Which grapes in England & Wales? – Focus on Pinot Gris

You will have heard of the name Pinot Gris and perhaps associate it with the region of Alsace in France. However, did you know that Pinot Gris is one of the many delicious grape varieties making wonderful English still white wines?

WHAT IS PINOT GRIS?

Pinot Gris is one of the grapes which belongs to the “Pinot” family and is the French name for the oh-so-famous Italian Pinot Grigio grape. For a white wine grape, it has an unusual distinctive darker skin colour compared with other white grapes such as Chardonnay or one of its cousins Pinot Blanc. Its skin can range from a greyish, yellow, blue or sometimes blushed pink colour all on the same bunch of grapes. The fruit looks like a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc grapes and can sometimes be mistaken for young Pinot Noir grapes as it has identical leaves.

On the nose and on the palate, the aromas and flavours of a Pinot Gris wine can be quite diverse however its base notes and aromas are green apple, lime, pear and stones fruits such as white peach for example. In some English wines styles Pinot Gris can also produce tropical fruits aromas. 

Wayfarer Pinot Gris 2019

With its first vines planted in 2016 on the slopes of the North Downs in Kent, the Wayfarer Estate has produced this exciting and elegant Pinot Gris. On the nose this wine has aromas of pears and citrus fruits such as lime and lemon, and green apples on the palate. A fresh and crisp classic English wine however a hint of creaminess makes it a well-rounded wine with classic features of an Alsace-style Pinot Gris.

These aromas mean that this wine is versatile and can be enjoyed on its own on a lovely spring afternoon or on beautiful summer evenings as well as with food such as a creamy chicken dish or Asian-style cuisines: Chinese, Vietnamese or Japanese.

FROM £18.00

Bolney Estate Pinot Gris 2018

Bolney Estate is one of the pioneer English winemakers with one of England’s oldest vineyards situated in the gorgeous South Downs in Sussex. With this Pinot Gris 2018, Bolney Estate won a Silver medal at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards. Its subtle notes of citrus fruit and pear give this wine a refreshing finish on the palate. 

This Pinot Noir wine can be seen as a classic English wine which you can beautifully pair with a pork Sunday roast for example or have it on its own as an aperitive!

FROM £19.99

Heppington Pinot Gris 2019

The Heppington Pinot Gris as it is the first wine from this new vineyard and it is sensational! The wine is pale and star bright with a fresh nose of apple and pear leading to a crisp, balanced palate. The fruits are citrus and pear with a hint of tropical mango and pineapple, the acidity is keen, the wine vibrant. It is a great aperitif but a super partner for seafood, try with calamari, white bait or delicate white fish such as plaice or dover sole.

Balance is one of the key quality elements of a wine. It is the relationship between the structural components of a wine; sweetness, acidity, alcohol, tannins and fruit concentration. These need to be in harmony and well balanced, which this English Pinot Gris prides on.

FROM £16.50