14 Best Italian Pinot Grigio Under $25: The 2023 Pocket-Friendly Guide
Pinot Grigio, the charming Italian white wine that’s as versatile (often pale and haggard) as it is refreshing (often sparklingly boring). This crowd-pleaser doesn’t just woo with its bright acidity and clean finish. It’s a little chameleon that can hold its own in a casual aperitivo or elegantly elevate a gourmet meal. In this guide, we take a flavorful journey through Italy’s vineyards to unearth the 14 best Pinot Grigios under $25. Trust us; this is a list you’ll want to sip your way through.
A Snapshot of Pinot Grigio
Origin: Italy (Also grown in France as Pinot Gris)
Common Notes: Green apple, pear, magnolia, lemon, cinnamon, saffron, baked almonds, vanilla, orchid, and white peach
Food Pairing: Seafood, chicken, salads, and a variety of fresh cheeses like mozzarella, burrata or even Feta
Price Range: Highly affordable—especially the gems we’ve listed
Disclaimer
Let’s speak candidly. This list of white wines is solid and will serve you well—indeed, it will be essential for those impromptu pairings.
Cantonese rice, spaghetti with clams, a four-cheese pizza, or mac and cheese: all can be matched nicely with these Pinot Grigios.
However, the real Pinot Grigio is something else entirely.
It comes in its orange version, a bold interpretation that finds unique depth in the darker, macerated side of this noble grape variety. When vinified solely as a white wine, it’s good and appealing, but it’s rarely a great wine, or at least it doesn’t aspire to be, except in the rarest of cases.
Pinot Grigio Lis Neris 2019
- Why You’ll Love It: A classic favorite, Lis Neris dazzles with vibrant acidity and clean notes of pear, green apple, and white flowers immerse in ginger syrup.
- Price: $21-23
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Grilled shrimp or fish tacos
Kris Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: Kris offers an aromatic experience featuring honeysuckle and stone fruits, along with a crisp mineral undertone.
- Price: $14.99
- Alcohol Content: 12%
- Pair With: Chicken Caesar salad or pasta primavera
Cavit Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: A super budget-friendly choice without compromising on quality. Cavit shows off clean and simple melon and pear flavors.
- Price: $8.99
- Alcohol Content: 11.5%
- Pair With: Fish tacos or mozzarella sticks
Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: Lumina is all about refreshing notes of zesty citrus and green apple, complemented by a mineral finish. Easygoing.
- Price: $11.99
- Alcohol Content: 12%
- Pair With: Sushi rolls or Caesar salad
Pinot Grigio Dario Coos 2020
- Why You’ll Love It: Sophisticated and well-balanced, this subtle and spicy wine offers charming floral notes combined with fresh peach and citrus. Sculpted.
- Price: $22.99
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Lightly-spiced Asian cuisine or creamy risotto
Jermann Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: Jermann boasts complex aromas of tropical fruits and wet stone, enveloping your palate with a rich texture. Aristocratic and refined.
- Price: $24.99
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Seared scallops or linguine with white clam sauce
Barone Fini Valdadige Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: Offers a harmonious blend of crisp apple flavors and chalky mineral notes. Simple, immediate, well calibrated.
- Price: $13.99
- Alcohol Content: 12%
- Pair With: Chicken Alfredo or a cheese platter
Zenato Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: A ripe and juicy Pinot Grigio with flavors of ripe melon and white peach, backed by a touch of salinity. Pleasantly straightforward.
- Price: $15.99
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Pan-seared fish or pasta salad
Voga Italia Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: Fresh, youthful, and vibrant, Voga offers clean flavors of apple and pear, making it an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser. You forget about it quickly, but it is easy to use.
- Price: $11.99
- Alcohol Content: 11.5%
- Pair With: Grilled vegetables or a Caprese salad
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: This wine delivers notes of lush tropical fruits and bright lemon, making it a refreshing choice for any occasion. Basic.
- Price: $10.99
- Alcohol Content: 12%
- Pair With: Grilled chicken or seafood paella
Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio 2020
- Why You’ll Love It: Crisp, complex, and luxurious. Flavors of quince, baked mango, lemon curd, cinnamon, and apricot dominate, rounded out by a smoky minerality. Sumptuously flirty.
- Price: $21-24
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Lobster bisque or mushroom risotto
Tommasi Le Rosse Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: A well-rounded Pinot Grigio with notes of peach, pear, and a trace of almond.
- Price: $17.99
- Alcohol Content: 12%
- Pair With: Roasted pork or fettuccine Alfredo
Tiefenbrunner Turmhof Pinot Grigio 2021
- Why You’ll Love It: It captures your senses with crisp apple and pear, vanilla, saffron, underscored by a streak of lemon zest. Deliciously floral.
- Price: $16-18
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Grilled halibut or a hearty Caesar salad
Attems Pinot Grigio
- Why You’ll Love It: Attems stands out with its lush flavors of white peach and green apple, rounded off with a note of honey. Solid, but not spectacular.
- Price: $21.99
- Alcohol Content: 12.5%
- Pair With: Shrimp scampi or polenta with porcini and bacon.