Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for a French grape called Pinot Gris from the French word for "gray" (gris). Widely planted in the north of Italy, especially in the Friuli region in the northeast, this grape yields crisp, fruity dry white wine.

Pinot Gris is new to California. The light, crisp wine from this grape tastes like almond, nuts, rose petals, orange rind and pine. California's warmer temperatures give it a slightly lower acidity than it takes on in cooler European vineyards.

Although Pinot Grigio is a white wine, it is made from a red grape. Also known as Pinot Gris, it's known as the grape that can't decide what it is. The skins can range from greyish blue to brownish pink; sometimes they look black, sometimes white.

The styles of wine from these grapes also varies widely - from a rounded, fuller wine, to a light wine. The common factor is the delicate aroma, commonly with a hint of honey