I think in the last 10 years almost every American has order or has drank one type of Pinot Grigio or another.
The retail wine shops are flooded with all sorts of Pinot Grigios from the inexpensive $5.99 up until the $20 range.
America fell in love with Pinot Grigio. Why?
Its inexpensive
Its clear, crisp, almost neutral, no oak, no citrus, just easy drinking
It is available everyone!
But can there be a more complex expensive Pinot Grigio? For starters, Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for the French PInot Gris. PInot Gris, are generally more complex than any Pinot Grigio.
The best Pinot Grigio’s come from two northern provinces of Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In 1979, the owner of Terlato Wine Company in Italy released Santa Margherita. This was the first Pinot Grigio in America that was not inexpensive and do have some complexity and body.
In the retail store, Santa Margherita was the wine that customers would only purchase once in a while. While, anyone who tasted this wine, agreed it was so much nicer than the general Pinot Grigios, BUT they would rather spend the approx $20 on a Chardonnay, Sancerre or another classic white.
There just didn’t seem to be the market for above average Pinot Grigios. But you do need to do yourself a favor and try one. You will find quickly how a more sophisticated Pinot Grigio can taste. Those elite growing areas, Friuli and Alto Adige are close to the boundaries of the Alps and Adriatic sea. This area takes full advantage of that great wine growing climate.
What also separates the complex Pinot Grigios from the common ones is the soil. The grapes are planted to ensure quality and not quantity. The soil can be described as having a lot of marl and sandstone. The results in the wine with mineral flavors, but limits the quantity of the grapes grown. This lower yield produces more body, more complexity and a fuller wine.
Still bottom line, I dont believe the American consumer is ready to start to spend over $20 for any Pinot Grigio!