Pinot gris is a white wine grape variety from France and the varietal wine that shares its name. A mutation of pinot noir, pinot gris originated in Burgundy in the Middle Ages and was rediscovered in 1711 in Germany, where it's known as grauburgunder and ruländer. The wine quickly spread to northern Italy (as pinot grigio), Austria, and Hungary (as szürkebarát). In its home country of France, pinot gris plantings are concentrated in the Alsace region, where pinot gris wine was once known as Tokay d'Alsace. Pinot gris is the most popular white wine grape in Oregon, and it's also grown in California, Australia, and New Zealand.
 

Pinot gris grapes range from gray-tinged pink to blue ("gris" means "gray" in French). Unlike most white grapes, such as pinot blanc and riesling, pinot gris looks more like a red wine grape. Early-ripening pinot gris thrives in cool climates such as Alsace in France, Baden in Germany, and Alto Adige and Veneto in northeastern Italy. When allowed to ripen fully, pinot gris is naturally low in acidity and high in sugar.
 

There are a few different styles of pinot gris, each with its own flavor profile. Compared to other French whites, pinot gris tends to be less aromatic than sauvignon blanc and drier than chardonnay. The typical pinot gris is full-bodied with a fresh, spicy flavor and notes of tropical fruit, stone fruit, or citrus. (The riper the grapes, the less acidic the wine tends to be.)