Find the key etiquette rules on how to serve and drink Pinot Grigio and tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.

how to serve and drink pinot grigio

What Pinot Grigio etiquette is

Pinot Grigio etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and drink Pinot Grigio wines. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow Pinot Grigio etiquette to appropriately serve it to your guests.

If you are a guest, respect Pinot Grigio etiquette rules to properly drink and enjoy it.

What you should know about Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is a variety of white grapes. Some countries refer to it as Pinot Gris. It is used to make white wine. Key producers are Germany, France, Italy, the USA, and Australia.

Pinot Grigio wines differ by type and aroma. Their aroma can vary depending on the region, climate, and production method. German and French Pinot Grigio is often full-bodied, with fruity notes. Italian Pinot Grigio tends to be medium-bodied and more acidic. 

Etiquette tips to serve and drink Pinot Grigio

1) How to store Pinot Grigio

Store Pinot Grigio in a cool and dry place. The temperature should be constant. 

Place the bottles in a horizontal position. Keep them away from sources of heat. The bottles should not be exposed to direct light, natural or artificial. 

You can store Pinot Grigio in the fridge for a few days before serving. 

Do not store Pinot Grigio in the freezer. It is too cold and will spoil the wine.

After opening a bottle of Pinot Grigio, it is best to drink it within 2 or 3 days. Do not keep it longer.

2) How to prepare Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio wines do not need decanting.  

To prepare Pinot Grigio for serving, it is sufficient to chill it to bring the wine to its optimal temperature. Place the bottle in the fridge or in a bucket with water and ice at least one hour before serving. 

Avoid chilling glasses in the fridge. The condensation waters down the wine and dilutes its taste.

3) How to serve & present Pinot Grigio

Serve Pinot Grigio wines chilled. The ideal temperature is about 10°C (50°F). Serve aged Pinot Grigio wines slightly warmer. Ideally at 14°C (57°F). 

Do not over-chill Pinot Grigio wines. A too-cold temperature may prevent the wine from fully releasing its bouquet. 

Present Pinot Grigio in its bottle. It is good etiquette to open the bottle at the dining table. After opening the bottle, you can place it in a bucket of water and ice to keep it chilled.

Hold the bottle by its body, never by its neck or cork. Serve Pinot Grigio in white wine glasses, which have a smaller belly than red wine glasses. A full-bodied Pinot Grigio wine may require glasses with a larger belly. Fill the glasses between ⅓ and ½.

4) When to serve & drink Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio wines can be appropriate for both formal and informal occasions.

You can serve Pinot Grigio wines for an aperitivo or pre-meal drinks. 

Pinot Grigio wines are generally versatile. They can accompany a full meal, a cheese platter, a fruit course, or dessert at the end of the meal.

5) Food & aromas to pair Pinot Grigio with

You can pair Pinot Grigio with many foods or recipes. 

The ideal pairings depend on the variety and aroma of each Pinot Grigio wine. As a general rule, pair medium-bodied and acidic Pinot Grigio with more delicate flavors. While stronger flavors go best with a full-bodied Pinot Grigio.

You can pair Pinot Grigio with poultry. Such as chicken or turkey.

Pinot Grigio is among the best wines to pair with fish or seafood. Fish such as cod, tilapia, or sea bass. Seafood like mussels, scampi, lobster, or crab.

Serve Pinot Grigio to accompany salads, fruit salads, or vegetarian dishes. Its aroma pairs well with artichoke, asparagus, avocado, mango, or orange.

Pinot Grigio combines well with many types of cheese. Thus, it makes an ideal pairing for a cheese board. Combine it with delicate flavors. Such as Stracciatella, Burrata, Scamorza, or Mozzarella. At the same time, Pinot Grigio can match cheese with a stronger taste. Pecorino. Parmigiano Reggiano. Gouda. Feta.

6) How to drink Pinot Grigio

Drink Pinot Grigio in white wine chalices. Hold the glass by its stem to avoid warming the wine with your hand.

Drink it in small sips. A glass of Pinot Grigio should last between 15 and 30 minutes. Never drink shots of Pinot Grigio.

Never add ice to Pinot Grigio. First, ice waters down the wine and its bouquet. Furthermore, ice is usually added to low-quality or cheap beverages. Thus, adding ice to the wine can be seen as an offense to the quality of the wine, and therefore to your host.

Pinot Grigio etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst Pinot Grigio etiquette mistakes. 

  • 10/10. Getting drunk.
  • 7/10. Drinking shots of Pinot Grigio.
  • 7/10. Serving Pinot Grigio warm.
  • 7/10. Not holding the glass by the stem. 
  • 5/10. Overfilling the glass.
  • 5/10. Adding ice to Pinot Grigio.

Additional information for properly serving Pinot Grigio

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

The calories in Pinot Grigio wines depend on the alcohol volume, region, and production method.

In general, Pinot Grigio wines contain about 82 calories per 100 ml (3.5 oz). An individual serving is a white wine glass of 150 ml (5 oz). It contains 124 calories.

How to buy the best Pinot Grigio

A crucial factor in Pinot Grigio etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Choose the best

Pinot Grigio wines can vary vastly in quality.

The most popular Pinot Grigio wines tend to come from Italy, Germany, and the French regions near Germany, such as Alsace. 

The best Pinot Grigio wines often display a national quality certification. Look for IGT, DOC, or DOCG labels for Italian wines. AOC labels for French wines.

Usually, Pinot Grigio wines are best consumed young. 

Alternatives to Pinot Grigio

As a substitute for Pinot Grigio, consider other white wines with a similar aroma and acidity profile. Riesling. Albariño. Arneis.

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