Sauvignon Blanc vs. Pinot Grigio: White Wine Differences

Sauvignon blanc (or sauv blanc) is a white wine that originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It’s an herbaceous, acidic style of wine, but its flavor changes depending on the areas and conditions in which it grows and ferments. Hints of cut grass, gooseberry, bell peppers, and green apples are just some of the tastes and scents you might discover in sauvignon blanc. Sauvignon wine grapes grow in the Loire Valley of France, the outback lands of Australia, the wine regions of California and New Zealand, and other parts of the world.

Pinot grigio wine was originally French, but winemakers have since brewed it in a predominantly Italian style in different regions of the world. This is why you often see people use the names pinot gris (the French translation) and pinot grigio (the Italian translation) interchangeably. Although both have unique strengths and distinctive attributes, they use the same white wine grapes. You can find this fruity and popular white wine in wineries and vineyards in Italy, Austria, and the United States (California and Oregon). Depending on the specific winemaking process, it oscillates in terms of its dryness and sweetness.

Sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio share many commonalities but diverge in key areas, too.

1. 1. Alcohol content: Most sauvignon blancs and pinot grigios clock in at around 12.5 to 13.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Some winemakers might craft either type to be higher or lower in ABV, but this general range is common.
2. 2. Aromas: Sauvignon blanc’s acidic nature makes it more likely to emit an aroma that is more citrusy or herbaceous than that of pinot grigio. By comparison, pinot grigio has a slightly sweeter scent. Sauv blanc is often more aromatic in a general sense than pinot grigio.
3. 3. Dryness: Both pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc are typically dry white wines, but their dryness depends on the specific wine. Environmental and other conditions can affect the mouthfeel of either type of dry wine. On average, sauv blancs are drier than pinot grigios.
4. 4. Fermentation and aging: The winemaking process for sauv blanc and pinot grigio often differs from one vintner to another. Some types of wine might undergo malolactic fermentation (converting malic acid into lactic acid) in oak barrels, whereas others might follow the Alsatian method (named for Alsace), which sees wine aging in stainless steel.
5. 5. Flavor profiles: Both sauvignon blancs and pinot grigios can be dry or sweet wines, depending on the region and production methods. Still, sauv blancs are light-bodied and prone to high acidity overall. Pinot grigio might taste a little sweeter on average, due to its fruit flavors and the residual sugar left over from the winemaking process. Sauv blanc tends to taste like passion fruit, grapefruit, limes, and lemons, while pinot grigio tends to taste more like apricots, green apples, pears, and tropical fruits—although variations on these profiles do occur.
6. 6. Food pairings: Wine drinkers often select their meal to coincide with the specific type of drink they’ll be imbibing or vice versa. The acidic taste of sauvignon blanc can balance out smoother cheeses. Buttery shellfish pairs well with a pinot grigio wine tasting, as do many Italian dishes like pasta.
7. 7. Regions: You can find both types of wine in production in places like Italy, France, and California. Sauvignon blanc production has migrated south of the equator to regions like Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. Pinot grigio is a mainstay of many vineyards in Germany and Austria.

If you have an affinity for sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, or if you want to branch out and try alternatives, there are a few wine types that are similar.

1. 1. Cabernet sauvignon: This red wine is a blend between cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc grapes. Cabernet sauvignon can be a red alternative for those who also enjoy the white ingredients in this hybrid.
2. 2. Chardonnay: Winemakers use chardonnay grapes to craft another form of white wine similar to both sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio. But chardonnay wine is a bit more buttery and gummy than either type.
3. 3. Pinot gris: You make pinot gris with the same white wine grape variety as you do pinot grigio. The former ferments according to the French style of winemaking, while the latter does so according to the Italian style. This usually means pinot gris is sweeter than pinot grigio. In addition, pinot noir is a style of wine that uses dark red grape varietals that are related to the white grapes you find in sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio.

Want to learn more about the culinary arts? The MasterClass Annual Membership provides exclusive video lessons from the world’s best chefs and wine critics, including James Suckling, Lynnette Marrero, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Gabriela Cámara, Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura, and more.