Wines from Friuli

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

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.

Light gold colour. Slightly cinnamon, white chocolate, delicately floral. Soft with notes of vanilla, gently creamy, good length, harmonious finish. Elegant and persistent in bouquet and flavour. No added colourings. 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. The 2023 is a large-format Sauvignon Blanc that maintains its balance at all times. SUPERIORE.DE

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.

From the 2019 vintage, Antonio Bragato's wine experiment enters a new era. Since then, the team has relied on an even more rigorous selection of the oldest vines from the coolest and best sites. The results of the "New Edition" can truly be seen and tasted. They are even more radical in complexity and finesse. We are pleased to be able to offer our customers the smallest editions of these wines, which confirm the many years of work and experience of the two quality fanatics!

The vines from which the Sauvignon Bianco grapes for this delicious wine come are over 30 years old. In the open-hearted bouquet, initially elderflower, white peach, cassis, menthol and gooseberry, then in the background a cool, mineral-smoky note. On the nose, it is taut, precise, dense and juicy to the point, with a cool, very elegant drinking flow as it progresses. The overall experience is flanked by a well-portioned acidity and carried on and on. In the long, full-bodied final, a wonderful aroma and a delicate melting. Beguiling and highly convincing! SUPERIORE.DE

"A floral, intense, slightly spicy aroma, a hint of paprika, but also yellow fruit and wax. In the mouth, a smoothly grounded wine with a slightly phenolic extract filling and a firm acid structure is revealed. The wine has freshness and tension with good density and medium length, it seems made for table use." Falstaff

"This ripe and concentrated Sauvignon blanc is so elegant and finely tuned that it draws you inexorably under its spell. With its aromas of cassis and grapefruit peel and a hint of flint, it is reminiscent of the Loire. Mouth-filling, but so graceful and precise until the long finish with wet stones." James Suckling

Crystal clear grappa from freshly processed Merlot grapes with a fine bouquet of rose petals and cherry stones. Elegant and dry taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Slightly green spicy with a grassy tone, a little nougat, sour cherry. In the mouth with good density, medium weight, in the aftertaste after raisins." Falstaff

The single-varietal Merlot Focus beguiles with its elegant aroma of red fruits and warm, balsamic tones. The fresh taste is characterised by the typical spiciness and the lively tannins of a high-quality and rare Merlot from the Colli Orientali. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep ruby. Cool climate Merlot aromas and flavors with flinty red berries, wet stones, fresh herbs, with only minimal notes of coffee and cocoa. Vibrant and long on the juicy finish. A 22 years old, single vineyard Merlot from Prepotto." Vinous

"A soft and beautiful wine with hazelnut, coffee and chocolate aromas and flavors. Mint and eucalyptus notes, too. Full to medium body. Round and soft tannins. Complex and long." James Suckling

Brilliant golden yellow colour. The nose opens with yellow fruit, summer-ripened peach, pear and honeydew melon, as well as hints of mineral tones, ash and crushed flint. On the palate, Golden Delicious, pear and a certain creaminess, which in turn is flanked by salty notes. The acidity is very well integrated, all in all a wonderful white wine with impressive depth and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"It is fresh with notes of nectarine, pear drops, acacia and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, chalky and mineral with white flowers and mineral undertones. Piquant on the finish." James Suckling

Crystal clear grappas from selected marcs of the Chardonnay grape, processed very fresh and soft. Fine fragrance and elegant taste of Golden Delicious apple and fresh bread crust. 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

Iris presents itself in a delicate and restrained style. Bright straw green, on the nose hints of apricots, lime zest and a subtle tropical vein. Wonderful fruit-acid interplay on the palate, not quite as wild as its counterpart, but just as mineral and tension-filled. A skilful example of why it is sometimes good to vinify different terroirs separately and skilfully bring out the characteristics. Great Sauvignon cinema from a master hand! SUPERIORE.DE

"The bouquet of the Sauvignon Blanc Iris 2020 has a candied quality that is perfectly balanced by earthy notes of wet stone and freshly cut pear. The texture is soft, with pleasant ripe peach flavours and floral notes developing towards the finish. The finish is a little shorter than expected, but leaves a pleasant refreshment on the palate. Very nice." Vinous

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 aroma. Excellent enjoyment at a serving temperature of 11 degrees and ingenious also for the preparation of many cocktails. SUPERIORE.DE

Delicate amber colour due to the short ageing in barrique. Fine and elegant, reminiscent of the scent of bread, vanilla and pastries. The same aromas on the palate before finishing long and with a light apple note. Without added colouring agents. SUPERIORE.DE

Crystal-clear grappa made from freshly processed Sauvignon grapes with the wonderfully fruity flavours of the grape variety. Elegant and harmonious in bouquet and flavour. SUPERIORE.DE

"Clear and bright. Intense notes of bread and baked goods on the nose, followed by hints of white flowers and plants. Warm, enveloping and aromatic on the palate, with a moderately persistent finish." Falstaff

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

"The 2022 Friulano Dolèe springs from the glass with an intense mix of crushed grapefruit, sage, lemon curd and dusty slate. It is soothingly round and supple with a lovely inner sweetness contrasted by a lash of acidic citrus and green melon. The saline minerality provides a crisp feel as the 2022 cleans up beautifully, mouthwatering yet precise, and a savoury herbal note still lingers. This is a seductive Dolèe with a balance and tension that will reward cellaring." Vinous

"This is an intense wine focused on herbs, tomato leaves, grapefruit and white peaches. Smooth and silky on the palate, with a medium body, crisp acidity and a savory, fruited finish." James Suckling

Picolit is the king grape of Friuli. Noble sweet Spätlese with a bright clear and golden yellow colour that tends towards amber with increasing maturity. Opulent nose of honey, candied fruits and apricot jam. Its residual sugar is never broad, but plays in an aristocratic way with the well-integrated acidity and makes this fine dessert wine seem delicate, even feminine. A wine for meditation, but just as good with selected desserts or foie gras. SUPERIORE.DE

Beautiful interpretation of the grape variety: Herbaceous and minty notes on the nose, plus lavender and sage. Then very tasty and complex on the palate of dark fruits, dried cherries, complemented by tones of undergrowth and tobacco. A touch of fine tannins, minerals and traces of rosemary and liquorice lead this medium-bodied red seductively into a sophisticated final. SUPERIORE.DE

Vibrant, golden straw yellow in colour. The floral and spicy nose offers ripe pear, cinnamon, chamomile, white peach and grapefruit with subtle hints of ginger. Rich and racy, with multi-layered flavours of orchard and tropical fruit and a subtle spiciness that lingers beautifully on the rich, luscious finish. Its excellent salinity and a very juicy, fresh cut accompany the tropical and spicy fruit flavours on the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pretty notes of honeysuckle and jasmine play on the nose of this graceful white. Focused by bright, well-meshed acidity, offering flavors of ripe apple and pineapple, tangerine zest and macadamia nut, with a subtle touch of beeswax." Wine Spectator

"The 2022 Bianco Flors di Uis is unobtrusive yet beautifully refined. With its pretty blend of lime sherbet, chamomile, spring flowers and white smoke, it keeps the drinker coming back to the glass. It flows across the palate with a sensation of liquid stone and minerals, lifted by a vibrant acidity, while a candied lemon core is contrasted by tart green apple fruit. The 2022 finishes with a lingering concentration and a tart bitterness of citrus pith that leaves the palate wanting more. In its youth, harvestwill find it hard to put down, but I would advise patience. This Flors di Uis is still a baby in its development and has developed wonderfully with further bottle ageing. A fantastic performance." Vinous

Bright ruby red with garnet red reflections. Wild bouquet of red fruits, delicate spice flavours and a hint of tobacco and leather. Taut and elegant at the same time, the tannins are velvety soft, with a well-proportioned fruit centre and harmonious spiciness. A skilfully balanced red with a lingering final and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Beautiful Malvasia with a lot of varietal expression and an impressive potpourri of flavours. Jasmine, pear and white peach develop in the glass, with hints of passion fruit, spices and lime on the palate. Soft texture, very good structure and a complexity that opens up new facets with every sip. The finish is deep and long and, as always, the long yeast ageing time ensures promising ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Restrained white pepper and spices dominate the nose, with broom, spring flower, apple and citrus notes. Light-bodied, it shows a silky texture with vibrant acidity and a polished finish." James Suckling

Pignacolusse is an impressive wine made from 100% Pignolo. Expressive bouquet of raspberries, flowers, spices and minerals, a beautiful aromatic complexity on the palate. Pignacolusse has excellent length and a balanced finesse-rich final. Grandiose, how Silvio Jermann managed to tame the enormous Pignolo tannins and to press this impeccable wine. SUPERIORE.DE

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 with plenty of stone fruit, melon and pear. This is a strong performance from one of the winery's flagships. SUPERIORE.DE

"This well-meshed white wine is compact up front and opens up on the palate to reveal layers of melon, grapefruit zest, lentils and chive blossom notes framed by lively acidity. A smoky, mineral underpinning lingers on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Perfumed and delicate, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Vieris unfolds slowly with dusty white flowers and cracked slate, then morphs into ginger-infused pear and green melon. This wine is cool, with a soothing, round texture, but also energetic, with ripe stone fruit and crisp mineral tones that provide tactile satisfaction towards the end. The 2022 rejuvenates with a floral finish and a long, classically dry and slightly austere finish that requires patience but leaves the palate completely refreshed. Despite the warm vintage, this is a Vieris that will thrive in the cellar." Vinous

"Stony minerality with aromas of tuberose, white peaches and lemon leaves. Medium-bodied, it shows weight, a silky texture, sharp acidity and a poised, balanced finish." James Suckling