Pinot Grigio/Gris

Question 1

Describe Pinot Grigio.

Answer 1

pale, dry, high acidity, fresh green and citrus flavour. They have a short finish and a generally and acceptable to good quality

Question 2

Describe Pinot Gris

Answer 2

medium to pronounced colour, off dry to medium sweet, medium acidity, full bodied, pronounced lemon and stonefruit (peach), tropical fruit (mango, banana)

Question 3

How is the Pinot Grigio style made?

Answer 3

From high yielding grapes that are harvest early to retain acidity

Question 4

How is the Pinot Gris style made?

Answer 4

From controlled yields and fully ripened fruit

Question 5

How to Pinot Gris style grapes compare to Pinot Grigio grape styles when discussing sugar levels, acidity and complexity of flavour?

Answer 5

Higher in sugar, lower in acid and more complex

Question 6

What climates is Pinot Grigio/Gris grown in?

Answer 6

cool, moderate and warm

Question 7

How early are the grapes harvested for each style? Why?

Answer 7

Early for Pinot Grigio to retain acidity, later for Pinot Gris to concentrate sugar and flavour

Question 8

What fermentation vessel types are generally used? Why?

Answer 8

Inert, to retain fruit flavour

Question 9

Is Pinot Gris/Grigio used in blends?

Answer 9

Generally not

Question 10

What does bottle aging give to Pinot Gris/Grigio wine? What characteristics are necessary for the wine to age successfully?

Answer 10

Honey and Ginger notes. The wine must be very concentrated.

Question 11

Where is Pinot Grigio commonly produced? What are they labelled as? What are the wines like? What is the quality?

Answer 11

The Veneto region, dell Venezie DOC or Veneto IGT. Simple, unoaked short finish, acceptable to good

Question 12

What is Friuli-Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio like?

Answer 12

Complex and fuller bodied

Question 13

When do they pick Pinot Gris grapes in Alsace? What are the grapes like?

Answer 13

Later the in the season

Question 14

Describe Alsace Pinot Gris. Where do the best wines come from?

Answer 14

dry to medium, medium to full body, peach, mango, ginger. Develop honey in the bottle.

Grand Cru vineyards

Question 15

What are the three labelling terms of Alsace Pinot Gris? What do they refer to?

Answer 15

Alsace AOC - regional appellation

Alsace Grand Cru AOC - Vineyards mostly found on the steep slopes of the Vosges, facing the equator. Grapes are riper and fuller, higher quality wine

Vendanges Tardives - Late Harvest, used for medium to sweet wines from extra ripe grapes