The white grape variety originates from France. There are about 150 synonyms that testify to its great age and worldwide distribution in many wine-growing countries. The most important of these, grouped alphabetically by country, are Drusen, Druser, Grauburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Grauer Clevner, Kleiner Traminer, Rheingrauer, Ruländer, Speyerer (Germany, Austria); Arnaison Gris, Arnoison Gris, Auvernat Gris, Auxerrois Gris, Beurot, Friset, Fromenteau Gris, Griset, Malvoisie, Moréote Gris, Muscade, Noirien Gris, Pineau Cendre, Pineau Cendrée, Pinot Beurot (France); Edelklevner, Tokay until 2007; then forbidden (Alsace); Pinot Grigio, Rulander Grigio (Italy); Râjik (Moldova); Griset, Musler (Switzerland); Burgundské Sivé, Rulandské Sivé(Slovakia); Sivi Pinot (Slovenia); Rulandské Šedé, Burgundské Šedé (Czech Republic); Hamvas Szoeloe, Skürzebarát (Hungary). It is a colour mutation of the Pinot Noir. Pinot Gris then mutated into Pinot Blanc (or vice versa). The Pinot Gris variety thus belongs to the Pinot varieties (see there in detail). In spite of morphological similarities or synonyms that seem to indicate this, it must not be confused with Savagnin Rose (Traminer variety).
The three varieties Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris have passed on their genes through natural crossing (often with the crossing partner Gouais Blanc or Heunisch)....
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