Pinot grigio is a dry, light-bodied white wine that is usually crisp, citrusy and easy to drink, served well chilled. If you want to buy a bottle in Westford, CBC Liquors keeps a full shelf in the pinot grigio category, and you can pick up, have it delivered or have it shipped.
What does pinot grigio taste like?
Most pinot grigio is dry, light in body and high in freshness. Expect flavors of lemon, green apple, pear and sometimes a little melon or white peach, with a clean, short finish. It rarely has the buttery weight of an oaked white, because it is usually made in stainless steel tanks and bottled young.
The grape is a pinkish-grey skinned variety, which is where the name comes from: grigio means grey in Italian. The juice is pressed off the skins quickly, so the wine comes out pale, often close to straw or even nearly clear.
That plain, refreshing profile is the reason pinot grigio works as a first white wine for many people, and as a safe pour when you are not sure what a group will want.
Is pinot grigio the same as pinot gris?
It is the same grape. Pinot grigio is the Italian name, and pinot gris is the French one. The name on the label usually hints at the style you will get.
Bottles labeled pinot grigio tend to be lighter, leaner and more citrus-driven. Bottles labeled pinot gris, which is the name used in Alsace in France and in parts of Oregon, often have a rounder texture and more stone fruit and spice.
If you are after the crisp, bright style, look for pinot grigio on the label. If you want something with a little more body, it is worth trying a pinot gris, and you can ask us in the shop which direction a bottle leans.
Pinot Grigio we stock
Our best sellers first. In stock now, at today’s prices. Order online for pickup, delivery or shipping.
Which pinot grigio can you buy at CBC Liquors in Westford?
We carry several pinot grigio bottles that you can look at on the pinot grigio page, where the store's own best sellers in that category show first and everything shown is in stock today.
Among the bottles we carry are Josh Cellars Pinot Grigio, SeaGlass Pinot Grigio, KRIS Pinot Grigio, ECCO DOMANI Pinot Grigio and CANTINA ZACCAGNI Pinot Grigio. If you are filling a larger gathering, there is also Bota Box Pinot Grigio.
Pinot grigio sits inside our wider white wine selection, and the shop as a whole holds 4,624 products from 1,893 brands, so if you want to compare it with another white, it is all in one place.
How do you pick a good bottle?
Start with the label. Check whether it says pinot grigio or pinot gris, and look at the region if it is listed. Italian bottles often lean light and zesty, while pinot gris from cooler regions can be fuller and more aromatic.
Check the vintage, too. Pinot grigio is generally made to be drunk young, usually within a couple of years of the harvest, so a recent vintage is the safer choice. It is not a wine that gains much from long cellaring.
Then think about the occasion. A bottle for a quiet dinner can be one you sip slowly. A bottle for a party might be better as a larger format. Whatever you choose, you are welcome to come into the store at 142 Littleton Rd and ask us. We can talk through the options on the shelf and help you narrow them down.
How should you serve and store pinot grigio?
Serve it cold, but not ice cold. Somewhere around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit brings out the fruit and keeps the acidity bright. If you chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours, then let it sit on the counter for ten minutes before pouring, it will taste better than straight from the coldest shelf.
A standard white wine glass with a medium bowl works well. A narrower glass helps hold the aromas, and holding the glass by the stem keeps your hand from warming the wine.
Once opened, recork or reseal the bottle and keep it in the refrigerator. It is best finished within a few days, since the fresh character fades as the wine sits. Unopened bottles should be kept somewhere cool, dark and steady in temperature.
What food goes with pinot grigio?
The light body and high acidity make pinot grigio a natural partner for delicate food. Think of seafood such as baked white fish, shrimp, scallops or steamed mussels, where a squeeze of lemon is already part of the dish. The wine does a similar job.
It also pairs well with salads, especially ones with a light vinaigrette, and with simple pasta dishes dressed in olive oil, garlic or a light cream sauce. Chicken, soft cheeses and vegetable dishes such as asparagus or zucchini sit comfortably next to it as well.
Heavy, spicy or very rich dishes can overpower it. If you are planning a table with bigger flavors, you may want a fuller white or a red alongside, and our red wine page is the next place to look.
How does pinot grigio compare with other white wines?
Against chardonnay, pinot grigio is lighter and leaner. Chardonnay can be rich and rounded, especially when oak is involved, while pinot grigio stays crisp and straightforward.
Against sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio is quieter. Sauvignon blanc tends to be more aromatic, with grassy, herbal or tropical notes, where pinot grigio keeps to subtle citrus and orchard fruit.
Against riesling, pinot grigio is generally drier and less perfumed. If you like pinot grigio but want something with a bit more character, trying a neighboring style is an easy next step. We also stock Italian white wines for anyone who wants to stay in the same country and explore.
How can you get pinot grigio from CBC Liquors?
You can walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours.
We also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Our delivery areas page lists the towns we serve, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton and Lowell.
Customers rate the shop 4.7 out of 5 across 339 Google reviews. If you are not sure which bottle suits your plans, tell us what you are cooking or who you are pouring for, and we will point you to something on the shelf.
Common questions
Is pinot grigio dry or sweet?
Most pinot grigio is dry. It tastes crisp and fresh rather than sweet, although ripe fruit flavors can give an impression of softness.
What temperature should pinot grigio be served at?
Serve it chilled, around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A few hours in the refrigerator, then ten minutes on the counter, is a simple way to get there.
Is pinot grigio the same as pinot gris?
Yes, it is the same grape. Pinot grigio is the Italian name and usually signals a lighter style, while pinot gris is the French name and is often fuller.
How long does an opened bottle of pinot grigio last?
Reseal it and keep it in the refrigerator. It is best finished within a few days, as the fresh flavors fade.
Can I order pinot grigio from CBC Liquors for pickup or delivery?
Yes. CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match the store's opening hours, and delivery has its own hours listed on our delivery areas page.
