Love Pinot Grigio? Discover These Alternative Grape Varieties for The Summer

Pinot Grigio is a favorite summer wine for many. Known for its simple, dry, crisp, and lean profile with high acidity. Its refreshing qualities make it a perfect choice for hot summer days.

What if you want to explore beyond this classic Italian staple without losing the refreshing qualities that make Pinot Grigio so appealing?

 There are several alternative grape varieties that can bring new flavors and experiences to your summer sipping without straying too far from what you already enjoy.

This guide suggests several excellent white wines that match the spirit of Pinot Grigio.

Specifically, we will talk about alternative grape varieties to the light and crisp Italian-style Pinot Grigio. Would you like to read about French-style Pinot Gris to compare to Pinot Grigio? Then check out my previous blog here.

Let’s explore these options and discover new favorites for your warm to hot weather wine moments!

Assyrtiko: Greece’s Mineral-Driven White

Assyrtiko (ah-SEER-tee-koh) is a white grape native to the Greek island of Santorini, famous for its volcanic soils. It produces wines with intense acidity and a distinctive mineral backbone, often described as flinty or volcanic. Overall Greece has a hot Mediterranean climate with the cooling effects of altitude and wind. The winds are so strong in the coastal areas and islands that it can destroy unprotected vineyards. Thus, a unique training technique called "Kouloura" is used here to protect the vines in which canes are woven into a low basket shape and rest directly on the soil to protect grapes growing on the inside from fierce winds.

Assyrtiko is dry, lean, and crisp, making them a great match for lovers of high-acid Pinot Grigio.

• Flavor profile: Lemon, lime, green apple, with smoky mineral notes

• Acidity: Very high

• Body: Light to medium

• Food pairing: Grilled seafood, Greek salads, and dishes with herbs like oregano and thyme

  
  

When I first had Assyrtiko a few years ago, I got this strong hit of minerality. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to pair it with some white or shellfish sushi immediately. Assyrtiko with red snapper, flounder and scallop sushi—dinner for this weekend is officially planned.

Albariño and Alvarinho: Coastal Freshness from Spain and Portugal

Albariño (Spain) and Alvarinho (Portugal) are essentially the same grape, grown mainly in the Rías Baixas region of Spain and the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.

Both regions are in the northwestern area of the Iberian Peninsula with cooler, wetter and moderate maritime climate; dominated by Atlantic weather systems. This high annual rainfall and humidity can contribute to vine diseases therefore; canopy management and thoughtful vine trellising systems are essential to create airflow in these vineyards.

Most Albariño (Spain) tends to be made in a refreshing and fruity, unoaked style, but some can be made in a richer, fuller-bodied style.

While both share naturally high acidity, Alvarinho (Portugal) tends to have slightly higher alcohol (around 14%) than other off-dry Vinho Verde white wines (8-11.5% ABV) with riper aromas.

These two wines are known for their bright acidity, light to medium body with refreshing citrus and stone fruit flavors. They often carry a subtle saline or mineral note, reflecting their coastal origins.

• Flavor profile: Citrus (lemon, lime), green apple, stone fruit like peach and apricot, with hints of minerality

• Acidity: High, like Pinot Grigio

• Body: Light to medium

• Food pairing: Shellfish, grilled fish, light salads, and summer vegetables

  
  

Albariño and Alvarinho wines are excellent for those who appreciate the lean and crisp nature of Pinot Grigio but want a bit more aromatic complexity.

One of my favorite pairings I had was in Spain a few years ago. After a swim in the sea with a chilled Albariño alongside steamed clams and octopus fritters right on the beach—yum!

Steamed Clams with Albariño

Octopus Fritters

Grüner Veltliner: Austria’s Crisp and Peppery White

Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s signature white grape, known for its bright acidity and unique peppery note. It is dry and lean but often shows a bit more texture and complexity than Pinot Grigio. It can also produce full-bodied, rich styles, depending on how and where grown and winemaking.

• Flavor profile: Green apple, white pepper, lemon zest, snap pea and white pepper

• Acidity: High

• Body: Light to medium

• Food pairing: Asparagus, light poultry or white fish dishes

  
  

This grape is a great choice for those who want a crisp white with a little more spice and character. The dry and refreshing style of Grüner Veltliner is very food friendly. It goes well with light chicken, white fish dishes and Wiener Schnitzel. Its high acidity cuts through fattiness and cleanses the palate, the wine's peppery hint will do a great job in any similar pairings.

Picpoul de Pinet: The Crisp White from Southern France

Alright, let's keep traveling around Europe.

Picpoul de Pinet (Peek-pool duh Pee-nay), a white wine from the Languedoc region of France, a wide region on the Mediterranean coast from the Spanish border to Nîmes France, made from the Piquepoul grape. Piquepoul grape in Picpoul de Pinet is cooled by sea breezes that help grapes retain high acidity. It is known for its bright acidity and citrus and green fruit flavors.

• Flavor profile: Lemon, lime, green apple, and floral notes

• Acidity: Very high

• Body: Light

• Food pairing: Oysters, seafood platters, and light salads

  
  

This wine is an excellent choice for those who want a lively, crisp white with a bit of punch. Naturally, seafood is a classic match for this wine, one of my successful pairings was a juicy and spicy duck egg roll- where its high acidity cut through the fattiness and richness of meat while balancing savory and spicy flavors of the egg roll. Well, I must give the credit to my husband as it's his favorite dish at his favorite restaurant in North Carolina.

Soave: Italy’s Elegant Alternative

We have been traveling from Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria to France. This time let's return to Pinot Grigio's country, Italy.

Soave is an Italian white wine made primarily from the Garganega grape in the Veneto region.

There are two styles: Soave from limestone-rich cool clay soils on the northern foothills which show ripe fruit flavor and high acidity; and the other from sandy, alluvial soils on the southern flat plain which are fruitier with medium acidity. Both are dry and crisp with a slightly richer texture than Pinot Grigio yet, still maintain a fresh, lean profile.

• Flavor profile: Citrus, pears, apple and white pepper, almonds and honey with age

• Acidity: Medium to high

• Body: Light to medium

• Food pairing: Risotto, grilled vegetables, and light seafood dishes

  
  

Soave offers a subtle complexity and elegance that complements the straightforward freshness of Pinot Grigio. As the same from Italy, Gavi DOCG wine is made from grape variety Cortese is also similar to Pinot Grigio as it has high acidity, light body, citrus and green apple flavors. Gavi's region is in south-eastern Piemonte, where altitude and sea breezes cool the grapes, giving wine bright acidity.

Looking past the usual Pinot Grigio regions inside Italy a little bit also reveals incredible, hidden gem alternatives with the exact same refreshing energy—but with a unique twist.

Cool Climate Chardonnay: Crisp and Elegant

Assyrtiko, Albariño, Alvarinho, Grüner Veltliner, Picpoul de Pinet, Soave and Gavi DOCG, all are unique alternatives to Pinot Grigio.

However, if you don't want to make a trip to a large wine store and wonder around for one of these bottles for dinner tonight, I also have another suggesion.

Consider sticking with a classic, unoaked Chardonnay from cool climate region.

Chardonnay is often associated with richer, buttery wines however, when grown in cool climates like Chablis (France), Willamette Valley Oregon, Russian River Valley California (USA), or Tasmania (Australia), a crisp, lean, and high acidity wine is ofen produced. These cool climate Chardonnays can also be an alternative for Pinot Grigio lovers.

• Flavor profile: Green apple, lemon, flint. Sometimes a hint of chalky minerality depending on the region

• Acidity: High

• Body: Light to medium

• Food pairing: Grilled chicken, shellfish, and light creamy sauces

  
  

Cool climate, unoaked Chardonnay is a great choice for those who want a familiar grape with a fresh and dry style. It is well paired with grilled fish, salads, and light poultry dishes. Staple wine for weekday light meals.

Exploring these alternative grape varieties can expand your summer wine repertoire without losing the crisp, dry, and refreshing qualities you love in Pinot Grigio.

Pinot Grigio is great, there's nothing wrong with sticking with it.

However, if you absolutely love that wine but feel like switching things up occasionally, check out these alternatives. Even if a simple white shirt and shorts is your go-to summer outfit, you will get tired of wearing it every single day for three months straight. That is just how it goes.

Next time you reach for a bottle of Pinot Grigio, consider trying one of these options to discover new favorites that keep your palate excited all summer long.

Cheers!