Pinot Gris vs Pinot Grigio
Same grape, two styles. Updated 23 September 2026.
Unofficial study resource · not affiliated with or endorsed by WSET®The short answer
They are the same grape. The name tells you the style. Pinot Grigio is the Italian name and usually means a light, crisp, dry white. Pinot Gris is the French name and usually means a riper, fuller wine in the Alsace style, sometimes off-dry.
| Pinot Grigio (Italian style) | Pinot Gris (Alsace style) | |
|---|---|---|
| Grape | Pinot Gris, under its Italian name | Pinot Gris, under its French name |
| Classic home | Northern Italy: Veneto, Friuli, Alto Adige | Alsace, France |
| Sweetness | Dry | Dry to off-dry; late-harvest versions are sweet |
| Body | Light | Medium to full |
| Acidity | Medium to high, crisp | Medium |
| Flavours | Lemon, green apple, pear; fairly neutral | Ripe pear, peach, honey, a hint of spice |
| Oak | Usually none | Usually none or old oak |
| With food | Aperitif, light seafood, salads | Pork, chicken in cream sauce, mildly spiced dishes |
Why one grape makes two styles
The difference is when the grapes are picked and where they grow. In northern Italy most Pinot Grigio is picked early, while acidity is high and flavours are still delicate. In Alsace, a dry and sunny region, growers leave the grapes to ripen longer. Riper grapes give more sugar, so the wine has more alcohol and body, or keeps some sweetness.
How to spot it on an exam
A question describing a light, neutral, crisp white from the Veneto points to Pinot Grigio. A richer, spicy, possibly off-dry white from Alsace points to Pinot Gris. At WSET Level 2, knowing that the name signals the style is usually what the question tests.
Test yourself on grape styles
Grape characteristics are among the most-missed WSET Level 2 topics. Try the free practice questions, then practise with the Eclavin app’s 2,000+ questions.
Download Eclavin on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Are Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio the same grape?
Yes. Pinot Gris is the French name and Pinot Grigio the Italian name for the same grape, a grey-pink skinned relative of Pinot Noir. The difference is the style the name usually signals.
Which is sweeter, Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio?
Pinot Gris can be. Italian Pinot Grigio is dry. Alsace Pinot Gris is often dry but can be off-dry, and its late-harvest versions are sweet.
Which is lighter?
Pinot Grigio. It is usually picked early to keep it light and crisp. Pinot Gris is picked riper, so it has more body and richer fruit.
What do winemakers outside Europe call it?
Either name. Producers in places such as Oregon, New Zealand and Australia usually pick the name that matches the style they make: Pinot Grigio for light and crisp, Pinot Gris for riper and fuller.
What is Grauburgunder?
The German name for Pinot Gris. It is usually a dry, medium-bodied wine.