Pinot Grigio is Italy's crisp, light and endlessly refreshing white — the same grape as Pinot Gris but picked and made for zip rather than richness. Pale and dry, it offers green apple, lemon, pear and almond with brisk acidity and a clean, neutral charm. From easy everyday bottles to the more characterful wines of Alto Adige and Friuli, it is the ultimate uncomplicated aperitif.
Structure
| Body | Made in a fresh, early-picked, stainless-steel style, Pinot Grigio prizes purity over power. Northern Italian hillside sites in Alto Adige and Friuli give more concentration and citrus zing than the flatland bulk wines that flooded export markets. |
|---|---|
| Acidity | Medium to high, crisp. |
| Tannin | None (white). |
| Finish | Clean and crisp, with citrus and a touch of almond. |
| Aroma | Green apple, lemon, pear, white peach and almond. |
Serving: 8–10°C (46–50°F). · Decanting: None needed.
Pinot Grigio drinking window
| Tier | Drinking window |
|---|---|
| Everyday | Drink within 1–2 years. |
| Alto Adige / Friuli premium | Best 1–4 years. |
| Top single-vineyard | 3–7 years. |
| Vintage | Drinking window |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Drink now. |
| 2023 | Drink now to 2026. |
| 2024 | Drink now to 2027. |
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Pinot Grigio — questions answered
Is Pinot Grigio a cheap wine?
Much is inexpensive and simple, but characterful, hillside Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige and Friuli shows there's real quality to be found.
How is it different from Pinot Gris?
Same grape — Pinot Grigio names the crisp, light, early-picked Italian style; Pinot Gris is the riper, fuller Alsace/Oregon style.
Should Pinot Grigio be drunk young?
Yes — it is at its best fresh, within a year or two, for its clean, zesty fruit.
What food pairs with Pinot Grigio?
Light seafood, salads, antipasti and fried appetizers — a versatile, crowd-pleasing aperitif white.