Winemaker Notes
Bright straw yellow color. Charming aromatic bouquet of white flowers, golden apple, apricot, pear, honey, with mineral and citrus sensations. On the palate, the graceful flavors of Riesling and Malvasia Istriana melt perfectly with the weight and texture of Friulano. Firm acidity and and a clean, rich finish.Ideal with more elaborated seafood recipes, like lobster risotto or tuna tartar, and with any spicy dishes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sliced apples and limes with hints of honey and lemon tea. Full body. Very intense flavors with powerful acidity and brightness on the palate. Flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 57% Malvasia Istriana, 35% Riesling Renano and 8% Friulano, the Vie di Romans 2017 Cuvée Friuli Isonzo Flors di Uis shows a little hint of varietal purity that you can trace back to each of the three grapes used. There are the white flowers of the Malvasia, the lifted citrus or Pomelo notes of the Riesling and the softer peach and stone fruit aromas of the Friulano. These three branches work together in harmony to build the impactful aromatic profile that distinguishes this wine. The Flors di Uis is not as broad or creamy as some of the other monovarietal wines tasted from this producer, however the results are exceptionally clear and balanced.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
The source of some of Italy’s best and most distinctive white wines, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is where Italian, Germanic and Slavic cultures converge. The styles of wines produced in this region of Italy's far north-east reflect this merging of cultures. Often shortened to just “Friuli,” the area is divided into many distinct subzones, including Friuli Grave, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Collio Goriziano and Carso. The flat valley of Friuli Grave is responsible for a large proportion of the region’s wine production, particularly the approachable Pinot grigio and the popular Prosecco. The best vineyard locations are often on hillsides, as in Colli Orientali del Friuli or Collio. In general, Friuli boasts an ideal climate for viticulture, with warm sunny days and chilly nights, which allow grapes to ripen slowly and evenly.
In Colli Orientali, the specialty is crisp, flavorful white wine made from indigenous varieities like Friulano (formerly known as Tocai Friulano), Ribolla gialla and Malvasia Istriana.
Red wines, though far less common here, can be quite good, especially when made from the deeply colored, rustic Refosco variety. In Collio Goriziano, which abutts Slovenia, many of the same varieties are planted. International varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc are also common, but they tend to be Loire-like in style with herbaceous character and mellow tannins. Carso’s star grape is the red Teranno, notable for being rich in iron content and historically consumed for health purposes. It has an earthy, meaty profile and is often confused with the distinct variety Refosco.