Friuli Venezia Giulia: Homeland of Sauvignon

Il Sauvignon blanc is a grape variety traditionally considered to originate from the Loire river region in France. Famous are the Sauvignon wines of Sancerre and Puilly Fumé, where the clay and limestone soils and particular microclimates characterize them for their aromatic complexity and acidity. Particularly well-suited terroirs, but also grapes that contain certain compounds, such as Thiols and Pyrazines, which unmistakably define the taste and aromatic profile of the wines produced.

Italian Sauvignon blanc has found its homeland in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Too tempting an opportunity presented itself at Vinitaly. Wandering among the producers, we chose those that in our opinion best represent the characteristics of this great grape, enjoying highlighting the differences and common ground.

Colli Orientali del Friuli Sauvignon 2013 – Castello di Buttrio
We find ourselves in Buttrio in the Colli Orientali in the province of Udine. Here the territory and microclimate are ideal for cultivating Sauvignon, which in the tasted sample takes on a straw-yellow color with greenish glints and a floral and vegetal profile, with notes of grapefruit and freshly cut grass in evidence. Very fresh and savory on the palate, beautiful, definitely worth trying with a risotto agli asparagi.

Collio Sauvignon de La Tour 2013 – Villa Russiz
The area is that of the Collio goriziano, in the municipality of Capriva. The marly and limestone soils allow for the high quality standard of the grape variety. The wine presents itself with a beautiful crystalline straw yellow, striking for its deeply mineral and varietal profile, with fruity notes and lime. On the palate, the fresh-savory profile is sharp, making it ideal to accompany a dish of tagliolini agli scampi.

Collio Sauvignon de Ronco delle Mele 2013 – Venica
Still Collio, municipality of Dolegna. The estate features the best combinations of soil, microclimate, and grape variety for producing a quality Sauvignon. Twenty percent of its volume matures in Slavonian oak barrels. The wine presents a deep straw yellow color and on the nose strikes for its citrus notes, sage, grass, and tomato leaf. To be enjoyed alongside an orata seasoned with sage.

Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon Picol 2012 – Lis Neris
The area of the Isonzo river, where the proximity of the sea favors a particularly suited environment for producing this grape. The Sauvignon produced here shows a distinctly mineral profile and articulated aromas that play on elderflower and tomato, wet grass and mint. The wine's passage through wood and bottle aging make it ready to pair with a seared lobster.

Colli Orientali del Friuli Sauvignon 2013 – Le Vigne di Zamò
We return to the Colli Orientali, in the locality of Rosazzo. The soil is calcareous and chalky, capable of accumulating heat and releasing it to the vines throughout the year. The wine, characterized by beautiful greenish glints, has a sharp profile, where flint notes are followed by cut grass and pink grapefruit. Very pleasant and to be paired with a frittata con menta e asparagi.

We inevitably overlook the wines of some equally deserving producers, but the tasted samples demonstrate the expressive potential of this great vino friulano.