Wines from Friuli

Felluga's Picolit is a perfect example and explains the popularity and reputation of this rare and traditional sweet wine. Golden yellow in colour, it has a wonderful aroma of honey, white flowers and ripe tropical fruit. The sweet and rich flavour is characterised by a pleasant viscosity and impeccable balance. SUPERIORE.DE

"A", as it is called in the winery, represents the qualitative peak of Schiopetto. This wine is made from Chardonnay grapes and a small part of Friulano, which come from a historic single vineyard site of the winery in the Colli Orientali and achieve a unique expression. A perfect synthesis between the expressiveness of Chardonnay and the aromatic complexity of Friulano, this white wine shows the quintessence and full personality of the Friulian territory and is dedicated to Mario Schiopetto. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a very serious chardonnay with subtle aromas of apple pie, flint and lemon curd. Holding back, but enticing you with every scent. Full-bodied with density and energy and lots of flavors, yet it’s dry and racy at the end." James Suckling

Fine grape spirit from the selection of fresh Moscato Giallo from Vallagarina-Trentino. Smells of May roses, aromatic, fresh and floral on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

Rare Fragolino grapes from Nonino's own vineyards produce this exceptional grape spirit. Clear and pure, the aromas are reminiscent of blueberries and wild berries. SUPERIORE.DE

Delicate and aromatic grape brandy from Traminer grapes, smells of roses, nutmeg and a little of blackcurrant. Memories of the dessert wine from Pantelleria come to mind. SUPERIORE.DE

The brilliantly clear Grappa Cru Monovitigno Pignolo was produced in very limited quantities and bottled in 150 numbered decanters with a vintage label, exclusively available only at SUPERIORE.DE It is a single-varietal grappa made from marc of the rare Pignolo grape from the Nonino vineyard in Buttrio in Friuli. It is rich, elegant and velvety smooth with a pronounced wild berry flavour.

With "Cru Monovitigno Pignolo", the Noninos are taking part in the "Omaggio a Venezia" project, an initiative involving prestigious Italian brand producers such as Alessi, Loro Piana, Missoni, Tod's, Trussardi and others. "Omaggio a Venezia" aims to help the city fathers of Venice to preserve the artistic and architectural heritage, this unique and unmistakable style of Venice.

Part of the proceeds from the sale will be given to the city of Venice for the restoration of the 17th century "Camerino degli Stucchi" in the Ca'Rezzonico Museum. SUPERIORE.DE

Amber-coloured grappa made from the marc of selected grapes from Friuli with an ageing period of eight years in small barrels of various woods. Soft, elegant bouquet, complex, velvety and persistent on the palate. We discover fruity and floral notes, vanilla and almonds, dried fruit and grapes. Serve this fine Riserva at room temperature in balloon-shaped glasses and allow the distillate to rest in the glass for a few minutes to allow the flavours to come into their own in full harmony. No added colourings. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light amber with golden reflections. Intense and aromatic on the nose with notes of apricot, cherry, plum, chocolate and spices. Rich and elegant on the palate, with a very long finish." Falstaff

ÙE Merlot Gran Riserva matures sealed and supervised by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Authority for over 12 years in sherry casks from Jerez de la Frontera in the company's cellars.

Natural amber colour with a golden sheen. Very elegant on the nose with sweet scents of marzipan, sultanas, iris, violets and candied fruits, which are echoed in the lingering taste and with balsamic notes.

Glass bottle with diamond cut by hand, with a gold label printed by hand in silkscreen with the signature of the master distiller and chef de cave Benito Nonino. Without added colouring. SUPERIORE.DE

It is not every year that Enzo Pontoni produces a single-varietal Malvasia from the small Mont di Zuc parcel. With the 2022 vintage, a few hundred bottles were once again bottled. Pale straw yellow in colour. Very rich, inviting bouquet of oak, pear and peach that immediately casts a spell. Lots of pressure and power on the palate - an intensity that otherwise only a red wine possesses. The long finish is characterised by notes of lemon, minerality and well-integrated wood. Be sure to aerate and serve at approx. 12°. A long-lasting pleasure with savoury dishes and sushi. SUPERIORE.DE

Josko Gravner's Ribolla Gialla is not only a captivating, class-defining and skin-deep white wine, but also the one that has made him a cult winemaker and can be found on every cutting-edge wine list around the globe. Every sip brings with it unfathomable depth, curiosity and intoxicating opulence, opening up new dimensions of flavour every hour. With more than 50 vintages, no one but Josko knows how long they will continue to make wine. That's why we always advise buying these rare wines while they last!

Deep orange with amber-coloured reflections. Seductive, initially slightly reductive, oxidative, sweet bouquet of dried orange, peach and sweet spices. On the palate, it has an impressively silky texture with lush fruit, honey notes, hints of baked apple and vanilla. It is firm, stable and could be mistaken for a red wine when tasted blind. Be sure to temper it to 14-16°C, decant and keep a little for the next day! SUPERIORE.DE

Aristocratic! The whole world regards Picolit as "la Regina delle Grappe" due to its character, harmony and the emotions it evokes with every sip. Pure and crystalline, its nose is reminiscent of full honeycombs, acacia flowers, ripe quinces, fresh Moscato and freshly picked figs. In the mouth, the sensations of the nose are confirmed with the additional flavour of bread crust. Very persistent aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

Bottled by hand in hand-blown bottles with silver stoppers. The fill level may vary as each bottle is unique.

"... with a hint of delicate grape perfume; the middle nosing passages offer elegant but deceptively powerful flavours of grapes, tropical fruits (especially pineapple) and marc; the final nosing shows the multi-layered, concentrated and focused aromatic characteristics of great grappas, while the grapeiness harmonises with the alcohol ... a textbook grappa flavour that is unlike anything I have experienced before ..." Paul Pacult

"Typical spiciness on the nose, coffee and cocoa, forest floor, grassy and pine-needled, vinous, compact, but rather restrained. Resinous on the palate, very spicy, transparent, consistent, very dry, the alcohol very well integrated, coffee on the finish; an athlete." Falstaff

"A single varietal grappa made from Picolit grapes, this is clear in the glass and has a delicate floral aroma. The palate opens with zesty lemon peel, leading into white blossoms and a long finish lifted by white pepper and a faint hint of cherry." Wine Enthusiast

It is reported that the hermit Alemanno chose the hill of Rosazzo as his spiritual retreat in the year 800. Around 200 years later, the Augustinians taught the local population the principles of agriculture here. The Pignolo grape variety can also be traced back to this place until the end of the 18th century. Sensitive and low-yielding, it had almost disappeared by the end of the 19th century and was rediscovered and re-cultivated in Rosazzo.

In 1983, a massal selection of a biotype with characteristically small grapes in the shape of pine cones was planted beneath the wall of the Antico Belvedere. The material, which is available in very small quantities, matures in second-use barrique barrels, which tames the natural, strong tannins and makes the wine supple.

Medium, deep garnet red colour with dark reflections. Expansive, intense and extremely complex bouquet of dried plum, red blackberry, sour cherry jam and tamarind, carried by cigar box aromas, followed by hints of blueberry, rhododendron blossom, bracken, violet and elderberry. With further aeration, black pepper, clove, incense, cherry, coffee and cinnamon. On the palate, the exuberant, almost overwhelming impressions continue with complex and spicy nuances. There is also an impressive freshness and the typical, present tannin, which is never too intrusive but forms a perfect unity with the great concert of flavours. With further aeration in the glass, you get an approximate impression of the impressive fullness and complexity of an exceptional Pignolo, which is not without reason one of the terrificred wines in Italy and leads you on an unforgettable journey of pleasure right up to the last sip. Around 1,000 bottles are only produced in the best vintages. SUPERIORE.DE

"Crazy aromas of balsamico and mussels with moss, forest flower, lead pencil, and iron. Cigar box. Medium body. Very savory and unique with tobacco leaf, cigar, cedar, wet earth, and dried mushroom. Very unique and thought-provoking." James Suckling

Rich and refined top cuvée from the white grape varieties of Friuli. The bouquet of white flowers and yellow fruit has a pleasantly smoky note. Opulent flavours of yellow and white fruits, dried apricots and honey on the palate, the balanced acidity provides backbone and structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with delicate nuances of green. Stone fruit, peach and some apricot on the nose, subtle flint notes and a hint of vanilla. Powerful on the palate, lively acidity, delicate phenolics, mouthwatering finish." Falstaff

"Clean and mineral, with a saline undertone and vibrant flavours of freshly sliced apples and pears, blanched almonds, almond blossom and a hint of ground white pepper. Fresh, chalky finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Abbazia di Rosazzo is more delicate and nuanced, with dusty dried flowers, crushed almonds and sweet smoke on the nose. It feels silky yet almost weightless and floats on the palate with a savoury mix of white stone fruits and inner flowers. It leaves a hint of minerality and finishes with a beautiful tension that leaves flinty notes of liquid stone and Bosc pear. The Abbazia di Rosazzo is an understated beauty." Vinous

"This wine has definitely moved into tertiary aroma territory. With a deep, off-gold color and orange highlights, the Livio Felluga 2019 Rosazzo Abbazia di Rosazzo shows aged tones of preserved lemon, candied orange peel, dried guava and sweet almond. Fermentation is in stainless steel, and the wine sees some aging in large oak casks. There are mild white-wine tannins and a hint of peppermint to close." Wine Advocate

"Fascinating aromas of ash, wet stones, dried apples, hints of honey and flint. Tar. Full-bodied with great density and energy. Framed and firm. Vine bark with mushrooms. Reserved. Old vines. 80 to 100 years old." James Suckling

Calvari explodes on the palate with an abundance of plums, sour cherries, graphite, flowers and minerals. This towering, massive Refosco remains extraordinarily pristine: indeed, it tastes like biting into a perfectly ripe grape from this old vineyard! A deep, baritonal register develops in the glass as this profound wine gradually reveals its pedigree. Until now, we have only known such class from Miani. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Refosco Vigna Calvariv is youthfully coy. It slowly emerges from the glass with a hauntingly dark bouquet as wild berries and currants come together with lavender, sweet smoke and the slightest hint of clove that adds a lovely contrast. This is pure elegance, silky, nearly creamy in feel, with a polished wave of ripe red and black fruits complicated by depths of salty minerals. Sage and dark chocolate traces mingle toward the close. The 2020 tapers off on a note of refinement, tannic and firm, yet not achingly so, leaving a bitter blackberry tinge that makes for perfect punctuation. This is a well-muscled stallion chomping at the bit, yet patience will be rewarded." Vinous

"W.... Dreams ... ......" has stood for "Where Dreams can happen" since the 2003 vintage and originates from "Where the Dreams have no end", which was first pressed with the 1987 harvest. The '96 to '02 vintages were labelled "Were Dreams now it's just Wine".

Expressive with aromas of lime blossom, jasmine, incense and warm peach skin, this wine crackles with vibrant acidity, delicately interwoven with layers of ripe yellow melon and apple fruit, salted almonds and candied ginger. A noble white wine that lingers for a long time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, present straw yellow colour. Opens with subtle notes of smoke, then camomile, some apricot, light mineral components in the background. Juicy and straightforward on the palate, follows through with good tension, fine yellow fruit components, salty final." Falstaff

"Fresh and toasty nose with aromas of pastry, spice, citrus and roasted pineapple. Quite full and tangy on the palate, with a flavourful mid-palate and a medium-long, clean finish. Subtle oak bite at the end." James Suckling

"There's good presence and structure to this harmonious white, with a vibrant spine of acidity working nicely with the rich range of creamed apple, chopped hazelnut, Meyer lemon peel and ginger-infused pastry cream flavors. Long and fluid, with a tang of salinity driving the finish." Wine Spectator

Vintage Tunina is predominantly made from Sauvignon and Chardonnay. There are also small amounts of Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana and Picolit. Bright golden yellow in colour, the intense, very elegant bouquet shows notes of honey and meadow flowers. Dry, soft, very fruity flavour with excellent persistence, fine spiciness and full body. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with olive green reflections. Medium expression on the nose, fine citrus fruit, cold smoke, hints of elderflower, grapefruit and crisp apricots. Good freshness on the palate, yeasty, with light phenolics and a cool core, currently still very young, still needs to age." Falstaff

"This elegant white is vibrant and inviting, with a sense of finesse as a racy spine of acidity is enmeshed with fruit flavors of melon, kiwi fruit and pink grapefruit glâcée, plus accents of green almond and white blossoms. Spice and mineral notes play on the mouthwatering finish." Wine Spectator

"Lots of tangy fruit with zesty lemon, lime, lemongrass and raw ginger character and a hint of waxy undertones. Medium-bodied, dense and focused, with a frame of fruit and a solid finish. Lots of spices and green fruits as well as fresh herbs such as basil and sage." James Suckling

Picolit is an old, autochthonous vine from Friuli with white, loose-berried grapes that suffer severely from trickling. Only some of the flowers are fertilised and only a few, very small berries ripen, in which the full expressive power of the vine is concentrated. Due to its rarity and exceptional characteristics, the vine was known throughout the imperial courts of Europe.

On 1 December 1973, Benito and Giannola Nonino created the first single-varietal grappa, Monovitigno Nonino, by distilling the pomace of the Picolit grape separately. To mark this 50th anniversary, a limited quantity of grappa was distilled separately from selected Picolit pomace from the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 harvests. This distillation process, which separates the first and last run, takes place very slowly so that the volatile components responsible for the fragrance can evaporate properly and then condense. This preserves the valuable organoleptic properties of the respective grape variety.

A single-varietal grappa of exceptional elegance, engaging, harmonious and multi-layered with a very long final. On the nose, it is reminiscent of honey-filled honeycombs, the scent of
field flowers, ripe quinces, young Moscato wine and freshly picked figs. The flavours are immediately confirmed on the palate, with hints of apricot, almonds and fresh bread crust. Paradisiacal! SUPERIORE.DE

L'Arcione Rosso, an elegant Friulian cuvée of Pignolo and Schiopettino, reveals a variety of aromas ranging from earthy to exotic on the nose. It is a highly expressive wine full of lively fruit and extraordinary complexity, its purity and race are breathtaking. This selection should be savoured at leisure! SUPERIORE.DE

"A perfumed red displaying aromas of raspberries, bark, orange rind and violets. It’s medium-bodied and firm on the palate with chalky tannins. Crushed-walnut character coming through at the end." James Suckling

Crème de cassis, graphite, smoke, new leather, spices and blackberry jam are some of the many notes that the Merlot Buri develops. Rich, multi-layered and creamy on the palate, it radiates remarkable depth. Nevertheless, it is less tannic and over-concentrated than in the past. Dark and of impressive finesse as it progresses. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Merlot Buri is youthfully inward and intense, blending licorice with musky black currants, lavender and crushed stone. This is texturally thrilling, dense and enveloping with dark red and blue fruits that stain the palate. Mentholated herbs and mineral tones lift the fine-grain tannins. Built for the distance, this leaves a sage and chalky concentration that cakes the senses. The 2020 is a bruiser, holding its power in reserve." Vinous

The single-varietal Refosco "Cossut" is named after the vineyard of the same name. Like all of Miani's single-vineyard wines, it is only produced in very small quantities and impresses with its complexity, depth, elegance and magical fruit. Dark fruits, smoke and tar overwhelm the palate with soft, plush, velvety richness. It's amazing how weightless this full-bodied red wine really is. The red parade variety of Friuli leaves no room for further interpretation here. SUPERIORE.DE

"M" stands for Mario Schiopetto. This is the wine that the children have dedicated to their father for years and it is the undisputed white flagship of the winery. This exceptional Friulano with a dash of Riesling seduces with elegant aromas of white flowers, a little smoke and spirited fruit. Ingeniously balanced, fresh and of considerable length and great ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Such clear mineral character here with peach-pit and dried-apple character. Very complex and subtle. It’s full-bodied with a tight, refined palate feel and length. It’s flinty and steely at the end with crushed stones." James Suckling

In the vast universe of Italian wine, we can name few red wines that inspire as much fascination, even awe, as those of Josko Gravner. And so Rosso Breg cannot be missing from our list of Italy's greatest red wines. Today's 2007 fermented for more than a year on the skins in wooden barrels, then in underground amphorae, after which it matured for five years in barrel and five more in bottle before being released. And yet it is the youngest red wine ever released from Josko's cellar!

Breg is a storm of deep ruby red with a garnet rim. Against a backdrop of tremendously powerful black fruits, it unfolds a strong mineral note accompanied by leather, ploughed earth, dark Cuban tobacco, black pepper and crushed rock. After some aeration, the earthy components recede and stunning aromas of black and red plums, liquorice and blackcurrants merge with a bouquet of freshly picked wild flowers. The palate is impressive, showing its captivating backbone and a skilfully balanced sense of energy and freshness. It is rare to have such a powerful red wine in the glass that drinks so elegantly, while also displaying such a high level of mineral complexity, firm structure and spicy dark fruits. SUPERIORE.DE

"Very deep ruby red. Salty, peppery dark fruit of immense depth, but which only unfolds with time in the glass. Old leather and a hint of soy sauce and liquorice. Deep red fruits on the palate with youthful acidity and lots of gravelly tannins that add a lot of depth. Long and opening finish with layers of spicy fruit and tannins. More of a sensory experience than a wine. Sensationally balanced." Jancis Robinson

"Plums, spices and mahogany. Bark and mushroom, too. Then some cinnamon and nutmeg. Dark chocolate. Full-bodied and chewy yet round and juicy. Rhubarb, black berries, and black olives. A rich and dry red. Chocolate powder and coffee beans." James Suckling

"The aromas of the 2008 Vino Rosso Breg can be glimpsed before the glass even leaves the table, with nuances of soaked plums and cloves rising effortlessly. As it swirls, it becomes darker and spicier as it gains volume and depth, releasing a complex array of ginger and curries before giving way to dusty roses, menthol, redcurrants and balsamic herbs. It glides across the palate like fine silk, caressing everything it touches with tart cherries and raspberries embellished by lavender and sage. All the while, the senses are saturated with fine tannins, yet sweet and chalky, creating a well-controlled tension that lingers on and on. The Gravner family is a true master of Pignolo, from the complexity of the fruit to the energy and its perfectly refined structure. Enjoy the 2008 now with decanting or cellar it for many years. It is a beauty." Vinous

Refosco from the smallest vineyard "La Mont di Zuc" impresses on the palate with a complex potpourri of plums, sour cherries, graphite, flowers and minerals. This towering, massive wine remains extraordinarily pristine: in fact, it tastes like biting into a perfectly ripened grape from this very special site! As it progresses, a deep, complex register develops, composed precisely to retain the famous Miani elegance and freshness that can only be achieved with the utmost care in the vineyard and cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

Fleshy and overripe on the still youthful nose, only gradually revealing spicy aromas, dried rose petals, bright red stone fruit and menthol. The palate is concentrated and supple with dense tannins and sweet fruit, full of energy, spicy and supple, with red and blue fruits in cool tones that ride on a wave of saline minerals. The zesty acidity makes your mouth water and finishes with dramatic length and a salty liquorice note that lingers indefinitely with fine-grained tannins. A benchmark Merlot with a great future. SUPERIORE.DE