Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but when a wine is identified as a Pinot Gris, it is generally a more full-bodied, more complex, more age-worthy wine.

The best examples of Pinot Gris come from Alsace in northeastern France and Oregon. These wines are have excellent weight on the palate, good acidity and ripe apple and pear fruit with a distinct spiciness and a dry finish. Most examples are aged only in steel, but some producers in Alsace will age Pinot Gris in large, older wooden casks, which can add a touch of spice as well as additional texture.

There are also some sweeter versions of Pinot Gris produced in Alsace; these are labeled as vendange tardives or grains nobles.

There are also versions of Pinot Gris from the far northwestern Italian region of Valle d'Aosta as well as from California.

Consume most versions of Pinot Gris at an early age, from two to five years. The finest versions of Alsatian Pinot Gris (from Grand Cru vineyards) can be enjoyed at 15-20 years of age.

Food pairings that work well with Pinot Gris include smoked fish, sushi, Asian cuisine, chicken with cream sauce or veal, pork or poultry with mushrooms.