A glass of wine with light pasta or seafood is a great way to enjoy a meal. Pinot Grigio is loved all over the globe so we decided to share the most famous Italian Pinot Grigio brands with you and briefly discuss them. Why are these Italian Pinot Grigio wines so beloved? These wines are made by Italian Pinot Grigio wine producers that have been making wine for decades, if not centuries.
First, Pinot Grigio has been attributed to a genetic mutation in Pinot Noir. It is still not clear which country it is from. It is found in Italy in Trentino, Friuli Venezia Giulia Giulia, Veneto, and other areas. The best Italian Pinot Grigio wine companies made sure to select the grapes carefully and each person can choose which of the top Italian Pinot Grigio brands.
10 Best Italian Pinot Grigio Brands
What does Pinot Grigio mean? Pinot Gris is the name of the grape. It has a coppery colour, and sometimes it is called ‘gray grape. The grape is usually vinified in white. However, the must can be left on the skins to give the wine a natural orange hue. Pinot Grigio is well-known for its fresh, fruity aroma.
You can taste the wine’s aromas, including pear, apple and peach. Some brands even have citrus notes. Pair it with what? Pinot Grigio can be paired well with seafood, light pasta, and vegetarian options such as mushrooms.
It is important to have a good knowledge of Italian wines before you plan a wine tour through Italy. Make sure to book the best accommodation in your Italian destination.
1. Nals Margreid-Nalles Magre
Nals Margreid vineyard. Photo by
Wood Winters
Let’s begin with the top-rated Italian Pinot Grigio brands. Nals Margreid Punggl, which was made in 2013 and also 2019, is one of the most outstanding Pinot Grigio wines. Nals Margreid is made in the Alto Adige. It comes from 14 different regions of Italy. They average 13 years old for their wines.
What makes Punggl so special? The wine is full-bodied, but retains its freshness. It also has a good acidity. It has a combination of fresh stone fruits with some spice and citrus. This can be paired with seafood, chicken, and salads. Light pasta dishes and risottos are also great options. Nals Margreid is a great Italian Pinot Grigio brand.
2. Di Lenardo
CEO Di Lenardo – Photo by
Ultima Edizione
Di Lenardo, another famous Italian Pinot Grigio brand that you should try is Di Lenardo. Massimo Di Lenardo founded the company and they currently have five large vineyards in Italy. Di Lenardo wines are considered to be among the finest due to their distinctive tastes and aromatics.
Hand-harvested Friuli Doc PinotGrigio wine. According to Di Lenardo, their Pinot Grigio wine is a hit. The wine has a balanced acidity and aromas of pears, apricots, and Acacia flowers. It can be paired with white meat, seafood, Mozarella cheese , and light pasta dishes.
3. I Magredi
I Magredi – Photo by
Arizone
It is only right to mention I Magredi as one of many Italian Pinot Grgio brands that own vineyards in Italy since 1968. I Magredi is owned by the Tombacco family. They have made quite a name for their self since then. They also care about the environment and installed photovoltaic panels that covered one-third the energy needed for their vinery.
Vinitaly International Wine Award has awarded 2015 Pinot Grigio 5 stars. The grapes are then de-stemmed, pressed and bottled. The juice is allowed to rest before fermentation and aging in steel containers. The aromas are full of tropical fruits, citrus, and pear. Pair well with fish soups
4. Livio Felluga
Livio Felluga vineyard – Photo by
MMDusa
The iconic Friulian brand Livio Felluga is a remarkable Italian Pinot Grigio. Their high quality wines are well-known worldwide. After World War II, Livio was able to purchase vineyards in Rosazzo. This is when winemaking began. His wine and vineyard quickly became well-known thanks to this realization.
2020 Pinot Grigio, a still white wine, is aged on the lees for six months. Livio has managed to include notes of Friuli Venezia Giulia through the Pinot Grigio. It has a complex, intense scent with hints and white fruits. It is refreshing and balanced in taste. The price for a bottle is EUR17.50, which is very affordable for such a high quality wine.
5. Jermann
Jermann – Photograph by
Gasbarros
Jermann’s story began when Anton Jermann followed the lead of his heart all that way to Slovenia to find vines. He managed to find his way to Friuli Venezia Gulia. He started to grow grapes and built a winery. This was where he left a lasting legacy for his family. Angelo, his son, died at 95 years old just a few short years ago. Silvio Jermann, the current CEO of Jermann and the renowned Italian Pinot Grigio brands is Silvio Jermann.
Pinot Grigio 2020 is a deep straw-yellow wine with a fruity aroma. It is dry but still velvety in taste. It can be stored on the shelf for up to 3-4 years. The acidity is also not too high. Pair it with seafood soups, squid-ink lasagna pasta, or crayfish sauce. The 2014 edition of this Italian Pinot Grigio wine celebrates 40 years.
6. La Sclusa
La Sclusa winery – Photo by
Kongres
La Sclusa, and its Italian Pinot Grigio wines, began in 1763 in Friuli. The Zorzettig Family was the original founder of the brand. A notable name to mention is Gino Zorzettig, who became the company’s owner in 1971. It was only in 1995 that the company became La Sclusa. There are vineyards in Spessa and an old farmhouse.
Each of these Italian Pinot Grigio wine labels is unique in its own way. The DOC Friuli Colli Orientali dry wine is a variation of the Pinot Noir. It has a delicate, floral scent. It has hints of dried fruits, walnut husk, and toasted almonds. This is best when paired with eggs or fish dishes.
7. Santa Margherita
Santa Margherita – Photo by
Skin & Pulp
Santa Margherita is more than just another Italian Pinot Grigio brand. It is also a love story. Gaetano Marsotoo was the man who created the brand in 1935 in the Venetian countryside. Margherita was his wife’s name. Gaetano was passionate about people, nature, technology, and harmony. This is why he created this brand and his vineyards, which have been around since Roman times.
The Pinot Grigio is a great wine, as are many other brands. The winemaker wanted to capture both fruit and floral notes. Santa Margheritas Pinot Grigno is dry, clean, and versatile. It is refreshing and has a well-balanced, crip taste. It smells like golden apples. What kind of food goes well with Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio wine? Fresh cheeses, white meats and souffles are all good options. You can also pair it with seafood.
8. Zenato
Zenato – Photo by –
NHWineman
Zenato is responsible for the 95 hectares of vineyards it owns in Lugana, Valpolicella. You can find red and white wine. However, they are both equally high quality. The brand was founded by Sergio Zenato in 1960. Sergio was passionate about his country and its people. His son Alberto took over Zenato today.
The Zenato Pinot Grgio Delle Venezie was released in 2017 and is priced at EUR10. The wine has a fresh and clean aroma with hints of apple, pear, and green flinty. The best Italian Pinot Grigio brands share the same aromas but they are distinct. It is recommended to pair Pinot Grigio wine with seafood or white fish, as with many other Pinot Grigio wines.
9. Perusini
Perusini – Photo by
Francoli
Perusini is another important brand worth noticing. Veronelli has registered them as one of the few Italian winemakers. Giacomo Perusini, a founding member, was instrumental in the selection of native grapevines. His death occurred during the First World War and his widow Giuseppina Perusini revived these Friulian wines. Teresa is the current owner of Rocca Vernarda, the castle that is the seat of the family.
The Perusini Pinot Grigio is a great wine. It is lively, mineral, and savory. It has a straw-yellow color and fruity aromas. Pear and peach aromas are evident. As with all the wines, it is best to pair seafood with the wine. They are available in a range from 2016 to 2020. It costs about EUR20 per bottle.
10. Pighin
Pighin – Photo by
Drinks & CO
We want to end with the Pighin, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s most important brand. It was established in 1963. Brothers Fernando, Ercole and Luigi already owned a 200-hectare Friuli Grave estate. The three brothers managed to establish a large business, with modern wineries, aging rooms and corporate offices.
Fernando Pighin purchased the company in 2004. Since then, he has led it. The Pighin family established new roots, and is still known for making high-quality wines. Let’s now talk about the last Pinot Grigio. Pinot Grigio Friuli’s Grave, which retails at EUR36/bottle, is a more expensive wine than the rest. It has citrus, grapefruits, lemons, and pear, as well as green apple and green apples as its main flavors.
We should also mention the foods that go well with this wine. It’s great with seafood, but it also works well with vegetarians and other dishes containing mushrooms. Give it a shot and let us know what you think about Pighin Pinot Grigio.
Italian Pinot Grigio brands – Conclusion
Our top 10 Italian Pinot Grigio brands are now complete. These brands once again prove that Italians are capable of doing anything and everything, even back to centuries ago. Many Italian families have been involved in winemaking for generations. A Pinot Grigio is a great choice if you don’t know what to drink with your favorite light pasta or seafood.
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