All wines have their moment in the spotlight, but if there was one you possibly wouldn't associate with the word "expensive" it would surely be Pinot Gris.

Also known as Pinot Grigio, Grauburgunder and Auxerrois Gris among other equally wide-ranging synonyms, Pinot Gris can be a funny old grape. Not really known for making ageworthy whites in the manner of Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc or magnificent, lush dessert wines à la Riesling, Pinot Gris can have a reputation for rather flabby, insipid numbers or cheap-swilling Italian Pinot Grigio.

As the below 10 prove, this is far, far from the truth. Some notable regions like Alsace have long recognized Pinot Gris' noble qualities; in fact, it could be said that few other regions hold Pinot Gris in as high regard as the winemakers of Alsace. The Alsatians consider Pinot Gris to be one of the four noble grape varieties, which include fellow aromatics Riesling, Muscat and Gewürztraminer. For all that, the most expensive wine in our list doesn't come from Alsace.

1. Domane Bergstrasse Heppenheimer Centgericht Rulander Trockenbeerenauslese, Hessische Bergstrasse, Germany

Taking first place for most expensive Pinot Gris on Wine-Searcher is this tongue-twister. Made by Weingut Kloster Eberbach, which, like many longstanding German producers, also functions as a monastery. The Heppenheimer Centgericht Rulander Trockenbeerenauslese Pinot Gris is, as the name suggests, the very sweetest expression of the grape. The average price hovers around $212 and is the highest priced Pinot Gris in the region as well as on our database. With only a handful of offers listed across a few vintages in both Germany and the UK, it is quite likely that scarcity is a big factor in inflating the price tag.

2. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Selection de Grains Nobles Trie Speciale, Alsace

Now we get to Alsace. The name Zind-Humbrecht is the result of a union between the Humbrecht family, who have owned the estate since the 17th Century, and the Zinds, another local winemaking family. The wine is made from grapes affected by noble rot so, like the Trockenbeerenauslese, it is inherently sweet. These wines also happen to be very highly regarded, the aggregated critic score is 94, and the 2010 vintage received a high score of 98 from Wine Spectator. This is, of course, reflected in the price with bottles commanding on average $209.

3. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Selection des Grains Nobles, Alsace

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht also takes third place with the standard Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Selection des Grains Nobles. With an aggregated critic score of 92 points, it's two points behind the Trie Speciale but it's still a huge hit with the critics. Jancis Robinson gave the 2002 vintage a high score of 18 out of 20, describing it as: "Deep, gold, broad, thick, sweet." But, like the Trie Speciale, deep gold costs – in this case $173.

4. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace

Continuing their domination, it's Domaine Zind-Humbrecht again – we haven't seen the last of them. This wine is from the Clos Windsbuhl vineyard, which is generally harvested later than other vineyards, helping lend more aromatic qualities. Like most of the Zind-Humbrecht range, these wines have been well received, gaining an aggregated critic score of 95 points, but you will have to cough up $156 to get some.

5. Willi Opitz Pinot Gris Trockenbeerenauslese, Neusiedlersee, Austria

Wine number six is a trockenbeerenauslese from Austria made by the Willi Opitz winery, which also runs as a guesthouse. Founded in 1995, Opitz had, prior to the winery, enjoyed a career with an international food company. Since focusing fully on wine, Opitz has released a rather novel CD called the Sound of Wine, a recording of the noises made by 15 different wines fermenting – obviously. And the wines themselves have done rather well, selling in London's Harrods and on the Formula 1 circuit. The Pinot Gris Trockenbeerenauslese is highly thought-of with critics, receiving an aggregated critic score of 90 points and, at $88, it is also one of the more affordable wines to make this list.

6. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal, Alsace

Back to good old Domaine Zind-Humbrecht with yet another offering from vineyard plot Clos Jebsal, this time the standard Pinot Gris without the botrytis. Like the majority of Zind-Humbrecht's wines, this is popular with the critics, nabbing an aggregated score of 92 points. And at an average price of $84, this is certainly one of the more reasonably priced of their offerings.

7. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain, Alsace Grand Cru

The last one from Zind-Humbrecht, we promise, but at least it's from a different plot. The name is a bit of a mouthful, but one well worth investigating. The grapes are taken from the Rangen vineyard, which sits on volcanic soil, perfect for low-yielding vines. And it's these low yields that help create intense and concentrated Pinot Gris. As Master of Wine Julia Harding, of the Jancis Robinson team, described them, the wines express "rich ripe citrus – lemon and orange", with a touch of spice. This is backed up by an aggregated critic score of 94 points and very attractive price tag of $83. Out of all of the Domaine Zind-Humbrecht wines to make this list, the Ranger de Thann appears to give the most bang for your buck.

8. Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Vendanges Tardives, Alsace

Another Pinot Gris from Alsace, a late-harvested wine from Altenbourg. In 1998, Domaine Weinbach started experimenting with biodynamic practices, before going fully biodynamic in 2005. The Altenbourg vineyards are considered to be some of the best the winery owns for Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and, of course, Pinot Gris. The wine is naturally sweet, with Richard Hemming MW describing the 2008 vintage as having "layers of sweet, tropical fruit, orange peel, cinnamon and a touch of earthy funk on the finish". In total, this wine garners an aggregated critic score of 91 points all for an average price of $80.

9. Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris 'Cuvee Clarisse' Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace

Our penultimate wine is another Selection de Grains Nobles from Alsace. Domaines Schlumberger has been going since 1810, founded by Nicolas Schlumberger who bought some vines initially in celebration at starting up a successful textile factory. However, it was in the 1970s under the guidance of Eric Beydon Schlumberger that the estate took off. Their Cuvee Clarisse is a late harvest sweet expression with an aggregated critic score of 90 points and the not too unreasonable price of $80.

10. Domaine Comte Senard Aloxe-Corton Blanc, Cote de Beaune

Rounding off this list is a surprise – a wine from Burgundy, where Pinot Gris is known as Pinot Beurot. Domaine Comte Senard's Aloxe Corton Blanc is described as a low-acid expression of the grape with vanilla and biscuit aromas. And with an aggregated critic score of 88 points, this is also the most affordable at $77 – its still pricey but at least it's not in the triple digits.