Specogna, Ribolla Gialla

The Specogna family owns 25 hectares of vineyard on the hill of Rocca Bernarda in the heart of the Colli Orientali DOC in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Their vineyards are planted in a spectacular amphitheatre and tended organically by Michele and Cristian Specogna, so the quality of the fruit they bring to the winery is impeccable. As a result, they are keen to get as much flavour as possible from their grapes.

Due to this quality of fruit, Michele and Cristian can macerate wines on their skins for 18 - 24 hours before fermentation. This results in a Pinot Grigio, which is ‘ramato’ (coppery) in colour, displaying a remarkable flavour intensity. While this style is fashionable today, the wine has always been made in this manner by the Specogna family and was first imported by Liberty Wines in 1997.

The Ribolla Gialla is spicy and refreshing, boasting youthful notes of peach and lively zesty citrus flavours, culminating in a remarkably fresh, elegant finish. Specogna’s Friulano is a powerful wine with aromas of exotic fruit and white pepper notes, while the Refosco shows similar intensity and personality. The ‘Pinot Grigio Riserva’ is an aged version of the Pinot Grigio ‘ramato’ sourced from over 50-year-old vines on the classic ‘ponca’ soils of Rocca Bernarda. Fermentation on its skins in oak is followed by ageing for 24 months in barrel before further ageing in bottle. The result is a rounded, generous wine with a textured finish.

The ‘Identità’ blends Friulano, Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla from 76-year-old vines. The grapes are picked and vinified simultaneously before ageing for 12 months on their lees, in 500-litre demi-muids and bottling without filtration. Matured for a further 12 months in bottle before release, the resulting wine is structured on the palate with lively acidity and delicious notes of fruit and spice. The finish is smooth and nutty, with an impressive mineral length.