Venica & Venica 'Ronco del Cero' Sauvignon Blanc 2022
(Friuli-Venezia, Italy)

About the Winery:
Venica & Venica is a family owned estate with 28 ha of vines in the Dolegna district of Collio. Originally established in 1930 when Daniele Venica purchased Ronco del Cero, today the winery is one of Friuli's most well known and respected estates.  Giampaolo now has taken over the estate from his father Gianni and uncle Giorgio.  The winery is known for highly textural and aromatic whites that use little to no wood in the production of their wines.  Varieties of Sauvignon Blanc, Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla, Traminer and Chardonnay are planted to white wine production.  Varieties of Refosco, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are planted to red wine production.

About This Wine:

The vineyards of this Sauvignon are all located in Cerò within the DOC Collio, on hills and valley bottoms surrounding the winery.

The orientation, exposure and altitude of the vineyards are different and this results in various harvesting times of the grapes.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most worldwide well known “international” vines, loved by the Friulians as an autochthonous. A timeless, delicate, noble, elegant classic. Arrived from Bordeaux, in Italy Sauvignon found its ideal environment on the sandstone marl of Collio’s hills. Actually, during the years it has successfully adapted to the variability of soil and climate which is now a real expression of its character. It adapted so well to be considered today in Friuli an indigenous grape variety.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Intense straw yellow.

Nose: The different northern, southern and south-eastern exposures of the vineyards confer a broad olfactory spectrum. The southern orientation and the prolonged afternoon sunshine give clear warm and fruity notes of yellow peach and melon, while the cooler climates give classic and elegant vegetal notes such as the aroma of elderflower.

Palate: Pleasant freshness in the mouth supported by a savoury and mineral vein with fruity returns. Great balance and long taste-olfactory persistence.

To be paired with: Vegetable candies, grilled prawns and lime Fried squash flowers Baked scallops au gratin. Salmon tagliolini with herbs.

Wine Making

Alcohol: 13,5%
Total acidity: 5,1%
Vinification | Aging
After the harvest, the Sauvignon grapes are macerated for about 18/20 hours at a temperature of 10*/12° C in special containers, protected from oxygen with innovative systems by recycling their own fermentation carbon dioxide, in order to reduce the amount of antioxidants. The must ferments and matures on the lees for 6 months partly in large 20/27 HL wooden barrels and partly in steel containers.

Ratings & Reviews:

92+ Points - Vinous Media (2021):
"Dusty, floral and sweetly satisfying, the 2021 Sauvignon Ronco del Cero opens with incense and exotic spice, giving way to grapefruit and sour melon zests. This is deeply textural yet focused on purity, with cooling minerality and herbal-tinged orchard fruits motivated by zesty acidity. It leaves the cheeks puckered while tapering off with a twang of sour citrus offset by sweet chamomile. The Ronco del Cero is so pretty today, yet the best is undoubtedly yet to come." - Eric Guido (Apr 2023)