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Friulano, previously
known as Tocai Friulano, is the most planted grape variety
in the Friuli region of North Eastern Italy which borders
Austria to the north and Slovenia to the east.
The full name for the region is Friuli- Venezia Giulia
and it was officially categorised as a wine region in
1918. The EU decided that as from the 2007 vintage Tocai
Friulano would henceforth be known as Friulano. In a
similar situation to that where only sparkling wine
from Champagne can officially be called Champagne Tokay
can now only be used in relation to white wines from
Hungary.
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It is widely believed that
Friulano has very similar characteristics to Sauvignonasse
or Sauvignon Vert which is very common in Chile.
Originally the Chilean wine makers thought that
they were growing regular Sauvignon Blanc however
DNA analysis later confirmed that it was not regular
Sauvignon Blanc that they were cultivating.
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Friuli is a very beautiful region in the North Eastern
corner of Italy which is producing high quality subtle
wines.
The wines have excellent fruit characteristics with
great acidity and long finishes. But my favourite
quality of the wines from this region is the weight
and acidity balance - some what similar to the weight
acidity balance of an unwooded Chardonnay.
Fruits such as waxy apples, citrus and floral characteristics
are some of the more common characteristics to these
wines. Depending on the terroir of where the wine
comes from peaches, pears and some minerality can
be tasted in these wines.
While there are not many examples of Friulano in
the Irish market place, in fact in the best of wine
Ireland 2008 it is only mentioned once and that is
as part of a blend. Here at Robertfranciswine.ie we
have found a couple that we have really enjoyed. Enrico
Fantasia who selects the wines for Sheridans Cheesemongers
is where I have had greatest success finding some
Friulano.
If you would like to learn more about Friulano, and
this style of wine the following are some good locally
available options to try ;
- D'Orsaria Friulano 2007
This wine was a pale straw coloured wine that had
fantastic aromatics. The nose was really fresh,
clean and crisp. There were some notes of citrus,
apples [much more braeburn then Granny Smiths] with
some floral notes.
On the palate the citrus, floral characteristics
come through with a touch of melon. The Braeburn
apples really come through on the finish but not
as noticeable on the midpalate.
The wine has fantastic acidity that totally cleans
the palate. This gives the wine great zest and refreshing
zip. There was excellent finish and mouthfeel to
the Friulano aswell.
Friulano is ideally suited to seafood- lobster,
prawns and scallops would be great, but would also
go well with a variety of salads and lighter chicken
dishes.
Robertfranciswine: 91 Plus Points, Available from:
Sheridans Cheesemongers, Price Bracket: €13
approx
- Borgo Del Tiglio Collio Bianco 2005
Made from a blend of Friulano, Riesling and Sauvignon
Blanc the Collio is a truly stunning wine. With the
flavours of butter, nuttiness, vanilla and citrus/apple
this wine delivers all on fronts. This wine has great
power, elegance, purity of fruit and complexity. The
finish goes on forever with a delicious nutty component
that is very interesting.
If you are a fan of serious white burgundy then this
is most definitely a wine for you. With huge complexity
and finish this is a quality wine.
While on first look this wine could appear expensive
in comparision with it Burgundian counterparts it
is pretty good value for the class and pedigree that
you are purchasing.
Food wise this wine would be perfectly suited to
most seafood dishes and white meats such as pork,
chicken or turkey.
Robertfranciswine: 90 Points, Available from: Sheridans
Cheesemongers, Price Bracket: €35
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