2004 Michele Moschioni Colli Orientali del Friuli Real

Moschioni is a 32-acre estate nestled near Italy’s border with Slovenia, just under Austria. It is run by Michele Moschioni, his wife and adult children. Though Friuli is known for white wines, Moschioni decided in the late 1980s to produce only red wines. He makes blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and some other international varietals, but is gaining cult winemaker status for his wines made with the indigenous grapes Pignolo, Schioppettino and Ribolla Nera. Gambero Rosso has awarded Moschioni with several 3 Glass awards, the highest the journal gives, and has written that “Michele Moschioni is one of the region’s finest producers. He supervises every stage of winemaking personally, even though his main love is in the vineyard….Michele looks after his vines with meticulous care and the results are awesome, especially where native varieties are concerned.”

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is the most northeasterly region of Italy, bordered by Austria on the north, Slovenia to the east, and the Italian Veneto to the west. Given its history as a political and cultural crossroads, it is no wonder that the wines and cuisine of Friuli-Venezia Giulia reflect Italian, Austrian, French and eastern European traditions. The region is best known for its white wines, and specializes in the native Tocai Friulano, a white grape that produces plush dry wines with fruit flavors balanced by minerals and acidity. Pinot Grigio, Sauvignnon Blanc, and Chardonnay area also grown, along with the native grapes Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia and Istriana. Artisanal producers in the region also make white blends, called “super whites,” which are generally distinctive blends of native grapes and Chardonnay. However nearly 40% of Friuli-Venezia Giulia wines are red. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown, along with the native grapes Refosco, Pignolo and Schioppettino, which is also called Ribolla Nera. The region has 46,000 vineyard acres, of which 60% is classified as DOC. There are nine DOCs.