This week, I had a chance to explore the Pinot Grigio grape from Delle Venezie DOC, hosted by Simply Italian Great Wines, and by Sommelier and Owner of Above Wines, Aldo Bove.
I had a chance to meet with Aldo back in May 2023. I knew he was a wine educator, but I had never attended his classes before. I liked his teaching approach and walked out with a deeper knowledge of the grape.
The Roots of Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio, a grape associated with Italy, has roots in France where it is known as Pinot Gris. It also links back to Swabia in northern Munich with roots going back to 1783. Aldo told us it’s precisely the same grape. The clusters are tight, and they have a unique pinkish-gray appearance, which explains the name ‘Grigio,’ meaning ‘gray’ in Italian. It is believed that mutations of Pinot Noir (currently there are more than 1,000 clones) made it adaptable to different environments and soils.
The Region
The Delle Venezie DOC region, established in 2017, is a story of Italy’s commitment to elevating Pinot Grigio a grape not known for being easy. This area encompasses parts of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino-Alto Adige – regions that come together to create the ideal growing conditions for Pinot Grigio. Each region of Delle Venezia has diversity from sunny valleys to ocean salinity to mountain peaks, the region’s varied terroir is reflected in the wines. The cool climate and significant day-night dropping temperature results in a wide variety of different styles of the grape. To be certified as compliant to the DOC region, wineries must meet the regulations outlined in a 24-page Italian government document and have at least 85 percent Pinot Grigio in the wine.
Creating the Delle Venezie DOC
The creation of the Delle Venezie DOC included 32,000 hectares in Northeast Italy. By bringing together three regions under one appellation, the consortium aimed to showcase the best of Italian Pinot Grigio.
The Chemistry of the Berry
We talked about how chemistry plays a part in the development of the berry. There are modules and compounds that affect the notes of white fruit and flowers you taste in the wine.
Since we tried ten wines at a rapid speed of tasting, I won’t go into the tasting notes of the wine, but I can tell you there wasn’t one set style. The flavor profile of Pinot Grigio can vary depending on the region and climate where it’s grown. Cooler climate Pinot Grigios tend to be crisper with more pronounced citrus and green apple notes, while warmer climate versions may exhibit riper fruit flavors and a slightly fuller body. Common descriptors include citrus, green apple, pear, stone fruit, melon, jasmine, honey, almond, and banana.
We tried the following wine from the Delle Venezie DOC:
- 2023 Bolla Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Santa Sofia Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Tenuta Grimani Organic Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Corte Moschina Granetto Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Cantina di Monteforte Prima Pietra Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Brilla! Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Domus Vini Terre dei Dogi Pinot Grigio
- 2023 Cabert Villa San Martino Pinot Grigio
The exploration of Delle Venezie DOC Pinot Grigio, guided by Aldo Bove, revealed a wine region rich in history, diversity, and complexity. From its French roots to its Italian evolution, Pinot Grigio has found the perfect spot with terroirs of Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino-Alto Adige.
