Origins and Global Presence of Garganega and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Garganega: The Ancient Heart of SoaveGarganega’s roots reach deep into the vineyards of Northeast Italy, especially around Verona and Vicenza in the Veneto region. This grape has been grown here for centuries, with written records dating back to the Middle Ages. Despite old legends linking it to Greece, modern research shows Garganega is truly Italian, with no Greek ancestry. Its close relative, Grecanico Dorato, thrives under the Sicilian sun, where volcanic soils bring out a different character in the wines. Today, Garganega is still almost entirely an Italian affair, forming the backbone of Soave and Gambellara in the north, and appearing as Grecanico Dorato in many Sicilian DOC wines. Outside these regions, plantings are rare, though a genetic twin has been identified in Catalonia, Spain, hinting at a long and storied past.Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio: A Global TravelerPinot Gris, or Pinot Grigio as it is known in Italy, began its journey in Burgundy, France, as a natural mutation of Pinot Noir. Over the centuries, it spread across Europe, gaining new names and styles in each region. In Alsace, it produces rich, spicy whites, while in Germany, as Grauburgunder or Ruländer, it is made in both dry and sweet versions. The grape found a second home in northern Italy, where it is now the country’s most widely planted white variety and the source of the world’s most popular Pinot Grigio wines. Today, Pinot Gris/Grigio is grown everywhere from Oregon and California to Australia, New Zealand, and even Canada. Its ability to adapt to different soils and climates has made it a favorite of winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a range of styles from crisp and refreshing to full-bodied and complex.