Pinot Grigio Day: Award-winning wines to try

Pinot Grigio is a light-bodied, refreshing white wine that has become synonymous with the summer. It’s widely enjoyed as an aperitif at garden parties, and it pairs well with light, seasonal food on hot days.

This inspired Cavit – a Trentino-based group that produces America’s best-selling Italian wine brand – to create National Pinot Grigio Day in 2017. The annual celebration takes place just before Memorial Day, which is the unofficial start of summer in the United States.

The festivities have now spread well beyond America’s borders, as Pinot Grigio fans around the world open a bottle and toast this popular grape.

Scroll down to discover 15 award-winning Pinot Grigio wines from around the world

Same grape, two personalities

You may be surprised to learn that Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are the same grape. The Italian grigio and the French gris both translate to “grey”– a nod to the grape’s distinctive, greyish-blue skin. It’s a natural mutation of Pinot Noir, one of the world’s most prestigious red wine varieties.

Pinot Grigio is Italy’s flagship white wine. Producers in Trentino, Veneto and Friuli make clean, crisp wines with high acidity, bright citrus notes and a clean finish.

By contrast, Pinot Gris tends to be richer and more aromatic, with a fuller body and notes of ripe stone fruit, honey and a hint of spice. Pinot Gris thrives in the Alsace region of France, but it’s also flourishing in Oregon and New Zealand.

From Burgundy to the world

The grape originated in Burgundy, France. It was originally known as Fromenteau when it appeared in the Middle Ages.

By the 14^th century, the grape had spread to Switzerland, before eventually reaching Alsace and northern Italy. It had a niche following, but Pinot Grigio exploded in popularity during the second half of the 20^th century.

Italian producers began making light, easy-drinking whites that struck a chord with wine lovers around the world. Pinot Grigio is now the second most popular white wine variety in the US, and it’s also among the most popular wines in the UK, Canada, Australia and other large markets.

The grape flourishes in cool climates around the world, with around 115,000 hectares under vine on a global basis. Outside of Italy and France, the leading producers include Germany (where it’s known as Ruländer), Switzerland, the US, Australia and New Zealand, but it’s also grown everywhere from Argentina to Slovakia.

Whether you prefer a light, refreshing Pinot Grigio or a textured, complex Pinot Gris, you can raise a glass to this famous grape on May 17.

International Pinot Grigio Day: 15 to try

Canada

Unsworth Vineyards, Unsworth Vineyard Pinot Gris, Vancouver Island, British Columbia 2023
Silver, 91 points
White stone fruit blooms on the nose, with pear skin, stony depth. Palate carries textural interest, bright orchard apple. Zesty citrus edge. Alcohol 12.7%

France

Cave De Ribeauvillé, Vieilles Vignes Pinot Gris, Alsace 2023
Silver, 91 points
Fragrant lemon zest aromatics lead to a palate of yellow apple, honey, spice and a salty finish. Alc 14%

Vieil Armand, Organic Pinot Gris, Grand Cru Ollwiller, Alsace 2023
Silver, 91 points
Savoury nose, with hints of wet stone, ripe pear and peach, textured, supple palate of bruised apple. Alc 14%

Italy

St. Michael-Eppan, Sanct Valentin Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige / Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2022
Silver, 94 points
Ripe, round, and juicy with rich orchard fruit flavours, balanced saline-earthy notes and a slightly oaky character. Alc 14%

Cantina Kurtatsch, Penon Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige / Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023
Silver, 93 points
Exotic and charming with full, juicy notes of baked pear, lemon skin, roasted almond and an energetic, sapid finish. Alc 13%

Vigne Del Malina, Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2019
Silver, 93 points
Intense and mature with rich notes of orchard fruit, toffee, dried flowers and smoke with a pleasant texture and balanced acidity. Alc 13.5%

Cabert, Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2024
Silver, 92 points
Full yet crisp with ripe, juicy notes of green apple, lemon, pineapple, mineral hints and a classy, fruity finish. Alc 12.5%

Cantina Valle Isarco, Aristos Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige Valle Isarco, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023
Silver, 92 points
Soft and elegant with honeyed notes of ripe apple, pear, a broad, smooth texture and sweet finish. Alc 13.5%

Cozzarolo, Pinot Grigio, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2024
Silver, 92 points
Rich, supple, and full-bodied with notes of candied pear, beeswax, lemon, herbal-smoky notes. Sweet with an elegant, harmonious finish. Alc 13.5%

New Zealand

McArthur Ridge, Falls Dam Pinot Gris, Alexandra Basin, Central Otago 2024
Gold, 95 points
Freshly cut pear and apple, orchard blossom and candied ginger notes gleam over the mineral baseline with a racy acidity and saline grip to end. Alc 14%

The Landing Wines, Pinot Gris, Northland 2024
Silver, 94 points
Wet wool, apple and maritime notes on the nose give way to a refreshing, well-focussed palate. Well made wine. Alc 13%

Saint Clair Family Estate, Vicar's Choice Pinot Gris, Marlborough 2024
Silver, 92 points
White florals with golden characters throughout, with crisp acidity supporting the residual sugar and green orchard fruit lending vibrancy. Alc 9.5%

Slovenia

Herga, Sivi Pinot, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje 2024
Silver, 92 points
Zippy, fresh aromatics lead on to a savoury palate of spice and rich textured fruit. Alc 13%

United States

Alexana, Hillsides Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2024
Silver, 90 points
Lightly aromatic, with orchard florals and crisp pear leading to a palate of juicy apple, cantaloupe melon and a clean acidity. Alc 13.1%

United Kingdom

Chartham Vineyard, Pinot Gris, Kent, England 2023
Silver, 92 points
Impressive crisp, nectarine, Mirabelle plum, white tea and quince with light oat milk character. Poised, with pleasing natural acidity and a gentle finish. Alc 12.5%

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