2019 Willow Springs Cellars Santa Barbara County, California Pinot Gris

That’s because they’re the same grape variety, just with different names. Pinot Grigio is the name used in Italy, while Pinot Gris is the name used in France. Plant the variety outside of those two countries, and it’s pretty much anything goes as far as the name is concerned.

Pinot Gris is famous for its refreshing citrus flavor and zesty acidity, and those are qualities you’ll encounter front and center in the 2019 vintage from Willow Springs. It’s the acidity that provides the “fresh” impression in the mouth and makes the wine such an appealing aperitif.

But Willow Springs’ rendition also is an exceptional “food wine,” and our tasting panel suggests serving it with a Caprese salad. Yes, we understand the irony of serving an Italian dish with a wine that uses its French name, but just think of it as an international smorgasbord.