With an almost friendly approach, one could define Pinot Grigio as a wine with two faces: mineral and refreshing on one side, full-bodied and vibrant on the other, depending on the particular terroir where its grapes ripen. This multi-faceted identity, which expresses itself through an entire range of aromas and taste sensations, is the secret of its success, as well as the reason why this wine is so versatile and appreciated at the table.
Here's a guide to Pinot Grigio pairings, to win over guests with refreshing notes and unforgettable dishes!
Delicate or rich? The various characteristics of Pinot Grigio
Due to its innate passion for low temperatures, one might think that Pinot Grigio has found home only in the coolest areas, where the grape variety thrives.
Produced between Veneto, Friuli and Trentino-Alto Adige, Italian Pinot Grigio develops a touch of minerality and acidity, which distinguishes itself clearly from New World interpretations, giving the palate a light, delicate and rather refreshing identity, as well as aromas of acacia flowers, citrus and white-fleshed fruit.
Pinot Grigio is however a grape variety that has travelled widely, and which has managed to adapt surprisingly well even to unexpected places, such as Australia, New Zealand and California, where temperatures tend to be higher and sun exposure more prolonged, traits that confer exotic nuances, rich aromas and a more full-bodied taste.
It's inevitable that this variety also influences table pairings, predisposing the various labels to accompany the most classic fish menu or an unexpected preparation like pizza, depending on the organoleptic traits!
At the table with Pinot Grigio: pairings and tasting tips
The right serving temperature and a dish that enhances the refreshing and fruity notes of Pinot Grigio is all that's needed for a perfect tasting, but the matter becomes complicated if you don't know which label to start with. Svinando has the solution: a review of Pinot Grigio and food pairing proposals based on courses and preparations!
Picnics and aperitifs with Pinot Grigio
There are days too hot even just to stay in the garden, but as soon as temperatures drop by a few degrees, you immediately feel like preparing an outdoor aperitif or a picnic in the park. On these occasions, Pinot Grigio represents the perfect wine to take with you.
In a glass of Barramundi Pinot Gris - to be served at an ideal temperature of 12°C - there's everything needed to match the sapidity of finger food, savoury tarts and fried foods, such as mini sandwiches, canapés, crostini with smoked salmon, cheese quiche, vegetable tarts, savoury muffins, skewers or chicken meatballs, but also simple crisps.
All thanks to its intense, elegant and lively bouquet, characterised by notes of pear, peach and grapefruit, which makes it a perfect white wine for aperitifs. On the palate, citrus notes and apricot hints are perceived, and the acidity is present, but excellently balanced.
The best Pinot Grigio for the most delicate dishes
Northern Italian Pinot Grigio - in this case a Pinot Grigio Trentino DOC "Terre di Valfredda" 2024, is the perfect example of how this wine changes its characteristics based on climatic contexts. The label was produced in a cool area of Trentino, surrounded by mountains. This is reflected in the grapes, which develop light notes and an unmistakable mineral touch.
Characterised by an elegant straw yellow colour, this wine displays crisp aromas of apple and citrus in the glass, and conquers consumers' palates on tasting with remarkable freshness and acidity that doesn't leave one indifferent. The secret is to amplify these traits with the right serving temperature, which hovers around 12°C.
The delicacy of the notes doesn't lend itself well to very flavourful pairings, which would risk overshadowing the organoleptic nuances of this label. Better suited to the pairing, instead, are fairly delicate courses, such as a mushroom risotto or one with pea cream, a vegetarian soufflé, gratinated vegetables in the oven or a courgette, leek and potato soup (perfect for less warm evenings). Another excellent idea? Enjoy it with raw fish, such as sushi and sashimi!
Pinot Grigio: the perfect wine for white meat
Red wine and meat don't always go well together, as the secret of a good pairing lies in the notes at play. Chicken and turkey for example, are varieties of white meat that - except for very spiced or spicy recipes - maintain a delicate flavour that lends itself well to pairing with a white wine, such as Pinot Grigio.
An excellent candidate for these dishes is Pinot Gris Vin d'Alsace 2022, a wine that perfectly represents the particular characteristics that the variety assumes in Alsace: full body, decisive bouquet and rich taste. The golden yellow colour seems to anticipate the intense bouquet, obtained thanks to wine maturation on its own lees. The aromas of dried apricot, honey and spices accompany the olfactory examination, whilst on tasting one can enjoy an important structure, an almost dense texture and a prolonged finish, marked however by an acidic touch that gives liveliness to the whole.
At table - served at 14°C - it gives its best when accompanied by roasted or grilled chicken or turkey, with coronation chicken, quiche based on white meat, herb-seasoned strips, nuggets or meatballs served with sauces that aren't too invasive.
Fish barbecue, the most loved summer event
When summer arrives, there are two most envied categories: those who own a swimming pool and those who have a large garden where they can organise a barbecue. Not only does grilling food allow you to cook meat, fish and vegetables without creating bad odours in the house, but it's also a process that leaves room for chatting and conviviality, creating a friendly atmosphere. If you then add a bottle of "Grappoli" Pinot Grigio Collio DOC 2023 to this context, things become even more interesting.
Produced in one of the most relevant wine regions of Friuli, the characteristics of this northern Pinot Grigio make it an excellent barbecue product, thanks to a drinkable nature that pleases from the first sip, a bouquet that smells of white-fleshed fruit, citrus and aromatic herbs, a structured sip and a mineral aftertaste. The perfect traits if you're looking for a good Pinot Grigio for grilled fish.
Pinot Grigio and pizza? Why not?
Too hot to turn on the oven and little desire to get to the stove? The most loved solution is to scan delivery apps to have a pizza comfortably brought home, to enjoy on the sofa in front of a good film.
A dinner like this often calls for a refreshing lager, or - for those seeking an unusual but elegant pairing - a glass of Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2023, a product that conquers all the senses, starting with sight, thanks to the particular packaging and the graceful and luminous colour.
The other notes are no less fascinating: the nose can enjoy a delicate and fruity bouquet, built around the aromas of flowers, pear and pineapple, whilst the taste gives freshness to the palate, ideal for pizzas with toppings that aren't too heavy.
And are you team freshness and minerality or body and tropical aromas? Find your heart's Pinot Grigio on the Svinando catalogue!