Pinot Gris is a white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. Thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir grape, it normally has a grayish-blue fruit, accounting for its name ("gris" meaning "grey" in French) but the grape can have a brownish pink to black and even white appearance. The word "Pinot", which means "pinecone" in French, could have been given to it because the grapes grow in small pinecone-shaped clusters.

The wines produced from this grape also vary in colour from a deep golden yellow to copper and even a light shade of pink, and it is one of the more popular grapes for orange wine.

The clone of Pinot Gris grown in Italy is known as Pinot Grigio.

In Australia

Pinot Gris was first introduced into Australia in 1832 in the collection of grapes brought by James Busby. In Victoria, wines from the grape are labeled both Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio,

The Limestone Cost comprises a few sub-regions you've likely already heard of, such as the acclaimed Coonawarra. But in amongst the known are some hardly knowns that you may miss, and shouldn't.

Wrattonbully, Mount Benson and Padthaway – feel free to read up on these in more detail, but here's an overview.

History

With vines dating back to the 1970's, Wrattonbully grew to fame in the early 90's when larger producers like Hardy's and Beringer Blass began planting. Primarily a red region, with shiraz and cabernet sauvignon in quantity.

Mount Benson, first planted in 1989, is a newcomer to the South Australian industry. It has quickly established itself as on par with it's older cousins, producing excellent cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and chardonnay. Cool ocean breezes aid in producing complex, deeply flavoured wines.

Padthaway, like the Coonawarra, has the same red-gold soil, but warmer temperatures overall. Similar in climate to the