Wines from Friuli

Illivio undoubtedly belongs to the luxury class of white wines. Made from Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Picolit, with a complex flavour of sweet fruit and fresh spices, it reflects the enormous potential of its origin. Its flavour structure, balanced acidity and lingering finish are ideal. SUPERIORE.DE

"A complex and vibrant Collio. Glue, apricots, Mirabelle plums, citrus and beeswax. Medium-bodied with tension and crisp acidity that are well integrated with vibrant peaches in the finish." James Suckling

Pale copper colour with amber and salmon hues, the result of prolonged maceration on the skins of the Pinot Grigio grapes (Ramato). Straightforward, precise nose of white stone fruit, sweet spices and vanilla. Clearly structured and forward on the palate with tart berry fruit, light cherries, wild mint and a hint of bitter almond. A salty nuance on the finish, light-footed, almost weightless and very animating. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright light orange colour with a sparkling reflex. Elegant and inviting nose of fine precious wood, hazelnuts, some apricots, plus orange zest and light spice. Great freshness on the palate, underpinned by a fine creaminess and substance, albeit somewhat alcoholic in the centre, rich and long. Has a lot of character." Falstaff

"The Pinot Grigio Dessimis 2022 has a copper-orange colour in the glass and a delicate floral note. Dried apricots, almond paste, peaches and a hint of mint characterise its bouquet. On the palate, it is soft and enveloping, almost juicy, with ripe fruit balanced by lively acidity and a noticeable minerality. The 2022 finishes long, colourful and lightly structured, with lingering hints of nectarine and spice." Vinous

"Opening to a mildly copper-tinged appearance, the Vie di Romans 2022 Friuli Isonzo Pinot Grigio Dessimis rests on the lees in barrique for nine months to produce extra textural richness and softness. This wine offers a very pretty bouquet with elegant hints of grapefruit, Pink Lady apple and dragon fruit. There is a hint of the exotic, but it remains very mild." Wine Advocate

Lis is a mixed blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and is one of the house's top wines. It has a wonderfully complex aroma of citrus and passion fruit, yellow apple and an initially barely perceptible flavour lead from the Sauvignon Bianco. All elements of this cuvée are equally and masterfully married on the palate, the mouthfeel is soft and round. This complex and at the same time elegant white wine, with its subtle pressure, whets the appetite for more and inevitably casts a spell over every Friuli fan. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light golden yellow with straw-yellow reflections. Slightly reductive nose at first, then ripe stone fruit, flint, citrus fruit and fresh herbs in the background. Pleasant and lively acidity on the palate, salty, with a long finish." Falstaff

"Honeysuckle, guava, papaya and lime curd on the nose. Some dried spice, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a creamy, oily texture. Ripe, tropical style. Finishes fresh." James Suckling

"The 2018 Lis is coy in the glass, with a nuanced bouquet that shows young peach, dusty florals and white smoke. This is pure elegance on the palate, pleasantly soothing and soft, with ripe white pit fruits and hints of sweet spice that smooth over the palate. It finishes with a tug of tannin and a concentration of residual fruits, as hazelnut traces embellish the style." Vinous

Finely nuanced Chardonnay from the barrique. Bright yellow with a green tinge. Perfumed scents of citrus peel, banana and nuts. Firmly built and supple, with ripe acidity and underlying fresh herbal notes that consolidate the sweet citrus and oak flavours. The finish is precise and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Chardonnay is wonderfully refined with a pleasurable whiff of reduction that blows off to reveal vivid yellow apples, crushed almonds and vanilla custard. This is soft textured and built on purity. A cooling minerality lifts a lovely inner sweetness and crisp orchard fruits. The 2022 finishes remarkably fresh yet long, leaving pretty inner florals and hints of confectionary spice lingering." Vinous

ÙE Uvabianca distilled from the three white grape varieties Ribolla, Moscato and Malvasia. Clear, fresh, fragrant and slightly aromatic. SUPERIORE.DE

"Colourless. Flavours of sultanas, white flowers, also grapey with a slightly pungent alcohol. With a certain softness and sweetness on the palate, grapey flavour." Falstaff

Finely nuanced Chardonnay from the barrique. Bright yellow with a green tinge. Perfumed scents of citrus peel, banana and nuts. Firmly built and supple, with ripe acidity and underlying fresh herbal notes that consolidate the sweet citrus and oak flavours. The finish is precise and long. SUPERIORE.DE

Confini can justifiably be described as one of Friuli's best white wines. This crescendo is an exciting blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, with the strong flavours of Traminer clearly leading the way. Medium-bodied on the palate, with a creamy fullness and silky intensity, with hints of tropical fruit, gingerbread and exotic flowers. In the final third, the palate is then again wide-ranging, full of freshness, juicy acidity and grace - and with the lasting, deep impression that more than does justice to a top wine from this appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright golden yellow colour. Intense, aromatic nose, lots of fruit exoticism, mango and papaya, followed by rose petals and white pepper. Powerful on the palate, with phenolic grip, mouthwatering, animating, harmonious acidity structure, long, spicy final." Falstaff

"The 2019 Confini is uncannily fresh, emerging from the glass with an array of sweet herbs and wet stones that give way to a vibrant lime pudding. It is soft and round with an almost oily texture and a cascade of liquid flowers under a hint of incense and exotic spices. Zesty acidity resonates on the finish, while the 2019 finishes longer and is more savoury than expected. A salty note slowly fades. The Confini 2019 is a wine of constant contrasts. It is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and Riesling." Vinous

"Very aromatic with ripe pineapple, lychees and glazed lemons with dried flowers and spicy herb undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, tense and energetic with steady acidity and a firm, lightly phenolic mid-palate. Hints of dried leaves and citrus peel at the end." James Suckling

"Bright straw yellow with green reflections. Compact on the nose, lots of fruit, blackcurrant, lemon and bergamot, with plenty of herbal spice behind it. Straightforward and precise on the palate, great grip, mouthwatering, salty, delicately melting, refreshing acidity, long, mineral final." Falstaff

"The 2019 Fiore di Campo (Gold Label) is remarkably pretty in the glass. It is delicate and floral, with crushed stones and lime zest complemented by ginger spices. On the palate, it is round and pleasantly sweet. Ripe fruit is surrounded by a bright acidity, while a hint of mint unfolds towards the end. Candied citrus and a salty note contrast on the final, while the 2019 retains fantastic energy but is also lightly structured. The balance is stunning, and while it is still enjoyable today, it has a bright future ahead of it." Vinous

"The wine has a soft texture that only Italian white wines from Friuli have. The special thing about the texture is that it feels creepingly full-bodied, but never heavy. In addition to the flavours of stone fruit and pastries, the wine has a lovely acidic freshness and salty mineral notes." Wine Advocate

Ronc di Vicos Refosco is bottled as a varietal wine only in the best years. It is a dark and complex wine that requires great attention and further bottle ageing. Aromas full of dark spices, liquorice and leather, it is fruit-forward on the palate with firm and pinpoint tannins flanking an explosive and full-bodied finish. SUPERIORE.DE

A 100% Merlot from the Colli Orientali is always special: intense, full thrust of fruit with a wonderfully plush texture and simultaneous definition, although the style remains powerful, ripe and intense. Flowers, spices and liquorice add race and class to this exceptional wine. Great Merlot cinema. 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!

Praephylloxera (literally: before phylloxera) comes from Friulano vines over 110 years old. Nutty-floral nose with notes of peach, rose petals, lime blossom, hawthorn, a hint of marzipan. Very dense with full soft body, elegant drinking flow. Great aromatic correspondence and length with fine acidity and light tannin on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"100% Tocai Friulano from up to 110-year-old vines with no roots. The mineral, well-founded bouquet reveals wonderful floral notes reminiscent of hawthorn and light flowers, delicately framed by ethereal notes, but also yellow stone fruit such as yellow peach compote and a touch of gooseberry. In the mouth it really explodes with a gigantic melt and then also shows delicate notes of white roses with fine acidity, seems to unite opposites, spicy final and you can literally feel the power and concentration of the old, rootless vines." Weinwisser

"Pleasant on the nose, fresh lemons, gooseberries, peach, hay, almonds, subtle marzipan. On the palate elegant with fine acidity, fresh fruit, lemons, gooseberries, fine spice and nice tannin on the finish. A versatile food companion that can still mature." Falstaff

"You could almost mistake this Friulano from old vines for a great Chardonnay from a warmer region (think low acidity). The chalky minerality and fine oak give structure and balance to this remarkable wine, the finish is long and complex with a hint of rose." 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

Nicola Manferrari's Malvasia exudes a delicate, floral bouquet of white rose, honeysuckle and star jasmine. Any excessive sharpness of these floral scents is tempered by dusty nuances of minerals and broken sandstone. A pretty and delicate wine with the inner texture and fibre of a summer peach picked straight from the orchard. SUPERIORE.DE

Now available again in small quantities after a break of many years: Dario Raccaro's Merlot is a deep, expressive wine that presents opulent tones of blackberry jam and blackcurrants. In other circumstances, such a fruit-driven wine would taste heavy and one-dimensional. However, thanks to the unique buffer of cool Collio air and the heavier clay soils, the wine shows a fascinating personality and, despite its concentration, a great elegance that increases with further aeration. A dense vein of minerals and spices is woven into the long finish. A true showpiece for this grape variety, which is also rarely found in the Collio. SUPERIORE.DE

Chalk dust, savoury herbs and lemon oil form the pretty bouquet of the Sauvignon Blanc. Silky and smooth on the palate with a pretty and balanced inner sweetness, while ripe stone fruit and flowers develop. It leaves behind a mineral colour and shows its acidic core in the final with an exciting and palate-flattering blend of concentration and light structure. A very refined Sauvignon! SUPERIORE.DE

The fruit for the Collio Chardonnay comes from vineyards on the Vallade hill. A slender Chardonnay expression, light in terms of texture, but also very fresh. Minerality takes centre stage here, with salty notes of sandstone, marble and flint emerging in layers. The long finish is slender and racy. SUPERIORE.DE

The Collio Friulano is edgy and bright with a linear flavour interplay of minty apple, quince and crushed oyster shell. Compared to some other Friulano wines on the market, this pretty wine is exceptionally lively, electric and fresh. The pure mineral notes are what make the difference. On the palate, the wine is silky, lean and fresh. The production is just 5,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

Rich, deep dark ruby with violet glints. Its scent reminds of black fruits, liquorice, coffee and dark chocolate. Tasty and determined on the palate, full of exuberance and with great length. A very emotional Merlot in a class of its own. SUPERIORE.DE