Fun facts about Pinot Grigio Grigio means gray in Italian, referring to the color of its skin! The Pinot Gris grape is a genetic mutation of the Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc grapes, and is part of the Pinot grape family. Despite being a white grape, Pinot Gris has shades of pink and gray in its skin, which can reflect distinct colors in the wines produced with it. Although this grape is of French origin, it was the Italians who made it known worldwide and began to dominate its global production!