Pier Giorgio’s Favorite Wines
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
The Two-sided Aristocrat
Meet Pier Giorgio, Princess Nora’s cousin. He was born in Burgundy, France, but he moved to Italy years ago and adopted an Italian name for himself. Depending on where you catch him, he’s basically two different people.
Relaxed and carefree when he’s home in Italy, but more sophisticated when he’s back in France, where his royal heritage catches up with him. He prefers colder weather, dresses elegantly in gold and yellow, and treasures his time alone.
In wine terms? Pier Giorgio is Pinot Grigio, or as the French call it, Pinot Gris. It’s the exact same grape, but it produces two genuinely different styles of wine depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made.
Pinot Gris is a color mutation of Pinot Noir. Gris means grey, as the grapes have a pinkish-gray hue, which is unusual for a white wine variety.
In Italy, it’s usually made totally dry with bright, crisp acidity and flavors of lime, lemon, green apple, and pear. In France, especially in Alsace, it’s made in a fuller, richer style with flavors of ripe peach, nectarine, honey and spice. Either way, expect medium-high acidity and a light-to-medium body.
France is the birthplace of this grape, but Italy is now the world’s largest producer, where its reputation for easy, everyday drinking came from. You’ll also find good Pinot Gris from Germany, US, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The winemakers label it as either Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris to indicate the style it’s made in. It’s almost always bottled on its own rather than blended. Some winemakers let it sit on its skins for a few days for extra color and texture, more on that below.
Now let’s find you some bottles he’d actually approve of.
Pier Giorgio’s Top Picks
Pier Giorgio gets around, so these picks come from Australia and New Zealand. All available on Pop Up Wine Singapore. Click any wine name to shop it.
1. Great value-for-money
Pikes : Pinot Grigio “Luccio” 2024
Clare Valley, Australia | $41 / bottle · Sale price
Price may change after the sale ends.
Pier Giorgio says: "Refreshingly crisp green apple, pear, and tangy citrus, with some floral notes. Earlier vintages scored 94 points from Wine Pilot and 90 from The Real Review, and Pikes is a five star winery in the Halliday Wine Companion. That's the kind of quality you'd expect from a bottle twice the price."
Pairs with: Grilled fish, light Asian dishes, or a cheese board
2. Something different at a dinner party
Nanny Goat : Cross Breed (Organic) 2022
Central Otago, New Zealand | $59 / bottle · Sale price
Price may change after the sale ends.
Pier Giorgio says: "Here's my wild side. Nanny Goat ferments Pinot Gris together with Gewurztraminer and Riesling on the grape skins, so the wine comes out with a blush of colour. Lychee, flowers and orchard fruit, with an off-dry finish. Bob Campbell gave it 91 points for The Real Review."
Pairs with: Thai salads, spiced pork belly, or soft cheeses
3. For a special occasion
Amisfield : Pinot Gris 2023 (Organic)
Central Otago, New Zealand | $63 / bottle
Pier Giorgio's pick in Burgundy & Co Wine Box
Pier Giorgio says: "Amisfield was named New Zealand's Organic Winery of the Year, and this bottle shows why: apple, pear, quince, and a touch of spice. The 2022 vintage was rated 90 points by Bob Campbell and awarded Silver at the New Zealand Organic Wine Awards. A proper bottle for a proper night."
Pairs with: Roast chicken, roast pork, or creamy pasta
Taste his entire tribe
Burgundy & Co Wine Box
Pier Giorgio says: "My Amisfield Pinot Gris is in here, with Nora’s Pinot Noir, Charlie’s Chardonnay, Gaby’s Gamay, and a bonus Champagne."
S$311 · Sale price
Price may change after the sale ends.
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris Cheat Sheet
| Body | Light (Italian style) to full-bodied (French/Alsace style) |
| Color | Pale straw to golden yellow |
| Tasting notes | Lime, lemon, green apple, and pear (Italian style); ripe peach, nectarine, honey and spice (French/Alsace style) |
| Serve at | 7–12°C |
| Best with | Seafood, salads, roast chicken, or roast pork, depending on style |
| Avoid with | Very spicy dishes or rich red-meat dishes, which overwhelm its delicate character |
| Glass type | White wine glass with a smaller bowl, to keep it crisp and cool |
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