2019 Cross Creek Winery California Pinot Gris

If you like Pinot Grigio, you’ll also like Pinot Gris because, in fact, they are the exact same grape variety. The variety originated in France, where it’s known as Pinot Gris. There, most of the plantings can be found in the Alsace region. Yet just across the border in Italy, the same grape is known as Pinot Grigio.

While the variety is French in origin, it really is the Italians whom we have to thank for generating its global recognition. For its 2019 bottling, Cross Creek Winery sourced grapes from California growers that embrace the Pinot Gris name. The variety is grown in the state’s cooler appellations, where chilly evening temperatures and a regular incursion of fog help the grapes retain their natural acidity.

The result is a crisp, clean, vibrant wine that’s smooth, balanced and delicious — whether you call it Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio.