Pinot Gris is a delicious, crisp, readily available wine that is very popular, especially during the summer months. Here is what you need to know about what Pinot Gris pairs well with and what to look for when choosing your wine.
What Does Pinot Gris Wine Pair Well With?
This delicious wine is lovely to sip by itself on a warm afternoon or balmy evening, but it is also a lovely wine to pair with several types of food. Here are some entrees that will taste great when paired with Pinot Gris.
Fresh Vegetables
The acidity and bright flavors of Pinot Gris pair very nicely with fresh vegetables. If you are bothered by the mineral taste of some vegetables like spinach or broccoli, you will appreciate the acid in the wine to counteract those flavors.
Shallot, ginger, garlic, cucumber, onion, kale, and broccoli are all great options for vegetables to pair with Pinot Gris.
Raw And Lightly Cooked Fish
Ceviche, sushi, and very lightly cooked flaky fishes like tilapia all go exceptionally well with Pinot Gris. The bright, citrusy flavors draw out and compliment the flavor of the fish without overwhelming it. Creamy sauces also work very well over fish when contrasted with the bright flavors of Pinot Gris.
Shellfish And Fatty Fish
The rich flavors of shellfish and some fatty fish like tuna and salmon can also go very well with Pinot Gris. Don’t go very spicy with your seasonings, as you will probably want a sweeter wine to go with spicy food.
White Meats
White meat like turkey, chicken, and cured meats from duck and pork all work very well with Pinot Gris wine. Again, cream sauces work well, and you don’t want to choose seasonings that are too spicy.
Spices And Herbs
A number of herbs that tend to go well with fish and white meats also go very well with Pinot Gris. Turmeric, saffron, mint, thyme, parsley, chives, clove, cinnamon are all great options.
Cheese
Semi-soft and firm cow and sheep’s milk cheese like gruyere and muenster work very well, especially when paired with white meats or fish.
Are Pinot Gris And Pinot Grigio The Same Thing?
Both Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are derived from the same purple-gray grape. The only difference between the wines is where they are developed: one in Italy and one in France. You may be interested to learn that Pino Noir is also derived from a very similar mutation of the same grape.
What Flavors Are In Pinot Gris?
Pinot Gris is best known for its citrus flavors. Flavors range from lime to green apple to Meyer lemon and even nectarine. Some wines even have slight honey or floral notes such as honeysuckle.
Regardless of the exact flavor, Pinot Gris is known for having a bright, acidic taste. American versions are often a bit fruitier and less acidic than European wines, but overall, Pinot Gris is a dry wine with high acidity.
Some cheap Supermarket varieties are artificially sweeter. There is a line of Pinot Gris grapes that are naturally sweeter, but these are extremely rare.
How Should Pinot Grigio Be Served?
Pinot Gris is best served quite cold, as low as 45° Fahrenheit or up to around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your personal preferences.
Choose A Great Pinot Gris Wine For Your Next Meal
Choosing an excellent pinot gris wine can really elevate your meal, especially if you’re having fish, white meat, or vegetables. Consider choosing a canned version, so that you won’t have to waste an entire bottle of wine if you only want to have it occasionally with your meal. Make sure that the wine that you choose does not have any added sugar, as this should be a dry, crisp wine.