Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for Pinot Gris wine. This wine is made from grapes that range in color from bluish gray to pinkish gray which is where they get their name. In fact, clusters of grapes on the same vine can be of different colors.

The grapes have varying levels of sweetness, which tends to dissipate as the grapes ripen. There are different names for the grapes and thus the wine made from them depending on the country in which they are grown. In Burgundy they are known as Pinot Beurot, In Germany, they are called Rulander, not to be confused with Riesling.

The main area for production of Pinot Grigio is the Fruili region of Italy. There are also sizeable vineyards in Alsace, France and Oregon in the US. In Alsace, this grape is known as the Tokay d'Alsace and the wine has a very distinctive flavour. The Italian variety from Fruili has the best taste of all, perhaps due to the attention given to the growing and vinifying processes.

The typical flavor of the wine is delicately fragrant and has a slight lemon taste. However, the taste does depend on the wine making process used and can range from tangy to light and can be full-bodied. You can also get flavors of this wine that taste of pears, melons and tropical fruits, much like a Sauvignon Blanc. The Oregon versions of the wine have mainly tastes of peach and apricots, while those from Germany have a more earthy and austere taste.

The color of Pinot Grigio is usually light yellow in color and the texture is very smooth. It works well with cheese and fruit trays and with foods that are high in acidity because of the high acidic taste of the wine itself. This is a very simple wine that can be a very refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Because of its simplicity it is often overlooked for use at events and with meals. In Alsace it is most often paired with desserts or rich tasting foods. As a rule, it is mainly a cocktail wine.

Some of the most popular brands of Pinot Grigio are:

• Graffigna. This wine comes from the wineries of the San Juan region of Argentina and very closely resembles the Pinot Grigio of Alsace with its peach and pear aroma.

• Villa del Borgo. This wine has a fine, silky and succulent taste with a hint of fresh cream. It is inexpensive, but has the taste of a really expensive wine that you can have as an aperitif.

• Di Lenardo. Direct from Fruili, Italy, the home of Pinot Grigio, this wine has a crisp and refreshing taste. It is the perfect choice for relaxing at the end of the day.

• Villa Girardi. Produced in Venetto, Italy, this brand will give you a Venetian style of Pinot Grigio. It has a medium body and an aromatic flavour that just lends itself to use at a wine and cheese event.

• Jean-Baptists Adam. These wines from Alsace have a tendency to stimulate your appetite. They are the perfect choice as cocktails before dinner so that your guests will really enjoy the cuisine you prepare.

• Terlano. If you want a Pinot Grigio wine for sipping while you have stimulating conversation, this wine from Alto Adige, Italy, has the taste of minerals and lemon. It is the perfect wine to accompany seafood dishes.