Level 2 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris
The same grape, two very different styles.
Topics covered
- Italian Pinot Grigio
- Alsace Pinot Gris
- Aromatic vs neutral
- Food pairing
Quick Revision
- Same grape: Grigio (Italy) = Gris (France/Alsace)
- Italian style: light, dry, crisp, neutral
- Alsace style: full, rich, spiced, off-dry to sweet
- NZ/Oregon: medium-full, pear, spice
- Grey/pinkish skin can make amber wine
- One of world's best-selling whites (Italian style)
Key Facts for the Exam
- Same grape variety: Pinot Grigio in Italy; Pinot Gris in France (Alsace) and elsewhere
- Italian Pinot Grigio: light, dry, crisp, neutral — apple, pear, lemon, low aromatics
- Alsace Pinot Gris: full-bodied, rich, spiced, often off-dry to sweet; stone fruit, honey, smoke
- New Zealand and Oregon produce richer, textured Pinot Gris with pear and spice
- Grape skin is pinkish/grey-brown — can be used to make orange/amber wines if skin contact used
- Italian Pinot Grigio is one of the world's most widely sold white wines
Level 2 Exam Tips
- 1.The exam will test whether you know Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are THE SAME GRAPE with different styles.
- 2.Italian = light, neutral, easy-drinking. Alsace = full, rich, complex. These are extreme contrasts.
- 3.Orange/amber Pinot Grigio exists when made with skin contact — mentions skin contact in style questions.
- 4.Alsace Pinot Gris pairs particularly well with spiced, rich dishes — good food pairing knowledge.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Thinking Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are different varieties — they are the same grape
- ✗Describing Alsace Pinot Gris as light and neutral — it is full-bodied and aromatic
- ✗Confusing Pinot Gris with Pinot Blanc (also from Alsace, but a different, lighter variety)
Key Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does Italian Pinot Grigio taste so different from Alsace Pinot Gris?
- Despite being the same grape variety, the styles are vastly different due to climate and winemaking. Italian Pinot Grigio is typically grown in warmer conditions and made for early drinking — light, crisp, and neutral. Alsace Pinot Gris grows in a continental climate with long ripening; it is harvested later and often aged in large oak barrels, producing full-bodied, rich wines with complexity.