Pinot Noir vs. Pinot Grigio: Things Every Wine Lover Should Be Aware Of

While there is a numerous variety of pinot counterparts available in the wine segment, two are known to be leading the list – Pinot Noir & Pinot Grigio. Although their name is quite similar, the difference lies to a great extent. A few similarities, like both Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir are color mutations of the same grape quality. So, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that there are certain similarities between the two. So, how to figure out the differences. Keep reading and exploring some notable differences between the two qualities to make a suitable choice.

What is Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir is red and known for its romantic appeal across the globe. There is no other grape quality in the world getting such preference among wine enthusiasts. Moreover, the Pinot Noir is worshiped among wine lovers, and even a lot of festivals are organized by its owner. You can even watch the movie “Sideways,” dedicated to highlighting the Pinot Noir and enhancing the variety of grape’s popularity. The grape inspires amazing emotions, and huge wine lovers show their participation in such events.

Pinot Noir belongs to the Burgundy region of France, and you can find quite expensive quality wine there. It is one of the regions famous for the amazing quality of wines. Pinot Noir’s preference can be understood because wine labels do not have grape varieties and instead of the list of the region. The Burgundian Pinot Noir comes with flavors like sweet black cherries, mushrooms, ripe red berries, and forest floor.

In the debate of Pinot Noir vs. Pinot Grigio, the former one is the tenth most expected quality of grape worldwide. If we look at the geographical locations, the grapes come from various areas like Chile, Germany, and Oregon. Talking about the Pinot Noir specifications, the red wine has low acidity tannins. Earthly oak flavored fruit-forward wine has bright ruby-red color. Still, the Pinot Noir can be distinguished from other options as per the origin region. So, do not get surprised if a wine lover identifies Pinot Noir with just a sip.

What Is Pinot Grigio?

Pinot Grigio is another type of wine with the same variety of grapes. These grapes are ashy-purple and belong to the Alsace region of France. Pinot Grigio wine is produced in mass production compared to other Pinot wine varieties. It goes well with the sipper, especially for newbie wine lovers. However, the grapes come with unique features like high reactivity with the environment. It is grown in the Terroir region.

In the debate of Pinot Noir vs. Pinot Grigio, there are three types to get your taste buds enjoyed to a great extent. Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Grigios have enough capabilities to get your mind blown. On top of everything, the Pinot Grigio comes with three significant flavors –

• Minerally and dry
• Fruity and dry
• Fruity and sweet

Let’s explore a quick differential analysis between Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio through a tabular format:

Key Differences:  Pinot Noir vs. Pinot Grigio

Food Pairings for Pinot Noir & Pinot Grigio

What to eat with Pinot Noir wine?

Choosing the best food to pair with the Pinot Noir wine can be daunting. However, it becomes pretty facile if you follow some specific rules and tips. A saying – “What grows together, goes together” that fits perfectly with the Pinot Noir wine. It is a decent tip to wind up the wine with the food products. For instance, an Italian wine goes perfectly well with an Italian dish with no worries.

Similarly, if it is a French wine, you can try to pair it along with the perfect French dish. Hence, while planning to eat along with Pinot Noir, you need to have a broad mindset and approach. Consider your options and go with the variety of food items to blend in.

Are you thinking of going with classic wine and cheese pairing? We suggest taking a sip of Pinot Noir along with goat cheese. The food option and the wine also depend on factors like the type of wine from Pinot Noir vs. Pinot Grigio and the fruit level in the wine. Try to go with some alternative food item that doesn’t contain similar fruit levels. Specifically, the Pinot Noir can suit well with salmon fish or gamey meats (duck). However, there is nothing wrong with going out of the box and pairing it with white pizza.

What to eat with Pinot Grigio?

So, now you’re aware of the Pinot Noir and preferable food item, let’s move ahead to  Pinot Grigio. Pinot Grigio goes nicely with lighter food items like fish, chicken, etc. Such food items are creole shrimp with garlic and lemon, grilled halibut, and cucumber with grapefruit salad.

And, even if it might sound a bit strange, Pinot Grigio goes perfectly with the mozzarella cheese. The acid factor in the wine brings all sorts of soft flavors to the cheese. You may even try to pair it with semi-cheese from the Alsace region. Choosing to eat a varietal bright, fresh drink with a roast chicken or turkey can give you the best dining experience.

We hope the above details and tips help you make the right wine + food choice. Do enlighten us about your favorite combination in the below comments.

Also, check the difference between Pinot Noir and Merlot.