Wines from Friuli

Friulano Dolée is another impressive flagship of Vie di Romans. Bright straw yellow colour. Clean, fresh aromas of honey, citrus and pear, complemented by ripe banana. On the palate, its soft texture provides an ideal sounding board for the beautifully layered fruit basket of peach, melon, quince and fresh pear. A ripe, finessed wine that finishes long and with excellent acid-fruit balance. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Friulano Dolée is exotically spiced and vibrant in the glass, with an intense burst of lemon meringue complemented by sweet mint and crystallized ginger. Silky and supple on the palate, this boasts ultra-ripe citrus and orchard fruits balanced by stimulating acidity. This finishes with outstanding length and is spicy with lingering tropical melon notes. While the 2021 comes across as sweet, it's just a trick of the acidity and fruit, as this finished at only 1.2 grams of residual sugar." Vinous

"Spiced apples and pears with hints of peach pit, crushed almonds, dried lemon peel and the scent of summer flowers. Creamy and smooth with medium to full body, refreshed by herbs and savoury undertones. Long and racy." James Suckling

Rive Alte Sauvignon Blanc Piere is the lighter of the winery's two Sauvignons, but both wines are beautiful in their own way. Piere shows earthy notes of green olive, garden tomato leaves and sage on the palate, rounded off by upbeat and tangy flavours of citrus orange peel and some crushed mineral and white pepper. All the elements are in place and like all Vie di Romans whites, Piere needs time in the glass to find its centre and minerality. And if you have the patience to give it to him, he is great. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Sauvignon Blanc Piere 2021 is a spice bomb that captures my attention with hints of ground ginger, cardamom, flint and curry before flowing into dried nectarines. It is luxurious and silky, yet with a cooling minerality and acidity that underlines its floral notes of green citrus and melon. For all its intensity, the 2021 finishes crisp and classically dry, while spicy herbal notes linger. This forward, fruit-driven yet seductive Sauvignon is a true delight." Vinous

"Light straw yellow with greenish reflections. Intense, cool scents of gooseberry, pineapple, basil and flint. On the palate medium structure, soft with present fruit, persistent, juicy final." Falstaff

"Spicy and citrusy with pear slices, lime peel, spicy herbs and raw almonds. Medium to full-bodied, juicy and crisp with exciting phenolic character. Steady and lively acidity. Long and mineral with a creamy finish." James Suckling

"From the vineyard of the same name, a pure Sauvignon Blanc of complexity and finesse, aged on the lees in steel, notes of pineapple on the nose, nuances of lemongrass, hints of white pepper and cedar peel. Spicy-iodic on the palate, with a fruity-citrus finish." Luca Gardini

Soft, silky wine with aromas of ripe apricots and honey that harmonise well with the fleshy richness of the mouthfeel. The expressive and very varietal palate is crowned by abundant stone fruit, melon and pear. This is a strong showing from one of the winery's flagships. SUPERIORE.DE

"A graceful, medium-bodied white that caresses the palate with a creamy texture. Features flavors of ripe mango and melon, blood orange peel and crushed pine supported by mouthwatering acidity and an underlying streak of salinity, both driving the well-honeyed finish." Wine Spectator

"Rich and dense Sauvignon with notes of waxed lemons, ripe stone fruit, raw almonds and spicy and herbaceous nuances. The palate is full-bodied with depth and creaminess, but also with a lively acidity that gives it a fresh and citrusy appeal. Long finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Vieris opens slowly in the glass, holding back in its youthful state, with hints of lemon oil, rosemary and wet stone accentuated by sweet spice. This is seamlessly silky, almost oily in feel, with sapid yellow citrus and savory herbal tones enriched by vibrant acidity. It finishes potent and spicy, leaving the palate saturated in an intense staining of primary concentration. The potential here is off the charts." Vinous

Confini can justifiably be called one of the best white wines of Friuli. This crescent is an exciting blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, with the strong aromas of Traminer clearly leading the way. Medium-weight on the palate, creamy richness and silky intensity, with hints of tropical fruits, gingerbread and exotic flowers. In the last third, it is again wide-ranging, full of freshness, juicy acids and grace - and with the lasting, deep impression that more than does justice to a top wine of this appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Confini is exotic, with peach jam and mint offset by crushed stones, sage, fresh cucumber and tomato leaves. It is a textural thrill, weighty and almost oily, yet vibrant and fresh, with salty minerals and an acidity that balances the lush ripe melon and orchard fruit. There is a hint of heat, but it is not distracting, as the 2018 finishes long yet remarkably fresh. Confini is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and a dash of Rhine Riesling." Vinous

"Grapefruit, dried flowers, lychee and some preserved lemon on the nose. Intense dried citrus character. Full-bodied. Slightly bitter floral notes on the finish. Pinot Grigio, Traminer and Riesling. Drink now." James Suckling

Beautiful Verduzzo Friulano wrapped in shiny old gold and with delightful aromas from brittle to almonds, from apricot jam to caramel. The palate is also pampered by fine sweet aromas and a taste of integrity and persistence balanced by fresh acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

"I think it's safe to say that Serena Palazzolo and her husband Christian Patat are at the top of their game, which means that the wines of Ronco del Gnemiz are among the best made in Friuli today. There is a lot to choose from here, because the transparency of the terroir is paramount. It may be easier to sell and market one or two Sauvignons, Chardonnay or Friulano wines, but the differences between each hill, each site and the age of each vineyard create such unique expressions that it would be a shame not to produce all six.

Standing on the hill where this winery is located, looking out over Rosazzo in the Colli Orientali, it becomes clear why these vineyard designations are so important to the future of the region. These hills rise and fall like bubbles rising from the earth and dropping to the horizon. I can imagine a winemaker's fascination with each of these unique sites. If you were to make a short list of the best producers in Friuli, you should put Ronco del Gnemiz at the top of the list." Vinous

New to the single-varietal portfolio of the top winery is the single-vineyard Sauvignon from the Lo Lozeta vineyard of the same name, which, after years of experimentation, has finally seen the light of day. It is the result of the avant-garde planting system, which, in contrast to the method of cultivation previously practised in Friuli, means not only a higher planting density, but also the intelligent use of clones and biotypes intermarried with French offshoots. It is another uncompromising and consistent step towards complexity and personality, with optimal exploitation and expression of the existing terroir and microclimate.

It is only with this year 2019 that the wine has found the balance and complexity that enabled Christian Patat to present it to the public in a very small edition alongside the famous classics Peri, Sol and Salici. This result and this interpretation of Sauvignon Bianco, full of character, is not only something to look forward to, but also something to be proud of as a winemaker! SUPERIORE.DE

"Gravel, candied lemon peel, green apple and dusty dried flowers all flow effortlessly from the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Lozeta. It's silky-smooth, almost oily to the touch, but with an energy and precision that excites the senses, while salty minerals bring tension over a dense core of ripe stone fruits. Cheeks pucker with youthful tension, while tart citrus and floral notes linger long. The 2019 Lozeta could do with a year or two of ageing to reveal all its charms." Vinous

Lis is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and is one of the top wines of the house. Wonderfully multi-layered in its aromas of citrus and passion fruit, yellow apple and an initially barely perceptible flavourful lead from the Sauvignon Bianco. All elements of this cuvée are equal on the palate and masterfully blended, the mouthfeel is soft and round. With its subtle pressure, this complex and at the same time elegant white makes you want more and inevitably casts a spell over every Friuli fan. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense light gold with straw yellow. In the nose restrained, filigree, of flint, citrus fruits, minimally of white stone fruit. Shows itself on the palate with racy acidity and polished course, powerful." Falstaff

"Aromas of apple pie, mango, nougat, almond, vanilla and custard. It’s full-bodied with an oily texture and fresh acidity. Some biscuity and nutty notes to close." James Suckling

"So pretty, delicate and fresh, the 2017 Lis is more of a whisper than a shout, but with a lot to say. Swirling unlocks nuances of young peach and mango complemented by hints of sage and ground ginger. It washes across the palate with ease, delivering mineral-tinged pit fruits and minty herbs, but also a slightly odd, yet still pleasurable, air of butterscotch. The 2017 finishes with medium length and nicely refreshing, while leaving a citrusy reverberation of tension and notes of hazelnut to linger on. The Lis is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which could use a short stay in the cellar to blossom further and unlock its underlying depth." Vinous