Verdicchio vs Pinot Grigio

Characteristics	Verdicchio	Pinot Grigio
Hue	Pale lemon to straw	Pale lemon
Color	White	White
Aromas	Citrus, green apple, oily, almond	Citrus, pear, green apple
Sweetness	Dry to off-dry	Dry
Acid	Medium plus to high	Medium to high
Alcohol (%)	12-13%	12-13%
Body	Light to medium	Light
Intensity	Medium to pronounced	Medium
Key Growing Regions	Italy (Marche, Umbria), California	Italy, Alsace, California, Oregon
Classic Pairings	Poultry, salads, light pasta dishes	Light pasta, seafood, salads
Price Range	$15-$40	$10-$25

Comparing Verdicchio vs Pinot Grigio is a fun exercise. These two Italian white wines can have similar profiles.

Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio are both lighter Italian white wines with citrus and green apple. Verdicchio has an oily and almond note. Pinot Grigio has a pear note. Both are medium alcohol.

TL;DR: If you enjoy Pinot Grigio, you’ll Verdicchio.

Here’s what you need to know about Verdicchio vs Pinot Grigio.

Verdicchio Basics: White Italian Gem

Verdicchio grows in the Umbria and Marche regions of Italy where it makes an aromatic, bright white wine with peach, lemon, and green apple. Higher-quality versions of Verdicchio will have an almond note to them. Discover more in the complete Verdicchio wine guide.

Fun Wine Fact: Verdicchio was once more popular than Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc!

Pinot Grigio Basics: Everyday White

Also from Italy, Pinot Grigio has soared to international fame owing to its approachable and versatile nature. Predominantly associated with renowned wine regions like Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Pinot Grigio has a delicate flavor profile with subtle fruit notes and enchanting floral aromas. It stands out for its light to medium body, delivering a refreshing and easily approachable drinking experience.

Helpful Tip: Check out the complete guide to Pinot Grigio wines here.

Wine Comparison: Verdicchio vs. Pinot Grigio

Here’s a quick side-by-side that covers the most common styles of Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio.

Verdicchio Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Verdicchio wines lean towards dryness, offering a range of dry to off-dry styles.
• Alcohol: Verdicchio wines typically have medium alcohol content, similar to Pinot Grigio, ranging from around 11% to 14% ABV.
• Body: Verdicchio is known for its lighter to medium body, similar to Pinot Grigio.
• Acid: Verdicchio displays vibrant acidity, similar or slightly higher than Pinot Grigio wines.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Verdicchio expresses refreshing citrus notes along with green apple, peach, almond, and an oily quality.

Pinot Grigio Wine Profile

• Sweetness: Typically produced in a dry style, Pinot Grigio offers minimal residual sugar.
• Alcohol: Pinot Grigio wines generally feature moderate alcohol content, ranging from around 11% to 13% ABV.
• Body: Recognized for its light to medium body, Pinot Grigio ensures a refreshing and easy-drinking experience, similar to Verdicchio wines.
• Acid: Pinot Grigio tends to have medium-plus to high acid, about the same or slightly higher than Verdicchio.
• Flavor and Aroma Intensity: Pinot Grigio presents delicate flavors and aromas, with subtle floral nuances and hints of stone fruits.
• Flavors: The profile often includes notes of pear, green apple, lemon zest, and sometimes a touch of almond or honey.

Fun Wine Fact: Pinot Grigio is known as Pinot Gris in France. Despite the nomenclature difference, both terms refer to the same grape variety.

Are Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio Similar?

Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio are similar. Both wines are citrus driven with green apple, medium alcohol, a medium body, and higher acid levels.

Both Vericchio and Pinot Grigio are made using protective winemaking techniques. This helps preserve aromatics in your wine. This means using stainless steel and temperature-controlled fermentation. 

Of course, winemakers love to experiment with winemaking styles, and you’ll find innovative Pinot Grigio and Verdicchio from boutique producers.

What Is the Difference Between Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio?

Verdicchio has a distinctive oily quality and an almond skin note to it. Pinot Grigio has a pear aroma to it. Verdicchio will often have more complex layers of aromas than Pinot Grigio, but this depends on the winemaker.

Helpful Tip: Just getting started with white wine tasting? Here’s how to pick out aromas in white wines.

Verdicchio vs Pinot Grigio: Food Pairings and Serving Temperature

Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio work well with similar styles of cuisine thanks to their zippy acidity and citrus core. Think coastal seafood dishes, shellfish, light salads, and pasta with cream sauce. The wines’ acid compliments these dishes and naturally accentuates their flavors with a refreshing touch. 

Helpful Tip: If you’re just getting started with wine, head over to the post that covers just the basics of food and wine pairing. 

Both wines are best enjoyed chilled. 

Place them in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before serving. For both wines, remove the bottle from the refrigerator approximately 10-15 minutes before pouring to reach the ideal serving temperature.

Helpful Tip: If your Pinot Grigio or Verdicchio seem closed, let them sit for a few minutes and give them a good swirl to open up.

Which Is More Expensive, Verdicchio or Pinot Grigio?

It’s natural to want to compare the price of Verdicchio vs Pinot Grigio, so here’s what you need to know.

Quality Level	Verdicchio	Pinot Grigio
Entry-level	$15-$20	$5-$10
Premium	$25-$40+	$15-$25+

How Much Does Pinot Grigio Cost?

• Entry-level Pinot Grigio wines are usually priced between $5 and $10 per bottle. These wines provide excellent value for everyday enjoyment, showcasing the grape’s vibrant flavors.
• More premium Pinot Grigio wines are priced around $15-$25

Helpful Tip: Pinot Grigio wines are bottles you’ll find at your local grocery store. Check out this post for 9 quick tips on how to buy great grocery store wines.

Verdicchio Cost

• Entry-level Verdicchio wines also fall within accessible price ranges, usually ranging from $12 to $20 per bottle. These wines are accessible and bright.
• On the premium side, Verdicchio will have more intense fruit flavors. Premium Verdicchio wines will usually cost between $25 – $35 per bottle but can cost $40+.

Which Is Better? Pinot Grigio vs Verdicchio

If you love citrus-driven, lighter styles of white wine with bright acid and an almond note, then Verdicchio is the better wine. If you’re looking for citrus, green apple, and pear, with pure fruit, then Pinot Grigio is the better option. If you’re on a budget, then Pinot Grigio is less expensive than Verdicchio.

Final Thoughts – Verdicchio vs Pinot Grigio

Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio share similar flavor profiles, alcohol levels, body, and acid, so it makes sense to want to compare them. If you enjoy one, then you’ll probably enjoy the other and it’s worth taking a chance.

The best way to learn about Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio is to do a side-by-side tasting. Grab two bottles of similarly priced Verdicchio and Pinot Grigio, gather some friends, and get tasting.

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Thirsty for More?

I’m a big believer in side-by-side tastings to enhance your wine knowledge. Here’s how to host your own wine tasting for beginners.

Hosting a wine party? Check out this wine calculator that will tell you exactly how much and what kind of wine you’ll need.