Wines made from Pinot gris grapes of Rhode Island
Discover the best wines made with Pinot gris as a single variety or as a blend of Rhode Island.
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.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, with an area of 3,140 square miles in the far Northeast of the country. Cool Climate vinifera and Hybrid grapes are grown in this sea-influenced state, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Vidal. Rhode Island has only one AVA (not surprising, given that nearly 30 AVAs are larger than the entire state) - the fairly general southeastern NewEngland region, which it shares with Massachusetts and Connecticut. There are approximately 11 wineries located throughout the state.