Pinto Grigio = Pinot Gris

Most people don’t realize that Pinot Grigio is the same thing as Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris is the French term for the grape and Pinot Grigio is the Italian term. Pinot Gris is a pink grape mutation of Pinot Noir - fun fact! It’s a vibrant white wine that ranges from dry to sweet. I have quite a few friends who are big fans of these wines. Little do they realize that there many quality wines for reasonable prices grown in various regions such as Germany (Baden, Rheinhessen and Pfalz), USA (Oregon, CA), Australia (Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula), France (Alsace) and Moldova to name a few.

Cantine Ermes is a well known Sicilian producer who produces a wide variety of quality wines. This one in particular wine labelled Sirocco Terre Siciliane 2019 is their entry level Pinot Griogio. This is more affordable than many Terre Siciliane IGT wines.

For those of your who are watching sugar content, this wine is relatively low for a still wine at 3.3g of sugar/L. Bear in mind still wine (be it white, rosé or red) will have some residual sugar to balance out the acid and tannins respectively. If you are looking for a very low sugar option try a sparkling wine such as Crémant from the Loire or Bourgogne or a Cava from Spain. Sparkling wine grapes are picked earlier than still wine grapes because they want higher acidity and less ripening/sugar whereas still wines want riper grapes and a higher sugar content.

Pinot Grigio is best served well chilled, 45-55˚F . The wine is light-medium in body, medium in acidity and exhibits flavors aromas of white peach, pear, lemon zest, cantaloupe, fresh almonds and minerality to name a few.

If you like Pinot Grigio why don’t you try Pinot Blanc or Albariño (Rias Baixas, Spain - a go to of mine for shellfish), Grechetto (Orvietto in Umbria, Italy - delicious wines by the way)

Pair it with chicken, white fish and foods that accompany a fresh fruit element such as lemon, peaches or apricots. Try it with sole with lemon sauce or chicken with roasted apricots. You won’t be sorry…..