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Pinot Gris Masters 2019: the medallists

We reveal all the medallists from this year’s Pinot Gris Masters, which drew attention to the brilliant peach- and pear-scented whites from northern Italy, but also parts of the US, Canada, New Zealand and eastern Europe.

Italy’s Alto Adige was home to some of this year’s top-scoring Pinot Grigios

What do western Romania, northern Italy, Marlborough and Oregon have in common? Aside from the obvious fact that they are all vine-growing regions, each one of these areas was home to a top-scoring entry in this year’s Pinot Gris Masters. If one adds Alsace to this list, then you have a handful of the great places for this grape, although it should be stressed that the stylistic range is broad, even within this select number of sources.

Indeed, Pinot Gris is a grape that requires much knowledge from the consumer, or, at least, guidance from the seller, be they a sommelier, shop manager, or tasting-note author. For a start, it’s a variety with two names – Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio, which of course mean the same thing. Although we have chosen to use its French moniker, Pinot Gris, to reflect it’s historical home – Burgundy (where it started life as a colour mutation of Pinot Noir) – it is best-known as Pinot Grigio, due to Italy’s dominance when it comes to volume production of the grape, followed by California (and Germany, where it goes by yet another name, Grauburgunder).

Whether the bottle carries its French or Italian name, however, is not simply a question of source – it also has stylistic implications. Those who choose Pinot Grigio from Northern Italy, but also parts of the New World, may not realise this, but they are buying into a specific type of wine: a fresh, bright, generally light style of white, often dominated by citrus flavours. Should they opt for Pinot Gris, however, it is usually because they are seeking something with more weight, generally with yellow fruit characters, and sometimes a honeyed note, even some residual sugar – and in certain cases, oak influence too. Consequently, the fine wine expression of this grape is almost invariably sold as Pinot Gris. They are, of course, many graduations along this scale, with weighty, barrel-matured Pinot Grigio, and fresh, linear, bone dry Pinot Gris available on the market today.

Now, while the judges in this year’s Pinot Gris Masters, like those in former tasting competitions for this grape, tend to give the highest scores to the richer styles, this is not always the case. Pinot Gris can be picked early, or grown in cooler climates, to make something expressive without resorting to very ripe, sweeter and sometimes botrytised flavours associated with, in particular, the wines from the grands crus of Alsace.

As a result, you will see that this year we even awarded a Master – our ultimate accolade – to a Pinot Grigio from northern Italy, with a price tag of £9, called Antica Vigna. Hailing from the newly-formed Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC, this represents a white wine of outstanding value, with masses of peach, pear, lime and greengage fruit, and, while it does have a touch of oiliness to the mouthfeel, it finishes with a linear, crisp, dry sensation expected of Italian wines crafted from this grape.

Such a wine, along with the others at the opposite end of the stylistic spectrum, proved that this grape deserves a better reputation. And, especially when it comes to examples from Northern Italy, which is so closely associated with the cheaper end of the offer: inert, thin whites that offer refreshment, but little flavour. Indeed, the competition’s only other Master was also from northern Italy, but a Pinot Grigio with a different character. Coming from La Roncaia winery in Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, this had a delicious pineapple and cream flavour combination, due to the use of barrels for the fermentation of fully ripe fruit.

Also notable among the greats of this year’s tasting were wines from Cremele Recas in the Banat region of western Romania, along with those from Marisco and Te Pa in Marlborough, and Joel Gott in Napa, along with a lovely entry from Mission Hill in the Okanagan, not forgetting a range of fantastic samples from Alto Adige (Cantine Valle Isarco and Peter Zemmer) and the Veneto (along with the aforementioned Masters was a Gold for Tenute Salvaterra) as well as Fruili (Pradio) and Trentino (Cavit).

Although not a Gold-medallist, we also enjoyed an appealing creamy, pear and lime scented fizz from Ponte, which has taken Northern Italy’s Prosecco-making expertise to the grape, and to great effect too.

Finally, although this report has focused on the greatest expressions, it is important to note that general high standard seen among the wines made from Pinot Gris, which doubtless explains why this grape rose to such a crowd-pleasing status in the first place. Today, helped by tastings such as this, Pinot Gris deserves to reclaim a position as the base for characterful, refreshing, good-value offerings – not just basic, short-lived whites – while retaining its reputation for great, textural wines too.

The wines in the Pinot Gris Masters were judged over the course of one day at Balls Brothers wine bar and restaurant in Adams Court, London on 10 July by (left to right): Patrick Schmitt MW, Ennio Pucciarelli, Beverley Blanning MW, Susan Hulme MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Andrea Briccarello, and Jonathan Pedley MW

Sparkling Pinot Gris

Company Product Name Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Cantina Viticoltori Ponte Pinot Grigio Spumante DOC Veneto Italy NV Bronze

Unoaked Pinot Gris

Company Product Name Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Antica Vigna Pinot Grigio Veneto Italy 2018 Master
Cramele Recas Martisor Pinot Grigio Banat Romania 2018 Gold
Pradio Vineyards Pradio Priara Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2018 Gold
Società Agricola Semplice Cramele Recas Paparuda Pinot Grigio Banat Romania 2018 Gold
Tenute Salvaterra Pinot Grigio Veneto Italy 2018 Gold
Reh Kendermann Val Duna Pinot Grigio Oprisor Germany (Made in Romania) 2018 Silver
Reh Kendermann Pinot Gris vom Kalkstein Pfalz Germany 2017 Silver
Casa Girelli Canaletto Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Cavit Pinot Grigio Terrazze Della Luna Trentino DOC Trentino Italy 2018 Silver
Sartori Pinot Grigio Arcole DOC Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Genagricola Tenuta Sant’Anna Pinot Grigio Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Alma Wines Torrae del Sale – Pinot Grigio Pavia IGT Emilia-Romagna Italy 2018 Silver
Anna Spinato Azienda Vinicola Pinot Grigio Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Schenk Italia Kellerei Auer Pinot Grigio Alto Adige Doc South Tyrol Italy 2018 Silver
Cielo e Terra Cielo Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie Venezie Italy 2018 Silver
NovaPalma Organic Pinot Grigio Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2017 Silver
Di Lenardo Pinot Grigio Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 2018 Silver
Citra Vini Farinelli Pinot Grigio Colline Pescaresi IGP Abruzzo Italy 2018 Silver
Concilio Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Sentiero dei Pini Venezie Italy 2018 Silver
Salcuta Winemaker’s Way Pinot Gris Stefan Voda Moldova 2018 Silver
Cavit Pinot Grigio Mastri Vernacoli Trentino DOC Trentino Italy 2018 Silver
Cramele Recas Wildflower Pinot Grigio Banat Romania 2018 Silver
Schenk Italia Cantine di Ora Pinot Grigio Il Casato South Tyrol Italy 2018 Silver
Cielo e Terra Bericanto Pinot Grigio Vicenza DOC Vicenza Italy 2018 Silver
Cantina Montelliana Angelini Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
MGM Mondo del Vino Pinot Grigio Terre Siciliane il Papavero Sicilia Italy 2018 Silver
Scolaris Vini Pinot Grigio DOC Collio Marco Scolaris Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2017 Bronze
Cantine San Bartolomeo Largo dei 5 Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Cantina Viticoltori Ponte Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie White Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Sartori Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
KRIS Winery KRIS Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie South Tyrol Italy 2018 Bronze
Tenuta la Presa San Isidoro Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Peter Zemmer Alto Adige Pinot Grigio DOC Alto Adige Italy 2018 Bronze
Reh Kendermann Kendermanns Grauburgunder Pfalz Germany 2018 Bronze
Cantina Montelliana M.liana Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Pasqua Vigneti Cecilia Beretta Pinot Grigio Luna Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Sartori Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC Arco dei Giovi Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Genagricola Borgo Magredo Pinot Grigio Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Azienda Vitivinicola Borga Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Paul Mas Vignobles Ferrandiere Pinot Gris Languedoc France 2018 Bronze
Concilio Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC il Pino Venezie Italy 2018 Bronze
£10 – £15
Marisco Vineyards The King’s Series ‘Thorn’ Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2018 Gold
te Pa Family Vineyards Pa Road Marlborough Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2017 Silver
Castello di Roncade Pinot Grigio DOC Venezia Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Sidewood Estate Sidewood Pinot Gris Adelaide Hills Australia 2018 Silver
Banfi San Angelo Tuscany Italy 2018 Silver
The Crossings Awatare Valley Pinot Gris Awatare Valley New Zealand 2017 Silver
Vi.V.O. Agricola Pinot Grigio DOC Venezia Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Perlage Srl Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Marisco Vineyards The Ned Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2018 Silver
Albino Armani Pinot Grigio “Corvara” Valdadige DOC Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Down the Lane Pinot Grigio Arneis Riverina Australia 2017 Bronze
Cantina di La-Vis e Valle di Cembra Pinot Grigio Trentino DOC Trentino Italy 2018 Bronze
Marisco Vineyards Leefield Station Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2018 Bronze
Cavit Pinot Grigio Bottega Vinai Trentino DOC Trentino Italy 2018 Bronze
Astoria Vini Astoria “Alisia” Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze
Trinchero Family Estates Three Thieves Pinot Grigio Napa Valley USA 2017 Bronze
£15 – £20
Cavit Pinot Grigio Rulendis Trentino Superiore DOC Trentino Italy 2017 Gold
Trinchero Family Estates Folie a Deux Pinot Gris Napa Valley USA 2017 Silver
Kilikanoon Skilly Valley Pinot Gris Clare Valley Australia 2017 Silver
Masottina Ai Palazzi Dorsoduro Veneto Italy 2017 Silver
Ca’Vescovo Pinot Grigio Ca’Vescovo Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2018 Bronze
The Bolney Estate Bolney Wine Estate, Pinot Gris West Sussex UK 2018 Bronze
50th Parallel Estate 50th Parallel Estate Pinot Gris Okanagan Valley Canada 2018 Bronze
£20 – £30
Trinchero Family Estates Joel Gott Pinot Gris Oregon USA 2017 Gold
Mission Hill Winery Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Pinot Gris Okanagan Valley Canada 2018 Gold
Athems Attems Pinot Grigio Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2018 Bronze
Sant Antonio Telos Il Grigio Pinot Grigio (no sulphites added) Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze

Oaked Pinot Gris

Company Product Name Region Country Vintage Medal
£10 – £15
te Pa Family Vineyards te Pa Marlborough Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2018 Gold
De Bortoli Wines DB Family Selection Pinot Grigio Riverina Australia 2018 Silver
£15 – £20
Masottina Ai Palazzi Pinot Grigio Single Vineyard Veneto Italy 2017 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Pinot G. South Eastern Australia Australia 2018 Silver
Nals Margreid Punggl Pinot Grigio South Tyrol Italy 2017 Silver
De Bortoli Wines LaBoheme Act Three Pinot Gris Yarra Valley Australia 2018 Silver
£20 – £30
Fantinel La Roncaia Pinot Grigio Friuli Colli Orientali Italy 2017 Master
Cantina Valle Isarco Pinot Grigio Aristos Alto Adige – Chiusa Italy 2017 Gold
Peter Zemmer Alto Adige Pinot Grigio DOC Riserva GIATL Alto Adige Italy 2016 Gold

Rosé Pinot Gris

Company Product Name Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Concilio Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC Il Pino Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Cantina Viticoltori Ponte Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Rose Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
£10 – £15
Ca’ Di Rajo Epsilon Pinot Grigio Veneto Italy 2018 Silver

About the competition

The Global Wine Masters runs a series of blind-tasting competitions throughout the year focused on varieties – from Chardonnay to Cabernet – and wine styles, from rosé to sparkling, along with judging sessions on key regions to shine a spotlight on wine quality and style in a particular place, such as Rioja, Champagne, Tuscany and Prosecco.

The wines in the Pinot Gris Masters were judged over the course of one day at Balls Brothers wine bar and restaurant in Adams Court, London on 10 July by Andrea Briccarello, Beverley Blanning MW, Ennio Pucciarelli, Jonathan Pedley MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Susan Hulme MW, and myself.

Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the opportunity to feature online and in print – please call +44 (0)20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

 

 

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