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Food-Friendly Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris is one of the most food-friendly whites you can pour. New Zealand producers have a lovely clean, mineral-driven style that suits all sorts of cooking.

With its clean acidity and subtle stone-fruit notes, Pinot Gris happily moves from delicate seafood to richer poultry, which makes it a brilliant dinner-party wine.

How Pinot Gris Pairs with Food

Its bright acidity and subtle texture work across a lot of different cuisines. A few combinations that always go well:

Fresh Seafood & Light Meats

Pinot Gris's mineral character enhances rather than competes with delicate flavours, and its clean finish keeps every bite tasting fresh — think chicken, pork and that Christmas turkey.

Creamy & Rich Dishes

The wine's natural acidity cuts through cream-based sauces for lovely balance — which is exactly why it works so well with pasta and risotto.

Asian & Fusion Cuisines

Pinot Gris is wonderfully versatile with Asian flavours. Its subtle fruit complements both spicy and aromatic dishes, particularly where there's a coconut cream sauce — think Thai green curry, Indian kormas or yellow curries.

Two Simple Recipes to Serve with Pinot Gris

Lemon & Herb Grilled Chicken with Central Otago Pinot Gris

This is a weeknight meal in our house — quick, juicy chicken that pairs perfectly with food-friendly Pinot Gris.

The bright citrus echoes the wine's natural acidity, while the herbs complement its subtle complexity.

Ingredients (serves 4):

  • 800g Bostock's chicken tenders (200g per person)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 tsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
  • Rind of 1 preserved lemon, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

  1. Combine lemon juice, garlic, oregano, preserved lemon rind, parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Gently rinse and dry the chicken tenders, then add to the marinade. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours for deeper flavour).
  3. Heat the oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray (one with a lip) with baking paper and cook the chicken tenders for 8 minutes.
  4. Allow the chicken to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to retain the juices.

Serve with a big salad and new potatoes.

Wine pairing: Akarua Central Otago Pinot Gris — Central Otago is known for mineral elegance and a food-friendly character. Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C.

Honey-Roasted Pear & Blue Cheese Crostini

This starter shows off Pinot Gris's fruit character, while the blue cheese provides a textural contrast. An old standard that enhances rather than competes with a good wine.

Ingredients:

  • 1 French baguette, sliced diagonally (2cm thick)
  • 3 firm pears, cored and cut into wedges (8 wedges per pear)
  • 3 tbsp clear honey, melted
  • 150g Whitestone blue cheese
  • 80g walnuts
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (for the whole baguette)
  • Fresh thyme sprigs

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Drizzle melted honey lightly over the pear wedges to coat. Spread on a lined baking tray and roast for 12-15 minutes until golden and tender.
  2. Brush the baguette slices generously with olive oil and place in the oven. Add the walnuts to a small dish and toast both for 6-7 minutes, until the bread is golden and the nuts are fragrant.
  3. Spread Whitestone blue cheese on the warm toast, then top with honey-roasted pear wedges and toasted walnuts.
  4. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.

Wine pairing: Loveblock Organic Marlborough Pinot Gris — a certified-organic example with the clean, mineral character that makes Marlborough Pinot Gris great for entertaining.

Our Pinot Gris Range

Central Otago

Marlborough

Other Regions

Fixed-rate nationwide shipping ($10, or free over $400). Browse our full Pinot Gris collection or get in touch for pairing advice. You can also read our wine storage tips.

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