Pinot Gris & Pinot Grigio: Spot the Difference

Good article from Down Under on two often-confused varietals made from the same grape.  Some highlights:

Pinot Gris is most famously found in Alsace in the north east of France on the border with Germany (hence its other name that is being phased out - Tokay d’Alsace), and tends to be (for France) a relatively big, smooth, round full-flavoured wine with higher alcohol level that gives the wine more weight.

In contrast, Pinot Grigio is a minerally, flinty dry wine that usually has a restrained nose, delicate pear and green apple fruit and a good acid structure with a clean long finish. Pinot Grigio is traditionally from Friuli in the northeast corner of Italy, on the border with Slovenia and Austria.

And, if you happen to be in Australia, some suggested (regional) food pairings:

Pinot Grigio is a great wine to match with seafood as it is clean, dry and subtle, so it won’t overwhelm the delicate flavours of say, Tasmanian Scallops.

Pinot Gris goes well (surprisingly) with spicy Asian Food such as great Thai from Jimmy Lik’s in Sydney.