Origins       

• France - a mutation of Pinot Noir

Characteristics   

• Light (Italy) to medium intensity (warmer climate)
• Low acidity, slightly neutral in flavour
• Light to full bodied, with low to medium alcohol levels (11-13 degrees)
• Some spiciness in good examples

Vinification/Maturation    

• Need to preserve freshness by harvesting early (which can leave the wine lacking in character)
• Sometimes picked late with residual sugar - can make excellent medium sweet styles

Homelands

Italy; & Alsace (where it used known as Tokay Pinot Gris, but now simply Pinot Gris following objections from Hungary)

Also to be found in…

Germany, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, Oregon, New Zealand, California - and now being planted all over the place, such as Chile, due to its inexplicable popularity