Grauburgunder

Grauburgunder is the German name for Pinot Gris, a dry, medium-bodied white with ripe pear, apple and peach alongside citrus, almonds and gentle spice. Usually richer and rounder than Pinot Grigio, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and roasted vegetables.

Taste:

Same grape as Pinot Grigio. Very different energy.

Grauburgunder is typically dry and medium-bodied, with moderate to fresh acidity and flavours of ripe pear, apple and peach. You may also find citrus, melon, almonds and subtle spice.

Compared with the light, crisp style commonly associated with Italian Pinot Grigio, German Grauburgunder is often riper, rounder and more textured. Richer examples can develop creamy, nutty flavours, while oak ageing may add vanilla and toast.

It’s still fresh enough to be easy-drinking, but there’s usually a little more weight behind it.

Pinot Grigio went to Germany and came back wearing knitwear.

Food Pairings:

Grauburgunder’s extra body makes it particularly good with richer fish, poultry and creamy dishes.

Try it with grilled salmon, roast salmon, sea bass, cod, prawns or scallops. Seafood pasta and fish with buttery or creamy sauces work well too.

For meat, pair it with roast chicken, grilled chicken, roast pork, pork chops, schnitzel or roast turkey.

Creamy pasta is another excellent match. Try mushroom pasta, creamy chicken pasta, carbonara or pasta with a creamy garlic sauce.

For meat-free options, go for mushroom risotto, roasted vegetables, grilled aubergine, vegetable tarts or pumpkin dishes.

On the cheese board, Brie, Camembert, Gouda and Gruyère are all good choices.

Similar Wines:

If you enjoy Grauburgunder, Pinot Grigio is technically the same grape, but usually shows its lighter, crisper Italian side.

Pinot Blanc offers a gentler combination of apple, pear and citrus, while Chardonnay is worth exploring if you particularly enjoy richer, creamier styles.

Weissburgunder is another great German option if you're enjoying your tour of the Burgunder family.

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More About Grauburgunder:

Grauburgunder is simply the German name for Pinot Gris, the same grape known as Pinot Grigio in Italy.

It’s particularly important in German regions including Baden, the Pfalz and Rheinhessen.

The name translates roughly as “grey Burgundy”, referring both to the grape’s greyish-pink skins and its place in the wider Pinot – or Burgunder – family.

Pinot Gris is a colour mutation of Pinot Noir, despite being used to make white wine. Germany also grows Weissburgunder, or Pinot Blanc, and Spätburgunder, or Pinot Noir.

Grauburgunder. Weissburgunder. Spätburgunder.

Once you crack the code, German wine starts feeling suspiciously organised.