Friulano Collio DOC 2021

This Friulano comes from the hills of the Collio, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, around Cormons, a stone's throw from the Slovenian border. The vineyards of Polje, the Sutto family estate, surround the winery and stretch as far as the Plessiva woods. They take root in « ponca », a stratified alternation of marl and sandstone, with clay sediments at the bottom of the valley. The woods bordering the plots create singular microclimates, ideal for elegant white wines with great personality.

The vines, around thirty years old and Guyot-trained, are tended by hand. The harvest is manual, in the last ten days of September. After destemming, the grapes are gently pressed, then the must ferments at controlled temperature in stainless-steel tanks, where the wine then continues to develop. This oak-free winemaking preserves the aromatic purity of Friulano and its natural freshness.

This wine reveals notes of acacia blossom, lemon, grapefruit, pear, green apple, fresh butter, almond and cut hay. The intense, broad nose blends white flowers and citrus with a buttery touch. The palate is full and dry, carried by lovely acidity, and stretches into a persistent finish marked by the delicate bitterness of almond, the signature of the grape variety.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!