10 Refreshing Alsatian Pinot Gris for the Summer

Alsace is no doubt the best place to start exploring pinot gris. In this sliver of a region, you’ll find true expressions of the grape varietal that boast fresh yet powerful flavors ranging from apricots to grapefruit. While they generally have a firm backbone of acidity that allows them to age particularly well, the young pinot gris of Alsace tend to show distinctive freshness and lively minerality. This is especially the case for pinot gris from the excellent 2016 vintage.

Our contributing editor Stuart Pigott recently reviewed more than 400 wines in Alsace, where the selection included a wide range of gewurztraminer, muscat, riesling, pinot noir and pinot gris. As he mentioned in his tasting report on Alsace, the 2016 Alsace wines show beautiful balance and clarity, as well as great concentration and depth. More notably, the alcohol and/or sweetness levels of the pinot gris 2016s are greatly reduced in comparison to previous vintages with most falling into the dry to medium-dry range. In other words, they taste brighter and less mouth-fillingly rich.

Crisp and vibrant, each of these 10 pinot gris not only offers a dry or medium-dry palate but also a subtle mineral character. Try these refreshing sippers on their own or enjoy them with dinner as they also pair well with food, especially lighter fare. They would all make a great summertime tipple.