Wines made from Pinot gris grapes of Genève
Discover the best wines made with Pinot gris as a single variety or as a blend of Genève.
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
Geneva, at the western end of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), is the second-largest city in Switzerland and the country's third-largest wine producing canton after Valais and Vaud. Although not famously associated with wine, the city and its environs are home to numerous Vineyards and wineries, some within just a few miles of the Center. At 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres), Geneva accounts for 10 percent of the country's vineyard area. Gamay is the predominant variety here, with the Swiss workhorse Chasselas (often labelled "Fendant") and Pinot Noir taking second and third place respectively.