When life gives you oranges, make orange wine out of them. Or so the saying might go, right? But in Friuli, they've figured that out. Some winemakers, inspired by tradition and perhaps a touch of audacity, began crafting white wines using red winemaking techniques. The result? Remarkable, vibrant wines that encapsulate the very spirit of the region---its joys, its conflicts, its contradictions, and its absurdities.
Each bottle carries a story, and Alessio and Vasyl decided to write a new one using these wines. With so many pressing needs for our defenders, they organised a charity tasting to raise funds---a noble effort with a delicious twist.
But irony has a way of weaving into even the most beautiful moments. As the tasting drew to a close, the low hum of a Shahed drone---one of those infamous suicide drones---passed overhead. It's the kind of interruption that might sound surreal to some, yet has become almost routine here. From Park Landscape Alley, where Lo is located, the view of Kyiv's skyline offers more than its share of beauty---and, during attacks, a grim kind of fireworks display.
Still, no drone could overshadow the essence of that evening: exceptional wines shared in the warmth of great company. Because life goes on, and these wines are a reminder of all it holds. They reflect the joys, the tensions, the contradictions, and the unbearable lightness. Most of all, they remind us of life itself---a life worth savouring, even amid chaos.
| Wine | | WAVG | SD | Price | QPR |
|---|
| 🥈 | 4.21 | 0.05 | 2,449 ₴ | 1.02 |
| #5 | 4.01 | 0.13 | 3,190 ₴ | 0.59 |
| #4 | 4.20 | 0.12 | 3,190 ₴ | 0.88 |
| 🥇 | 4.23 | 0.17 | 4,783 ₴ | 0.76 |
500 mL · Half | 🥉 | 4.21 | 0.16 | 1,946 ₴ | 0.92 |
Dario Prinčič Bianco Trebež 2020
RegionItaly › Friuli-Venezia Giulia › IGP Venezia Giulia
Typewhite · stillVintage2020GrapesChardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris There's something truly beautiful about Prinčič's style, characterized by its directness, richness, and rustic charm. This wine exemplifies one of the best handlings of VA I've encountered---despite its prominent presence, it is seamlessly integrated and supported by good fruit and great structure. Aromas of peach, apricot jam, dried herbs, and dried mango create an inviting profile. It's super young, with high acidity and tannins, delivering an intense, bright style that's effortlessly polarizing---easy to both love and hate.
Nikolas Juretic Grande Waldo 2022
RegionItaly › Vino
Typewhite · stillVintage2022GrapesTocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica The nose of this wine is quite restrained, requiring some effort to uncover its nuances. With time, notes of VA, dried herbs, ripe apricots, generic tea, and a hint of barnyard come through. On the palate, it offers a fresh and slightly sweet experience with a nice structure and evolution. It has a good balance, lacking excessive tannins (no negativity here), making it round and easy-going. The wine is stylish and, in a way, sterile, but not complex.
Nikolas Juretic Toc di Montone 2022
RegionItaly › Vino
Typewhite · stillVintage2022GrapesTocai Friulano This wine is quite interesting. And I do agree with others who say that this wine is closer to Carso style-wise. Also thanks to its shorter maceration (compared to typical Fruili monsters), it resembles a regular white wine and is surprisingly delicate. The nose is perfumed with yellow fruits, honey, nuts, and a touch of volatile acidity. On the palate, it is round and fresh, with super delicate, well-integrated tannins, creating a harmonious and intriguing experience. But in a way, it lacks some confidence. I am pretty sure it just needs much more time in bottle.
Gravner Ribolla 2015
RegionItaly › Friuli-Venezia Giulia › IGP Venezia Giulia
Typewhite · stillVintage2015GrapesRibolla Gialla This wine is exceptionally measured and filigree, with a polished quality that feels almost otherworldly, bordering on the unnatural (pun intended!). It's undoubtedly unique and intriguing, with aromas of fermented milk, pine nuts, raisins, pencil shavings, candied fruits, and honey. While it lacks some freshness and can feel a bit heavy, its complexity and craftsmanship are noteworthy and appreciated despite these shortcomings.
Radikon Oslavje 2019
RegionItaly › Friuli-Venezia Giulia › IGP Venezia Giulia
Typewhite · stillVintage2019GrapesChardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc This wine is incredibly young, vibrant, and untamed. It presents aromas of VA, dried apricot, herbs, field flowers, honey, nuts, generic hei cha, cider, and a hint of kōcha kinoko. While it's challenging to drink at this youthful stage, it offers a fun and invigorating experience. I'm glad to have tasted it and am eager to see how it evolves over the coming years.
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