Friulano DOC 2023 – Livio Felluga

The grapes to produce the Friulano DOC Livio Felluga were carefully destemmed and left to macerate for a short period. Next, the fruit was softly crushed. The must obtained was allowed to settle, and then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine was aged on the lees in stainless-steel tanks for six months to add texture and complexity. Once bottled, the wine was aged in temperature-controlled binning cellars for a minimum of two months before release.

This wine comes from the Colli Orientali zone in Friuli. The vineyards are planted on hillsides, where the soil is composed of marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin. The training system is Guyot, with one or two fruiting arms along a main wire.

There are few producers who have been more important in defining the quality image of Italian white wines than Livio Felluga. Their landmark ‘Terre Alte’ was first produced in 1981, and they have continued to make innovative and consistently high-quality wines ever since. The way in which winemaker Andrea Felluga has embraced screwcap is another example of his forward-thinking approach. After experimenting for five years, Andrea now feels confident that screwcap is the right step for the Felluga wines and that the closure will help retain the freshness and perfume that mark these wines out from the crowd. The quality of the Felluga range can largely be attributed to the fruit being grown on their 155 hectare property, which is divided into 300 parcels. The estate’s vineyards straddle provincial borders, being located in both Colli Orientali and Collio. Their most prized possession is the holding at Rosazzo, where their Merlot and the grape varieties used in the famed ‘Terre Alte’ blend (Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc) are planted. Their Pinot Grigio is wonderfully intense yet balanced, while the Friulano is the most restrained and well-defined example of this variety produced.