Pinot grigio (‘grey’) owes its name to the colour of the grape. It is the product of a bud-mutation of pinot nero, with which is shares nearly all its features, except for the colour of the skins. Pinot grigio needs very specific growing conditions, in cool dry locations. It is in Friuli Venezia Giulia that it has finally found an ideal environment and put down roots, giving regular but never large yields. Vinified with the immediate separation from the skins it produces a white wine of finesse and elegance. Brief skin contact on the other hand gives a wine with a pale onion skin shade.