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 (shown in the picture). Also known as Pinot Gris, it is 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 lighter wine. The common factor is the delicate aroma, commonly with a hint of honey.
Pairing Wine & Cheese
Pair white wines with soft cheese. The softer the cheese the more it coats the mouth, blocking many wine sensations. White wines tend to have more acidity, creating a mouth cleansing effect on the residue from soft or creamy cheeses.
Make sure your wine is sweeter than your cheese. Some mild cheeses taste slightly sweet, making dry wines seem acidic, tart and devoid of fruit. This happens whenever a food is perceived to be sweeter than a wine served with it. In general, semi-dry and sweet wines pair better with cheese than do dry wines.
