Pinot Gris is thought to have originated in the Burgundy region of France, and was planted in Northern Europe for many years before making its way to Oregon in the 1960's.  The grape is presently grown in many different areas, but prefers the relatively cool climate of places like France, Germany, Italy and Oregon, where the long (but not too hot) summer days mingled with cool autumn weather bring the grapes into perfect ripeness.

Pinot Gris grapes grown in Italy (Pinot Grigio) usually produce a somewhat wanting, light-colored wine with crisp acidity.  German Pinot Gris tends to be medium-bodied, with good balance between sugar and acidity.  Grapes grown in Oregon tend to produce a wine that is medium-bodied, exhibiting strong fruit flavors and aromas and superb crispness.  Pinot Gris produced from grapes grown in the Alsace region of France has proven to show full-bodied, floral flavors, and a deep viscosity with a long-lasting finish.

Pinot Gris made from grapes grown in other regions can also be delicious, but generally don't deliver the same excellent qualities that people have come to expect from wines made in the regions listed above.  California is one area where Pinot Gris is grown, but the wines made there tend to be flabby, losing their complexity due to the warmer weather.  In fact, Pinot Gris produced in California is often called Pinot Grigio because of the similarity in style to the wines from Italy.