grigio

Grigio is the Italian word for gray. In Italian, grigio denotes a range of gray hues and is used in fashion, design, and the arts to describe colors from pale dove to cool charcoal.

In wine, Pinot Grigio is the common Italian name for the white grape known internationally as Pinot Gris. The grape is a color mutation of Pinot Noir and is widely grown in Italy and elsewhere. Italian Pinot Grigio wines are typically pale, light- to medium-bodied with high acidity, often showing citrus and green apple notes. Styles vary by region, and in non-Italian markets the same grape may be labeled Pinot Gris.

Within Italy, major production centers include Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with Veneto producing lighter, crisper wines and Friuli offering more aromatic and mineral styles. In cooler regions such as Alto Adige, wines tend to be bright and floral. Pinot Grigio is distinct from Alsace's Pinot Gris, which tends to be richer and spicier.

Etymology and usage: Grigio derives from Latin griseus, meaning gray, and the term also appears in branding and color descriptions.