Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is a widely recognized white grape variety that originated as a natural mutation of Pinot Noir. Though French in origin, known there as Pinot Gris, it is now considered an "international" variety due to its widespread cultivation across the globe. In Italy, Pinot Grigio has become a staple, particularly in the northeastern regions, where it is grown extensively.

The heartland of Italian Pinot Grigio production lies between Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Trentino-Alto Adige. While Veneto leads in terms of volume, often producing light, easy-drinking wines, some of the finest and most expressive Pinot Grigio wines come from Friuli’s Collio area and the alpine vineyards of Trentino-Alto Adige, where the grape yields elegant, structured wines with distinct character and finesse.

For decades, Pinot Grigio has been one of the most exported and best-selling Italian wines worldwide. However, its popularity led to mass production and declining quality in some regions, resulting in a loss of prestige and market share. To help restore the grape’s reputation, the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC was established, uniting key growing areas under a single quality-focused denomination.

Naturally, the Pinot Grigio grape has a copper-pink skin, despite being classified as a white variety. Most wines are vinified without skin contact to maintain a pale color and crisp profile. However, when the grape is fermented with its skins, it can take on a distinctive onion-skin hue, offering a richer texture and more complex aromatics—styles increasingly appreciated by modern wine lovers.