Pinot Gris & Grigio

As there was a time when you couldn’t go to a restaurant without hearing 1. The Gypsy Kings, 2. James Blunt, 3. Adele (please delete or add as appropriate depending on your era), so no lunch table was complete without a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Perfect with light, lunchtime food and unlikely to interrupt your chat, Pinot Grigio’s fresh character and almost clear colour was stylish, Italian and just the ticket. However, this is only one version of the grape variety. In Alsace, Pinot Gris (previously called Tokay d’Alsace) is a more serious mouthful. The style is fuller and can have flavours of pear, apple and peach, floral and spicy notes and a kind of mineral texture and made into sweeter versions, it can deliver delicious rich, sherbetty, apple strudel-like flavours. All in all a versatile grape that gets around a bit; just like certain pop stars who shall not be named (see above).

If you like Pinot Gris/Grigio, you might also like … Grüner Veltliner, Torrontes, Alvarinho