Wines from Friuli

Wonderfully fresh and classic Friulano with aromas of white peach, herbs and green apple slices, fine fruit on the palate, slightly salty-mineral and with lively, well-integrated acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

Mario Schiopetto was born in 1930, he grew up in the family-owned Osteria ai Pompieri and had his first professional experiences as a fireman and later as a truck driver. In 1963, guided only by his taste and love of wine, he began to devote himself to wine production in his parents' farm and produced the first pure Tocai in 1965. The historic label at the time included the drawing of his fire engine, which he also used to deliver the wine to customers. With the 2019 vintage, the winery recalled these historical roots and resumed the cute drawing on part of its wine labels.

Light straw yellow with greenish shimmer. Fine, not too strong bouquet of exotic fruits, some gooseberry and notes of white flowers. Very good balance on the palate, good volume, drinky and with a nice tension between green fruity and fine spicy notes. A very harmonious Sauvignon that does not score with opulence and directness, but with elegance and finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

Mario Schiopetto was born in 1930, he grew up in the family-owned Osteria ai Pompieri and had his first professional experiences as a fireman and later as a truck driver. In 1963, guided only by his taste and love of wine, he began to devote himself to wine production in his parents' farm and produced the first pure Tocai in 1965. The historic label at the time included the drawing of his fire engine, which he also used to deliver the wine to customers. With the 2019 vintage, the winery recalled these historical roots and resumed the cute drawing on part of its wine labels.

Garnet-purple coloured Merlot with a warm scent of crisp plums and ripe blackberries, plus earthy nuances and a hint of clove. Slender but full-bodied on the palate, all components wonderfully harmonised. SUPERIORE.DE

Extensive, quite complex aroma in the Vertigo, a Rosso from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackberry, cherry and ink aromas and a warm, fruity, tannin-accompanied taste. SUPERIORE.DE

Mario Schiopetto was born in 1930, grew up in the family-owned Osteria ai Pompieri and gained his first professional experience as a fireman and later as a lorry driver. In 1963, guided only by his taste and love of wine, he began to dedicate himself to wine production in his parents' winery and produced the first pure Tocai in 1965. At the time, the historic label featured a drawing of his fire engine, which he also used to deliver the wine to customers. With the 2019 vintage, the winery returned to these historical roots and included the cute drawing on some of its wine labels.

Schiopetto's classic, as it has been produced since 1986. Pale yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Yellow-fruity on the nose with subtle floral and herbal notes, which are also found on the palate. Multi-layered, mineral and fresh, Blanc des Rosis presents the famous grape variety identity of the region and is the classic par excellence not only for the winery. Elegant and full, it glides into an impressive final, increasing in depth and creaminess as it matures in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Subtle lime and sea shell with lemon curd and flint. Brine. Sea salt. Medium to full body. Tight and focused. Iodine and hints of herbs and lemon rind. Long and reserved. Complex. Minerally." James Suckling

Sharis is a very characterful cuvée of Ribolla Gialla and Chardonnay - the link between Friuli and the world. A fine aroma of wisteria blossoms, mild spices and fruity notes, with a balanced, fresh flavour and good length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale straw yellow with golden nuances. Fruity and fragrant on the nose with juicy pomaceous fruit, a touch of jasmine and a hint of camomile. Soft and polished on the palate with rich fruit, very juicy and yet fresh until the long final." Falstaff

"A fragrant wine with delicate flavours of mandarin, lemon leaf, bitter orange and straw. Light-bodied with a silky texture, refreshing acidity and a finish of stone fruit." James Suckling

Lis Neris' Sauvignon Bianco is expressive, polished and offers an unobstructed view of the grape's natural aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and some gooseberry. Fresh, complex and never broad on the palate, it is highly drinkable and will delight lovers of the bouquet grape variety. Its 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright, lively yellow. On the nose pear, fresh citrus fruits, menthol and a hint of spices and herbs. Juicy, bright and surprisingly complex on the palate, the long contact with the skins gives this white a unique structure and complexity. A crisp and characterful wine, which convinces completely with its long and very lively finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Fiore di Campo, based on Friulano, is no more and no less than the self-proclaimed "family wine" of the Lis Neris house, and that is entirely justified: pretty straw yellow with green-gold reflections. Enticing mineral and citrus nose with notes of peach, jasmine, almonds and liquorice. Firm, fresh and crisp on the palate of apricot and green apple, plus a lovely creamy texture. Its full body and gentle complexity marry in a final with considerable freshness and high drinkability. Perfect entry into the world of Lis Neris' terrific white wines. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Grigio has been at home in the Isonzo for 140 years now; with the necessary sensitivity, it develops a great deal of elegance and structure and can almost be called autochthonous here. It is not surprising that Alvaro Pecorari has taken this grape variety to his heart. A finesse-rich white with a floral bouquet and a fine peach note. On the palate, multi-layered and quite complex, the 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and a good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Successful, straightforward interpretation of the French grape variety, the signature of the Pecorari family is also clearly identifiable here. In a medium-bodied style, it convinces with a buoyant lightness and a refined, mineral taste of bananas and tropical fruits. Aromatic complexity also in the finish, yet it never loses its precision and personality. The 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

The Ponca stretches from the north-east of Udine to the south of Istria in Croatia. The part closest to the winery, which formed in the northernmost bays of the lagoon, lies on the current border between Italy and Slovenia. More precisely, it is divided between two countries, three provincial governments and four protected designations of origin from the Collio, the Colli Orientali del Friuli, the Brda and the Vipava. Initially, with the help of a few Slovenian friends and colleagues, they only experimented with Merlot grapes, but now the grapes are vinified in their own cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

Fine apple and tropical fruit flavours (mango, banana) and blossom honey on the nose. Lively and well-structured on the palate. Pleasant, slightly lemony fruit sweetness and mineral notes in the concise, dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A simple, refreshing pinot bianco that shows touches of white fruit, green apple and tea leaf character. Acid-driven on the palate, with simple flavors and nice mid-palate flesh. Pithy and dry in the finish." James Suckling

A wonderful, generous interpretation of Chardonnay from the far north-east of Italy. Cladrecis impresses with its carefully integrated oak and yeast flavours, leading to a soft creaminess and light spice. At its core, the wine is packed with ripe fruit, apricot and d'Anjou pear. This wine, of which only around 6,000 bottles were bottled, is perfect for your next dinner party with pistachio-crusted cod. SUPERIORE.DE

Medium yellow-green, intense floral and gooseberry aromas on the nose, fresh grapefruit, lime zest and basil. Full-bodied on the palate, elegant texture, fine acidity, mineral, racy and very drinkable. A Sauvignon with great varietal character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with green notes. A little restrained on the nose, aniseed and sage, then some gooseberry. Blossoms beautifully on the palate, rich grapefruit, savoury and with good tension." Falstaff

"A simple, fresh and zippy sauvignon blanc that shows subtle gooseberry and green kiwi character. Elegant and fresh, with some green stone fruit in a pithy finish." James Suckling

Light yellow-green colour, very inviting aroma of pear fruit, melon and delicate grapefruit. Juicy and powerful on the palate, the flavours are reminiscent of white fruit, racy acidity, elegant, lively and mineral. SUPERIORE.DE

Blau & Blau is made from Blaufränkisch grapes (Franconia) and Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero). Generous and juicy aromas of blackberry, blueberry, clove, violet and minerals. Elegant, full-bodied, balanced taste. Very unique and special. SUPERIORE.DE

Nestri Bianco is a single varietal Chardonnay that showcases its varietal aromatics with great elegance. Bright straw yellow colour. Ripe and nuanced bouquet of yellow fruits, yeasty pastries and fresh mountain air. On the palate, Nestri reveals energy and concentration in a mineral-salty style that is deeply flavoured while avoiding any sense of heaviness. An all-round harmonious white from the small family-run winery with cult status. SUPERIORE.DE

Gianni Del Fabbro, owner of Ronc di Vico, learned his craft at home in Friuli. At first wine was just a hobby for him, but then he studied the art of winemaking with the support of the respected and highly qualified winemaker Enzo Pontoni, owner of the Miani winery. His Sauvignon is young and fresh, yet with great ageing potential. On the nose, beautiful notes of mandarin, grapefruit and mango, on the palate intense, with great fullness and vibrant energy. SUPERIORE.DE