105. Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris - A Level 2 Wine Student's Guide to Why the Same Grape Tastes So Different

Episode 105: Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris - A Level 2 Wine Student's Guide to Why the Same Grape Tastes So Different

Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 11:05 Release Date: April 2, 2025

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Episode Description

Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are the same grape, but you would never guess it from tasting them side by side. In this episode, Joanne takes a deep dive into one of the most widely planted and widely misunderstood white grapes in the world, covering everything from its origins in Burgundy to why it tastes so completely different depending on where it is grown.

This episode is part of an ongoing Level 2 grape series and sets the stage for the upcoming Alsace episodes. Whether you are studying for your WSET Level 2 or just curious about why your grocery store Pinot Grigio tastes nothing like a bottle from Alsace, this episode will give you a clear picture of what is really going on in the glass.

Joanne walks through the two core styles of the grape, what drives those differences, and why Italy saw a 400% increase in Pinot Grigio plantings between 1990 and 2015. She also makes a case for why this grape deserves more credit than it typically gets.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

The Pinot Family

• Origins of the Pinot family in 14th century Burgundy
• Why the grape is called Pinot, from the French word for pine cone, reflecting the shape of the bunches
• How Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc are related and how to tell them apart visually
• The name across different countries - Pinot Grigio in Italy, Pinot Gris in France, Grauburgunder in Germany

Climate and Winemaking

• Why Pinot Gris is best suited to cool to moderate climates
• Why it is almost always fermented in inert vessels with no oak contact
• How yield and ripeness level drive the two core styles

Italy - Pinot Grigio

• The Veneto region and why it dominates high-volume production
• How yields of up to 200 hectoliters per hectare affect the style
• The light, fresh style - aromas of apple and lemon, high acidity, short neutral finish
• The two regions to know for WSET Level 2: delle Venezie DOC and Veneto IGT
• Why global demand shifted dramatically toward this style over the past few decades
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia as a region producing more complex, fuller-bodied expressions

France - Pinot Gris

• Why Alsace produces the most distinctive expressions of Pinot Gris outside of Burgundy
• The richer, fuller-bodied style with lower acidity and flavours of peach, mango, and spice
• Sweetness levels and the