It’s becoming quite confusing to know which is the style you like. You could order a Pinot Gris and find it tastes more like a Grigio and vice versa.  

Made from one variety, a member of the Pinot Noir family and originating in Burgundy, France, this grape has two different names thanks to the two countries in which it is most commonly grown: France and Italy.

Gris is French for "grey" and in France its home is the Alsace region. French Pinot Gris is known for being a rich, full-bodied white with a lovely silky texture. Pinot Gris no matter where it is grown should show greater mouth feel and richness. These wines tend to be a little pricier than their Grigio cousins, because the grapes are usually picked fully ripe to allow the more developed and generous style to come through in the glass.

Grigio is the Italian for "grey" and in contrast, Italian Grigio has made a name for being a light, crisp wine ideal for early drinking and is most famously known in the regions of Veneto and Friuli.  Pinot Grigio can exhibit delicate aromas with great intensity and depth, however they are often crisper and lighter-bodied.  Pinot Grigio is made all over Italy but the best wines come from the cooler northern regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige. The grapes are picked earlier than Alsace Gris, and as a result the wine is usually a bit lower in alcohol, lighter, crisper, drier and lacking the spiciness that comes with riper grapes.

Across the two styles, the common aroma and flavour descriptors include apple, pear, strawberry, honey, hay, brioche and bread. At the end of the day, whether you go for a richer Gris or a zestier Grigio, or a mix of both, only your palate can decide. 

At the table these wines work differently as well. Pinot Grigio, being lighter is better suited to enjoying as an apéritif or with lighter dishes such grilled prawns, fish or light appetisers.

In contrast, the richness of many Pinot Gris styles enables them to work with heartier fare, such as a veal chops, rabbit stew, roast pork, chicken casseroles as well as hard cheeses. There are several different styles across our own wine region here in the Highlands, so it’’s up to you to try a few and decide for yourself which is your favourite.