I have mentioned previously about the view, by some, that the wine industry can be like the fashion industry. Trends come and go and change regularly. You only need to look at how Chardonnay was the darling of the white wine world (and still is I think) and we cannot forget the wave of Sauvignon Blanc that flooded our shores from across the Tasman Sea. It seems things could be shifting again. Pinot Grigio/Gris had the second biggest increase in tonnes harvested in 2024 behind Chardonnay. 70,757 tonnes of Grigio/Gris grapes were harvested, an increase of 27% on 2023. Sauvignon Blanc increased only by 4% on its 2023 harvest.
I have been fortunate lately to have tried some Pinot Grigio/Gris from a couple of different regions and, it must be said, the quality has been really good. All credit to the winemakers, of course, because the ones I have tried recently seemed to have much more personality and interest to them. I am liking how this trend is progressing.
Region: Mudgee, NSW Price: $29 Source: Sample thanks kindly to First Ridge and Define Wine
An invitingly aromatic wine, it showed all the hallmarks of the variety and then some in a most impressive start. It’s a very interesting wine on the palate where it has balanced those fresh and crisp characters of a Grigio with pleasant textural elements of a Gris. Plenty of pear fruit coats the palate nicely while a lemon like citrus note stimulates the taste buds even more. That textural feel provides a lovely mouth-feel before it finishes with a moreish, refreshing appeal. An excellent example. Nicely done indeed.
Words from a Wine Glass 