This captures the perfect amount of acidy and brings out the bright fruity flavors. Pinto grigio is a simple wine, enjoyed on hot summer days and meant to be drunk soon after bottling. The first American Pinot Gris/Grigio grapevines were planted in Oregon in 1966 in Eyrie Vineyards. Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Tex-Mex dishes. Keep your pinot grigio in the refrigerator, then take it out about a half-hour before serving to allow the flavors and aroma to peak. It was spelled a variety of ways through the years until “Chardonnay” became standardized in the 1890s. The primary flavors of Chardonnay grapes are a yellow apple, starfruit, vanilla, pineapple, and butter. It is the most widely-distributed white wine grape in the world, planted in nearly every wine region. Cloudflare Ray ID: 5e75c6e56c1f00c1 This style comes from warmer climates like Tuscany, Sicily, Abruzzo, Chile, Australia, and California. The juice of the grape is pressed out of the grapes and the skins are discarded. Most notably, it comes down to whether you prefer a buttery and creamy wine (Chardonnay) over a tart and crisp wine (Pinot Grigio). Pinot Grigio grapes mostly feature a grayish-blue hue, but can also feature a brownish-pink, black or even pale white colour. Cabernet Franc vs Sauvignon – Which Wine Variety is Best? It is usually produced in stainless steel tanks without any oak aging. Gouais Blanc is an obscure grape that is virtually non-existent in France today. Pinot gris, a wine from the same grape but grown in a sunnier climate, has a fuller-bodied flavor with a richer aroma and more complex flavor profile, with hints of pear and apple. This style is produced in Alsace, France and is due to winemakers trying to reproduce a Hungarian sweet wine called Tokaji. Chardonnay is a drier wine with a full-bodied, buttery taste. The mountainous terrain ensures that the grapes have a high acidity and produce an exceptionally dry white wine. It gets even more difficult to decide if you go with an unoaked Chardonnay whose taste will not be buttery. Previously, he's published with Chron.com, Charlotte's Book, LIVESTRONG, Civilized Life, Hunker, Fortune, Salon.com, Out East Rose, Samsung, USA Today and others. Pinot grigio and chardonnay are both white wines but the similarity ends there. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. In Canada, Pinot blanc is often used to make ice wine. Aussie Wine Regions What Are the Similarities Between Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio Wines? All About Australian Wines & Wineries | Just Wine Blog. He purchased 48 acres in the Livermore Valley in 1883 and expanded when his sons, Ernest and Herman, decided to join the family business. The word “Chardonnay” means “place of thistles.”. There are approximately 71,000 acres of Pinot Grigio grapes planted worldwide. Tammy is the author of "The Navarre Brotherhood," an adventure novel about a search for the Knights Templar treasure. A dry wine, Pinot grigio has a tangy, citrus-like aroma. Characteristics Grape Colour Here’s the breakdown: Winc makes it easy to cancel, with less obligation up front. Chardonnay wine is best served chilled between 43 and 50 degrees. The Germans have a variety of the grape that they call Grauburgunder which literally means the grey grape from Burgundy. On the other hand, the less-popular Pinot Blanc is widely grown in the Alsace wine region and also parts of Italy, Germany and Austria. Pinot Grigio usually tastes less sweet than Chardonnay due to its high acidity level. Chill your chardonnay to about 50-55 Fahrenheit in a wine cabinet or for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator. Not only do they come from grapes of different color, chardonnay is complex, and its ageing process defines the taste. You don't want to mask the flavor. Unlike wines like Moscato, Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, Pinot Grigio has quite a neutral nose. Tokaji was popular with royalty in Transylvania and the Ottoman Empire. Oak Influence Top wines at best prices. You will feel the melon vs. grass notes only if you take a sip from both. This variety derives from a plump, red-skinned grape. Fruit-forward Pinot Grigio wines are produced in stainless steel tanks or neutral barrels. When it comes to pinot grigio, there's no need to seek an aged bottle; this variety is meant to be enjoyed young. There IS a difference. Chardonnay wines do not require, nor do they generally benefit from aging. Generally, chardonnay from cooler regions has a sharper fruit top, defined by flavors like apple or lime. A typical Italian Pinot Grigio has a light, crisp, and floral taste. Also originating in France, pinot grigio is a dry wine, like Chardonnay, but somewhat zestier by nature. Color isn't the tell-all when it comes to wine. Chardonnay takes longer to produce and would only be half to three-quarters complete at this time. Currently, Chardonnay wine is the best-selling wine in the United States – red or white! The grape has a green skin and a neutral flavor which means that winemakers can affect the taste through technique, oak, and terroir. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Pinot Grigio is two of the most popular types of white wines in the world. Hungary and Romania comprise the remainder. • Chardonnay is undoubtedly the most famous white wine variety across the world. You may not love it, but you have surely tasted it or at least, heard of it. Gouais Blanc is an obscure grape that is virtually non-existent in France today. Chardonnay wines exhibit various fruit characters, most common of which are apple, starfruit, pineapple and melon. Chardonnay has a fresh-cut grass aroma and Pinot Grigio is tart and light, with a hint of green melon. Cépage courant, il entre dans l’encépagement de nombreuses appellations d’Alsace. The main characteristic of wines made from Pinot Blanc (and Auxerrois) is a certain roundness of flavour, verging on apparent sweetness sometimes because the acidity is relatively low. Also, countries like Australia, Italy, New Zealand and South Africa are producing quality Chardonnay wines. Oaked Chardonnay wines pair well with crab cakes, pork tenderloin, halibut, mushrooms, and starchy vegetables like corn, squash or pumpkin. As others have noted, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are light fruity wines with a lot of citrus notes. The Pinot Grigio grape is actually a red grape with the distinctive blue-grey hue. In 1941, there were less than 100 acres of Chardonnay planted in California. Pinot Blanc, another white varietal, like others is not generally oak-aged, however, it has the potential to. Pinot Grigio Vs Pinot Gris Vs Chardonnay Taste - Let's compare! The Chardonnay grape is a green-skinned fruit. Balanced with aromas of tropical fruits and citrus married with subtle oak notes. The Pinot Grigio grape traveled from Burgundy to Switzerland in the 1300s and was one of the Emperor’s favorite wine varieties. It also can have oak flavors and aromas. Chardonnay is undoubtedly the most famous white wine variety across the world. Highest Rated Pinot Grigio. The wine usually has a light, straw color with a slight pink tinge. Both wines, however, come from different-colored grapes with diverse flavors based on the different growing climates and soils. "Ils deviendront alors un véritable catalyseur pour les différentes expressions du vin". (The latter, however, has found its new home in Alsace, planted widely in the region.)