The in-fashion Pinot Grigio is hard not to like. It is the perfect lunchtime accompaniment for its not too high alcohol and relatively easy-drinking characteristics. It is an inoffensive and versatile wine, but it can be accused of being bland and boring. True, there is heaps of unexciting Pinot Grigio on the market, particularly the seriously cheap stuff coming out of Italy. But pay a little more, not too much more, and you should find something quite captivating.

Pinot Grigio will usually come in one of two forms. That is ‘Pinot Grigio’ – the dry, lean Italian style, and ‘Pinot Gris’, a slightly fuller, richer and sometimes sweeter style with an almost musky edge. Go to Alsace for a good example of Pinot Gris.

Our most recent additions from Italy come from Tenuta S. Anna, who are producing fabulous sparkling wines, two of which we have acquired, the pink Cuvée Rosé and the red Cuvée Rouge. In addition, the super sexy Goccia Pinot Grigio, in the form of the typically lean and crisp Italian style, but with a much more interesting flavour profile than those bad examples that tend to bore us from time to time.

Santa Anna estate is located in the Lison Pramaggiore district of eastern Veneto, near the ancient Venetian town of Portogruaro, about 50 km east of Venice. Eastern Veneto is predominantly known for grain cultivation, but Lison Pramaggiore has been historically devoted to winemaking, a parcel of land with vineyards among fields of corn and soybeans. The Santa Anna estate has 140 hectares (350 acres) of land in this DOC. The soil is rich in clay, sand and limestone.

Click here to view the range from Tenuta S. Anna.

Ah, the white Pinot G, the quintessential summer wine, popular with those who enjoy a light lunch on a summers afternoon, or those who can’t get enough of those warm summer barbecues. But is it Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris? Well, since they are the same grapes, we are talking about a case of style here, with Grigio being the leaner version and Gris being the chubbier of the two. Generally speaking of course.

Pinot Grigio is the term derived from Italy, where this close relative to Pinot Blanc has become very popular. There is more produced here than anywhere else in the world. They would say they’re making the world’s best, but the French Alsatians would have a few things to say about that. In the New World it is New Zealand that has recently been making the most notable Pinot Gris.

In Italy, the best of this varietal probably comes from the northeast. They are typically dry, medium or light in body, with high acidity, and unoaked with delicate citrus and green fruit flavours (green apple, lemon). As a result, they are good to go with a huge variety of foods. The dry, acidic versions are particularly well paired with shellfish and other seafood.

Alsace Pinot Gris’ are typically full-bodied, dry, medium or sweet, with spicy tropical flavours (ginger, banana, melon), sometimes with hints of honey.  The secret to Alsace Pinot Gris lies not only in the climate, but also the soil. Rich, minerally soil flavours mingle with the substantial acidity to create that unique Alsace stamp.

Look out for possibly the most fruit driven wines of this variety. Pinot G has recently begun to flourish in New Zealand, which now offers some fantastic alternatives to Europe, often with more prominent flavours of pear, nectarine, peach and apple.

Interestingly, the Pinot G grape itself is pink, so it’s possible to make Rosé wines by fermenting the juice with the grape skins remaining. This allows for a lovely pink colour to develop, with all the varietal characteristics left intact.

Here are a few suggestions from our own range that will make you realise just what a difference the styles and regions can make.

Farnese Pinot Grigio: Classic Italian Pinot Grigio from Italian Winery of the Year three years in a row.

Mirabello Pinot Grigio Rosé: A crisp, lively Pinot Grigio Rose, from juice that was left in contact with the skins for 12 hours before gentle pressing.

The Ned Pinot Grigio: Brent Marris, responsible for one of the most remarkable Sauvignon Blanc’s to come out of New Zealand in previous years, has produced this memorable, fruity New World Pinot G labelled “Grigio”.

Blanck Pinot Gris: Now we’re getting serious. This is classic, top end Alace Pinot Gris, with the minerality forementioned, coupled with delicate fruit flavours.