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From the cool & wet pre-Alpine range of Colli Orientali del Friuli north east of Udine & of Italia come the wines of Marco Sara, who took over the helm from his father in 2000, switching from bulk to bottle & from making largely botrytised wines (for the local mkt) to ones that are 'secco/dry' for export. Their 6ha lie in the comune of Povoletto on hills rich in ponca/flysch/marne & among woods that cool the neighbouring vines & provide a refuge for local wildlife. The key white grape is (Tocai) Friulano, along with Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo, & Picolit, while Schioppettino is happiest among the Colli Orientali, alongside Pignolo, Refosco, & Peduncolo! Marco likes to use a combiantion of steel & cement for fermentation, while ageing is in barriques & botte grande.
Marco is inclined to boast about the Colli Orientali's average annual rainfall of 1800mm (vs 900mm in the Langhe), which facilitates fresh & bright aromatics as well as modest alcohol levels! None more so than with his standout 2023 Schioppettino, the 'Pinot Nero' of this region, with its delightful (Scottish) raspberry leaf aromas, zero fruit tannins, & slender body! The 2023 vintage bringing floral rose notes too! Aged for 12mths in Remond barriques, of which 25% are new.
