VINOUS.COM – Friuli Report 2025

Livo Felluga's second top cuvée Abbazia di Rosazzo is closely linked to the abbey of the same name, a centuries-old centre of Friulian wine culture. The blend of Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Ribolla Gialla comes from steep vineyards with marl and sandstone soils. The climate between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea ensures warm days, cool nights and a long growing season – ideal conditions for aromatic precision and elegant acidity. The 2019 vintage brought a balanced ripeness with cool minerality and fine structure. After being harvested by hand, the wine was matured on the fine lees, partly in stainless steel and partly in wood, giving it depth and complexity.

Borgo del Tiglio's Malvasia Italo & Bruno (of which only 1,200 bottles were produced) is a delicate wine with pretty scents reminiscent of white flowers, gardenias and honeydew melon. There is also a distinct mineral note, but here it is more dusty or ashy than salty. This is an exceptional expression of Malvasia, a versatile grape with particularly floral flavours when in the right hands. SUPERIORE.DE

Ronco della Chiesa is another inspiring expression from one of Italy's most exciting white wine artists: the wine is made from 100% Friulano and is aged for 10 months in barriques. Its complexity is extraordinary. The wine grows in intensity with every passing minute, with notes of white peach, nectarine, poached pear and crushed limestone. As it progresses, there are hints of baked sweet bread or buttery croissant. On the palate, a very pleasing, medium fruit weight with beautiful, balanced acidity. Its quality clearly comes more from the fruit than from the winemaking. Only 2,600 bottles of this great Friulano were produced. SUPERIORE.DE

The winery's flagship white wine is called Studio di Bianco and is a blend of 40% Friulano, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Riesling, aged for 10 months in large barrels. It is an exceptional white wine, certainly one of the best in Italy, with a unique energy and tension that is reflected in a complex bouquet. A cornucopia of floral aromas, stone fruit, peach cake, honey and vanilla cream explode in the glass. The medium-bodied texture of the wine finishes smooth and very defined, revealing a unique complexity and elegance. The total production per vintage is just 1,900 bottles and anyone who has had this wine in their glass at least once in their life should consider themselves lucky. SUPERIORE.DE

The Rosso della Centa is a 100% Merlot that comes from a small vineyard on the south-western slopes of the hills of San Giorgio in Brazzano. Red grapes are grown on this one-hectare plot of land, most of them Merlot. The soil of this marvellous field is typical of the Collio, as it was formed by the fragmentation of the alternating layers of marl and sandstone that form the foundation of the hills. The slopes are very steep, which is why the field was terraced and stabilised with dry stone walls.

A name like a riddle, a label like an echo of pop culture and poetry – but in the glass, "W... Dreams ..." reveals a Chardonnay of remarkable clarity and depth. What began as an experiment in 1987 has long since developed into an icon. The grapes come from selected plots near Dolegna del Collio and Farra d'Isonzo, on calcareous marl soils with excellent drainage. The 2022 vintage was characterised by a hot, dry summer, but cooler nights from mid-August ensured aromatic precision and a fine acid structure.

Pure Pinot Nero that is only produced in the best years. Fine, very elegant bouquet of redcurrant, blueberry and sweet spicy notes. Cool and lean on the palate, with Burgundian finesse and structure, the fruit discreetly underpinned by fine spice and wonderfully polished tannins. Long and complex with aristocratic restraint and blessed with great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE