It is difficult to conjure a single description for Pinot Gris—the grapes themselves can vary greatly in color and appearance, and the resulting wine is often heavily influenced by the dominant wine making style of the region in which the grapes were grown. Examples of Pinot Gris (often sold under the New World moniker of Pinot Grigio) can be pure, neutral, and fresh, or they can be complex, opulent, and even a bit smoky or spicy. The color of the grapes themselves can range from grayish blue to a pale yellow. In fact, Pinot Gris is not considered to be a stand alone variety, technically. These grapes are actually a clone of Pinot Noir but the color difference comes from a genetic mutation that occurred centuries ago. Regardless of how it appears on the vine, Pinot Gris has been planted in the Burgundy region since the Middle Ages and now enjoys a foothold in nearly every grape growing region in the world.
This grape has been exploding in popularity in the Pacific Northwest since the turn of the 21st century, with the tonnage of grapes produced rising year-after-year while other white wine grape production remains steady. Washington Pinot Gris tends to be crisp and refreshing, with a noticeable minerality and a bright acidity that balances the fruit-forward notes.
Our Washington Pinot Gris is a well balanced example with a fruity character of green apple, pear, and lemon zest, plus notes of honeysuckle. This medium-bodied wine carries a bright acidity with no oak character. A dry white wine bearing an alcohol content of 13% by volume.
The VineCo Signature Pinot Gris is a bright wine well-suited for bright and sunny Summer meals enjoyed outside on the patio before the sun has set. A perky beverage that seems to spur on lively conversation at the table, a feature that comes from the luminus fruit character as much as it does the alcohol. Keep the food pairings as light as your banter with seafood dishes like crab cakes, calamari, or a bowl of spicy ceviche.
Pinot Gris, Washington
- Green apple, lemon zest, pear, notes of honeysuckle
- Sweetness: Dry
- Oak: None
- Body: Medium
- ABV: 13%
- Kit Volume: 14 L
- Approximate Yield: 23 L
- Ready to bottle in 6-8 weeks
- Bottle labels included
