Two closely related sister grapes will share the spotlight this month. Sometimes we can't tell wines made from the 2 grapes apart, yet they can also taste dramatically different.

"Pinot" is the first word of many French varietal names. It is thought to refer to the shape of Pinot grape bunches, whose shape resembles a pine cone. There are many members of the Pinot family. Its principal members include Pinot Noir, Blanc, Gris, Auxerrois, and Meunier. Pinot Noir ("black," which makes red wine) is genetically unstable and easily mutates. Pinot Gris ("grey") and Pinot Blanc ("white") both produce white wine. These 2 grapes are very closely related. Sometimes they taste a lot alike, while sometimes they can be very different. This all depends on where the grapes are grown and also on winemaking styles.

where the grapes are grown

Pinot Blanc/Bianco
This largely overlooked grape is by no means famous or glamorous. It generally makes soft, easy-drinking wines yet does have the potential to be fantastic.

France - Pinot Blanc's stronghold is the region of Alsace, in northeastern France. Here the wine is full bodied and could easily be mistaken for unoaked Chardonnay. Alsatian Pinot Blanc is floral and exhibits deep fruit with great purity. It can be produced on a dry or off-dry (lightly sweet) style.

Italy - Pinot Bianco is the Italian name for the grape (same word, different language) which is grown in Northeastern Italy. Stylistically, it's light-bodied, intense and a lot like Pinot Grigio.

Oregon - crisp Pinot Blanc is one of the Willamette Valley's most successful vareitals.

Pinot Blanc is also planted across Eastern Europe and grown in Germany, where it is named Weisbergunder.

Pinot Gris/Grigio
Pinot Gris tastes strikingly different depending on where it is grown. It can be simple, light and crisp or intensely dramatic.

Italy -Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for French Pinot Gris, and it's the name by which the variety is known to most wine drinkers. Planted in Northeastern Italy (regions such as Fruili, Collio, and Venezie) it produces a dry white with crisp acidity and fresh flavors of citrus and melon. Pinot Grigio is quite popular right now, so quality varies widely. There are plenty of good as well as insipid ones out there.

France-While it originated in Burgundy, Alsace is France's most successful growing region for this grape. Alsatian Pinot Gris are majestic, opulent, perfumed and spicy. You will find floral aromas and flavors of pear, apricot, spice cake and sometimes honey. They range from dry to sweet and can be quite sublime as long as you're not afraid of a little sweetness.

Oregon has had notable success with Pinot Gris due to its cool climate.

California produces its fair share of ever-so-popular Pinot Grigio.

Foods to accompany Pinot Blanc and Gris

These versatile wines make terrific aperitifs because they're delicious on their own. Light, crisp Italian Pinot Grigios are good with seafood, while richer Alsatian Pinot Blanc is a strong match with fish and poultry.

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