Wines from Friuli

This single-varietal Malvasia is a reference in the Collio every year. Elegant aromas of white peach, jasmine, magnolia, crushed rock and fresh herbs pour from the glass with every sip. On the palate, pine and fresh herbs combine with fresh apples and apricots, with layers upon layers of ever-evolving flavours. Great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

In addition to his Friulano vineyards, Dario Raccaro has been cultivating a small vineyard planted with 100% Guyot Pinot Gris vines for many years. Since the 2022 vintage, he has been selling just 2,000 bottles of this fine wine and we are delighted to have received an allocation. Pale straw yellow in colour, with a fine, floral bouquet with traces of flint and white smoke. Well-structured on the fresh palate, soft and flowing, very velvety and deep at the same time, a masterful interpretation of Pinot Gris! SUPERIORE.DE

This mature Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso comes from the single vineyard "Zuc di Volpe" – a prime example of the ripening potential and aristocratic depth of this autochthonous variety. 2013 was a classic vintage: a cool spring, a moderate summer and a dry autumn allowed a late harvest of perfectly ripe grapes with a distinctive tannic structure and lively freshness. The wine was matured in large wooden barrels and barriques and then allowed to rest in the bottle for many years. Today it displays a multi-layered bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry, graphite, undergrowth and liquorice. Powerful and focused on the palate, with ripe tannins, savoury spice and a characteristic balsamic freshness that characterises the long finish. A hint of dark chocolate and a touch of iron add depth.

A rare Riesling from Friuli that does not seek grand gestures, but impresses with its precision and subtle tension. The grapes come from higher-lying plots with calcareous flysch soil, which favours the mineral expression. Pale yellow in the glass with a greenish tinge. The bouquet opens with fine notes of lime, white peach, some grapefruit and a hint of flint. Slender, straightforward and powerful on the palate, with animating acidity and a pleasantly tart, citrus-accentuated finish. A northern Italian Riesling with character that consciously sets itself apart from German or Alsatian models – fine, dry and mineral in character. Good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

A rare Riesling from Friuli that does not seek grand gestures, but impresses with its precision and subtle tension. The grapes come from higher-lying plots with calcareous flysch soil, which promotes the mineral expression. The 2022 vintage brought ripe, healthy harvestwith a vital acidity structure - ideal conditions for a dry, trenchant Riesling.

Prunella Mandorlata is a beautifully amber-coloured, light and delicate liqueur made from bitter almonds. Exceptionally rich in flavour and aroma. Made according to Antonio Nonino's old original recipe. SUPERIORE.DE

In the far north-east of Italy, where the Julian Alps meet the Adriatic Sea, one man once wrote wine history. Livio Felluga, affectionately known as "il contadino" by Luigi Veronelli, is considered the patriarch of Friulian wine culture. His family was already producing Refosco and Malvasia in Istria – when he came to Friuli at the end of the 1930s, he brought this heritage with him. The Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, named after its characteristic red stems, is rooted in the flysch soils of the Colli Orientali, the interplay of marl and limestone that has produced the best red wines here for thousands of years. Twelve months in barriques give the wine depth without masking its origin.

The Vigna del Rolat vineyard – barely two hectares in size – lies on the south-eastern slopes of Monte Quarin. There, where the view extends over the gentle waves of the Collio as far as Slovenia. Here, on the fossilised marl soils of the Ponca, Friulano has been growing for generations. The grape variety that defines the Collio like no other. Dario Raccaro is not a man of big words. His family has been cultivating these slopes since 1928, and nothing has changed in his philosophy over the decades: The vineyard speaks, the winemaker translates. The Vigna del Rolat is considered by connoisseurs to be one of the most important single vineyards in the Collio, and the Friulano produced from it has the class that recently led Daniele Cernilli from Doctor Wine to name it the best white wine in Italy. It is a wine that lingers.

On the gently rolling slopes of Monte Quarin, in the heart of the Collio Goriziano, lies the small domain of the Raccaro family. Since 1928, they have been cultivating their seven hectares with the quiet perseverance that characterises true craftsmanship. Dario Raccaro is recognised by connoisseurs as one of the "great silents" of the Collio – his wines have a powerful essentiality that lingers on. His Collio Bianco combines Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia Istriana to create a cuvée that speaks unmistakably of the terroir of the Ponca soils. Gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation at 18 degrees, six months of maturation in stainless steel – a vinification that favours clarity.

An outstanding red wine with origin and personality: "Vicorosso" combines 80% Merlot with 20% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso - a cuvée that embodies international elegance and regional expression in equal measure. The grapes come from old, slow-growing vines on the typical Ponca soils between Prepotto and Buttrio. After selective hand-picking, the wine matured for around 15 months in French barriques before harmonising for a few months in the bottle. Dense ruby red in the glass with violet reflections. The rich bouquet of black cherry, blackberry and plum is finely underpinned by violets, liquorice, tobacco leaf and graphite. The palate combines juicy fruit, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity in great balance, supported by a hint of salty minerality on the finish. The wine has a precise, compact and stimulating effect at the same time - an (almost) modern Friulian red wine with depth. SUPERIORE.DE

Natural distillate matured in barriques and small wooden barrels from selected soft vintage marc from Friuli. Distillation with separation of the first and last run in exclusive copper steam stills.

The Pecorari family's passion for single-varietal wines is best represented by the Pinot Grigio Gris, which is matured for 11 months on the fine lees with bâtonnage. This Pinot Grigio fermented in oak offers an exciting and complex bouquet of white peach, citrus, flint, crushed oyster shells, white rose petals and notes of acacia honey. The well-proportioned acidity, the fresh flavour and the wonderful depth and tension make it easy to see that the Pinot Grigio at Lis Neris occupies an absolutely special position every year. SUPERIORE.DE"Firm, somewhat nutty, planty to herbaceous and hints of mushroomy aromas of yellow fruit with slightly smoky and vanilla wood notes and nuances reminiscent of mussel shells. Polished, firm fruit with melting and some light wood notes, fine acidity, has a grip of ripe tannin, good substance and persistence, certain depth, salty minerality, tobacco, butter and hints of crab meat in the background, very good, animating finish with bite." Wein-Plus"Bright straw yellow colour. Fine reduction on the nose, subtle flint, precious wood and stone fruit. Full-bodied and radiant on the palate, with great juiciness and salinity, powerful, savoury, lingers for a long time, great Pinot Grigio!" Falstaff"It is fresh and mineral with notes of white peaches, flowers and stones. Crisp and juicy with a medium body and a polished, mineral backbone. Tasty finish." James Suckling"The 2021 Pinot Grigio Gris tantalises the senses with an opulent blend of vanilla pods, sweet spices and whole butter complementing ripe apples and pears. It is pleasantly round and silky in flavour, with a core of juicy acidity that balances it out and ripe fruit that plays around it. The balance on the inside is fantastic. The 2021 rejuvenates with a saline mineral note and sour citrus, leaving a youthful inner tension. The oak will need to be integrated a little over the coming years, but I expect that with a little patience an absolutely stunning interpretation will develop." Vinous

The 2021 "L'Arcione" vintage is currently somewhat younger, but already has a promising structure. The cuvée of Merlot and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso comes from selected vineyards in the Colli Orientali, characterised by mineral marl rock and careful hand-picking. The wine is matured separately in barriques as usual, followed by ageing in large wooden barrels. In 2021, a balanced climate with cool nights and a warm ripening phase ensured precision and freshness.

Antonio Bragato, born in Germany but with an absolute Friulian identity, joined forces 20 years ago with Gianni Maccari, who was cellar master at Livio Felluga for many years and founded his own winery Ronco della Rocca at the beginning of the millennium. Maccari, who has a degree in agronomy and Oenologist, is considered one of the best-trained viticultural experts in Friuli. The profound knowledge of his own 12 hectares of vineyards as well as the leased plots and the radical precision in the execution of every operation characterise the clear style and the reliable quality of the wines that Antonio Bragato creates there together with him.

Chardonnay is considered a chameleon among grape varieties – adaptable, malleable, ready for any interpretation. But what happens if it is denied precisely this transformation? When the pomace is processed fresh and soft, fermentation takes place anaerobically in stainless steel, distillation is slow in Benito Nonino's copper steam stills – and then: no wood, no colouring, just rest in neutral steel? The result is crystalline clarity. Bright fruits unfold on the nose – apple, pear, a hint of freshly baked bread. The palate reveals the harmonious softness that characterises Chardonnay when it is given space rather than direction. The finish is gentle and lingering. Served at 12°C in a tulip glass, this grappa reveals the essence of the grape variety – unadulterated and self-confident. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant, rich yellow with silver-green reflections. The bouquet has pronounced smoky, mineral notes, full flavours of mango, citrus fruit, sage and asparagus. It shows its true class on the palate: wonderfully complex structure, lots of naturally sweet flavour, refreshing acidity and a juiciness, strength and length that can only be achieved through long contact with the lees and simultaneous agitation. Very convincing, downright captivating! SUPERIORE.DE

Bright yellow-green in colour. Intense nose of orchard fruits, ripe peach, roasted nuts and some lemon mousse, rounded off with creamy vanilla. Very juicy on the palate, not too heavy, with salty elements and warm yellow fruit flavours. Chardonnay made by Lis Neris is always a complete pleasure and a lasting memory. Very elegant and with good ageing and maturation potential thanks to 11 months of ageing on the fine lees. SUPERIORE.DE

Sauvignon Bianco combines the intense flavour of Sauvignon with the heady and rich style of Meroi. Lemon oils and wild herbal tones combine with a hint of ground ginger. It is round in texture, but with a lively acid balance that conveys elegance with green citrus and penetrating spice. The finish is long and colourful, leaving a hint of lime and a residual acidity that keeps the expression fresh. Exciting contrast of savoury and sweet. A large-format Sauvignon Blanc that retains its harmony at all times. SUPERIORE.DE

The Chardonnay grapes for Lis Neris' Metodo Classico come from the historic Jurosa vineyard. After the first fermentation in 500-litre barrels, it matures for at least three years in the bottle on the fine lees and develops the nobility and elegance that immediately excited us. On the nose, notes of yeast, light stone fruit, limestone and minerals. In the mouth it is creamy and elegant, blessed with depth and at the same time great freshness, which one would wish for from many a French counterpart. Dom Jurosa is precise, cool and pleasantly dry in its overall appearance, which also makes it an excellent food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

Grappa Monovitigno Il Prosecco Bianco is the ideal summer grappa: fresh, floral and with a playful flavour. Excellent enjoyment at a serving temperature of 11 degrees and also brilliant for the preparation of many cocktails. SUPERIORE.DE

Chardonnay is one of the few white wine varieties that benefit from ageing in barriques – both in the wine and in the distillate. Nonino utilises this knowledge to create a grappa that perfectly balances the character of the grape variety with the maturity of the wood. Fresh Chardonnay pomace from Friuli is fermented anaerobically and slowly distilled in Benito's copper steam stills. Then the transformation begins: the distillate rests in small barriques for eight to twelve months until crystalline clarity turns to warm amber.