Not as bone dry as some white wines like New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Grigios (a descendant of the Pinot Noir grape, also known as Pinot Gris) are easy drinking and have varying tastes including pears, green apples, lemons, limes and nectarines.
While we tend to associate the wine with Italy, it actually originated in Burgundy and is now produced in many areas around the globe.
Every region produces slightly different variations and we have chosen half a dozen inexpensive delicious varieties for you to try.
Montalto Pinot Grigio Sicily IGT (Italy: Sicily - $10.00)
A great price, expect lots of fruit on the palate, apples, pears, lemons and limes in a mid-bodied wine.
The fruit flavours and subdued acidity combine for a smooth taste and finish.
Serve with steamed clams in a white wine garlic sauce.
ABV 12.0%, sugar 7 g/L.
Collavini Pinot Grigio (Italy: Veneto - $15.00)
A popular wine with a familiar label, this is a cool climate variety with citrus, lemon, and grapefruit flavours in addition to the more common apple and pear tastes.
Dry with lively acidity, this pairs well with sauteed white fish in a lemon caper sauce.
ABV 12.5%, 4 g/L residual sugar (excellent for low sugar/low carb diets).
Placido Pinot Grigio Toscana IGT (Italy: Tuscany - $13.00)
It is unusual to find a Pinot Grigio from Tuscany, this is medium bodied with delicious pear, apple and peach tastes with distinct grapefruit notes.
This wine makes a great accompaniment to fried calamari with lemon.
ABV 12.5%, 6 g/L residual sugar.
McGuigan Black Label Pinot Grigio (Australia: Southeastern Australia - $9.95)
Terrific value, tropical fruit on the nose and palate followed by a melange of flavours including pineapple, pear, apple, melon and peach.
Pair it with baked pickerel and mango salsa.
ABV 12.5%, 10 g/L residual sugar.
Three Thieves Pinot Grigio (United States: California - $15.95)
A Wine Enthusiast magazine “Best Buy”, this is a fruitier version with tropical fruit tastes plus pear, peach and ripe yellow apple tastes.
Light to medium bodied, it is soft with a smooth finish.
Serve as an aperitif or with cheese and grapes.
ABV 13.5%, 7 g/L residual sugar.
Josh Cellars Pinot Grigio (United States: California - $18.95)
Another soft and fruity version from a top producer featuring tastes of green apple, melon and pear with citrus and lemon in the background.
A smooth easy drinking wine which can be drunk on its own or served with grilled shellfish drizzled with olive oil and lemon.
ABV 12.5%, 5 g/L residual sugar.