WineBuddPinot Grigio vs Sauvignon Blanc: tasting notes side by side
Both are usually dry, medium-light whites, and neither is sweet. Sauvignon Blanc has higher acidity, with gooseberry and green notes such as cut grass. Pinot Grigio leans to ripe pear, apple and peach.
Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, line by line
These are the typical styles of each grape, not two particular bottles, so a wine in your glass may differ. Each line reads from our worked example for the grape.
| Line of the note | Pinot Grigio | Sauvignon Blanc |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | Usually dry. Late-harvest wines can be sweet. | Dry. |
| Acidity | Medium-high. Light styles are crisp, and richer styles have more moderate acidity. | High. |
| Body | Medium-light. Fuller, oilier versions exist. | Medium-light. |
| Alcohol | Usually 11.5 to 13.5% ABV. Check the label. | Usually 11.5 to 13.5% ABV. Check the label. |
| Typical aromas | Ripe pear, apple and peach. Cooler places lean to citrus and green apple. Lemon zest, green almond and a stony, gravel note. Decanter also finds some smokiness and delicate spice. | Gooseberry, grapefruit, passion fruit and white peach. Green notes: Freshly cut grass, nettles and elderflower. In the cooler Loire Valley these lead. In Marlborough, New Zealand, they run from green bean and asparagus in less ripe wines to guava and mango in riper ones. |
Read the full tasting note for each grape
Each page has a worked note written line by line and a free blank sheet to fill in.
Questions
Which is sweeter, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc?
Neither is sweet in the usual style. Wine Folly lists Sauvignon Blanc as dry, and Pinot Grigio is usually dry too. Late-harvest Pinot Grigio can be sweet.
Which has higher acidity?
Sauvignon Blanc. Wine Folly rates it high in acidity. Pinot Grigio is medium-high in the light styles and more moderate in richer ones.
How do I tell them apart in the glass?
Smell for green notes. Cut grass, nettles and gooseberry point to Sauvignon Blanc. Ripe pear and white peach point to Pinot Grigio. Both are medium-light in body.
Sources
The typical aromas and structure above come from these grape guides.
- Wine Folly: Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio
- Decanter: Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Wine Folly: Sauvignon Blanc
- Decanter: Sauvignon Blanc