Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Italian White Wines from Livio Felluga
Special Guest - Laura Felluga
Today Oct. 25 from 1:30 - 6:30
(Laura will arrive at 3:30 but I'll have the wines ready at 1:30)
Italian White Wines from Livio Felluga
Special Guest - Laura Felluga
Today Oct. 25 from 1:30 - 6:30
(Laura will arrive at 3:30 but I'll have the wines ready at 1:30)
We often get requests for White Wine Friday Sips and we have a great one for you! After World War II (as well as previous eras that Friuli was occupied by various empires), it was Livio Felluga who was one of those responsible for restoring viticulture to the region. Up until his passing in 2016 at the age of 102, he was a tireless promoter of the region and their superb wines and compelling story continues with subsequent generations. We are thrilled to have Livio’s granddaughter Laura here today to pour and discuss four of her family’s stellar offerings.
2017 LIVIO FELLUGA FRIULANO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Friulano (the grape formerly known as Tocai Friulano) is a white grape native to the Northern reaches of Italy believed to originate in the Veneto region, a neighbor of Friuli. However, it is in Friuli where this grape thrives beautifully.
One of the benchmarks of this varietal, the 2018 combines concentration with succulence. Scents of cassis leaf, peach pit, apple, lime, perfumed mineral from the sandstone in the soil and saline step forward at various times as this complex white opens in the glass. Virtually viscous but contradictory as there is ample structure and vibrancy which then folds inward and becomes very linear and food friendly on the long, drawn out and elevated finish. Truly a grand scale Italian white wine it pairs beautifully with cured ham, Proscuitto San Daniele in particular. It will also marry up nicely with grilled prawns as well as grilled eggplant or asparagus dishes.
One of the benchmarks of this varietal, the 2018 combines concentration with succulence. Scents of cassis leaf, peach pit, apple, lime, perfumed mineral from the sandstone in the soil and saline step forward at various times as this complex white opens in the glass. Virtually viscous but contradictory as there is ample structure and vibrancy which then folds inward and becomes very linear and food friendly on the long, drawn out and elevated finish. Truly a grand scale Italian white wine it pairs beautifully with cured ham, Proscuitto San Daniele in particular. It will also marry up nicely with grilled prawns as well as grilled eggplant or asparagus dishes.
2017 LIVIO FELLUGA PINOT GRIGIO
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
The icon of all icons, the master of disaster, the king of bling bling, Italian white wine champ - Livio Felluga! You want the best, you got the best, and you got the best. We are always harping on that you should always try the benchmark wines of the world. Unfortunately, trying these can be prohibitively expensive, so when you get a shot at having a wine of this caliber for a "twenty-spot," you have to take it!
There's pinot gris/pinot grigio, then there is Livio Felluga, and this wine is utterly sublime. Brilliantly focused aromas of baked apple, mineral and stunning spice lead into a texture that is rich and dense, but very relaxed and regal. Broad strokes of definitive Friuli terroir are blatantly present throughout and especially on the long and graceful finish. This wine really stands up in the glass and is a perfect match for salmon.
There's pinot gris/pinot grigio, then there is Livio Felluga, and this wine is utterly sublime. Brilliantly focused aromas of baked apple, mineral and stunning spice lead into a texture that is rich and dense, but very relaxed and regal. Broad strokes of definitive Friuli terroir are blatantly present throughout and especially on the long and graceful finish. This wine really stands up in the glass and is a perfect match for salmon.
2017 LIVIO FELLUGA
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
SAUVIGNON BLANC
$26.99 BTL./$323.88 CASE
Reaching for inspiration to write these can be a difficult task. Sometimes the entries come from the world of sports, music, and in this case, one of Oregon’s famed crops other than grapes or hazelnuts. We believe in order to create a Utopian wine world, one does not need medicinal weed for healing, but instead we recommend white wines from Friuli. These sorts of wines are legal in 49 out of 50 states (I’m not so sure about Utah!), so indulge and heal yourselves.
Possessing ample aromatics with everything in fine fettle and balance, this is the epitome of sensuality in Friuli Sauvignon. Gooseberry, subtle tropical fruit, prominent mineral and fine sage scents careen from the glass and flow through to a texture that is amply concentrated while maintaining vigorous freshness and mineral liveliness. Toss back this fabulicious white wine with pan-seared seafood like scallops or halibut dressed with a light sauce. Excellent character, classic Felluga depth and dimension as well as picking up more perfume as it opens. Flavor wise this flows smoothly through the mouth all the way to the creamy/spice-laden finish that seemingly morphs into something steely and vividly clear and focused. Rich enough for salmon, crisp enough for scallops.
Possessing ample aromatics with everything in fine fettle and balance, this is the epitome of sensuality in Friuli Sauvignon. Gooseberry, subtle tropical fruit, prominent mineral and fine sage scents careen from the glass and flow through to a texture that is amply concentrated while maintaining vigorous freshness and mineral liveliness. Toss back this fabulicious white wine with pan-seared seafood like scallops or halibut dressed with a light sauce. Excellent character, classic Felluga depth and dimension as well as picking up more perfume as it opens. Flavor wise this flows smoothly through the mouth all the way to the creamy/spice-laden finish that seemingly morphs into something steely and vividly clear and focused. Rich enough for salmon, crisp enough for scallops.
2017 LIVIO FELLUGA
ABBAZIA DI ROSSAZO BIANCO
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
ABBAZIA DI ROSSAZO BIANCO
$49.99 BTL./$599.88 CASE
%%%% ## @@@@@, IT'S ABBAZIA DI ROSSAZO TIME! This was my unprintable for a family Hot Sheet, first sentence when I smelled this scintillating, aromatic wine that comes from the Rossazo hills of Friuli. The history of the Abbey is immense and very lengthy but the Felluga lived out a dream and cultivated grapes from this area thus arriving in 2009 was the first Abbazia di Rossazo.
A nomi di fantasia blend of Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Malvasia, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla, this wine gushes with serious scents of lemon, lychee, acacia, white peach and prominent stony notes with just a kiss of vanilla and a touch of yellow apple. The same excellent penetration and intensity of the nose carries through to the mouth. Pineapple and mandarin flavors that are buffered by tense crispness start it off and then move seductively throughout the mouth. Incredible depth and personality with a mineral underlay, profound viscosity, but fully dry and everlasting. The layers and dimension are in the same realm the most regal white wines in the world and one of the apex whites of Italy and yet the price is a fraction of what a bottle of these would cost! If you have never tried Abbazia di Rossazo before or already love it, you must experience this heralded legend at least once in your lifetime. Drink it now and through the next decade with lobster or any other rich seafood dish. MADONN’!
A nomi di fantasia blend of Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Malvasia, Sauvignon and Ribolla Gialla, this wine gushes with serious scents of lemon, lychee, acacia, white peach and prominent stony notes with just a kiss of vanilla and a touch of yellow apple. The same excellent penetration and intensity of the nose carries through to the mouth. Pineapple and mandarin flavors that are buffered by tense crispness start it off and then move seductively throughout the mouth. Incredible depth and personality with a mineral underlay, profound viscosity, but fully dry and everlasting. The layers and dimension are in the same realm the most regal white wines in the world and one of the apex whites of Italy and yet the price is a fraction of what a bottle of these would cost! If you have never tried Abbazia di Rossazo before or already love it, you must experience this heralded legend at least once in your lifetime. Drink it now and through the next decade with lobster or any other rich seafood dish. MADONN’!
