How is Pinot Grigio wine made?
Most Pinot Grigio is made as a white wine from pink-skinned grapes: the grapes are softly pressed so the juice stays off the skins, then fermented cool, around 18 C (64 F), in stainless steel for roughly 10 to 15 days and held in steel until bottling. Some makers use brief skin contact, and the Italian ramato style uses longer skin contact for a copper color.
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In this article
How is Pinot Grigio made?
Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris in France) is a pink-skinned grape, but most bottles are made as crisp white wine. The core idea is to keep the juice away from the skins and ferment it cool so the wine stays fresh.
The standard steps
- Harvest: picked when ripe; timing affects acidity and body.
- Soft pressing: the grapes are gently pressed and the juice is kept separate from the skins so the wine does not take on a rusty color.
- Cool fermentation: one well-known Italian producer ferments for about 10 to 15 days at 18 C (64 F).
- Steel storage: the wine is held at about 15 to 16 C (59 to 61 F) in stainless steel tanks until bottling.
- Clarify and bottle: usually released young.
Variations
| Style | How it differs | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Standard white | Pressed straight away, steel | Light, crisp, dry |
| Short skin contact | Brief soak before pressing | More flavor and texture, slightly deeper color |
| Ramato | Longer skin contact, from Friuli Venezia Giulia | Pale copper color, light tannin |
| Lees or concrete ageing | Rests on fine lees | Rounder body |
What to expect in the glass
Styles vary by region and winemaker. Many are light and dry with citrus and pear notes; fuller versions come from longer lees contact or skin contact. Serve well chilled, around 45 to 50 F is a common range, with seafood, salads and light pasta.
Reading the label
- Pinot Grigio is the Italian name and Pinot Gris the French one; both are the same grape.
- Look at the ABV and the region to guess the style.
Details vary between producers; this describes typical methods.
People also ask
Is Pinot Grigio a white wine?
Usually yes, although the grape has pink skin. It is pressed quickly so the wine stays pale.
What is ramato?
A copper-colored style from Pinot Grigio made with extended skin contact in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Is Pinot Grigio the same as Pinot Gris?
Yes, same grape; the name differs by country.
Sources
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