What is Pinot Gris? All about pinot gris

Today we’re taking an in-depth look at pinot gris, because 17 May is international wine day for pinot grigio – which is the same grape by another name (French v Italian). This is the perfect day to open a bottle of pinot gris!

The 2023 Small Victories Pinot Gris has a sophisticated balance of weight and zest.

WHAT IS PINOT GRIS?

This is a great question, especially when there is pinot grigio and pinot gris!

First, let’s start with pinot gris pronunciation: pinot gris = pee-noh-gree.

Pinot gris and pinot grigio are infact the same grape variety, with greyish/pinkish skin. Gris means grey in French and grigio is grey in Italian!

The difference then comes in winemaking techniques. Pinot grigio is often picked earlier in Italy, making a more acidic, zesty wine. Pinot gris is typically picked later in France, so it is riper, richer in flavour and mouthfeel. This difference in style carries through to winemaking in Australia and how a wine might be named pinot gris v pinot grigio.

“I have always been intrigued with pinot gris as it encompasses a broad range of styles. From those made in the crisp acid driven pinot grigio expressions to the more oily, textural styles of pinot gris. The fun challenge in making a pinot gris is finding that balance between sufficient ripe flavours, acid and palate texture to finish.”
Jules, our winemaker

Jules Ashmead Small Victories Pinot Gris

AUSTRALIAN PINOT GRIS

Through the history books we understand that pinot gris was first brought to Australia in 1832 through James Busby’s imported collection of grapevines. However it wasn’t ’til the 1990s that Australian winemakers really took to pinot gris.

The cooler climate wine regions in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia became pioneers for the new frontier of pinot gris in Australia. Plantings grew quite quickly in area across these regions.

This is a great explanation of pinot gris winemaking in Australia, from Halliday Wine Companion:

If you’re making gris in Australia, the vinification often involves barrel fermentation, whereas grigio is typically a cold-ferment in stainless steel. This means that gris leans towards the more full-bodied end of the spectrum, resplendent in spiced pear and honey, and can boast a higher sugar content than the more mineral, zesty, acid-driven grigio.
winecompanion.com.au

AT WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD I DRINK MY PINOT GRIS?

It needs to be chilled, but not icy cold! As pinot gris is a more textural wine, if it is too cold you’ll lose some of the joy of the wine.

Make sure your pinot gris has been the in the fridge or esky, so it’s around 10˚C when you’re ready to drink. Straight out your kitchen fridge will be too cold, so pour your glass then let it warm up for a bit. You’ll find it interesting to see how the wine changes as it warms up!

For more information on wine serving temperatures, check out our blog post.

THE BEST FOOD PAIRINGS WITH PINOT GRIS?

Pinot gris is a great ‘food wine’. Classic pairings are suggested as fish and shellfish dishes:

Butterflied garlic prawns on the bbq and a chilled bottle of this would go down quite the treat!
Melissa Moore, winepilot.com

Jules loves a glass of pinot gris with a vibrant summer salad full of herbs, a little chilli and a hearty fish like salmon.

Matt Dunne, sommelier and wine list creator for ARIA Sydney and Opera Bar (among others), suggests that our pinot gris is calling out for battered fish and chips on the beach. Yes, please!

Sushi is another great match; the clean flavours work beautifully with the mouthfeel of pinot gris.

Recently at local restaurant Vintners, we enjoyed the Pinot Gris with blue swimmer crab pasta with fermented chilli and ginger butter.

But remember, you don’t have to stick to the traditional ‘rules’ of food and wine matching!

If you love a good cheese and wine match, look for a big wedge of Manchego. Or from our cheese plate experience with Barossa Cheese, vache curd is another great pairing.

On chilly nights, like we’ve had in the Barossa recently, a bowl of potato and leek soup is a great match for pinot gris. Here’s an easy mid-week recipe to try.

Staying on the potato theme, a hot bowl of wedges – crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – is also a pinot gris food pairing you must try! We’re all about the simple joys, here.