Pinot Gris
Variety · Beginner · 2 min read
Pinot Gris is a grey-pink mutation of Pinot Noir, with the same genetic origin but a different berry colour. It produces aromatic, full-bodied white wines with notes of pear, apple, white peach and a distinctive smoky, almost mineral edge. In the UK, plantings are growing as producers look for a still white that stands up to traditional method sparkling wine in the range.
Origin and spread
Pinot Gris is most famously associated with Alsace, where it is the most planted variety and produces a richly textured, often slightly off-dry white. It is also grown in Italy as Pinot Grigio, where the wines are typically lighter and crisper, and in Oregon, New Zealand, Germany and Australia. The grape is a colour mutation of Pinot Noir, and the two varieties are genetically identical apart from a few key points in the DNA.
The English plantings of Pinot Gris have grown from a few hectares in the 2000s to over 100 hectares in 2025, mostly in the South East. The variety ripens reliably, produces good crops and makes a wine that fits well into the UK producer's range, sitting between the leaner Bacchus and the fuller Chardonnay.
What English Pinot Gris tastes like
A well-made English Pinot Gris is fuller and more textured than a Pinot Grigio, but leaner and more aromatic than an Alsace Pinot Gris. Expect pear, white peach, apple, a touch of honeysuckle and a distinctive smoky, almost flinty mineral note. The best examples have a leesy texture from time on the lees, and a soft phenolic edge that adds grip.
The wines are usually fermented cool in stainless steel, with a small proportion in old oak for complexity. Most producers avoid malolactic conversion, to preserve the fresh, aromatic character. The result is a wine that works well as an aperitif, with seafood, with rich salads, and as a counterpoint to English sparkling at a tasting.
Pinot Gris in the UK industry
Pinot Gris is grown across the South East, with smaller plantings in East Anglia, the South West, Wales and the home counties. The variety's flexibility makes it a useful component in a producer's still wine range. It is also permitted in the English Sparkling PDO, where it can be used in small proportions in a Blanc de Noirs or a multi-varietal blend.
Producers with strong Pinot Gris programmes include Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Bolney, Litmus, Davenport, Harrow & Hope, Offbeat and Exton Park. Off-trade listings have grown steadily, and the variety is now a familiar sight on supermarket shelves alongside the more established Bacchus and Chardonnay.