WBW #41: Friuli White Wines

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For this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday, Jack & Joanne of the Fork & Bottle are asking us to explore the world of Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia white wines.

What in the world are those? Friuli-Venezia Giulia is simply a region in Italy, similar to Napa Valley in the US or Bordeaux in France. The Friuli wines are excellent, and include everything from Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and many many more.

About two years ago, we were wandering around Microwines in Kenwood. There was a gorgeous bottle at the tasting bar, and we were taken by the taste as well. That’s how we went home with a bottle of Tocai Friulano. I read where many bloggers had a hard time finding this wine. I was thrilled that it was still sitting in my wine refrigerator. It’s great when I can find the required wine in my own cellar!

Livio Felluga Tocai Friulano, 2004
Microwines, $24

Livio Felluga produces Friulano, which is the traditional wine of the region. Felluga’s wines are known for their personality and typicity. This wine is no exception. There was a limestone tinge to the nose, like clean slate. The wine was bold up front, with fruit, but it wasn’t your average fruit. More like dried pineapples and a little bit of lemon zest. I found the fruit flavors a bit exotic. There was a slight bitter finish, but not annoyingly so. I was intrigued by the smooth creaminess of this wine. We drank it as a standalone wine, but I suspect this wine would really shine when paired with perhaps a bass or trout dinner. It seemed to be a very food-friendly wine. The weight of the wine was surprising. So many whites I drink are light and easy, whereas this one seemed to have some heft to it on my tongue.
Overall, we really enjoyed the wine, although we might have appreciated it more on a sunny day as opposed to one covered in snow.
Our rating:

Our thanks to Fork & Bottle for hosting this month!

Posted by Michelle at 3:10 pm in WBW, Wine Notes | Permalink | Comments (3)

3 Responses to “WBW #41: Friuli White Wines”

Sean Sellers says:

January 17, 2008 at 7:44 am

Jacob and I at InterWined were disappointed to discover that so many of the participants found it hard to find a Friuli that they actually enjoyed.
It’s great to read that you found a good one. What’s interesting is that most people seem pretty divided on Tocai Friuliano either really loving it or not liking it at all. We went for a Sauvignon Sol from Ronco del Gnemiz for our review, but I’m expecting a delivery of Friuliano from the same winemaker any day now.
Your review gives me hope that I’ll enjoy the Friuliano as much as I did the Sauvignon Sol.
Jack at Fork & Bottle says:

January 29, 2008 at 12:20 am

I have yet to see it in a wine store, and can’t recall if I’ve seen it on a restaurant’s wine list. I intend to taste whatever vintage I can find in 2008…hopefully the 2006.
I’ve had a bottle of their Super White, the 2004 Terre Alte. I should have waited 4 or so years before opening it. Aargh!
Jack at Fork & Bottle says:

January 29, 2008 at 12:20 am

I have yet to see it in a wine store, and can’t recall if I’ve seen it on a restaurant’s wine list. I intend to taste whatever vintage I can find in 2008…hopefully the 2006.
I’ve had a bottle of their Super White, the 2004 Terre Alte. I should have waited 4 or so years before opening it. Aargh!