Knowing how to drink pinot grigio is smart. But wine snobs sometimes don’t give helpful tips for causal wine sippers. This beginner friendly guide is different. You will find out about Pinot Grigio’s ideal temperature for drinking. That insight will help you enjoy your next bottle of wine even more.
Pinot Grigio is a popular white wine that is loved for its light and refreshing taste. If you’re new to drinking this white wine varietal, don’t worry. There’s no need to know terms like bright acidity to enjoy popular wines like Pinot Grigio. This blog is all about offering a novice friendly approach to wine education (much like the following post: How To Serve Pinot Grigio)
Step 1: Serve Pinot Grigio At The Proper Temperature
Before opening a bottle of Pinot Grigio, it’s important to make sure that it’s chilled to the optimal temperature. Serving this white wine too warm or too cold instantly shows that you don’t know how to drink Pinot Grigio.
Ideally, Pinot Grigio should be served between 45-50°F. This will help to bring out the best of its flavors and aromas. Keep in mind that over-chilling can numb the taste buds, so be careful! Chilling a bottle of wine beyond its proper temperature will not help, especially for light wines.
Tip: I recommend enjoying Pinot Grigio in warm weather because the bright notes in the wine make it refreshing. The acidic quality of the wine (unlike the buttery notes of an oaked Chardonnay) also means this wine pairs well with light dishes.
Step 2: Use the Right Glass
Choosing the right glass is important when it comes to enjoying Pinot Grigio’s flavors. A tulip-shaped glass or a white wine glass is ideal as it allows the wine to breathe and release its unique aroma. The narrow rim of the glass helps to concentrate the aroma and enhance the taste. Only use a different glass (e.g. a cocktail glass) if you have no other choice.
Step 3: Swirl and Smell
When you pour yourself a glass of Pinot Grigio, take a minute to swirl the wine around in the glass. This helps to release its unique aroma and prepare your taste buds for what’s to come. Take a deep whiff of the wine and try to identify the different aromas. You may notice hints of pear, apple, citrus, or floral notes.
Step 4: Sip and Savor
When you take a sip of Pinot Grigio, let it roll around in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. This allows you to experience the full range of flavors, including the sweetness, acidity, and any hints of oak or minerals. Pay attention to the aftertaste and how long it lingers in your mouth. This can help you to determine the quality of the wine.
Step 5: Pair with Food
Pinot Grigio is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of foods. It goes particularly well with seafood, salads, white meats, and light pasta dishes. Its light and refreshing taste make it a great choice for warm weather and outdoor dining.
Buying Pinot Grigio: Italian and French Wine Options
There are a wide variety of Pinot Grigio wine bottles available. An Italian winemaker will usually call the wine Pinot Grigio. However, the wine is known as Pinot Gris in France. Each type of wine is made from the same grape. Your taste buds will perceive them as different due to differences in alcohol levels, acidity level and other flavors.
Italian Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita is a well-known Italian winery that produces high-quality Pinot Grigio. Their Pinot Grigio is known for its delicate flavors of citrus, apple, and pear, with a hint of minerality. It has a crisp acidity and a dry finish, making it an excellent choice for seafood and light pasta dishes.
Masi Masianco Pinot Grigio
Masi Masianco is a blend of Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo grapes, giving it a unique flavor profile. It has a delicate floral aroma with notes of peach and apricot. On the palate, it is crisp and refreshing with a balanced acidity. This wine is a great match for grilled seafood and chicken dishes.
Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio
Alois Lageder is a winery located in Trentino-Alto Adige, a region in northern Italy known for producing high-quality Pinot Grigio. Their Pinot Grigio has a bright acidity with flavors of apple, pear, and a hint of honey. It has a clean, dry finish that makes it an excellent pairing with light pasta dishes, salads, and antipasti.
French Pinot Gris
French wine producers take a different approach to producing white wine. Pinot Gris tends to have a lower acidity profile so it is usually perceived as a full bodied wine. As a result, Pinot Gris isn’t the perfect wine pairing for light food.
Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve
Trimbach is a well-respected winery in the Alsace region of France, known for producing high-quality Pinot Gris. Their Pinot Gris Reserve has a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of peach, apricot, and honey. It has a lower acidity profile than Pinot Grigio, making it a great pairing for richer dishes like pork, chicken, and creamy pasta sauces.
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is another respected winery in the Alsace region of France. Their Pinot Gris has a floral aroma with flavors of honey, peach, and apricot. It has a creamy texture and a full-bodied flavor, with a long finish. This wine is a great match for roasted chicken or pork dishes.
Cave de Turckheim Pinot Gris
Cave de Turckheim is a cooperative winery in the Alsace region of France. Their Pinot Gris has a golden color with a complex aroma of honey, apricot, and pear. It has a full-bodied flavor with a balanced acidity, making it a great match for grilled seafood or creamy pasta dishes.
Final Thoughts
You’ve just learned how to how to drink Pinot Grigio. You’re now a fully fledged Pinot Grigio wine enthusiast.
Drinking Pinot Grigio can be a delightful experience when you follow these tips. Remember to chill the wine to the right temperature, use the right glass, swirl and smell, sip and savor, and pair with food. With these simple steps, you can enhance the flavors of this popular white wine and enjoy it to the fullest.
