Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio Collio Orientali 2022
(Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) - [JS 92] [VM 90]

About the Winery:
The winery was founded in 1956, after Livio Felluga relocated from his native Istria, but the family's winemaking traditions date back to the mid-19th century. Founder and patriarch Livio Felluga is accredited with innovating and mastering modern wine making in Italy. While Felluga passed away in 2016 at the age of 102, his reputation for creating exceptionally lush, crisp and well-balanced wines extends well beyond the region of Friuli. His wines are recognized the world over as the finest in their categories. Today, the family-owned winery is led by Livio's son, Andrea Felluga.

The 500-acre Livio Felluga Estate includes 370 acres of rolling hillside vineyards in the Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli. Friuli's temperate climate, protected by the Alps to the north and moderated by the Adriatic Sea to the south is a winemaker's dream. The sparse soil of marl and calcareous deposits is ideal for the white varieties, and also for their complex red wines.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Felluga's Pinot Grigio vines, mainly Guyot-trained, have their roots in the Ponca soil (Cormòns flysch in technical terms), composed of marl and sandstone of Eocene origin stratified under the sea over the millennia, which gives their wines a unique tanginess and minerality. 

The harvest took place during the first half of September. The healthy and perfectly ripe grapes were hand-picked in small crates, to preserve the integrity of the fruit. After gentle de-stemming the fruit was left to macerate for a short period, then softly crushed, and the must obtained was clarified by decantation.

Temperature-controlled fermentation followed in stainless steel vats. At the end of fermentation, the wine was kept on the lees for a few months to increase its complexity, creamy texture and suitability for ageing. Once bottled, it matured in temperature-controlled rooms.

13.5% ABV

Color: Bright and brilliant straw yellow with light coppery hues.

Nose: Complex, subtle and enfolding. Generous and floral, with notes of acacia flowers, jasmine, hawthorn, broom and elderflower, followed by hints of white and yellow fruits like pears, peaches, Golden Delicious apples and apricot, blended with a fresh minerality and a pleasant citrus note. Sweet sensations of lemon cream and crème brûlée are supported by a spicy freshness. 

Palate: Full-bodied, crisp, rounded. A fresh, enfolding, mineral and savoury entry. Complex mouthfeel with rich notes of white peaches, lychees, apples and winter melon, complemented by sweet hints of tea biscuits. Fresh, tangy and harmonious. The very long, lingering finish offers a fruity, salty aftertaste. 

Food pairings: Particularly suitable for fish dishes, shellfish hors d’oeuvres, risottos and vegetable flans.