In recent years, the quality of Japanese wine made from international grape varieties has been improving.
While it may not have the punch of imported wines,the delicate and complex character typical of Japanis perhaps what is being appreciated.
Now, among the international varieties in Japan that we want to pay attention to in the future is"Pinot Gris".
It is a world-famous grape variety that is widely found in Japanese wine and of high quality.
Here, let's explore Pinot Gris.
What is Pinot Gris?
Pinot Gris isa type of white grapewith reddish-brown skin.
As will be explained in detail later, it is known to have been created bya mutationof Pinot Noir.
It is characterized by deep green leaves, small clusters, and grapes that change to a pale purple(gris)color as they ripen.
It is a variety that prefers cool climates rather than warm ones, and is said to produce higher quality when grown in mineral-rich soils such as clay-limestone.
Where is Pinot Gris produced?
Pinot Gris is cultivated around the world, but the main production areas areAlsace in France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Oregon in the United States..
Particularly in Alsace, it is known as one of the noble varieties alongside Riesling, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer,from dry wines to sweet winesit is famous for producing excellent wines.
While the birthplace of Pinot Gris is said to be Burgundy, very little remains there today and it is treated as a precious variety.
By the way, Pinot Gris also has other names such as
- Italy = Pinot Grigio
- Germany = Ruländer, Grauburgunder
- Champagne = "Fromenteau"
so it's good to remember these.
What is the Pinot Noir mutation?
When considering Pinot Gris, the keyword mentioned earlier,"a variety born from a mutation of Pinot Noir",cannot be avoided.
To begin with, the genes of Pinot Noir are very unstable and famous for being prone to mutation.
Therefore, from Pinot Noir, not only Pinot Gris but also"Pinot Blanc"grapes have been created.
However, why wouldwhite and grisvarieties emerge from the black grape Pinot Noir?
First, the apical meristem of grape shoots consists of three cell layers calledL1, L2, and L3.
Among them, L1 and L2 contain"red pigment synthesis genes"that act as switches (there are functional and non-functional ones; let's hypothetically call the functional one V), and depending on whether these switches are "on or off",the color of the grape skin changes, as has been discovered.
For example, when V in both L1 and L2 of the apical meristem cell layers is turned on, you get the red grape"Pinot Noir"..
When V in both L1 and L2 is turned off, you get the white grape"Pinot Blanc"..
And when V in L1 is off while V in L2 is on, the gris (gray) grape,"Pinot Gris",is created.
Because these are grapes we are so familiar with, it'sa fascinating story, isn't it?
What are the characteristics of Pinot Gris?
Pinot Gris isa unique grape varietywith many faces.
For example, flavors reminiscent of the sweetness of yellow fruits such as apricot and yellow peach.
While it can also have honey-like nuances,it gives a tightened impression from smoky aromas and the slight bitterness characteristic of gris grapes..
Harvesting early can make the rounded fruitiness more citrus-like and give a fresh impression, while excessively high yields can conversely result ina wine lacking character.
Overall, while there tends to be a full-bodied structure with backbone, the delicate and rounded acidity makes it tend toward an easy-drinking wine.
Meat dishes are recommended
When pairing Pinot Gris with food, it may be good to focus on the wine's characteristic sweet fruit aromas, smokiness, and soft acidity.
Roast beef, charcoal-grilled beef, roast chicken, and the like would also be excellent..
It pairs well with fruit-based sauces to match the fruity sweetness, andsalads boldly featuring oranges, apples, persimmons, and the likemight also be an enjoyable pairing.
However, personally, I recommend tare yakitori, which allows you to enjoy the smokiness, sweetness, and moderate texture.
"Tare yakitori", which is often promoted as pairing well with red wine, actually shows better compatibility with a white wine with the strength of Pinot Gris, as long as the flavor is not too heavy.
Please give it a try.
Let's actively drink Pinot Gris
If you are fond of wines from Alsace, Germany, or Italy, you may have many opportunities to encounter Pinot Gris, but for those who primarily drink Japanese wine, it is probably not a variety you encounter very frequently.
That said,"Japanese wine Pinot Gris"if you search for this, you should be surprised by how many wineries are producing it.
There is no doubt that opportunities to see it among Japanese wines will increase in the future.
Please,why not take this opportunity to actively choose Pinot Gris?
References
On transcription factors involved in regulating anthocyanin synthesis in grapes