, so they develop more sugars. As they are higher in sugar, they will create a sweeter wine.
The winemaking method is another factor that determines how sweet a Pinot Grigio wine is.
If the winemaker decides to ferment the Pinot Gris grapes for a longer period, most of the grapes’ sugar will transform into alcohol, leading to a drier wine.
On the other hand, if the grapes are fermented for a shorter amount of time, less sugar will convert into alcohol, so the wine will be sweeter.
Pinot Grigio Varieties
Pinot Grigio generally comes in three main varieties:
Dry and Minerally
Dry and Fruity
Sweet and Fruity
We’ll cover each type in more detail and where to find them below.
Dry And Minerally
Dry and mineral-flavored Pinot Grigio wines are lean and clean.
These are normally grown around the Alps, as Pinot Grigio is made in mountainous regions running through Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, and Austria.
The mountains affect the farming produce that’s grown in these regions, as it produces grapes with higher acidity. This leads to a wine that is crisp, brisk, and svelte.
Dry and mineral-flavored Pinot Grigio goes well with warm temperatures, french fries, and mussels. Its simple and slightly salted notes are perfect for summer days and several cuisines.
If you’re a fan of dry, clean Pinot Grigio, look for wine made in cooler climates. Here are some examples to look out for:
Austria: Small Austrian wineries are found in the Steiermark and around Burgenland. The bottles may be labeled as ‘Grauburgunnder’.
Canada: Look for Pinot Grigio from Ontario and the Okanagan.
Germany: Search for wine from Rheingau, Pfalz, and Rheinhessen. Like Austria, Pinot Grigio may be labeled as ‘Grauburgunder’.
Italy: Search for Pinot Grigio from Trentino, Friuli Venezia Guiia, and Alto Adige.
Dry And Fruity
Some winemakers label their fruitier blends as ‘Pinot Gris’ instead of Pinot Grigio. These varieties have lemon, peach, and yellow apple notes, along with a heartier consistency.
In addition to the fruity fragrances, these wines are lower in acidity and feel slightly ‘oily’ within the mouth. Winemakers regularly add a particular type of bacteria to their product.
This is done once the alcohol fermentation transforms sharper acids into milder, smooth ones.
If you like fruity and dry Pinot Grigio, look for wine made in warmer climates. Here are some examples to look out for:
Oceania: New Zealand and Australia have many wineries that make fruitier Pinot Grigio bottles.
United States: Washington State, Oregon, and California are all decent Pinot Grigio locations.
You may be able to find fruity and dry Pinot Grigio wines from Argentina and South Africa, but these are more difficult to find.
Sweet And Fruity
The most well-known sweet Pinot Grigio wines are made in Alsace, located in eastern France.
Winemakers in Alsace tried to reproduce a very sweet white wine known as Tokaji.
Tokaji was famously drunk by kings in the Ottoman Empire and Transylvania. Interestingly, Alsace winemakers could label their Pinot Grigio bottles with ‘Tokay d’Alsace’ until 2007.
In the modern era, Alsace is one of the only areas in the world which create sweet Pinot Grigio wine.
These wines have distinct sweet honey crisp apples, lemon candy, and honeycomb notes running through them.
Winemakers use particular winemaking methods to enhance the wine’s mouthfeel consistency. They also use noble rot, later harvest grapes to improve their wine’s flavor.
Sweet and fruity Pinot Grigio wines are only grown in Alsace. Here are some terms to keep an eye out for when selecting a bottle:
Sélection de Grains Nobles: This is French for ‘selection of noble berries’, which essentially means the best berries. The grapes are a rare type of Alsatian Pinot Gris grapes, which involves choosing ones with noble rot.
Vendage Tardives: This is French for ‘late harvest’. Later harvested grapes have had more time to ripen, so they contain more sugar.
Grand Cru: Alsace is home to 51 Grand Cry vineyards that produce richer Pinot Gris wines.
Ramato-Rose Pinot Grigio
In addition to white Pinot Grigio wines, there is also a rosé variety known as Ramato.
This involves the grapes’ light purple skins turning the wine into a light copper shade.
Winemakers usually steep the juice with the grape skins, like when making rosé. This is typically done for 24-36 hours.
Ramato wines can be located in Fruili, a region in northeastern Italy. Their flavors will differ based on the Fruili winemaker.
Some may have sour cherry, leather, or white raspberry notes, while others have dry cranberry elements with a mild meaty aftertaste.
Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
If you’re trying to find a good dish that goes well with a bottle of Pinot Grigio, there are some essential rules to keep in mind.
Wine and food matching can be technical and tricky, but as long as you follow the basics, you can produce some tasty combinations.
In most cases, wines should be more acidic and sweeter than the meal you enjoy it with. For instance, desserts are usually enjoyed with a sweet dessert wine.
Both the dish and the wine should have a comparable flavor intensity. Hearty red wines go well with rich cheese and meat dishes, while whites go well with light seafood and chicken recipes.
As Pinot Grigio is refreshing and light, it’s a nice choice for casual, informal get-togethers.
As it has a balanced flavor, it’s a nice starter choice to serve before a meal. There won’t be any distinct flavors that detract from the meals yet to come.
Due to its gentle, mild flavors, pinot grigio works best with fresh, light dishes.
Summer-appropriate recipes involving seafood and chicken work well, including risotto and cold pasta dishes. Swap any richer sauces for leaner choices, like vinaigrettes and lemon dressings.
Pinot Grigio’s higher acidity levels make it a nice accompaniment for seafood recipes.
Lighter dishes are key here, so avoid using meaty fish like lobster or tuna with rich sauces. Shrimp or crab salads work well here, as well as poached salmon, calamari, or sushi.
If you like shellfish, seared scallops and freshly-caught oysters go well with leaner Pinot Grigio bottles.
Pinot Grigio’s balanced flavor profile pairs well with fresh vegetables and garden salads. The wine tastes great alongside vegetable antipasto, crudites, and lighter risotto recipes, like Risi e Bisi.
Some more pairing options are chicken recipes, particularly those marinated in white wine or lemon juice. If the recipe calls for it, consider adding Pinot Grigio to your meal while it cooks.
If you’re looking for a cheese pairing, don’t choose pungent, sharp cheeses like Stilton or cheddar. These hearty options can take over the milder notes in Pinot Grigio.
Look for soft, subtle flavored cheeses, like mozzarella or brie. These will pair well with the wine’s gentle notes.
Tips To Enjoy Pinot Grigio
Here are some tips to ensure you enjoy your Pinot Grigio experience:
Storing Pinot Grigio
Always keep Pinot Grigio bottles in a dry, cool place. The temperature should remain at a consistent level.
Keep the bottle horizontal and away from any heat sources. The wine shouldn’t come into contact with any natural or artificial direct light.
If you’re planning on serving the wine, you can keep Pinot Grigio in the fridge for a few days beforehand.
Do not keep the wine in the freezer, as these temperatures are too cold and can damage the wine.
If you’ve opened a Pinot Grigio bottle, aim to drink it within two or three days. Do not keep the wine for longer than this.
Serving Pinot Grigio
You don’t need to decant Pinot Grigio wine before serving. If you’re planning on serving the wine, you can chill it so it reaches its best temperature.
Keep the bottle in the refrigerator or an ice bucket for a minimum of an hour before you serve it.
Don’t chill wine glasses in the refrigerator. The condensation in the fridge will dilute the wine and water down its flavors.
Aim to consume a Pinot Grigio bottle within one to two years of the vintage date labeled on the bottle. This will make sure that you enjoy the best flavors from the bottle.
Presenting Pinot Grigio
Always serve Pinot Grigio wine chilled. Its optimum temperature is roughly 50°F (10°C).
If you have an aged Pinot Grigio bottle, you can serve it at a warmer temperature, around 57°F (14°C).
Don’t chill Pinot Grigio too much. If the temperatures are too cold, they will stop the wine from releasing its fragrances and notes.
Etiquette involves presenting the wine in its original bottle. It’s considered good manners to open the wine at the table, then place it in an ice bucket to keep it cold once opened.
Always hold the wine bottle by its body, not its cork or neck.
Only pour Pinot Grigio in white wine glasses, which have a narrower base compared to red wine glasses. If your Pinot Grigio has more body, look for glasses with a slightly wider base.
Fill the glasses between a third and halfway full.
Drinking Pinot Grigio
Enjoy Pinot Grigio in a white wine glass. Always hold the glass by the stem, as this prevents the wine from warming up from your hand’s temperature.
Drink the wine in little sips instead of large ones. In most cases, a glass of Pinot Grigio should last between 15 minutes and half an hour. Do not pour shots of the wine.
Pinot Grigio is already a light wine, so do not add ice to it. Ice will dilute the wine and affect its flavor and bouquet.
Additionally, ice is typically added to less-expensive, low-quality drinks. If you add ice to your wine, your host may take offense, as it seems like you are judging the wine’s quality.
Pinot Grigio Sweet Alternatives
Pinot Grigio is a crisp and refreshing wine that’s primarily dry. You can find sweet Pinot Grigio bottles, but these aren’t as common as the dry variety.
If you like sweeter wines, here are some Pinot Grigio alternatives to try:
Prosecco
This Italian sparkling wine is mild with subtle sweet flavors. With stonefruit and citrus notes, Prosecco works well with seafood recipes, but it tastes great on its own too.
Riesling
This sweet white wine works well with fruit and spicy recipes. It has noticeable notes of peach, apricot, and citrus, as well as a floral bouquet.
Pinot Grigio Blush
Also known as Malvasia, this is a blush wine created from Pinot Gris grapes. It has a fruity, sweet flavor that isn’t too overpowering.
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