WineGuessr
Play →

White grape variety

Pinot Gris

Also called Pinot Grigio, Grauburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Ruländer, Szürkebarát

Pinot Gris is a grey-pink skinned white grape from Burgundy, France, a colour mutation of Pinot Noir. It makes rich, spicy wines in Alsace and light, crisp Pinot Grigio in northeast Italy. New Zealand had 2,488 hectares in 2019, nearly eight times the 2003 area.

ColorWhite (green-skinned)
OriginBurgundy, France (a colour mutation of Pinot Noir)
BodyLight (Pinot Grigio) to full (Alsace)
AcidityMedium
Typical aromaspear, apple, white peach, lemon, honey, ginger, smoke
Key regionsAlsace (France), Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy), Trentino-Alto Adige (Italy), Baden (Germany), Oregon (United States), Central Otago (New Zealand)

Origin and history

Pinot Gris originated in Burgundy, probably in the Middle Ages, as a mutation of Pinot Noir; the two share an almost identical DNA profile and differ in skin colour. The berries range from blue-grey to pinkish-brown. Cistercian monks are recorded planting it in Hungary in 1375, where it is called Szürkebarát, or grey monk. In 1711 a merchant named Johann Seger Ruland rediscovered it in the Palatinate, which gave the German synonym Ruländer. In Alsace it was long labelled Tokay d'Alsace, a name phased out by 2007 under EU rules. Santa Margherita first released a white Pinot Grigio in 1961.

Where it grows

Alsace is the classic French home, where Pinot Gris covered 13.9% of the vineyard in 2006 and is one of the noble grapes allowed in grand crus such as Rangen and Hengst. As Pinot Grigio it is widely grown in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, including Collio, and in Trentino-Alto Adige. Germany had 5,042 hectares in 2008, with the Kaiserstuhl a notable source. Oregon's first plantings date from 1965 and the Dundee Hills are a key area, while New Zealand, including Central Otago, reached 2,488 hectares in 2019.

Taste, wine styles and food

One grape, two main styles. Alsace Pinot Gris is medium to full bodied and spicy, with pear, honey and smoky notes, sometimes off-dry, and it ages well; late-harvest and noble-rot versions are also made. Italian Pinot Grigio is picked early for a light, crisp, neutral white wine with lemon and green apple notes. Producers elsewhere often signal the style by choosing one name or the other. Because the skins are pinkish, extended skin contact gives copper-coloured wines. Light Pinot Grigio suits aperitifs, salads and seafood, while richer Alsace styles pair with pork, roast poultry, mushroom dishes and mildly spiced food.

Wines made with Pinot Gris (58)

WineGuessr lists 58 wines made with Pinot Gris, from 8 countries. Most come from France (51).

Know where these wines come from? Play WineGuessr →

Pinot Gris: questions and answers

Is Pinot Grigio the same as Pinot Gris?

Yes, they are the same grape. Pinot Grigio is the Italian name and usually signals a light, crisp style, while Pinot Gris often signals a richer Alsace-inspired style.

Is Pinot Gris related to Pinot Noir?

Yes. Pinot Gris is a colour mutation of Pinot Noir and has an almost identical DNA profile.

Is Pinot Gris sweet or dry?

Most Pinot Gris is dry, but in Alsace some are off-dry and late-harvest versions can be fully sweet.

What is Grauburgunder?

Grauburgunder is the German and Austrian name for Pinot Gris, usually used for dry styles. Ruländer is an older German synonym.

Other white grapes

All grape varieties →

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Last reviewed October 2026.