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WBW 41 – Friuli Whites

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I’ve been participating in Wine Blogging Wednesday since #8 and have only missed one month and that was due to a crazy workload. This month came down to the wire as I could only find 3 bottles in the 10 wine stores I visited that would qualify, thus making this the most challenging WBW yet for me.

Hosts Jack and Joanne of Fork & Bottle have chosen white wines made in Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region as this month’s theme. This region is in the northeastern corner of the country that touches Slovenia. As I found out when I started looking for wines from this area, some Friuli actually comes from Slovenia. Although most well known for their signature Tocai Friulano grape, most wines available from this region here are made from Pinot Grigio. A number of other native Italian white varietals are also produced along with German grapes such as Riesling and Müller-Thurgau.

Movia After finding few choices, I selected the only Tocai Friulano I could find in town, from Movia, their “Gredic” Tokaj Friulano (Slovenian for Tocai Friulano). The winery is located right on the border of Italy with a portion of their vineyard on the Italian side. Since the the winery is in Slovenia, they are not technically in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, but I’m sure Jack and Joanne will not mind. Purchased by the Kristancic family in 1820, this was the only wine estate not nationalized during the country’s communist period. Today, Ales Kristancic carries on his family tradition of producing compelling, biodynamic wine.

Movia “Gredic” Tokaj Friulano (Tocai Friulano) 2004 ($28) – Golden-yellow in color with aromas of ripe pineapple, baked apple, honeysuckle and almond. Rich and thick mouthfeel, with pear, pineapple and mango fruit flavors finishing with tart acidity, a creamy texture and nice minerality. A very unique and full-bodied white that will not appeal to everyone but I think it’s delicious. An outstanding value.

12.5% ABV
Natural cork closure
Score: 90
[rating: 4/5]

Thanks once again to Jack and Joanne for a unique theme this time and I’m looking forward to next month when I’ll attempt to review an Italian wine in seven words as suggested by Andrew from Spittoon.

Comments

  1. Jack at Fork & Bottle says

    I’m still holding a 2002 and 2003 of this wine…maybe it’s time to open, as you say the 2004 is now showing so well.

    Btw, the Slovenian spelling of Tocai Friulano is on the label in your photo, and not at all what you say it is above. 🙂

  2. pirano says

    Actually, as of last year it’s now known in Slovenia as Sauvignonase. EU regulations, along with badgering from Hungary previously, forced the new name. Glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Jack at Fork & Bottle says

    Hey, I’ll have to ask Ales next time I see him if the Gredic vineyard is physically in Italy, Slovenia, or both. All of Movia’s wines, btw, are allowed to be labeled Collio; they choose to Brda instead.