From its earliest known origins in Europe in the Middle Ages the Pinot gris grape has become a popular choice for wines all over the world. It is a white wine grape that is thought to be a clone of the Pinot noir grape. Its name, "pinot gris" is the French for grey pinecone and this accurately reflects the color and the shape of the bunch as it grows on the vine. However, the color of the fruit can vary dramatically, as can the color of the wine produced from it, which can range from a deep yellow to a copperish color.