About this WINE
Marco Sara, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Marco Sara is a young Friulano producer whose family and 7 hectares of vines and 4 hectares of woods are located just north of Udine at Savorgnano del Torre, on the western of the Colli Orientali del Friuli – a pre-Alps range of hills that separate Friuli from Slovenia.
Here, at between 75 – 300 msl, the marne (‘ponca’) and sandstone slopes favour Marco Sara’s white and red indigenous grape varieties Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Picolit, Verduzzo, Schioppettino, Refosco, along with some Cabernet Franc.
Marco took over the reins of his family cantina in 2000, making the switch from selling off in bulk to bottling the fruit himself. In 2005 the estate became organic; it was also the year when he first bottled sweet wines Picolit and Verduzzo. He makes small quantities of hand-made wine, using organic fruit and wild yeast. These are authentic fine wines that speak of an indigenous grape, that respect and reflect local tradition and territory.
Colli Orientali del Friuli
Along with Collio, Colli Orientali del Friuli is the finest DOC zone in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. Situated in the Julian Alps on the border with Slovenia, much of its quality is down to its calcareous and sandstone landscape and 400m altitude. High planting densities, older vines, poor soils (especially compared to the flood plains below) and a challenging continental climate all assist in achieving lower yields and greater concentration in the wines.
Perhaps surprisingly, Sauvignon Blanc is the king of the whites here, producing fuller bodied but also taut and minerally examples. Indigenous varieties Ribolla Gialla and (Tocai) Friulano follow hot on its heels. The reds are led by the Refosco grape which achieves blackberry richness alongside a minerally poise. Next best is Pignolo, the region’s answer to Nebbiolo, while Merlot runs a close third.
Recommended producers: Canus, Davino Meroi and Miani
Picolit
Picolit is a rare varietal found almost exclusively in the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, particularly in Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC.
It is documented back to the 18th century as a producer of sweet white wine, not dissimilar in style to Bordeaux's Sauternes, due to orange botrytic characters, and widely acknowledged as one of Italy's most impressive sweet wines. Bready apricot notes characterise the nose while the elegant palate speaks more of marmalade fruit.
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Description
Marco Sara is a young Friulano producer who took over the reins of his family cantina in 2000, the first generation to bottle the fruit himself. He makes small quantities of hand-made wine, using organic fruit and wild yeast. These are authentic fine wines that speak of an indigenous grape, respecting and reflecting local tradition and terroir.
Harvested at the end of September 2014, before undergoing a 70-day appassimento that allowed the development of some noble rot, this sweet wine was fermented naturally and slowly in two French barriques and then in large botte, complementing the citrus and orange peel/zest notes. Drier than the 2013, there are notes of liquorice and spice, along with a fresh white-fruit finish of great elegance and purity at only 12 percent alcohol. Drink now to 2025.
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