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 Take the QUIZ! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeLWkZH9WCxZas70JNvPzPJGSVhxiCfR48-OE0uJAI5RRS00Q/viewform?usp=header Work through the free Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris multiple choice questions linked below and if you want more quizzes like this delivered straight to your inbox, make sure you are signed up for the newsletter.  Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox! 👉 https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Stay connected with everything happening at Wine Educate and deepen your wine knowledge with each edition. 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 <li class="whitespace-normal br