Siena, April 1st 2022 – The AIS (Association of Italian Sommelier) masterclass is about Collio DOC. A tasting of 7 Collio wines for a complete overview of white wine varieties.
Collio DOC is a small appellation, with an extension of about 1300 ha of vineyards and it produces about 6,500,000 bottles.
In this appellation white wine varieties are predominant:
- 87% white wine varieties
- 13% red wine varieties
Going into the details, these are the most planted varieties, among the “autochthonous” one:
- 14% Friulano
- 10% Ribolla Gialla
- 3% Malvasia Istriana
- 1% Picolit
and among the “international” varoets:
- 26% Pinot Grigio
- 19% Sauvignon
- 8% Chardonnay
- 3% Pinot Bianco
“Ponca” (or flysch) is the typical soil in Collio, made of stratified marl and sandstone. In the hands, it crumbles revealing tiny fossils. The ponca gives the wines (regardless if autochthones or international varieties) the characteristic footprint of minerality and salinity that makes them unique and unmistakable for their taste and aroma.
Collio “Top Player”:
- Livio Felluga: 187 ha, 900.000 bottles, 45% export
- Marco Felluga (owner also of Russiz Superiore): 100 + 50ha, 500.000 + 180.000 bottles, export 40%
- Marco Sclaris: 30 ha, 200.000 bottles but if we consider other commercial brands, the group reaches 1.380.000 bottles, 10% export
- Eugenio Collavini: 1.200.000 bottles between Collio DOC and Friuli Colli Orientali DOC
- Pighin: 1.000.000 bottles between Collio DOC and Friuli Grave DOC, export 70%
Collio DOC wine tasted:
- Collio DOC Ribolla Gialla 2020, Gradis’ciutta: straw-yellow with golden reflections, intense bouquet, fresh, sapid, long (Ribolla Gialla berries are naturally rich in malic acid)
- Collio DOC Pinot Bianco 2020, Toros: straw-yellow, medium intensity on the nose, fresh and round, slightly almondy (14% alcohol)
- Collio DOC Pinot Grigio 2020, Scolaris: straw-yellow, medium intensity, fresh and sapid, very slightly tannic sensation, maybe typical from some Pinot Grigio
- Collio DOC Friulano 2021, Battistutta Gabriele: straw-yellow, medium intensity, fresh and sapid, very soft and elegant
- Collio DOC Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Carlo di Pradis: straw-yellow, intense and aromatic on the nose, but very different style from Oceania Sauvignon Blanc, less tropical and warm, more fine and elegant (vinification: few months on its lees)
- Collio DOC Bianco Solarco 2020, Livon: Bianco in the label means it is a blend, 50% Ribolla Gialla and 50% Friulano, straw-yellow, medium intensity on the nose, fresh and sapid
- Collio DOC Friulano 2008, Tenuta Villanova: straw-yellow with golden highlights, beautiful for 14-years old white wine, complex on the nose, very fresh, light citrus note which fades and leave room to sapidity, long aftertaste (vinification, congruent with the style of those years: 1/3 undergoes barrel maturation)