Wine Tips

King Estate Pinot Gris 2008 (Top 100 Wine 2009)	Brancott Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Top 100 Wine)	King Estate 2009 Acrobat Pinot Gris - Pinot Gris/Grigio White Wine
$16.99 WineGlobe	$19.99 WineGlobe	$11.99 $10.79 wine.com

King Estate 2010 Acrobat Pinot Gris - Pinot Gris/Grigio White Wine	King Estate 2010 Signature Collection Pinot Gris - Pinot Gris/Grigio White Wine	King Estate 2011 Signature Collection Pinot Gris - Pinot Gris/Grigio White Wine
$12.29 wine.com	$17.00 $14.99 wine.com	$17.00 $15.29 wine.com

Wine importers: The Friuli method for the viticulture and winemaking

The winemaking history of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia has been strongly influenced by the history of the Friuli and Venezia Giulia regions that were important stops along the Mediterranean spice route from the Byzantine Empire to the trading center of Venice. During the Middle Ages, travelers passing through this area brought grapewines from Macedonia and Anatolia. Under the Habsburgreign, the French varieties grape varieties were introduced. Prior to the phylloxera epidemic over 350 grape varieties were grown in the region. During the 19th century, the region served as a major Mediterranean port for the Austro-Hungarian Empire which installed a Teutonic influence in the people of the area.

Following the phylloxera epidemic, winemaking in the Friuli region was very muted and did not begin to garner much attention till the 1970s. The international popularity of Pinot Grigio in the 1980s and 1990s help to change the dynamic of Friuli-Venezia Giulia winemaking. Prior to this time vineyard owners sold their grapes in bulk to co-ops and négociant-like wineries that would blend the grapes together.

Friuli has built a glowing reputation for white wines made by relatively small wineries and estates. The whites had long been dominated by Tocai Friulano, a variety related to Sauvignon Vert or Sauvignonasse. But a European court has ruled that Tocai must change its name so as not to be confused with the Tokay or Tokaji of Hungary—which, curiously, is the name of a wine but not a vine.

Friuli’s Malvasia Istriana, Ribolla Gialla and Verduzzo also can be intriguing, as can such admirable foreign varieties as Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and the ever popular Pinot Grigio. The Friulian style in whites favors the exquisitely fresh and fruity, with delicate fragrance and flavor that express clear varietal character. Many producers consider their whites to be too pure and linear to benefit from wood aging. But there are a growing number of exceptions to the rule, in white wines that gain depth and complexity from blending, oak aging and other artistic touches.

The best vineyards in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia are located on the south facing slopes of the Alps foothills in the southern part of the region where it can benefit from the most direct sunlight to go along with the night time cool breezes from the Adriatic. The vineyard yields of the Friuli are among the lowest in Italy averaging 3.5 tons an acre. This is a result of the Friuli quest for high quality over quantity in their wines and also a reason why these wines tend to be more costly than other Italian whites.

While white wine dominates Friuli wine production, nearly 40% of the production is red with Merlot being the leading red wine grape. In the 1960s, winemakers of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia pioneered using modern techniques for white winemaking in Italy by quickly getting juice off the grape skins and taking extra measures to prevent oxidation. Through Italy these techniques came to be known as the metodo friulano or “Friuli method”. Most Friuli wines are made in varietal form, with most appellations in the region requiring wines to be made with 100% of one grape, but distinguished blends are also made. The generally philosophy of Friuli winemakers (especially in regards to their white wines) is to emphasis the grape’s pure fruitiness and acidity without the masking affects of oak. To this extent, the Friulians more closely resemble the Alsatians and winemakers of the Loire Valley than their counterparts in Burgundy, Spain and other parts of Italy.[

In recent years there has been a revival of Orange wine production in the Friuli which involves leaving the white wine grapes in extended maceration with their grape skins. The resulting wines have a hint of color pigments that gives it an orange hue.

Friulian reds were traditionally light and fruity, best to drink within two to five years of the harvest. That style applied to the predominant Merlot and Cabernet Franc, as well as to Pinot Nero and the worthy native variety of Refosco. But certain winemakers have heightened structure and nuance by blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other varieties and aging the wine in small oak barrels.

Friulians have shown an encouraging tendency to revive varieties that had been neglected. Foremost among the legends is Picolit, a white that ranked as one of Europe’s finest sweet wines around 1800, when it was favored by the Hapsburgs and other royal families. Despite low yields, Picolit has been coming back. So has Verduzzo, notably in Ramandolo. Ribolla Gialla, a native of Collio, has benefited from new methods that make it into a dry white of character.

Among the reds are Refosco, also known as Terrano, which can be made either light and fruity or into a durable wine for aging. Though rare and odd, Franconia and Tazzelenghe make distinctive reds, but perhaps the Pignolo and Schioppettino varieties have the most intriguing potential.

Sparkling wines represent a growing field, as producers bring not only choice Pinot and Chardonnay grapes into their cuvées but also Ribolla for fine spumante by the classical and charmat methods.

About the Author

Wine Review Pinot Grigio from favorite Italian Restaurant – How to pair Wine & Food

Riedel O Tumblers, Set of 2 Designed by 11th generation, Maximilian Riedel, these Riedel O Cabernet/Merlot tumblers are reminiscent of the Vinum bowls, only without the stem. Trendy and sophisticated, these tumblers will perform much like Riedel’s preceding wineglass creations, but will also fit easily into the dishwasher or cupboard without the worries of breaking the stem. For those who would like to experience the concept…

Wine Travel Carrier and Cooler Bag with 2 Bottles of Hand Selected Red Wine (Scarlet of Paris Pinot Noir & Vina Saint Esteban Cabernet Sauvignon) – Great gift ideas for business, co-workers, family or friend. Free shipping and delivery right to your door step. $58.99 2 Bottles Red Wine Gift with Wine Bag – Includes: Scarlet of Paris Pinot Noir & Vina Saint Esteban Cabernet Sauvignon & Corkscrew – Shipments cannot be made to a P.O Box, APO/FPO, or outside the U.S. VALENCIA WINE CO. PROHIBITS SHIPMENT TO THE FOLLOWING STATES: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dako…

Riedel Sommeliers Series Chablis-Chardonnay Glass, Packed in a Gift Tube $51.00 Riedel Sommeliers wine glasses were praised by Robert Parker as ‘The finest glasses for both technical and hedonistic purposes. The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make.’If you’d like to add gift wrapping and a personalized gift message on a handwritten card, please select Gift Wrap below and type your message in the “Special Instr…

Pinot Grigio Vinyl wall art Inspirational quotes and saying home decor decal sticker steamss $9.99 Qty: 1 Wall Art Vinyl Decal Size: 22 inches in length x 10 inches in height COLOR: BLACK Image is not of actual scale. Please view the size above for actual size. Please be sure to make certain you purchase a QUALITY VINYL WALL ART DECAL. We Only use TOP QUALITY VINYL that lasts for years. Others are selling lower priced wall art by using lower quality vinyl that will fall off after a few days or …