Putting the fizz back into Friuli
More From: Curious Wines
Posted June 17th, 2010 by Matt Kane | No Comments
Back in January we thought we’d be smart and put up a wine for the second Twitter Blind Wine Tasting that no one could possibly guess. That’s until Lar Veale came along and nailed the grape variety and the region on the head. It was sour grapes all round as we went from smug to mug.
The wine that night passing the lips of curious wine drinkers across the country was the Poggiobello Merlot. It received great praise from all involved and from our perspective it was a nice experiment to introduce something that isn’t necessarily at the top of everyone’s wine shopping list. But there’s more to Friuli than just good Merlot.
Friuli-Venezia Guila, as it’s also known, consists of 11 DOCs and 3 DOCGs. Between them there is over 30 different grape varieties grown, including those international classics, such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a region that has really upped its game recently as it now rubs shoulders with the likes of Tuscany in terms of quality and world prestige.
We currently carry the Pinot Grigio as well as the Merlot, but the Sauvignon Blanc may well be an addition in the near future as it has really impressed at tastings. If Alsace were to produce a Sauvignon Blanc it would be exactly like the Poggiobello. Amazing concentration and fruit weight, yet it still showing incredible elegance. Quite a serious wine.
Poggiobello estate is located near the town of Oleis di Manzano (Province of Udine). The vineyards cover an area of 110 hectares (270) acres. They are terraced and cover two large amphitheatres. The soil made up of Eocene marl and sand are extremely meagre and provide excellent drainage. The weather is also very well suited for viticulture and grape ripening, especially for the white varietals that benefit from the warm breezes from the Adriatic Sea, which is only 30km away, and from the Julian Alps that protect the area from the cold winds of Northern Europe.
All proseccos taste of apples and sometimes pears. The Borgo Magredo exudes very rich, ripe Cox’s apple and pear William. Although proseccos will never reach the heights of Champagne or their prices, this one brings the fun back into drinking bubbles, whilst possessing the finesse of a wine drinkers’ wine.
This is the heart of the Grave Friuli DOC, where the soil is referred to as “magredi” and the weather characteristics are extremely favourable. The hot summer days are followed by cool, breezy nights and the resulting temperature excursion contributes to create incredible aromas in the grapes.
Borgo Magredo is the largest estate in Friuli and is equipped with the most modern technology with an innovative vacuum-press that crushes the white grapes very gently. A few years back, Donato Lanati, one of Italy’s best oenologists, was appointed to oversee wine operations.
















